43, bowel cancer, liver lesions and scared

Hi there, 

it’s so good you have reached out. I’m also 43 and have two small children. I’m further along the journey. I had surgery in August and September to remove a tumour that had grown in my bowel and spread to my liver. I’m now halfway through chemotherapy. I’m not going to lie, it’s been really tough and traumatic but actually having children has really helped as they keep you in the present moment with their routines and demand for eye contact and play. They also help my determination to get through this! I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore and I certainly don’t take them or anything for granted so silver linings I guess. 
There are some amazing charities that support families going through this (hope these are okay to share here) and these have been so valuable in supporting us to keep having things to look forward to and not just hospital appointments. 

Osborne Trust

Chris Aked Foundation 

Stand 4 Cancer 

and Something to Look Forward too

Please do reach out at any stage with any questions or worries 

UPDATE! 

Hi all, thought I would provide an update and also request some advice. 

so I had my first chemo folfox session on 14 Feb. First couple of days was ok, day 4 and 5 the hardest and I was so tired! But since then side effects have gone (I only had tiredness, nausea and funny taste in mouth and throat sensitivity). I feel really lucky and glad I have tolerated it well so far. 

my next session is tomorrow and my bloods show my aneamia has got better and also my HB has increased which I am taking as a positive. 

however…I have been told today that I have the KRAS mutation. I was kinda dreading this news. Are there any KRAS mutants able to give me any positive support or insight into what this means? I think it means I am just limited with treatment but aware things are changing and new treatments are in the pipeline. 

thanks all and hope you are are doing well xx 

Hi GeminiEm 

Well done for getting through the first one, you'll find you will get into a routine with the side effects and will know what to expect and when.  I'm usually great for the first couple of days and then dip when the pump is taken off.  I try to get some exercise in during the 2nd week which I'm sure helps me bounce back.  Sounds like you are tolerating it well, do make sure you mention any side effects to your team, don't suffer, especially with nausea as there are stronger meds you can have.

As for Kras, you can still have the standard lines of cemo but not targeted treatments or immunotherapy.  There are lots of kras mutants who continue to do well, one guy is 10 years since his stage 4 kras diagnosis. Also, I believe there are a couple of promising trials coming up.

Good luck tomorrow, I'm in the chair tomorrow too! X

Sorry, it missed out a paragraph for some reason!  I mentioned the Facebook group: Living with Stage 4 - Bowel Cancer UK.  Have a look, there are lots of Kras mutants on there, doing well many years after diagnosis. x

Thank you so much! I have joined the Facebook group. 

same for me with the chemo, had a couple of good days, then a def dip around day 4/5 then from day 7 felt loads better and have also kept my running up which I agree must help us bounce back. Be interesting to see if it’s the same for this next cycle. 

good luck tomorrow! Half way now for you? X

That's great GeminiEm , both this and the f.b. group are very supportive and have been so valuable to me.  I don't really like to talk about my cancer, so therapy is not for me but that is also available through macmillan, it may be something you might consider. 

The steroids keep me going for the first few days.  Chemo was OK but it's def hit me this cycle, its the first time I've taken myself back to bed, a late night might also have something to do with it, my husband and eldest went to watch football last night, I couldn't get to sleep until they got home then when they did i was wide awake!  

I just had cycle 8 but I have a meeting with my surgeon next week, trying not to get my hopes up but I'm hoping he will operate which will mean a chemo break.

Take care 

Michelle x

Hi there , I’m 42

i was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer as it had spread to the liver. The one thing I held onto was the oncologist when she said the treatment was for cure and she was 70-80 % that it would work . This I have held onto throughout .  . I had 5 sessions of radiotherapy in August followed by 4 cycles of chemo ending in November of last year . The follow up scans revealed that the tumour on my bowel and 2 in the liver had shrank . In December I had bowel resection to remove part of my bowel (thankfully no stoma needed ) I then had liver resection 2 weeks ago to remove the tumours in my liver. Surgery went well and I am now home recovering . I have a meeting with the oncologist next week which will see if I require further chemo (belts and braces).

it’s easier said than done but I would hold onto those Oncologist words of curative - I have and I have t always tried to remain positive and keep those words in the back of mind . And until the oncologist says something different I am of the mind that I can beat this . 

I also think to myself that since all tumours have been removed - I’m essentially clear (I know this isn’t a profrsssional opinion ) but it keeps me positive . 

any questions don’t hesitate to shout . 

Thanks Michelle! I hope you have had a good meeting with your surgeon and manage to get a break. It’s hard on the body isn’t it. My second cycle seems worse than first. Neuropathy this time, and much more nausea and loss of appetite. The taste and throat sensation is also frustrating but all management in grand scheme. 

take care and hope you have managed to get some rest! Xx 

Hi sub, this all sounds very similar. Currently mine is also T3 NO M1 and curative intent. Although I have just had the KRAs mutation confirmed so not sure if that has changed things but oncologist keeps saying it doesn’t change treatment or prognosis at this stage. So I hold on to that. Struggling with those dark thoughts, especially with my little girl being only 1, and so many stories of stage 4, it can be quite depressing - need to stay away from those. 

Hope you are recovering well and I have my fingers crossed for you. Almost you want the chemo to be fully done but you are right and the oncologists do know what is best. And yes, you are clear! Professional or not, it’s whatever makes you feel better and positive. 

take care

Hi

Sorry to jump on this post, hope you ladies are all well and treatment is being kind to you all.  
My dad is in a similar position to some of you.  T3 N0 M1 spread to liver, borderline operable. 
Hes had his first round of chemo, second one due to start soon. 

A scary position to be in, however reading some stories on here have given me hope x