38 with stage IV rectal cancer with spots on the liver

[brownjo3]

hi everyone! I am 38 years old and was diagnosed with rectal cancer with metasis to the liver in February. I have been through 6 chemos. I am on Avastin, ironitecan, and FU5. The only side effect from chemo is I get cold sores occasionally and constipation occasionally. I lost about 15 pounds when I first found out, but I have put most of the weight back on. I had one scan about 3 weeks ago and showed a 50% reduction in the liver spots. The plan is at least two more chemos and but probably 4 more since I am handling it so well. I literally feel as healthy as I ever have. Is this normal?? I want to do surgery to get the crap out of me, but the James(OSU cancer center) says since the chemo is working we will continue. Looking for some comparable positive stories! I have 3 boys under the age of 6

[crazylife]

Are you able to travel to a major cancer center like MSK for a second opinion? Do you have spots in liver or lungs? Your post says liver but the title says lungs. There is something called the HAI pump which can help shrink tumors (think it works better than chemo) to get you to a resectable state.

[elise]

Hello BJ3

I'm different but some of the same

I was dx with stage 2 at age 30 then a reoccurrence to stage 4 with liver met at age 34. Personally I'd do chemo until you are a surgical candidate. If you don't wind up being a surgical candidate then check out HAI at MSK for sure. BUTT your best chance of long term survival is surgery so keep tolerating that chemo!!! (I won't lie, I'm kinda jealous. That S*** kicks my BUTT!)

Cheers to continued tolerate of chemo

Elise

[brownjo3]

HI, I actually had a 2nd opinion at MSK before I started chemo and they agreed with the plan. With that said, after scan 2 I am going to send the CT scan to them to look at. It is mets to the liver, not lungs (Thank God, just a typo)

[Jack&KatiesMommy]

Please please please go to MSK and get an HAI pump. I was told in 2011 (at the James) that I had 12-22 months to live if they did everything they could (chemo they said was my only option as I had tumor so throughout my liver.). I sought a second opinion and ultimately landed at MSK with Dr. Kemmeny. It will be 5 years since my diagnosis this August. I would not be here now if not for Dr K and MSK. The James wanted to "continue chemo."

Cynthia

[Nik Colon]

I was supposed to do 6 tx b4 surgery, but kept telling the doc I wanted surgery, so he agreed for me to get a scan and bumped my surgery up after scan showed 50% shrinkage and the surgeons agreed I could (and I think he was tired of me mentioning it, my onc got annoyed easy, I am not with him now as he was kinda rude and arrogant). I'm not saying it was the right thing, but I wanted it done asap! I know how you feel.

[brownjo3]

Cynthia - Thanks for your post. You inspired me to call my doctor at MSK, Dr. Rona Yaeger and have her look at CT scans from a couple of weeks ago and to give a 2nd opinion that 12 chemos is the way to go. I may try to go up there next week. This week is Chemo #7 at the James on Wednesday. We also live in Columbus (Gahanna area). My main doctor at OSU is Dr. Wu. If you ever want to get together, let me know! My email is johnbrowniii@gmail.com.

Still feeling great minus this constipation!