First, I want you to know that your optimism, research and assistance you give your brother can be invaluable. My father was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer with 'inoperable' mets to his liver. We went the 5FU/Avastin route. He did this from January - June 17. He also had the red spots/rash. We got cream but also linked it to tomato products...ketchup, pizza sauce, etc. It also got a bit worse if he was in a very warm environment. He had the same thing..tolerable side effects that were limited to his fatigue.
I'm so thrilled to report that he took his treatment June 17 and had two weeks off to get my youngest brother married off.....we went back this week for tests...another pet scan, liver mri, blood work, etc.
He started in Dec with a CEA of 703.2. He is now at 1.1! He also had dozens of liver mets - some more strategically located that did not lend itself to surgery. We were investigating RFA, cryosurgery, etc. The Avastin and 5FU have killed/starved those cancer spots and even his primary colon tumor. Although we were at a major cancer center, our doctor believed University of Pittsburgh is the tops in the liver field and headed there.
After 60% of his liver, 1' of colon and gall bladder and appendix were removed, dad is now free of growing cancer. within weeks he was walking 2 miles a day and just finished this week combining his 250 acres and still works daily as a sales rep. he is 61. Dr. David Geller is well renowned as a liver surgeon and willing to do things no other doctors will do. Dr. WOlfgang Schraut was the colon surgeon....equally skilled. GET THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE!
Don't EVER believe "inoperable". The patient will go through ups and downs and there are times when you, will feel like the whipping post...but they have to let their real feelings show with somoeone and it is often the person they feel closest to.
For my dad it was my mom and I. I will gladly fill that role to get to this spot!
OPTIMISM, good eating and as much exercise as possible is key. ALSO the BEST book I read and the only one my dad felt like it hit home was THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOPE. Buy it today. You'll be amazed at how much solace your father finds in it. Barnes and Noble (BN.COM) has it for less than $12 and it is worth so much. We as caregivers and bless those patients who are on this site, find solace here...this book is by Vicki Girard and she is a survivor where they said it was impossible.
BELIEVE ME, THERE ARE MIRACLES and everyone has an equal chance of HAVING THEIR OWN!