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Liver and Colon Cancer

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Posted 7/13/2013 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
We have a battle on our hands. One Thankfully that is treatable. Just to bring you to current,

Liver biopsy July 3rd, 3 tissue samples biopsied but tissues were not enough to give any results

PET Scan July 5th shows 4-5 liver lesions. Largest in the caudate lobe consistent with metastasis

Colonoscopy July 10th shows colon is clear except 2 small polyps to biopsy

Laparoscopy today shows mass at the exterior of colon. Scraped for testing. 2 visible lesions on liver. Tissue sample approved for results. Umbilical hernia removed.

Markers high for Colon Cancer. After the clear colonoscopy, we were hopeful someone made a mistake. Not the case. Diagnosed Liver and Colon Cancer.

Oncologist still optimistic this battle to be fought can be won. No specifics as to drugs or chemo treatment names, she spoke to my husband this afternoon. He is still a man of few words. She has told him his chemo will be once every 2 weeks for chemo and there is a drug that has shown great results that she will have him on.

We will meet with her next week for more specifics. I will update you all when I can.
Love and Many Prayers

Port to be implanted early next week.

Post Edited (amongmany) : 7/12/2013 8:21:11 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/13/2013 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Forgot to add ,Cavenders has been added to our diet and Miralax liked much more than Metamucil!!! Thanks much for the suggestions!!
Posted 7/13/2013 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Amongmany, thanks for the update. Do you know the size of the liver lesions? What is being done about them? Colon cancer can be curable, though he may possibly end up with a colostomy bag. However, if it is metastasis from the HCC, that would seem to me to be of more concern; i.e., they could metastasize to lungs, brain, etc.

I hope he keeps fighting...one thing at a time.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 7/13/2013 12:31 PM (GMT 0)
Amongmany...I will keep both you and your hubby in my prayers.

Do they know what the primary cancer is...HCC in the liver or did it begin in the colon?

Please continue to keep us updated when you can.
Posted 7/13/2013 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
With difficult news, it is the plan that helps keep you moving forward. Step by step. Sounds like you have a good team in place. Let us hear how this is moving along.

Hugs,
Carol
Posted 7/15/2013 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
My guess is that the colon cancer is the primary - the usual metastatic sites from there are the liver, lung, and peritoneum. Aside from HCC, most liver cancers are mets from somewhere else. The reason for that is simple actually - the cancer cells will travel through the blood stream - and the liver filters the blood.

amongmany, your husband (and you) remain in my prayers. It looks like there's a good plan in place - just take things one step, one hour, one day at a time. And remember to take care of yourself also!

Have a peaceful day.

Post Edited (Splashdancer) : 7/14/2013 7:28:27 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/15/2013 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thank You Connie, Worried Daughter2, Carol and Splashdancer for your replies. Hoping to get results today. The waiting for news goes quite slowly it seems.

Until we have specifics, I try very hard to stay in the moment. He has had some pain from the hernia removal and some soreness but doing good. Just above his belly button, not the incision, began to get red yesterday. He has been keeping an icepack on and off of since it started.

My bigger concern is the swelling on his right side. The incisions look good. The swelling is really pronounced when he is laying down. I have called the doc and awaiting news as to my inquiry.

Two weeks ago today he was diagnosed and all the tests began. It has seemed much longer while waiting for results though. Hopeful for better than expected results today or tomorrow. I will update you all as soon as I can!!

Thank You All,
Love and Many Prayers,
Alisa
Posted 7/15/2013 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
Alisa, that redness is concerning. It could be indicative of an infection. The swelling is to be expected. Be sure to tell the doc about both, though. The swelling could possibly be another hernia. I've had 4 or 5 hernia repairs (none umbilical) and never had redness.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 7/18/2013 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Well my Friends the results are in. My husband has Stage IV Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. I will need to find a site that has a forum for this disease.

He will begin his chemo treatments July 29th. He will do every other Monday, 5+/- hours. At the end of this chemo they will attach a bag of chemo meds to his port. He will wear this med bag for 48 hours. Return on Wednesday to have it removed.

He has agreed to a Clinical Study with Avastin to be given with his standard care ( 5-Fluorouracil, Capecitabine, Irinotecan, Oxaliplatin, and Leucovorin ). Hopefully it will work well for him as it has for others. There are so many possible side effects as with any medicine.They will draw blood each treatment but at the end of the 8 week cycle, they will do a CT Scan to get more info as to the progress or hopefully decrease of his cancer.

As these chemo drugs do their thing well hopefully, his liver lesions will shrink and what doesn't will be zapped away. The largest one is inoperable. I Pray his toleration of meds and pain continue for him through this ordeal he is about to under go. I will stay in touch with updates when I can.

Love and Many Prayers,
Alisa
Posted 7/19/2013 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Alisa! Ok, well now you know what you are dealing with - and that is much better than the not knowing! Your hubby certainly has his work cut out for him, but that being said, I've read some very promising things about treatment for this type of cancer. There are various options/combinations and that's always a good thing - if 'Plan A' isn't giving them the results they want to see, than on to 'Plan B', etc. Like I said before - just keep taking one step, one hour, one day at a time. You two will remain in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted when you can. I remember coming across a really good cancer website, with forums for various types of cancer - I will see if I can find it again and let you know.

Hang in there, Alisa! Have a peaceful day.
Posted 7/19/2013 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
Very good to know that he is going to get started with treatment right away. Great advances have been made. It will be rough, though. Our thoughts are with you both.

Here is info for you at American Cancer Society, regarding colorectal cancer:

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/colonandrectumcancer/index

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 7/19/2013 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thank You Slashdancer and Connie!! Much to comprehend for him and for me. This is treatable and I hold firmly to my Faith that he will win this battle.

More to read and study on but I will read and reread to make sure I stay aware of everything for him!! Attentive I will remain. I have found a Cancer forum. Many of which have his diagnosis or similar. We are not alone.

Love and Many Prayers,
Alisa
Posted 7/19/2013 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you found a specific forum, Alisa. Please do keep us apprised of his treatment, though. Stay positive!

Hugs,
Connie
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