Hi all
Diagnosed in Nov 2023 with colorectal cancer, section of bowel and part of rectum removed and ileostomy fitted. Cancer in a few of the lymph nodes removed so adjuvant chemo (4 cycles CAPOX) scheduled to start Jan 2024. Finished 1st cycle and 2 days later had a heart attack resulting in 2 stents being fitted. Oncologist stopped further cycles of chemo.
Had the ileostomy reversed July 2024 and then follow up colonoscopy and CT scans December 2025. Colonoscopy was fine no polyps and bowel all looking good. However CT scan showed spots on the liver and lung - an MRI confirmed cancer spread to liver and lung. Oncologist says surgery, radiotherapy and immunotherapy not an option, chemo only. Reckons 6 months to a year to live, possibly more with chemo. The chemo proposed has Bern modified fro last year's as a result of the heart attack - now will be TOMOX every 4 weeks (usually every 3 weeks) and a scan every 4 months to check progress or lack of!!
Has anyone had experience of this form of chemo - mainly side effects if any. I am minded not to bother with chemo and just take each day at a time - physically I am fine - gym 3 or 4 times a week , walking and socialising. I'm a 71 year old male had a good life no grandkids to miss, just wondering if chemo is worth it for a few extra months.
Sorry for the long read it's all still a bit raw at the minute, a week into getting the news. Chemo scheduled to begin in a few weeks if I change my mind, any advice would be gratefully received.
Only you can judge whether chemo is worth it or not. But I think you may get additional years, not months. Doctors give you the worst case estimates but there are plenty of people with mets who are on chemo for life. This js where they treat the cancer like a chronic illness. I know some of these people have lived years like this with good quality of life.
Thanks for the reply Susan13 and the positive comments. I have seen my GP and she has organised a second opinion with another oncologist. She was also positive citing a couple of personal experiences and said that if it were her she would try the chemo for a spell and then have a scan to check the situation. I have had similar advice from people close to me and I am thinking, pending the second opinion that this is what I will do.
Once again thanks for your reply much appreciated.
Hi Jonna
My mum had a similar prognosis back in 2009 . She passed at 82 last summer . Turned out she responded to chemo very well and 5 cm tumours became a dot on the scans . Other windows of opportunity opened up after that and she had many years of good living after the initial diagnosis .
Her view was if it was tolerable she would try . Even at 81 she had ten months of a targeted treatment . She was rather annoyed they stopped it .
If she had not been getting good results I am sure she would have reconsidered but she felt she was only ever a statistic of one !
I wish you every success .
Court
Helpline Number 0808 808 0000
Hey Jonna
Im sorry you find yoursel in this situation.
My Dad is the same age as you and has been stage 4 fora tear now.
He had chemo and that worked really well for him and has now had an operation to cut out his tumours on the liver. Hes having an operation to get his primary removed soon also.
Chemo can work wonders for some people and give them many years.
I dont think consultants should give people prognosis anymore because at the end of the day they dont know how treatment can work for them.
I remember my Dads oncologist trying to persuade him not to take the chemo but he took it and sailed through it.
If i was you id take the first lot then re-asses the situation after the midway scan
Wishing you all the best x
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