Chemo before liver resection - stage 4 colon cancer

Hi, sorry for the situation your in, 

I had small bowel cancer stage 3 ten years ago had a right hemi colectomy and adjuvant chemo. Been clear for 10 years only to discover on a Ct  follow up scan after kidney stone surgery I now have recurrent bowel cancer stage 4.

Met with oncologist who said he was not offering me any treatment as I had no symptoms. I corrected him as I have been attending my GP since May with hip pain. 

He then agreed to give me a 5 day course of radiotherapy which I’m in the middle of. 

I have a tumour in my sacrum/pelvis,enlarge lymph nodes in my abdomen and undetermined nodules in both lungs, 

like you apart from the cancer I feel great however, I fear I have been written off which I will never accept until everything has been done to extend my life. 

Im not nor down with the radiotherapy. 

Hi Nettie123

Sorry about that , it’s not much different than other stages . My mum just had an Oxaliplatin infusion and cap tablets at home for six cycles then a scan . Surgery then home . Her team never did post op chemotherapy some do .

I have also noticed on the boards that some oncologist prefer three or four cycles then a scan . 
The only other aspect they may add in a targeted agent if they felt that was appropriate but possibly not. .

You sound incredibly fit . Sounds as though you handled it well the first time . My mum actually did better the second year on a slight dose reduction . A balanced life is everything .

Court 

Hi!  I was on FOLFOX 3 years ago after bowel surgery and a CT scan last July showed 3 nodules in the lungs. Similarly, I feel fit and healthy, work full time, look after the 3 kids, walk the dog daily and go running a couple of times a week. I had one cycle of chemo last week, same as the first time but replaced oxaliplatin with irinotecan so I'm not getting the neuropathic pain and sensitivity to cold, although I was happy to just take it rather than compromised efficiency but the onco reckons it might be good to try something different and we can bring the oxaliplatin back later. If the chemo manages to keep the tumours from progressing over a 6-month period, then they'll consider resection. I felt extremely tired on infusion day last week but I don't think it's been worse than last time I had chemo - I think the first time I was expecting the worst and was pleasantly surprised how well I coped!

Take care x

Hi Nettie123

I’ve also been told I need neoadjuvant chemo to deal with a further recurrence of cancer in the liver, prior to surgery. Previously I had FOLFOX, but this time they’re suggesting FOLFIRI to reduce likelihood of neuropathy. The dose would be the same, ie six cycles delivered every fortnight. 

Might be worth a discussion. With your team. 

Hi Faloola

Glad you're still doing the five day course of radiotherapy. Trust all will go well and you will persist in asking for more treatment if it's needed. 

Was it you who mentioned Manuka honey - to help the body cope with cancer/treatment - on one of the other threads? I'm thinking buying some anyway, though it is horrendously expensive, so will need to shop around!

Keep fighting, stay strong and I hope all goes well and you get all the right treatment. 

Best wishes and hugs

Nettie123

Hi Cecile

Thanks for your response. Good to know things are going quite well. You sound like super woman looking after three kids and working full time, walking the dog and running - wow, thought I did a lot!

Your present treatment plan sounds quite good, especially as they can bring back the oxaliplatin later if necessary. Guess I'll wait and see what's offered to me. First I've an MRI in London tomorrow, just to ensure the CT scan was correct. If both match then I'll be on chemo for a while.

Very best wishes

Nettie x

Hi Wellspring,

Thanks for your reply. I've an MRI in London tomorrow. If it's the same result as the CT then I'll be doing chemo first (neoadjuvant). I agree it's worth discussing with my team. 

Best wishes and blessings

Nettie123 

Hi Nettie,

Three down two to go. The journey is really bad to get there we checked today we were 36 miles there and 36 miles back and you can’t get parked lol it’s the Beetson I’ve been sent to. They are really nice thi so that makes a difference. Finish on Friday and not got an oncology appointment until 25th November but I read somewhere it keeps working for a few weeks after treatment. Then there will  be another conversation re plan moving forward. Yes it was the nurse and consultant recommended it but did not endorse it they both use it. It apparently helps with your immune system, and allegedly cancer cells don’t like it. The higher the number on the jar the better. I got it from Holland and Barrett was £30. It varies in price from £12 up to £150 lol I did not want to bye the cheap one so went for this one. Big hugs to you and keep in touch  xx

Hi Faloola

Thanks for your info re: Manuka honey. Sorry to be a pain, but...

I've seen one online with Holland and Barrett which is 500grams and 300+ MGO is this roughly what you get or do you go for a higher MGO?  300MGO is somewhere in the middle I think, but I'm honestly not sure. Wondering whether you go for the 250gram jar with a higher MGO for thirty or so pounds?

Leaving for MRI with contrast, in London, soon. Takes us almost four hours as husband insists on driving me and he's got Parkinson's Disease, hence takes it much slower than he used to and we often stop along the way. I always buy him a meal on the way back though!

Best wishes and hugs

Nettie xx