The Colon Club

Looking for hope and information. My best friend was diagnosed with rectal cancer last May, had surgery, and they discovered it was also in several lymph nodes. She had complications recovering from surgery, so she got a late start to chemo, and just last month after finishing chemo her scan showed mets to the lungs and spine. She's 38. Doing more chemo. Has anyone else here been through this with success? The statistics are horrifying to me.

I've read quite a few stories on here. I've also read a few stories online of people who have been cured. I know of someone who lived 11 years with it. Also, from what I understand the statistics are outdated. Stay positive for your friends' sake!

Here I am.... diagnosed December 2010 Stage IV rectal cancer with lung nodules. Chemo (Folfox) - Lung Surgery - Chemo/Radiation - LAR with ileostomy - ileostomy reversal. All clear since surgery-- finished 12 Folfiri treatments four years ago this month. We are out here!

ten years since stage 4 diagnosis still kicking!!

missjv

Not sure of the long term definition, butt last July I was told 100 lesions to the liver...clean PET in march! Kick ass day by day, the days rack up!

Diagnosed Stage 4 almost 11 years ago. Six years since lung surgery. Five years off Avastin. See signature for details. There is definitely hope.

Hello All,

I just registered on this forum tonight, Sunday night, 4/24/16. My husband was diagnosed 3/15/16 with stage 4 colon cancer that spread to his liver. Both the top and bottom of the liver is covered in many small spots. My husband Ron declined a biopsy to verify this was cancer.

I have read the statistics on long term survival for those who are stage 4 and I am TERRIFIED!!

Also, my hubby is a long term diabetic (type 2) and for the last month or so, has been suffering greatly with diabetic nerve pain. They put him on 900 mg of gabapentin and now his left leg is swollen and his left foot is so swollen he can't get his shoes on!

And if ALL of this wasn't BAD enough, his last CT scan showed blood clots in one of his lungs. The onc put him on Lovenox for an indefinite period of time. This is a real hardship for us financially, as it costs $330 per month for the daily injections!

I am here to learn all I CAN about the BEST possible treatments for Ron, and find out about any financial assistance programs as well.

I read online over the past weekend that there is a new treatment for cancer that has spread to the liver, where you implant a pump that takes the chemo thru the hepatic artery. Has anyone ever heard of this? I want to know about clinical trials as well!

I am also very interested in any alternative medicine treatments for his neuropathy.

I am VERY glad I found this forum using a Dogpile search!

These stories really give me HOPE, which I very badly need! I went on cancer.gov and was told the chances of someone with stage 4 colon cancer surviving 5 years was only 11 to 13%!!

Can those who posted in this thread tell me which chemo they received and what side effects they had?

My hubby Ron starts his chemo on Thursday, 4/28. His onc already told him he will have to wear a pouch for 2 days. Is this normal for CC?

Also how many of you have had severe diarrhea? The doc told Ron he may be subjected to that. What about premeds for the chemo? Can this be prevented?

I thank you SO much for answering my many questions!!

Stage iv two and a half years ago with a 5 cm tumor in my liver after rectal cancer. Still sweating it, but knock on wood so far so good.

As to chemo questions:

Chemo affects everyone differently and there are a range of side effects he can experience. Some people have very little problems while others get very sick. I was among the very sick.

As to premeds, you have to be careful you don't take something that lessens the effectiveness of the chemo. Check with your oncologist before you do anything. I found that the meds they gave me to help with the chemo side effects were worse than the chemo at first so I stopped taking them. I smoked very small amounts of pot, which helped immensely with nausea the general flu-like feeling I had. It also gave me an appetite. I also took Adavan, which helped with nausea and anxiety. And I drank a mix of tonic water and grapefruit juice, which for some reason tasted good and helped me feel better too.

The best advice is to ask what others have done and be willing to try different things to find what works for you.

And as he experiences side effects--the chemo gets worse as you go along--post questions here and other places. For example, he will probably have neuropathy and so you will want to know how to manage that.

ronswife wrote:These stories really give me HOPE, which I very badly need! I went on cancer.gov and was told the chances of someone with stage 4 colon cancer surviving 5 years was only 11 to 13%!!

Can those who posted in this thread tell me which chemo they received and what side effects they had?

My hubby Ron starts his chemo on Thursday, 4/28. His onc already told him he will have to wear a pouch for 2 days. Is this normal for CC?

Also how many of you have had severe diarrhea? The doc told Ron he may be subjected to that. What about premeds for the chemo? Can this be prevented?

I thank you SO much for answering my many questions!!

I have a link in my sig about my treatments. The first are with folfox, later folfiri. The pouch I assume you mean the 5fu pump you go home with. Don't think statistics, they keep improving and are individual. The liver, I assume you mean HAI pump which others here have had also. Do you have insurance? Hopefully other diabetics and people with similar issues can answer more of your questions. You can start a new thread to ask and hopefully get more answers. Best wishes

Thank you SO much Nik Colon!

I will ask Ron's onc Thursday about the HAI pump. I didn't know what it was called. I am GLAD people on this forum have gotten good results with it including you.

I will also post a new thread asking for more info regarding the diabetic neuropathy!

ronswife wrote:Thank you SO much Nik Colon!

I will ask Ron's onc Thursday about the HAI pump. I didn't know what it was called. I am GLAD people on this forum have gotten good results with it including you.

I will also post a new thread asking for more info regarding the diabetic neuropathy!

Your welcome I didn't have the HAI pump, but did have liver resection. Others here have had it tho. Hopefully they will reply, or you can ask about it when you post a new thread. Just seen you did Again, best wishes

Hello! My husband has Stage IV colon cancer. He was diagnosed in 2014 and recently passed his two year cancerversary. He is currently on Avastin only and we have an appointment to reassess for surgery if necessary. It has been a loooonnnggg two years but he is still here. Many blessings to you and your family.

wolverine wrote:Looking for hope and information. My best friend was diagnosed with rectal cancer last May, had surgery, and they discovered it was also in several lymph nodes. She had complications recovering from surgery, so she got a late start to chemo, and just last month after finishing chemo her scan showed mets to the lungs and spine. She's 38. Doing more chemo. Has anyone else here been through this with success? The statistics are horrifying to me.

This is the first thing that comes to my mind:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=53052&p=418755#p418755