When it rains...

[DarknessEmbraced]

I hope his radiation goes well. *hugs*

[Claudine]

Here we are in 2023, nearing on 5 years since diagnosis. 2022 was rough for DH, with LAR surgery, ileostomy reversal, then recurrence in DH's L3/L4 vertebrae. But there were also great moments, including several fun trips.

Two months after SBRT, he just had an MRI for his back and PET scan for upper body. Results are mixed. There's still uptake at L3/L4, although less than before radiation. More concerning is new grossly focal uptake at the rectal anastomosis site:
"Bowel: Postoperative changes of low rectal anastomosis with focal FDG avidity of the rostral sigmoid colon (SUV max 8.1). Unchanged surrounding presacral scarring/thickening [...] Superior to the anastomosis, there is relatively focal FDG avidity, which could be physiologic in nature or represent recurrent disease. As clinically indicated, consider direct visualization."

How I wish this to be "physiologic in nature"! But wishes have nothing to do with the reality of the disease, so I suppose another MRI (of the LAR anastomosis) will be scheduled soon. Ugh.

But, I learned this morning of the passing of a friend's brother, from aggressive leukemia; he was only 41. So, I'm still grateful that DH's cancer, although relentless, just creeps up slowly, and I hope that if it is a rectal recurrence, it can be resected (again). Meanwhile his onc is looking into clinical trials; DH's genetic testing came back with low tumor burden (4), confirmed KRAS G12A and added TP53 mutation, for which there are trials out there.

Keep fighting, always keep fighting!

[nmorgen]

Hi Claudine,

I’m sorry to hear that you had such a rough year. I hope they are able to find a clinical trial for your husband. Good luck!

[aquarian_asian]

Hi Claudine
You are one of the strong women I have seen in this forum. So stay strong as always and fight it back with & for your DH.
Take care dear, cheers

thanks

[utahgal7]

Claudine,

I am hoping that 2023 is a better year for your husband. It's wonderful that you have many positive moments with him. You stated in a previous post that your husband is KRAS mutant G12A. Cardiff Oncology has a medication in their pipeline called Onvansertib. According to the drug company website, this medication can target ALL mutant KRAS types. Right now, there is a phase 2 clinical trial called ONSEMBLE which is a second line treatment for mCRC that includes FOLFIRI and Bevacizumab along with Onvansertib. Based on your signature about your husband, he has tried FOLFIRI. Maybe your husband could apply for compassionate use of Onvansertib only. This is just a suggestion. Only your husband's oncologist would know if he would be a candidate for Onvansertib.

Keep fighting Claudine! I so admire your strength and resilience in the fight against this horrible disease.

Best wishes,
Paige

[Claudine]

Thanks guys! Utahgal7, I have been looking closely at Onvansertib for a while and indeed, it looks like my husband could be a candidate. Plus, Folfiri worked well for him and he hasn't developed a resistance to it yet. We're meeting with his onc on the 26, I will definitely bring it up!

[DarknessEmbraced]

I'm sorry he's had such a hard year. *hugs* I hope 2023 goes better for him.

[Claudine]

Thank you! I wasn’t able to go to the onc meeting last week but from what DH said, he’s back on the routine 3-months check, except this time it’ll be a lumbar MRI instead of the usual CT scan; and a new PET in 6 months. We’ll see what 2023 brings, but we’re making lots of plans, you can’t let this disease beat you down!
Ha, I forgot - CEA is the lowest it’s been in a while, down to 29 - I know it’s still very high but you take every little positive thing you can find. It was 44 in December, 80+ last spring.