Stage 4 bowel cancer

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I have stage 4 bowel cancer which has spread to my liver. I'm under palliative care atm. I was told I can start chemo soon, it could give me years if it works, or on the other hand it could significantly shorten my life. They haven't told me how long I have left if I don't do chemo. I'm only 53, I want to see my granddaughter grow up, and there is another grandchild on the way.

Kareno62 25 days ago

Hi Ladyladadriver Please don’t give up hope. Palliative care means that although the cancer might not be curable, it is still treatable and and who knows what options that might bring up in the future. Chemo might be tough but it is worth doing. I’ve attached a link to a post below that you might like to read and if you click on Courts name then her profile page will show her mums success with liver mets.

Multiple liver mets, heartbroken

Please keep posting and the support desk will be happy to chat to you if you’re struggling?

Take care

Karen x

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

Susan13 25 days ago

I'm sorry you are dealing with this. That is a tough diagnosis but you have so much to live for. If it were me, I'd do the chemo. So many people are living a long time after diagnosis and new treatments are coming out frequently.

I'm confused by the statement that chemo could significantly shorten your life. There are risks with anything but I've not heard it said like that before. If there are underlying health conditions that make traditional chemo a problem you might try to get alternative treatment. I'm not sure how this works in the UK but maybe get a second opinion if alternative options aren't given.

court 24 days ago

Hi Ladyladadriver

Welcome to the forum . Grandchildren are a powerful motivator and I do think my mum undertook treatment to try and stay with her grandchildren.

https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-cancer/advanced-bowel-cancer/treating-advanced-bowel-cancer/spread-to-the-liver/

You might find this a helpful read . It’s common to go straight to chemo when a spread is involved to stabilise the disease .
But they do reassess and see if they can add in other approaches if they can .

My mum managed to get to a centre of excellence for the liver and they removed 73% . It did regenerate.
Her liver remained clear after that operation.

It is frightening at the start and we certainly looked for hope and to see what some people achieved . Chemo certainly played a big role in my mums treatment plan .

I wish you every success .

Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000