My Dad 66yr old with bowel cancer stage 4 with liver mets

Hi Jules, Just wanted to let you know that my mum had a similar diagnosis as your dad and was put straight onto the same chemo combo. It seems to be the first choice in the circumstances.

My mum was very fit as she had no symptoms, but had completed the bowel screening programme through the post. It was very hard to believe she had a spread to her liver.

She had surgery on her colon and liver last month . She will require a further op, but we keep pressing on.

I hope your dad has a good responce to chemo and maybe someone with more info than me will also reply.

Kind regards court

Hi Court

Thanks heaps for your reply.  It's nice to hear that others are under the same treatment as Dad.  It's so hard to believe that something like this can go on inside of your loved one with no symptoms at all.  Thanks for the words of encourgement, and the same to you and your Mum - you really do have to stay positive... as hard as it can be sometimes!

All the best and keep me posted on how all is going for you both.

Jules

Thank you Jackie, it is nice to hear from people who care going through what we are also.  I wish you and your hubby well... and good luck on the trial.

Yes we too hope the chemo goes well for Dad, he is coping pretty well with it at the moment so that is good news.

Keep me posted and thanks

Jules

Does anyone out there know what the cancer markers are in the blood?  My Dad went from 1700 to 400, I'm guessing this is good but I don't really know what it means?  Could anyone tell me?  Dad is off to his 3rd chemo today and having a scan soon to see what is happening, hoping for some good news!!  He has lost 5kgs and they have put him on a protein type shake to bulk him up abit, he is eating bette than ever before so a shame he is still losing weight?  Love to hear from someone with some info!! Cheers Jules

hi jules i find myself in exactly the same position as you .my dad is also 66 and got diagnosed one month ago with bowel cancer that has spead to the liver.it has turned my world upside down we saw his oncologist last week who put him on exactly the same chemo combo as your dad he starts it in one week for 12 weeks.it came as such a shock as he also had no symptoms and is always fit and healthy anyway the docs said they will scan again after he has finished chemo cycle and if it has responded well they would reconsider liver surgery for the tumors in there.it really helps to hear from people who are going through it too x x

Hi Franny - thanks for your message.  It's such a hard thing to come to terms with isn't it?  And like you say when your Dad seems so fit and healthy- then to find out this has been growing inside them!  I do think though the fact that our Dad's have always been so fit and healthy that this must help them fight this disease!  And i do believe a positive mind also helps - but know it can be hard sometimes!  Did your Dad have an enlarge liver?  My dad did, and I was just wondering if he had that hard lump in his tummy also?  That is of course why he went to the Doctor, thinking it was a hernia or ulcer... not bloody cancer!  All the best Franny for you and your Dad!  I will be thinking of you, and please post anything you want to say or ask won't you?  Like you say it really does help! Take care xxx

Hi Jules, I am  51 yrs old, I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in march with liver and lung mets. I have just had my 4 round of cap ox treatment and feel great. Apart from the side effects of the oxalipltin, (tingling fingers and muscle spasms oh and a rather flushed face), I don't even feel ill. I have no chance of an operation in my local hospital but have requested a 2nd opinion and this is being followed up, just awaiting an appointment. I had been suffering from none of the sual symptoms of bowel cancer and was just asolutely exhausted, had to sit down as soon as I got to the top of the stairs and catch my breath. My husbandmade me go to gp in jan and started treament on 26th march. Hope this helps.

Kaz xx

hi jules

thanks so much for your reply i dont think my dad has an enlarged liver or at least the doctors havn't said so ,he didn't have a lump in his stomach either he went into hospital as he was getting a severe pain just under his rib cage on the right side. doctors first thought it was gallstones but a blood test showed his enzymes levels in his liver were raised so they sent him for a ultra sound scan where they told us they had found several shadows in his liver that were consistant with cancer he then had a ct scan to find out where the primary source was as the ct didn't show much he then had a flexible sigmodoscopy where they found a tumour low down in his bowel. how has your dad been since he has started treatment? please keep intouch and hopefully soon you will receive some good news. i told my dad about you and your dads storie and it has really lifted his spirits. xx

Great to hear from you Kaz!! Well that sounds great, so good that you are feeling so good.  Yes Dad too has had no side effects except the cold tingling fingers, and of course feeling the cold (And they just got 5 inch of snow!!).  Thank God for your husband telling you to go to your GP!!  Isn't it just a scary thing that can go on with no side effects... I really do believe that there should be a lot more screening and information told to the general public about this cancer that can really go un-noticed.  No offence to Breast cancer, or Prostate cancer by any other means - but there is a lot we do hear about and are aware of, but Bowel isn't one of them.  And they tell me in NZ that you have a 1 and 16 chance if you are a male of getting it!  Anyway, that doesn't help us now - lets focus on how good you and my Dad are feeling and go for gold!!  Great to hear you are seeking a 2nd opinion - Good luck sounds like you have the right frame of mind!! Best Wishes and love to hear from you with your progress!    Jules xxx