Had a meeting with my team, the cancer has unfortunately spread to my liver and lungs, so operation is off as they want me to have chemo and radiotherapy to blast it all. All sounds so scary. Next meeting will be with the oncologist.
So sorry to hear it has spread . It’s a horrible piece of information to receive. Take all the time you need to find your feet .
However going straight to chemotherapy / radiotherapy can be a very good plan although it does not feel like it at the beginning. It allows the visible spread to be targeted and hopefully gain some shrinkage and it also allows any micro disease to be nipped in the Bud . We were so sad to see surgery slip off the table initially but with hindsight I do see the powerful role chemo played in my mum’s longevity. The first meeting with the oncologist can be tough and a bit overwhelming but you will find a way through and start working on stabilising the disease . This in fact then opened up other options and one step lead to another . Twelve years ago this summer since she received similar news !
It also takes time for the oncologist to get a feel for how you as an individual respond and they can be a bit general to begin with .
So hears to significant shrinkage and lots of stability through treatment . If you click on my user name you can read my mum’s story .
My mum was not so sure about the “blasting “ part either ! But in fact it was similar chemo she would have had anyway just in a different order ! I think she had visual connotations with the word but it actually did blast the mets right off the scan so they were in her case correct !
Hope you manage a bit of sleep tonight and we shall support you through this part .
I have to admit, after resigning myself to the idea of being operated on, to be told this was now not going to go ahead because the cancer had spread to liver and lungs, I was devastated.
They have decided now on radiotherapy and chemo. There has been no mention of further operations, think they are just going to shrink the tumour and spread and control it that way.
I have an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow. They said I have a small patch on my liver and 7 tiny spots on my lungs. Pretty scared right now.
It’s so tough when you prepare yourself for one treatment plan and it shifts in a different direction and takes time to process the details and implications !
There was no talk of other options until after they saw the effects chemo was having !
Sounds a small tumour burden though ! So hope chemo gets to work on them quickly . take care ,
Meeting with oncologist went really well thanks, have a CT scan on Tuesday where I will have my first tattoo lol, spots so the team know where to direct the radiotherapy.
That starts Wednesday to Friday, weekend off, then Monday and Tuesday.
Had bloods taken and biopsies that have been growing will decide which Chemo is right for me, I think that starts two weeks later.
They told me resection wouldn't be possible as there is quite a bit of cancer growth on my liver. The lungs have only tiny spots thank goodness.
Can't believe I've had this two years and didn't know anything about it.
That is good it went well . They said the same to my mum and like you she had been walking around a picture of health ! They described my mum’s liver as a significant spread ! However they took good care of her .
You appear to have a very efficient team there and have everything ready for you . Lots of people here have had radiotherapy so just ask any questions you like .
They are working away in the background to get the best treatment plan for you so that is reassuring.
Now you have that bit over with you can draw breath for a bit !
