Hi All,
It has been awhile since I last posted on here. We have been trying to just carry on as normal a life as possible.
My wife decided in February this year to quit IV Chemo and just take capecitabine tablets. The Folfiri chemo was just to much for her to handle. The oncologist suggested a lower dosage but I think my wife just wanted quality of life over just living with side affects. In any case the two full chemo cycles she had over the 2 year period did nothing to decrease the cancer, just kept it stable. For those who don't know she was diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer with mets to the lungs in September 2020.
Now she is struggling at the moment due to a blockage in her right sided ureter from the mass in her rectum. They are busy getting her an appointment next week to alleviate this problem. When she did get diagnosed they did a permanent stoma and then also placed a stent in the ureter, but that stent has moved and created a blockage. So her GFR is at 42 which is dangerous. Hopefully a replacement stent will be done next week and alleviate that pain.
Unfortunately things are getting worse. Last CT scan showed mets to the liver as well, which is a new development. She has lost over 15kgs in the last 4 months and is in constant pain( Due to kidney) and tiredness. Her CEA count is 31.6 and climbing every month.
We both have not given up but with numerous oncologist, doctors, specialist and professor visits under our belt who have said they are not willing to operate. There is not much they can do medically. If chemo does not help then it is out of their hands. They will try to alleviate any pains she has and make her as comfortable as possible.
We don't know how long we have together but we giving it our best to do things we enjoy. She is happy even under these trying times. I am happy when I am with her and we talk and joke, but in my alone time I am of course sad.
Cheers
Stephen
Hi Stephen (Hatariforce),
I’m so sorry to hear what both your wife & yourself are going through right now.
I don’t originate from this group but have popped over from the anal cancer group as although treatment regimes differ slightly for these 2 cancer types there are many similarities especially regarding metastasis & late stage diagnosis.
It’s a very personal decision to make to choose quality over quantity where life expectancy is concerned & I’m sure it was one that your wife didn’t take lightly, I’ve recently followed a gentleman’s journey with stage 4 anal cancer who tried several lines of treatment but ultimately came to the same decision.
I hope your wife’s Dr’s manage to sort out the issue with the stent soon & this gives her some relief. It’s good to hear also that despite the decision that’s been made that you’re both continuing to try to do the things you love & to make the most of your time together.
I completely understand that your focus will be on your wife right now, making sure she’s well taken care of & comfortable etc., but please don’t forget about yourself in all of this, try & take care of you too.
One last thought, my own diagnosis made be realise none of us really know what time we have here on this mortal coil & we do tend to get bogged down by the day to day routine of our lives but I do now make the effort to do as many things that I can that I enjoy doing with my loved ones, life certainly is precious.
Take care & I’m sending lots of healing thoughts your way.
Nicola
