Cancer has spread and now wondering what is the best option

Hi,

It’s a tough decision for sure . My mum was 67 at diagnosis and in good health . She decided to go for surgery with the goal of slowly reducing the tumour load in her body . She did end up with a spread to her lung but had a surgical option .

She had two liver resections, the first four small wedge resections along with a bowel resection . She found the bowel uncomfortable to get going again but since then has had no other issues . The second liver resection was extensive at 73% being removed and a slower recovery . However it has done well ever since .

Part of the process she used to weigh up her options was also to look at what intervention might occur if she did nothing at this point . Would her bowel block and emergency surgery be required ? Would she prefer a planned procedure over and emergency one ? Would she require palliative interventions as part of her care . All These questions surfaced and she decided to try and manage it with surgery where possible and chemotherapy . It is hard as no one can predict what the outcomes will be and had she not had good results I think she would have reconsidered that further down the road . It does require a lot of flexibility and reevaluate as you progress . 
If you click on my user name you can see the time frame for the bowel/liver aspect .

The surgery for the lung for my mum was watched for a few years so it came afterwards . Radio frequency ablation is getting good results for the lung too according to my mum’s oncologist. However it also has a criteria.

These are such difficult conversations and decisions. Sometimes you need to take time to gather the information and let it sink in before clarity surfaces . 
Take care ,

Court 

I am very sorry to hear your news, & understandably, you both must be feeling devastated right now. Yes - as your surgeon advised - it will be complicated, & a long process of treatment will be necessary.

I had a left hemicolectomy in May '19...to remove a 5cm tumour; which yes, is major surgery. However...It was not half as bad as I had expected. I left hospital within 4 days, & resumed to 'normal life' within a couple of weeks. I didn't need a stoma - as my cancer was 'high up.' but others on this site say that having one fitted does not deter them from living a normal life.

One year later, I developed two small tumours in my right lung...& so I then had oral chemo (Capecitabine Tabs,) for 6 mths...which reduced the tumours.(This Chemo. was very doable for me personally, & I suffered minimal side effects.) This enabled me to have radio frequency Lung Ablation - which is a very non invasion procedure (requiring only one night in hospital.) The next day - I was able to carry on my life as normal.

I am due a regular CT scan sometime this month. (Always a worrying time.) However, 2 1/2 years later, I am still here.

Personally, I would throw everything 'at it,' & go along with any treatment offered you.

No medical person can ever guarantee success with any intervention. Even undergoing GA comes with risks. However, life itself comes with risks everyday.

I wish you both the very best.

Marianne26

Thanks for replying Court. I think the both of us are still in a state of shock after receiving the news re the cancer in the lung. Hopefully we will be able to think about the situation with a bit more clarity over the next couple of days.

Thanks for replying Marianne. As I said to another poster, I think the both of us are still a bit shocked after receiving the news re the cancer spreading to the lung. Hopefully we will be able to sit down and think about the situation with a bit more clarity over the next couple of days and, knowing my wife, she will throw everything into at it and take any treatment offered. Take Care

I think she will need time Mr. Mac . I noticed that with my mum . I also had to work hard to stay upright in a few of these meetings . It’s so stressful anyway and your trying to absorb the information and listen to what is actually being said . It often took both myself and my mum a few days to piece together all the information. She would absorb parts that I might of missed etc . 

However I noticed a few days later she want more information and that gave her some direction and a plan going forward .

Hope you both got some sleep . If it’s any help the lung was by far the easiest to deal with for my mum .

Thinking of you both .

Court 

Thanks again Court. We spoke about the situation last night and she has decided to go through with the surgeries and wants to fight  this horrible disease. We got a call this morning and they have penciled in her bowel and maybe the liver surgery for the 25th January.  They said it might be changed due to the Covid situation as, like every other hospital, they are struggling.

I think you have both made the right decision...& the fact that surgery will be so soon, sounds very promising. The very best wishes to you.

Marianne 26

Thanks Marianne. 

Hello Mr MAC,

im thinking of you both. Advice from Court is wonderful. 
Thinking of you. 

Thanks Helen. I know there's loads of information out there in books etc. however, it's so good to hear from real "people" talking about their experiences