My mum has small bowel cancer with liver mets

Hi Kiki

I'm sorry to hear about your mum

I just wanted to let you know that I was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer November 2021 and classed as inoperable and incurable

I have had a permanent stoma and I'm on permanent chemotherapy.

I've had no side effects and am living life to the full.

I was poorly prior to having the stoma but I'm so glad I had the stoma as it's given me my life back

I hope your mum responds well to the chemotherapy 

Mandy 

Sorry I cant answer your question as I’m new to all this too but wanted to send a virtual hug to you..seek advice from the macmillan nurses and also if you have a Maggie’s centre - they really helped me with my parents cancer and are now helping me with mine!  Big hugs to you and I hope you mum feels better soon xx

Hi, thank you so much and a big hug to you too.

I'm hopefully attending a support group at Maggies centre this week so I'm glad to hear that helped you through xx

Hi 

So sorry to hear about your mum . I think the consultants like to see how individuals tolerate chemotherapy and if they can gain stability over the disease before they will commit themselves and for good reasons . They can also make adjustments to her plan so keep talking to her team . 

My mum had no pain so I am so sorry to hear what your mum is experiencing. However she did have a significant spread to her liver and chemotherapy did bring things into a better place .

I am going to link in a chemo care thread which might help you prepare and we found it helpful to do what we could in each day but taking it one day at a time . One chemotherapy cycle at a time . If she is sore even keeping her mobile around the house is a good achievement. You can play a role with her foods , fluids and entertainment.

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/general/221768/chemo-care-top-tips--

You can click on my user name to read my mum’s full story .

They are offering chemotherapy so there is hope it will achieve something for your mum .

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Mandy! 

Thanks so much for your response, it has definitely provided us with some comfort and hope! 

I'm so glad to hear you're living life to the full! 

I hope you don't mind me asking, but when you say you're on permanent chemo- is that in tablet form or do you have to continue iv ?

Thanks again and big hugs to you,

Kiki xx

Court,

Thank you so much for your reply. 

We have just found out today that she also has small volume mets in her lungs. It's all so scary and upsetting. I'd do anything for this not to be happening to her. I am heartbroken and so worried.

We are praying that the chemo works and controls this progression. 

Reading your's and your mums story is a glimmer of hope amidst what seems to just be bad news and more bad news. Thank you for sticking around and offering a listening ear and a support to this community. 

I am so glad to hear your mum is doing well. 

Kiki xx 

There is the potential for the chemotherapy to impact them as they are working on the liver .

There are other treatments too like radio frequency ablation . My mum has had a spread to both .

Initially it does feel like a series of unfortunate events but chemo can be very effective for a subgroup of patients .

Keep talking , it’s good for you and the more support around you the better you will be in supporting your mum .

One step at a time .

Do you know what chemo your mum is going on ?

Take care ,

Court 

So can chemo target the lung mets as well? 

She's going on oxaliplatin with 5FU.

What did your mum have? 

Thanks

Ki xx

My mum had similar . Yes , chemo is systemic so can tackle more than one site . That’s why they like patients with a spread to go on it . Not only does it deal with visible disease but micro disease that may be lurking .

Its always unsettling to hear it’s in other places for sure but the plan remains the same .

Take care ,

Court 

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/TreatingAdvancedBowelCancer_BowelCancerUK.pdf
Can’t honestly remember if I linked this in before but great at showing the different ways of tackling treatment open to the oncologist.

Take care ,

Court