The Colon Club

Pemba wrote:I’m so sorry to hear about your current situation.

I think I depends on life quality, how affected are you by the chemotherapy? Dose it knock you out completely or can you live a “normal” life. If the chemo don’t ruin your life quality I would keep on going, what can it hurt really, the medical world is moving so fast that nothing is ever sure, there may be a new trial or new medicin just around the corner.

If you on the other hand feel like chemo is draining everything good out of your body, then I understand why you would want to enjoy the last time the best way as possible.

I have linked to a Ted Talk, that I think you should view, it’s very positive and full of love.

https://www.ted.com/talks/lucy_kalanith ... xt#t-21134

I hope you find peace at whatever choice you make, remember it’s your life, YOU decide.

So much love, hugs and kisses from me.

NHMike wrote:Your situation is quite difficult and I understand the part about spending so much time in treatment that it leaves little time to enjoy life. I understand that you want to be there for your family as long as you can but they likely would want you to enjoy life if it's clear that there aren't any solutions on the horizon. I have a friend that's on the chemo for life program and he's on short-term disability and asks "why me?". His medication will keep him alive until hopefully a cure or procedure can be found. He has some side-effects but no spread so his position is tenable for him. You are seeing spread so things are harder for you. It's definitely one of the things that all of us with Stage 3 worry about at one time or another or maybe all the time.

The answer to your question is intensely personal. I think that I know what I'd do in your case but that's me.

radnyc wrote:I would absolutely star looking for clinical trials. This is where the future of research is. Ask your oncologist and check:

https://clinicaltrials.gov

WarriorSpouse wrote:Hey Janis,
I am sorry to read what you are going through.

From my wife's past experiences, she has been successful being on Zeloda and Avastin, on a two week on and one week off maintenance program. The Avastin comes once at the beginning of the two week cycle.

Since you are at MD Anderson, I would press them hard on a proactive treatment plan including Avastin, and what ever chemo has worked best for you historically. From your footer information, it looks like Avastin has worked for you in the past, why are you not using it now? Everyone is different and not one treatment is the same from patient to patient, but be proactive and push forward to NED status again.
All the best on your decisions and plan forward.

Good luck!
WS

NHMike wrote:

mpbser wrote:"get to MD Anderson and get your tumor tested for MSI status"

I would imagine that that was already done. Janis is a patient at MD Anderson. Wouldn't such a big cancer center test MSI as a matter of course?

Janis -- sending positive thoughts your way.

My local hospital is nowhere near top-ranked and they tested MSI status using the cheaper IHC testing. I would guess that MD Anderson would do a full NextGen Genomic Tumor analysis to get the mutation and variant so they would know exactly what they are dealing with.

Janis wrote:

NHMike wrote:

mpbser wrote:"get to MD Anderson and get your tumor tested for MSI status"

I would imagine that that was already done. Janis is a patient at MD Anderson. Wouldn't such a big cancer center test MSI as a matter of course?

Janis -- sending positive thoughts your way.

My local hospital is nowhere near top-ranked and they tested MSI status using the cheaper IHC testing. I would guess that MD Anderson would do a full NextGen Genomic Tumor analysis to get the mutation and variant so they would know exactly what they are dealing with.

Thank you so much sweetie for the input. I will be asking my oncologist about this. I also seen your signature that you recently went through surgery and I hope all is well with you. Thanks so much.