Stage 4 Bowel Cancer ... and a fractured shoulder

Hi ,

Your poor husband has had a lot to contend with . I hope the injury heals quickly . My mum never had chemo breaks a few times due to colds and emergency admissions. It’s never straightforward is it . However I am pleased to say it was actually good for her and did not reduce efficiency. It was only a week or two though .

I noticed a lady on another forum who finds the side effects of Vectibix hard is icing her face during treatment and finding some benefit . This is not sanctioned by her Doctor she is just working on the bases of the cold cap theory . Not sure what an oncologist would think of it but might be worthwhile asking about .

I hasten to add I am no Dr just found it interesting. They might have a clinical reason why it’s not possible to do that .

I wish him a speedy recovery and good response.

take care ,

 Court 

Thanks so much for the response.  Really helpful. I'll tell him about the icing his face too (he also gets it all over his chest and back although he might end up like an iceman if he ices too much lol).  We had confirmation that his chemo will carry on as long as he doesn't need to get a plate fitted so fingers crossed for that hurdle!

So pleased to hear he can continue treatment . That’s the main thing .

Hypothermia I don’t think would be too desirable either !!! Poor guy ! I assume she wrapped it up in something to prevent burns but not sure chemo units would be too happy to mess about until the science is through ! Interesting though and she may go on to convince someone to look into it . You just never know ! 

Hope it all goes ok for him anyway . Is he in a lot of pain with it ?

take care ,

Court 

It's definitely worth thinking about (or trying perhaps in one of the worst affected areas).  

Things have now moved on quickly (as they unfortunately do!).  His bloods are now all over the place and they won't do his chemo.  His tumour markers have drastically risen in the last 2 weeks, along with his liver count (which has gone up more than 10fold).  They are waiting for 2 weeks and will then repeat bloods but I have a horrible feeling that perhaps the treatment has stopped working.  I am worried sick but try to stay positive in front of him and tell him it's just because of his fracture.  To top it all off, we now think that he may have damaged (even fractured) his elbow as below his elbow is really swollen and painful!  Probably will have to have another x-ray this afternoon.  If it's not one thing ...!  Still, at least it gives his skin time for his spots to subside completely.

Oh my that’s so rough and sounds as though his body is dealing with a lot of inflammation. My mum’s markers have gone up two years in a row . Additional scans showed nothing and they think inflammatory issues are pushing them up .

I hope he gets his elbow fixed . I totally understand your trying to keep ahead of the situation and hide your own concerns . We are here for you and I have sent you a friends request .

Keep in touch and I hope you get some more encouraging news soon .

take care ,

Court 

Thank you - much appreciated.  I think the worry is where they have suddenly shot up by more than double for some (and more than 10x for others) in the space of two weeks.  Last time this happened his scan showed nothing wrong but two days later he was in hospital.