Stage 4 Surgery not an option for cancer or other issues

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Hello

I have stage 4 cancer spread from colon to liver (scattered both sides) stomach lymph node and right lung. Had 6 months 12 sessions of Oxiplatin, Cetuximab and 5fu. Now on maintenance treatment Cetuximab and 5fu fortnightly. Have been told that although my tumours are currently all inactive surgery is not an option now or in the future as my tumours are widespread and a delay in treatment would reactivate my tumours.

Just wondering whether anyone else is in a similar position and whether there is any hope that the decision may be changed in the future even though I have been told that it will not?
Additionally I have a 4.2 cm nodule on my thyroid ultrasound and sample of cells has taken have both come back as inconclusive. If I was not having chemo half of my thyroid would have to be removed. Fortunately (or unfortunately) surgery is not an option due to chemo so it will be monitored
Most annoying is the rectal prolapse that I developed after Christmas. It is very uncomfortable and affects my walking (along with peripheral neuropathy in my toes). Surgery not an option due to maintenance chemo so the best I can do is physio from mid April but ideally I want to have surgery as my quality of life is affected and I am not convinced I can haul things back up with physio!

If anyone has similar issues or can offer advice it would be very helpful to hear from you.

Susan13 11 days ago

I'm sorry for your news! This has got to be terrifying.

It was a very different situation but my tumor was originally inoperable. Radiation and chemo shrunk the tumor opening up the possibility of surgery.

For now it's wait and see what the chemo does for you. But I don't think anything is completely off the table. The doctors won't tell you that because there's so many variables that can't be predicted. But I'm a big believer in holding onto that last shred of hope.

Sending you a virtual hug.

Squarebox 10 days ago in reply to Susan13

Thank you for your reply which was encouraging and thank you so much for the virtual hug. Like you I am also hanging onto that last shred of hope. Take care and wishing you good luck with your treatment.

court 10 days ago

Hi Squarebox

You might like to have a look at some of the long term stage 4 patients over on bowel cancer .

It can be interesting to see how their treatments changed over time . I know my mums did . We were always looking for windows of opportunities when they presented them selves .

My own mum was in and out of treatment for two years before she got to the surgery that allowed her to be off treatment for seven years before more surgery was needed . Somehow her body managed to surpress the micro disease as she recurred two years ago and passed last summer but not before reaching 82 . She was a stage four patient for 15 years in total and looked on it as a chronic condition .

Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

Squarebox 8 days ago in reply to court

Hello Court

Thank you for your message. Your mother's story is encouraging. Hopefully new possibilities will open up in time for me too. Best wishes Squarebox