Bowel Cancer spread to Liver

Hi I didn’t know where to post this update so hopefully here is correct. Hospital rang with pathology results. 6 out of the 17 lymph nodes that were removed from the colon have signs of cancer. 1 of them is towards the end of where they cut out and rejoined so even if it had not spread to liver he would be suggesting chemo to make sure it's not spread beyond that point as they can't be sure. It’s also shown up in the blood vessel. I'm assuming that's the one to the liver?! We have an appointment with the oncologist on Thursday at 12.30 to discuss treatment plans, what it all means and next steps. Not sure what to think really. Not great re lymph nodes as we thought might have spread via blood vessel to liver? Now worrying about where else it might have spread as in the nodes but that's probably something we will never know unless if materialises! Was there any cancer found in your nearby nodes on removal of tumour? Do they ever know how the cancer got to the liver? By nodes or blood, or do they just never know that? Should be able to ask all these questions next week hopefully! The rollercoaster continues... 

It’s a lot to process .  We never actually found out . My mum did not have a Pet scan before surgery .

However something I have learnt in the process . The immune system is particularly spectacular. My mum’s initial spread was to the liver which is fairly common in bowel cancer . Her lung cancer did not show up for another seven years and then at year 13 . She was also robustly scanned and only had one operation from 2010 to 2022 !

In my mind it matters more how you respond to chemotherapy and that gives a lot of hope .

Initially it was awash with worry but with time it became a process she learnt to live with . 

A toe by toe journey . I think it’s also fairly common to have lymph node involvement near the tumour site and that’s also quite common from what I read here in lesser stagings .

We shifted our thinking more to what was the best way to manage this but that take time and you working through the process . The first year was most definitely the hardest .

Currently my mum is involved in research where they are looking at her initial tumour sample to see what has contributed to her long term survival . Hoping it leads to something for everyone . You can but hope .

Court 

We thought that there might be some local node involvement but that they would have got it all with the surgery. It’s just rubbish they can’t be sure because of the one that’s involved close to the join. I don’t know how much more I can take. I’m really struggling now as pregnancy is harder now in 3rd trimester and I’m naturally just more emotional and tired. I know I’ll need to find a way to keep going but I just want this nightmare to end! An it’s only really just starting! Like you say it’s all new and the first year is likely to be the hardest. I know that cancer is individual and that we can’t really predict what’s going to happen, as we don’t know what his body will do! It’s so tough, I don’t need to tell any of you that though! Need to keep strong but the pregnancy hormones will def not be helping me do that! Thanks for coming back to me and it’s great to hear about the trial. 

I think you are right though . Living  with uncertainty is really hard especially combined with other life events that in normal circumstances would be a happy time .

I understand what you are saying . The last node in the chain still had cancer evident so they are unsure if that’s where the cancer stops . I certainly hope it is but get what your saying . It adds another layer of stress and I honestly think you too have had so much to go through when you are also trying to take care of your own health .

I have sent you a friends request and I am hear you to listen . You have a lot on your plate . 

It honestly might feel a bit better once chemo commences in terms of actually starting to do something to tackle it . Getting into a routine .

Some hospitals do track the tumour markers to watch them hopefully go down . After a few cycles the actual chemo or tumour death can cause it to then rise a bit so not totally reliable. However they do like to see an initial downward trend . 

You know exactly what the surgery achieved . Now onto chemo . It can be very powerful . It knocked my mums 5 cm liver tumour down to a tiny dot and the rest off the scan .

Is there any chance of you getting away for a holiday in the U.K. before treatment starts ?

Take special care ,

Court 

Hi Ziggybay 

Been thinking about you . I have asked Macmillan to have a look to see if there is any support for someone in your position , given you are also pregnant it might be helpful to see what support you can access .

You can always turn any options down . It’s just a thought .

Take care ,
Court