Postby girlnextdoor » Fri Aug 14, 2009 7:30 am
Hi Blakeswife,
I'm a caregiver also. My husband had a recurrence after one year with mets to the lungs and lymph nodes. We just started chemo in June. He feels fine. I was where you are a few months ago: stunned, crying a lot.
His CEA has been normal all of this time. Seems that is not a good predictor for us.
I know some people on here have had HIPEC with good results. They can speak to that.
It sounds like your husband is still trying to process this recurrence. It is his decision whether to go for HIPEC or just chemo but HECK it's our job to help sway and convince them to the best decision. Unfortunately, I find myself to be the fighter in our scenario while my husband takes a back seat and lets people take care of him. This is not the demeanor of a survivor.
I'm reading a book which I MUST get him to read as it could be a lifesaver. It's called "Love, Medicine and Miracles" by Bernie Siegel. It's about the 5% that do survive and what their personalities, way of life, life outlook, etc. In other words, what makes them different. So far, I have found that survivors are their own best advocates and now I'm trying to inspire my husband to be the same.
I hope this helps. You'll be in my prayers.
Lisa
BTW, I can't see your signature so I didn't have too many details to go by except what you wrote.
Husband, age 52, DX RC 8/2007
Stage III
5FU,Rad
Surgery (APR) 12/2007
FOLFOX
2 lung nodules 5/2008
HNPCC postive (MSH2 mutation)
Mets to lung 5/2009,lymph nodes
FOLFIRI, Avastin 7/2009
Xeloda 1/2010
Four children (18,15,12,11)
Lisa, loving wife