A Little Hope Please...

For those of you who have been reading some of my posts, my Dad has Stage IV Colon Cancer.  He is half way through his first round of treatments, 5fu+ Oxiplatin+ Erbitux...and he is doing GREAT!  He is not sick, he is not losing weight, he is still going to work, his appetite is wonderful, is energy level is up and his blood work is perfect!

We went to meet with his Oncologist today for a mis-point check up and he said that my Dad looks, "really well."  However, he said that he would not know anything for sure until he got a CT scan in another 4 weeks.  This made me really nervous.  I guess I was expecting him to say something more along the lines of, "I think your CT scan will show imrpovment."  That is not what I received.  Instead he told us to, "keep our fingers crossed" and that "we are giving this our best shot!" 

After watching my Dad over these past few weeks and how he feels better and better everyday, I was hoping for more!  Besides the rash he has received from the Erbitux, the rest is seemingly unnoticed.

I don't really know what I am posting for.  I think I just want to hear that since he is doing so well and his blood looks good that there WILL be an improvment in his CT scan in 4 weeks.

 

Sorry for the rambling...and thanks everyone for all of your help.

What are the specifics of his stage 4.  Mets to the liver, etc.  What was his CEA count on the more recent lab tests.  Has he had previious CT scans, PET scans etc.  What type of operations has he had if any?

He has cancer on his liver and abdomen...they are called "cancer seeds" as they are too tiny to have any measurable mass to them.  The only surgery he had was when he had the right side of his colo nremoved and a Colostomy Bag put in.  That was in February...this is only his first round of chemo...he started 4 weeks ago.  They said his CEA was 13 but I do not know what it currently is...although the doctor said that he is concerned with his CT scan not is CEA.  He gets another CT scan for re-evaluation in 4 more weeks.  I cannot stress HOW GREAT HE LOOKS AND FEELS!  Even when he comes home with the 5FU pump, he is fine...no side effects.  I need to believe that in 4 weeks from now a CT scan will show improvment!

Sounds like things are looking up for you.  The CEA is not high and his feeling good is very important.  I had chemo and radiation for a recurrence in Dec last year and the cancer is gone!!  I'm currently on the pump too and have 2 to go.  The only side effect is my appetite.  I've been fighting this for 3 years and it is finaly paying off.  All the staying positive and doing what the doctors tell me.  I'll be praying for you and good results from the CT scan.  That is of primary importance.

Thank you so much.  Perhaps I am fishing here, but I would have to believe that the appetite, high energy level, etc. are all signs that the treatment is working...

DinaZ-

My mom is in the same situation.  The "cancer seeds" are not such a good sign as you know. (the formal term is "peritoneal carcinomatosis" if you want to google it)  My mom dx'd Feb 2007 and did 8 out of 12 FOLFOX treatments.  She had several scans after that which showed great response to the chemo.  Her CEA started at 12.5 and hovered under 1.5 for many months without any treatment.  (she did Avastin-only maintenance for a bit until she had a bowel obstruction from scar tissue)

This past Feb her CEA has started to increase again and she has started Xeloda with the IV Oxaliplatin.  Hopefully this will decrease her CEA once again. The problem with the peritoneal disease is that it's always there, and often much too small to see on any scans.  You just have to attack it when it rages again.

Best of luck to your Dad and you-I fully understand the rollar-coaster ride you're on.

Christine

I am just so confused.  Our research nurse told us that the "cancer seeds" were better than tumors with any sort of mass.  I was actually under the impression that the seeds were a good sign rather than a bad one.  I am completely sick to my stomach right now because I had no idea that there was so much severity with these seeds.  I have no idea what to think now.

Another case of caregiver playing doctor.  Be very carefull in your descriptions of difficulty of disease type.  These socalled seeds may or not be difficult depending on the overall condition of the patient.  The patience attitude and overall demeanor are also very important.  The fact that they are doing a CT scan provides an indication that the doctor will be able to "view"  the results before making a determination.  The low level of CEA is also a very positive point.  I hope this helps.

Thank you, Arnold.  I am just trying to learn as much as I can so that I can help my family.  It is so impossible to hear one thing and see another.  He looks AMAZING!  I cannot accept the fact that this disease will take him from me when he seems to be winning the battle.  I know I have to wait until the CT scan to know for sure, but I specifically asked his research nurse if the seeds were better than tumors and she said, yes.  I know I am not crazy...I remember her saying that to me and I immediately called my Mom.

I've been so strong with all of this, so positive and strong.  I feel myself falling apart...

We were all devastated last year when I had the recurrence.  They operated and couldn't take out the tumor.  I then had radiation and chemo in Dec and the scans they did in Feb showed the 5 cm tumor was gone.  We kept our faith and positive attitude going thru the last three years and it has paid off.  Please don't " fall apart".  Listen to your doctor and stay strong.  Every one who reads your posts will praying for you.