Bowel and peritoneal cancer

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Hi. I am new to the site my husband got diagnosed with stage 4 bowel and peritoneal cancer 4 weeks ago major shock as he had no symptoms and was found on a routine bowel test. He will be starting chemo in 2 weeks with the hope for surgery following this round of chemo. All the information I have read states that the survival rate for this cancer is up to 10 months but was wondering if anyone has had this cancer and the operation and what their outcome has been. Many thanks

  • Hi Jojo,

    Welcome to the site.  I’m so sorry to read about your husband’s diagnosis.  I’m relatively new here myself and I’m a couple of weeks post op.  Sorry I can’t provide you with any answers to your questions but I just wanted to reassure you that this is a brilliant space and someone will be a long in due course to give as much information as possible.  I’ve already found the insights and experiences of others incredibly helpful and I hope you do also.

    My best wishes to you and your husband.

    Craig 

  • Hi Craig thank you for the response hope you have a speedy recovery from your operation. Thanks.

    jojo2

  • Hi  and a warm welcome to the board. I’ve attached a link to a list from a few months ago which you might like to read? You could also find other posts by clicking on the search box at the top of the screen, then the ‘bowel cancer’ box then type ‘peritoneum’ in the search box. 

     Stage 4 Bowel Cancer in January 2023. Scan April 2023 No Evidence of Disease. What next? 

    People have varied responses to cancer treatment so it’s very hard to compare results and survival rates. You might also like to join the bowel cancer uk board and this booklet of theirs has a bit about peritoneal spread

    https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/TreatingAdvancedBowelCancer_BowelCancerUK.pdf

    Take care

    Karen x

    Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
  • Hi  

    Sorry to hear about your husband . The thing to hold onto in my opinion about stats , they are more helpful to help health economists plan for resources but less helpful in predicting individual outcomes . In that regard he is a statistic of one and therein lies the hope .

    My mum has been a stage 4 patient for 14 years , winging round to 15 if she behaves herself and we have lots of tricks going on currently.

    However hers has been to the liver and lungs . She has always focused on reducing the tumour burden . Taking it one small cycle at a time and the hope of surgery too !

    It might surprise you to know she has had many , many good times in between all the treatments.

    I used to follow a young man who then went into surgery following a peritoneal spread . He turned up in his tenth anniversary to update and let us know he was knee high in fatherly duties .

    Take care ,

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • Hi Jojo2

    I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in November 2018 so have just started my sixth year with the disease. It’s been a roller coaster, tough at times leavened by many moments of joy and excitement. And the quotidian that we can easily take for granted but which gives life meaning.

    As well as this site, I’ve been supported by family and a support group. Living as fully as possible each day, compartmentalising each issue so it doesn’t overly intrude, helps with wellbeing.

    As Court reminds us, statistics are only meaningful at the population level. As individuals, we can have hope and build resilience for the journey. 

    Every blessing
    Wellspring