Next steps?

FormerMember over 5 years ago

2 replies
117 subscribers
1231 views

Hi everyone

my dad has stage 4 bowel cancer , which has metastasised to the liver , lungs and lymph nodes. He had a scan at Xmas , showing the tumors had shrunk around a third , and his liver was free! Then the new year cane and he has had problems with cellulitis in his leg, and a chest infection. He did 10 rounds of chemo and had immunotherapy thrown in the mix after six rounds .

His scan today was not good . The immunotherapy has had no effect and the tumors have grown back to where they were before . The oncologist said they could try chemo again, but it would be of a different type. I also got the sense he was holding back something as his body language regarding the different treatment was odd.

has anyone had a similar experience? Or had to go on to different chemo? Was it worth it ?

many thanks

court over 5 years ago

Sorry to hear about your dad . It sounds as though he responded incredibly well to chemo if he managed to get his liver completely clear . I take it he has not been on chemo since then and had regrowth in the intervening period ?

To be honest I would expect that whilst off chemo to a degree and that is what my mum experienced. On chemo her tumours shrank and off chemo they regrew again however she also had a great response the second time . She did not change to a different chemo as it was a full six months between the two and that was the criteria back then . Bowel cancer is very fortunate to have a few lines of chemo that can be used and many patients go on and off treatment for a long time. They have different side effects so a bit of a change in the protocol but given he responded so well there is nothing to say that won’t happen again if he is well enough to take the treatment.

In terms of trying to interpret body language , I had given up trying to do that as I felt ever word they said was loaded and I spent hours trying to unpack the consultation afterwards .

If you click on my user name you can read my mum’s story . If your dad feels up to it then you can see from my mum’s journey that there was a benefit for her , although everyone is individual.

Send your dad our best wishes and hope he makes the correct decision for him . Not an easy decision and very individual . You also might like to chat it through with our helpline staff 0808 808 0000. Always good to talk things through .

Take care of yourself to. You sound very caring and he is fortunate to have someone looking out for him .

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

FormerMember over 5 years ago in reply to court

Hi Chriso73

I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I see Court has been in touch and I don't have anything to add other than I do agree with her that if your dad is well enough, he should really consider the other chemo that has been offered.

It is hard to watch someone you love going through treatment, but your dad is so lucky to have you to support him. Being a mum I know how much I appreciated my two daughters' love and support, and I didn't always realise how they were suffering too.

There is a forum for Carers too, which you might like to look at and perhaps join.

Take care of yourself too, that is most important, as you need to be strong to support your dad.

VickiLynne