My Dad 66yr old with bowel cancer stage 4 with liver mets

FormerMember over 15 years ago

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Hi to all out there! I feel like I have lived on this bloody computer since my Dad got diagnosed 2mths ago! We live in New Zealand, and are trying to get a grip of what is going on and would love to here of positive stories from anyone else going through the same thing!

My Dad has always been a fit and healthy man. He was concerned with a lump he felt in his tummy... after testing we found out this was liver mets from advanced colon cancer! He has been tender in his tummy, but not in pain at all. He started chemo 2 cycles ago, with xeloda tabs and oxaliplatin. I am worried that living in little old New Zealand that my DAD may not be getting the best treatment, that there maybe better things out there! He is a fit man and has a better appetite than he has ever had, so we are hoping all of these factors will make him respond well to the treatment. I would love to hear from you all x

FormerMember over 14 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi Jacqui Was browsing and noticed your post. Good to see Alex is doing ok apart from the chemo side effects. Also good to see that you are heading off to Mauritius some warmth and sunshine is always great at this time of year. Things not too good with us, Bill was taking part in a clinical trial but this had to be stopped after two cycles back in August as his bloods were not recovering and the scan showed further ndisease progression. No further treatment can be offered so we are just going week to week, he appears to be keeping not too bad although a bit like Alex won't admit to anything so it is very difficult to tell. I have times when I cope better than others, just have to keep plodding on though! Have a great holiday. Best wish and to everyone on this thread who is dealing with this bl.............dy disease. Jackie

FormerMember over 14 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi Jackie, Just sent you a private message before I read this. You and Bill are often on my mind and really wishing you the best wishes possible. As you say take it week by week.

Jacqui

FormerMember over 14 years ago in reply to FormerMember

hi Jules

He should not be getting so sick and yes the fact is he has been turned off fortisip for good. I am surprised that the oncolgosit has not given him something to prevent sickness and nausea. I am on folfox 6 and my oncologist and the oncology team stress the improtance of being able to eat and get nourishment from food. They make sure to give me anto sickness medicine both during the 3 day treatment and for the rest of the cycle. I was advised to continue taking the anti nausea meds even though I was not sick, as it is easier to prevent it and than treat it. If I have any problems with side effects especially ones that prevent eating they are ready to help immediately. I did have problems with diahoorhea and they sorted it our for me.

I think that you should get in touch with your oncology care team to sort out the sickness. I do hope they will be as good to yoor relative as mine were to me.

Hugs and blessigs. Laurpat

FormerMember over 14 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi there all and Laurpat, I really appreciate your very useful advice. Interesting that you take the ant naesea meds all the time. Dad is meant to have chemo on Tues, so I will talk to the chemo nurses there and see if we can get this sorted for him. As he still had vomiting and diarrhea yesterday about 10 days after his last cycle and as I said into it again on Tues. He and his body can't cope with this as you can imagine is loosing weight rather quickly. Thank you again and great that you have a great support team in your oncology dept. All this best and you take care! - Jules

FormerMember over 14 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi Jackie, I was just reading your posts. What a journey you and Bill have had. My heart goes out to you and of course all of us here! Remain positive, and as you say take it week by week - that's all any of us can do. XOX Jules

FormerMember over 14 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi everyone,

Just a quickie. Hope everyone is ok. We are having a bit of a rough time at the moment. Seeing the Onc. tomorrow, will let you know outcome.

Take care

Love Ann xx

FormerMember over 14 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi all! I hope you are all doing OK. Dad's bloods to our shock were all go for chemo yesterday so yeah! And I have got him taking the maximum pills for nausea and it is working!! (Thank you Laurpat!) Another yeah! I talked to the chemo nurses about this, and assured Dad this was the best thing to do. He is still getting a blow out of diarrhea once a day, but that is all so I think that is actually OK, as far better than being constipated! He is looking much better, so now just to fatten him up! Take care all - Jules

FormerMember over 14 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Jules,

I has taken me and still takes me time to register that I get no extra brownie points for NOT taking any medication. Is it a male thing or is it that I just hate taking pills? But I am learning that they do help - so I'm cautious but I now do take the pills for whatever and I'm learning to take them much earlier - that's hard.

Patrick

FormerMember over 14 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Jules

I am delighted the nausea difficulties are being dealt with. I was on the drip today and given all my meds that i may need including mouth washes that have to be used 4 times a day, anti nausea meds which I use at my own discretion until I get over the hump aftter the steroids are finished. I take 3 strong ones for the 1st 3 days and the lighter one for a few days after the steroids. I was given meds for the diahorrhea also.

They expect me to contact them if I have probs. and I have a 24hr oncology helpline to ring. caredoc facilites and a freefone cancer helpline and a place to go for free counselling. I am based in Ireland.

All the best

Pat

Do take the meds they re meant to prevent problems before they escalate. Did they give you mouth washes? they are great altogether and make you feel terrific as well as preventing mouth ulcers and taste problems which are caused by yeast bacteria.

Laurpat

FormerMember over 14 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Seen oncologist today, but chemo delayed for a week, bloods low, but seeing as I am taking Fragrin to thin the blood as I have Bllod clots on my lungs,( by the way does anyone else suffer from this s side effect of chemo) not sure how my blood count thingy will rise. Anyway, onc isnt keen on Avastin and apparently its definitely not fundeed in the North West, I have written ti my MP but so far have not had a reply......

But on the upside, she's making noises about further Chemo in the future dependant on how this second lot goes. Hopefully the tumours will have carried on shrinking.

sue