Hello,
In early June of 2016 I was diagnosed with BRAF colon cancer (fastest growing and most difficult to treat) which had metasticized to my liver with 23 lesions.Four oncologists gave me 6-12 months and said surgery would be impossible.I would not allow myself to believe this.
I started wkith Folfox and Avastin every other week with an infusion bag for two days.Heavy doses.The only side effect was I did not have was nausua.
It was extremley important to keep my weight up regardless of what I ate.I had gone from 160-pre-cancer to 140 in June of 2016.Within three months I was at 163.A lot of ensure, ice cream and coffee cake.They took 12 inches from my colon because there was a blockage so I had to wait six weeks for the chemo treatments.The tumors grew and Folfox started.12 treatments then my blood platlets got too low and neuropathy set in but not bad.This is common for Oxiplatin which is included in Folfox.Then Folfiri and the only difference was oxiplatin is rel\placed with Irintecan.Eight more treatments.
All the while my daughter was doing research.She like myself would not accept what the oncologists were telling us.After four months the tumors were almost 1/2 of their original size.My Daughter contacted John Hopkins in Baltimore and the liver surgeon.That hospital and Sloan Kettering if you have cancer especially colon are the best in the U.S. for certain.
My appointment was set for April.My oncologist thought it was a waste of time.Doctor He,the surgeon at Hopkins took a cat scan and immeadiatly said I was a canidate for a resection.if cancer was also outside my liver they would not have operated.A few days later the team at Hopkins wanted an MRI.Same results as the cat scans.I had to wait six weeks to get most of the chemo of of my system then the operation was performed on May 18th.I was told by many if and when surgery was an option 40% of my liver neeed to be replaced.Doctor He removed 10% and of the 23 lesions 22 were dead and the 23 was almost dead and was removed.I am now cancer free.
The moral of the story is never believe your oncologist if he says resection is impossible.If colon cancer use the same drugs as I outlined then make an appointment with Doctor He at John Hopkins.In my case it was the difference between life or death.