mCRC STAGE IV OR RECURRENT PATIENTS thread - ONGOING

[Faith42]

Crazy week. Just started posting here a few weeks back. Got lung mets biopsied and they call it an unknown etiology. My doctor was ready to operate and even suggested chemo. So, it may be tumors (which may still require a major operation), but am waiting to see what they want to do as the surgeon was out last week. I will keep you updated. I enjoy reading the forum even though I don't post often. I thank God everyday for this awesome life!

[skypup]

Thinking of you, Gwen. Please check in when you can...

[kpjpmom]

Gwen,
Wondering how you are doing and thinking of you. Hope all is well. Take care. KPJPMOM

[jacekica]

Gwen, hope it is all pain free but you are to drowsy for posting. Thinking and praying for you and all of us.

[Verbena]

I thought I'd just say hi - I had chemo treatment yesterday after a long break, and it was a new regime for me (aphlibbocept - can't think of correct spelling just now!, irinotecan and the 5fu take home pump). I have not been able to sleep a wink since the treatment yesterday (it's 4.18 am here) - I blame the dexmethasone. I am propped up on the couch watching a very old favourite movie.

Although I've hardly posted since this all started for me, I do look in on this forum from time to time and take comfort in reading everybody's stories, mingled with hope and strength, and the way everybody cares for each other. I have been lucky so far with not too many awful side effects, feeling well a lot of the time and being able to have a long break. I am a bit nervous about this new treatment, but I think you have all been through so much more than I have.

Gwen, I am sending you my best wishes too.

Love, from Australia
Ruth ("verbena")

[jacekica]

Ruth(Verbena) I hope new chemo ill schrink mets in liver so that you can have some years without mets, pain, treatments and pain.

Dear Gwen, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Skypup, I hope you are well and have a nice autumn with your wonderful dog.

[Asterix]

Finished radiation today. Pain seems better, and should only improve over the next few weeks so they tell me. Thinking of you all, especially Gwen. Hope everything is ok.

[Bev G]

Dearest Gwen, may we know how you are?

Thinking of you all. Praying for you all.

Much love,

Bev

[skypup]

Verbena and Asterix, thank you for your updates. It really helps me to feel a community with other stage IVers. best of luck to you both.

Gwen, dear, you are greatly missed here and we are holding space for you. May you be well enough to give us an update soon. Blessings to you!

A little hug to sweet (((Bev))).

I get scan results today, fingers crossed, Xanax taken.

[juliej]

Gwen, holding you in the light and hoping to hear from you soon. God bless you, sweet one.

Skypup, swinging chickens and saying prayers that your scan results are good!

[ConnieSPK]

Dear Gwen, so glad to see your last post...sending happy thoughts, hugs and prayers.......please let us know how you're doing.

Connie K.

[Verbena]

Thanks for your kind thoughts Jacekica and Skypup!

Wishing you good scan results today Skypup - very nerve racking. Crossing my fingers for you.

I had the 5fu pump taken off today, and so far so good...although worried the medication they used to prevent the Irinotecan diarrhoea might be working too well. Eek.

Apart from that we had a gorgeous sunny Spring day here, and I treated myself with some retail therapy! Yay!

[vickitwo]

Gwen,
Thinking of you. Praying that you are comfortable and pain free.

Skypup,
Hoping for good news about your scan.

[skypup]

Thanks for the good wishes! I posted this on the scan buddies thread. Good news.

So I got my results today.

The bad news is that there are numerous mets throughout both lobes of the liver. But I knew that already.

The rest is good news, at least as good as it gets for inoperable stage IV. My CEA has gone from a record high 127 to a little old 6 in the two months I have been on Folfiri+Erbitux. For the first time since my liver was invaded, no new mets showed up on the scan. There was a decrease in size of all mets, the largest one decreasing by more than 50% in diameter. My onc is discontinuing the irinotecan, which is the drug that makes me the most sick, so it'll just be a doable 5-FU and Erbitux. He also thought that scanning in 4 months instead of 3 is just fine.

All in all, a very good visit. Sigh...

[Val*pal]

Skypup - that is really awesome news! You are quite the battler. I'm so glad this was good news so that you can feel all those chemicals were not a waste.

To Everyone Else: Like the rest of you, I am extremely worried about Gwen. I heard from her on Tuesday but not since then. The two PMs I've sent since then have not been opened. Let's pray that Gwen is simply hitting a rough patch and will post here soon.

Val