Mass in cecum / liver mets

[mariane]

Dear ldbenz,
I am one of the HAI people on the forum.
I would contact Dr. Kemeny if possible. She likes to start patients on chemotherapy and do treatment from the very beginning. I am one of the patients who are almost completely "her own". I started treatment in hopeless situation: with 10+ mets in the liver, largest 7.5cm, tumor in rectum, and few LN around tumor affected. I was young mother of 6 years old twins at that time.
Dr. Kemeny facilitated everything from me. Within a week I saw her for the first time she put me on FOLFIRINOX chemo . I got complete pathological response and I am off chemo for over a year now with clear scans and normal life.
As you are stage 4 patient at the very beginning of your way , it is good to hit cancer strong to get the best possible response and resection.
FOLFIRINOX+ bevacizumab or FOLFIRINOX + cetuximab/panitumumab gave the greatest percentage of high grade responses to chemo and to cure at the end of the road in some cases according to the studies.
Dr. Kemeny usually opts for 3-4 cycles of chemo to check the response and then orders surgery quickly. She prefered FOLFIRINOX without other agents to follow with surgery to place HAI ASAP.
Once I started chemo I had never had chemo break longer than 2 weeks until I was completely clear of cancer. It maximized the response.
Anyway it is good to hit cancer beast with strongest combination chemo when you are strong, with good blood tests. The cancer can be hit harder and has no time to mutate into more aggressive form.
I went to Dr. K and I have been grateful every day, every minute. I am off chemo living normal life. Everything was fixed for me in no time since I started treatment there. I highly recommend it.

Hugs,

Mariane

PS. You can PM me if you would like.

[ldbenz]

Hi Mariane,

I sent you a private message the other day but I sent it from my phone and I am not sure if you received it.

Thank you so much for your post. Wow. What a story you have. Your story is probably closest to my heart and please let me thank you for sharing.

I finally met with the oncologist at Penn, Dr. Teitelbaum and liked her very much. Actually loved her ))

We are waiting for the liver biopsy (to be done Dec. 20th) and then she will start with chemo but, pending the pathology results she and Dr. Dematteo will decide which chemo. She is expecting Dr. D. to recommend EXACTLY what you have indicated. It is fascinating to see your story and hear the same thing.

Perhaps we could become friends. I am a special education teacher and work with underprivileged youth with mild learning disabilities and a mother of two boys, ages 23 and 13. I'm not ready to leave them all.

Hope to hear from you again.

LuAnn

[ldbenz]

Good morning,

Could any HAI friends please PM me? Not sure why I can't readily add you to my friend list.


Warm gratitude.


Lu

[DarknessEmbraced]

I'm sorry for your diagnosis and hope you get answers soon!*hugs*

[ldbenz]

Hugs to you too ))

[Mortpes]

Seek a surgeon that has experience in the identification and classification of abdominal cancers and elect for open surgery for a more accurate diagnosis and prognosis.

[exaussie]

usually first chemo done is 5FU with a pump. Glad to see you are being your own advocate, keep it up. The surgeon doesn't know all, the oncologist doesn't know all but together they know much! You are not a statistic you are uniquely you, so please don't Dr google too much it really doesn't mean anything.
Good wishes on your health and may you always find the positive!

[ldbenz]

exaussie,

I'm so very sorry to read your signature.

Love from afar ~