The quick story regarding Sleen, she had too many tumors to operate on, surgery was not an option. They took a couple of her tumors out, did some interesting things to them, then put them back inside of her. Her body started to attack all the other tumors except for one in her lung. At some point, they surgically removed that last remaining tumor. She has been NED ever since. 5 yrs plus. For a while, Joan Lunden (spelling) would interview her, her family and her doctors on her follow up care.
There has been some interesting progress made in the last few years. I can see where finding a cure for cancer (or at least some of them) could be just around the corner.
For perspective. Back in the 1980's, colonoscopies were pretty much new, I believe Ronald Regan was the first president to be scoped. A good friend of mine, her dad was diagnosed when he was 46-47ish in the 1980's. The first 25 pound he lost, he felt great, it was the next 25 pounds that got his attention. Guess they did exploratory surgery and found his cancer. He woke up with a bag and was told he probably only had 6 months to live. Limited options for chemo then. He died with the first 6 months.
When I was diagnosed back in 2004, FOLFOX was experimental. My Onc was able to get me on board with a trial. For 3-4 mths, I was her only patient getting FOLFOX until the FDA approved it. Avastin was another new chemo drug. They were games changers during that time. I was stage IIIC, was told I only had a 33% chance of being alive in 5 yrs by most medical professions. My surgeon was the only one who told me my odds were probably higher, around 50%. I held onto those words.
Best advice I can give you. Do not take surgical advice from an Onc. Get surgical advice from the surgeon. AND do not take chemo advice from a surgeon. Get chemo advice from the Oncologist. Getting a 2nd opinion is ALWAYS a good idea.
Good luck,
Lee