Postby claudine » Thu Oct 15, 2020 10:09 am
Dear Nicole,
I apologize if anything I write is inappropriate, or callous, or very unhelpful - our western society is so disconnected with the end of life, we (or at least I) do not know how to deal with it, talk about it... But, a few thoughts...
This may be totally stupid, but have there ever been liver transplants for people with cancer? Would that be an option?
I would also say - they give you 3 months, but from what I've heard from others, it is often a worst-case scenario (they do not want to give false hope, I guess) and you may have more time with your son than this. During this time, do not give up - keep researching possibilities, keep abreast of current research, there is a lot happening with cancer treatments these days. How about alternative treatments - as long as they're not a financial drain?
And unlike sudden events like heart attacks or car crashes, at least with a progressing disease one has time to make preparations - get things in order, make plans - you are a single mom but hopefully you have a good support network, relatives, close friends who can help you now, but also help your son in the event you are now longer able to take care of him? I read somewhere about mom who wrote many letters to the children she would leave behind, to be opened at special times along their lives (birthdays, graduations, etc), so a little bit of her would always be there and accompany them throughout their lives. If you have the strength and energy to do so, of course.
Again, I really apologize if what I wrote is upsetting to you, I feel powerless in the face of what you are going through...
Wife of Dx 04/18 (51 yo). MSS, KRAS G12A, no primary
Tumors: L4 04/18; left adrenal gland & small lung nodules 03/19
rectum 02/22 (pT3 pN0 stage 2A); L3 09/22
Surgeries: intestinal resect. 05/18 (no cancer - Crohn's); adrenalectomy 02/20
L3-L4-L5 fusion and corpectomy 05/20; LAR 04/22; ileo reversal 09/22
L2-L3 fusion and corpectomy 09/22
Treatments: EBRT 04/18; SBRT 02/19; Failed adjuvant Xelox ; Folfiri/Avastin 03/19 - 01/20
adjuvant chemorad (Xeloda) 06/22; SBRT 11/22; Xeloda/Avastin since 01/24