Stage 4 bowel cancer spread to liver

KB81 2 months ago

5 replies
129 subscribers
550 views

Hi, it's my first time on here and I suppose I am just looking for some positive stories to help me out a bit.

I had been suffering with pain in my right side for 3-4 months, each time I went to the GP I would be sent away with antibiotics and told it was a kidney infection. I went back to the doctors again on the 8th December and was sent to A&E due to being pale exhausted and with a thought that I may have kidney stones. After sitting in a&e for 12.5 hours I had a blood test and was given intravenous antibiotics then sent home with more antibiotics for 7 days. I then received a call asking me to go back to the same day clinic on the 12th Dec for another blood test as I was anaemic and my infection markers needed rechecking.

Upon returning to the hospital I saw a wonderful doctor and had my bloods taken again as well as a urine sample taken. This doctor knew something was wrong he didn't give up and sent me for a ultrasound scan and then a contrast CT scan. I was asked to wait at the hospital whilst they gathered the results. I was then taken into a small office and told that I had bowel cancer and that it had spread to my liver. I then went on to have a liver biopsy the next week.

On Christmas eve I saw my surgeon who told me I needed Chemotherapy to shrink my tumours and then will need surgery.

I have a oncologist appointment on 13th January and have no idea what to expect.

I've spent the whole of Christmas and New Year worrying if this is going to be my last and what will happen to my husband and children when I'm not here.

Everyone around keeps checking on my and asking me how I am but I just feel numb and scared and overwhelmed all at once and am finding it hard to let anyone in.

I'm 44 married with 2 children and a full time job which I know we can't manage without my wage.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read all of this if you had made it to the end.

Any advice or stories will be appreciated.

Kelly.

court 2 months ago

Hi KB81

That’s a lot to process but firstly a big welcome to the forum .

If you click on my user name you can read how my mum’s team managed a spread to her liver and you might want to read Star74 bio to see how she managed treatment whilst maintaining family life and keeping fit during treatment .

My mum lived for 15 years following a spread to her liver and lived to 82 .
Take the time you need to process. Then find your feet and as my mum would have said best foot forward .

Have a look on Bowel cancer U.K too . They have a lot of input from people who are in a similar position .

Take special care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

KB81 2 months ago in reply to court

Thank you for your reply. I've read both bio's and am grateful for your advice.

Star74 2 months ago

Hi KB81

Welcome to the group.

Its such a shock to be told the news and your whole life changes in that instant. Thank goodness for the Dr who knew something was wrong and didn't give up.

I remember being diagnosed about a week before my 3 year olds birthday, lighting the candles on his caterpillar cake wondering if i would see another birthday. He's just turned 8!

I think its very positive that they have a surgeon involved already, they have a plan for you. During the meeting with the Onc, they will likely go through the chemo regime and make sure you understand everything, its a lot to process. They'll want to make you aware of the side effects but dont let that panic you, its unlikely youll get every single one and the ones you do get, theres meds or remedies for. Once you find out what chemo you are on, pop back on here, loads of people have experienced it. There will also be a Colorectal Specialist Nurse present, she'll give you her contact details and they are a great point of contact for any questions that come to mind afterwards.

This is a particularly hard part of the process, just waiting, you feel hopeless but I promise you will feel better when you start treatment and feel like you are doing something. In the meantime try to exercise, even a walk is good and eat as healthy as poss.

After your appointment, when you know the plan, you might want to see if you are eligible for PIP, the Macmillan finance team are brilliant and can help you apply. Its not means tested, I may help boost your income if you need time off work.

Wishing you all the best, any questions please dont hesitate to ask on here.

Michelle x

Russ22 2 months ago

I just wanted too say these early days are the most difficult. my husband is older than you so at a different stage of life and I can only imagine how it would have been if he was younger, but we are in a good place at the moment. At the end of 2021 he was in the same position as you. We didn’t know what the future would be. Fast forward he is in remission after chemo shrunk the liver mets so he had surgery. A blip with a lung nodule in 2024 was dealt with by surgery. He made his 70 birthday, we have welcomed a fourth grandchild, he is back at the gym and fit and well. Although I don’t often post and he just lurks here this forum has been a great support both when things were difficult and also with stories of hope. We really wish you well

KB81 2 months ago in reply to Russ22

Thank you so much.

I'm so glad to hear he is doing so well. Xx