Pls Tell Me What To Expect

My son was diagnosed with stomach cancer stage 4 in mid December.  He is only 36.  In the last 6 mionths he has lost 80 lbs.  He has lost of nausea and cannot eat.  He vomits when we insist he eats.  He drinks ensure but not much else.  The Dr. gave us a prognosis of 6 months - 1 yr at diagnosis.  He was put on a clinical trial but was removed after 2 rounds since it was not working and the cancer continued to spread.  He is now on a new regimen of 5-FU, Cistaplatin and something else..  The effects of the chemo have weakened him a lot.  He is extremely tired all the time.

Can someone who has been through this or a loved one tell me what to expect?

Thanks.

Jockey

On 2/28/2008 Jockey wrote:

My son was diagnosed with stomach cancer stage 4 in mid December.  He is only 36.  In the last 6 mionths he has lost 80 lbs.  He has lost of nausea and cannot eat.  He vomits when we insist he eats.  He drinks ensure but not much else.  The Dr. gave us a prognosis of 6 months - 1 yr at diagnosis.  He was put on a clinical trial but was removed after 2 rounds since it was not working and the cancer continued to spread.  He is now on a new regimen of 5-FU, Cistaplatin and something else..  The effects of the chemo have weakened him a lot.  He is extremely tired all the time.

Can someone who has been through this or a loved one tell me what to expect?

Thanks.

Jockey

we have son with stage 4 different type of cancer. trying off label stuff but science. if you would like to chat, email:

. where are you located? I wish you the best,it is very tough with a child.

I am very sorry to hear that your son is so sick. I am concerned about them putting him on a clinical trial BEFORE using 5-FU and Cisplatin.

 It does seem from what you are telling us that your son is getting very sick, very fast. Does he have a feeding tube, and where is he being treated?

 This disease is horrible, I watched my father deteriorate in a short 7 months. I cannot tell you what to expect as everyones situation is different. If they are giving him a prognosis of 6 months, then it does not sound like they are hopeful, and it could be longer than that, or shorter. Does he have mets? Where has it spread?

We are in Dallas, Tx.

The Dr. originally suggested the cocktail as an aggressive treatment. did not seem tohave much hope, though.

Then called a day later and said he would be an excellent candidate for a clinical trial..  that did not seem to work.

I think it has spread to the liver.. they say it is all over his stomach..

Tehre is some fluid that accumulates in the stomach.. He has been drained twice..  First time they took out 3 litres.. 2nd time 8.25 litres..  His stomach is swollen again.. meaning more fluid is accumulating..  A dr. friend tells me that means liver is not functining well..

Dr. is a christian and seems very nice..

I wonder if it is worthwhile to contact MD Anderson in Houston, Tx.

What do you think?

Jockey,

If you are in Dallas, have you taken him to MD Anderson in Houston for an evaluation? MD Anderson is ranked the number one cancer center in the country by US News and World Reports.

Rick

Will check them out after the next Scan in a few weeks.. 

Thanks, Rick

On 2/28/2008 Kristennyc wrote:

I am very sorry to hear that your son is so sick. I am concerned about them putting him on a clinical trial BEFORE using 5-FU and Cisplatin.

 It does seem from what you are telling us that your son is getting very sick, very fast. Does he have a feeding tube, and where is he being treated?

 This disease is horrible, I watched my father deteriorate in a short 7 months. I cannot tell you what to expect as everyones situation is different. If they are giving him a prognosis of 6 months, then it does not sound like they are hopeful, and it could be longer than that, or shorter. Does he have mets? Where has it spread?

after they tried at Sloan Kettering the radiation and surgery(chemo was done earlier at another good hospital), they has nothing else so we tried folfox(oxaliplatin, leucovorin and fluorouracil(also called 5Fu) ) and avastin(all normally for colon cancer). He does not have colon cancer. he has metastatic testicular cancer to the bone. This chemo seemed to control the cancer but he does not want to continue since he feels so bad. I should also mention that we are trying a lot of things that are not normal cancer medical protocols. most are what are called off label(but so was the use of folfox and avastin). OGF, low dose interferon, buphenyl and artemisinin. We will probably look at Germany soon for another anti cancer treatment. He has time but they do not know how much and the first negative step will be paralysis.We are close so we are willing to try things as long as they do not hurt him. We thought that the folfox/avastin would not hurt but it did.

If you would llike to chat re the Drs. we are using and the off label protocols, give me a call 917 295 4699. All the Drs. we are using are US oncologists.

Hi neighbor in Dallas

My father-in-law is at MD Anderson at this moment.  He went for tests on Monday and Tuesday to see about getting into their clinical trial.  MD Anderson is the best hospital and a relatively easy drive from Dallas.  We drive up and back in one day.

I recommend talking to Dr. Ajani (sp) in the Gastric dept.

Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Karen 

Thanks Karen

Will send infor to his wife to contact MD Anderson.

Please let me know how your Father-in-Law's visit goes.

Why is he there?  Does he have stomach cancer also?