I feel each day that I am going to beat this disease. I am reading the comments/messages and can quickly ascertain exactly what my eldest son told me when we began our journey, and that is; "mother,most people who undertake Chemotherapy treatments right away run into the problem of "losing their appetites", and therefore starve to death. Therefore, we began that program of Nutrition and exercise to build up my body prior to beginning the Chemotherapy. I must say, that path and approach to Colon Cancer Stage IV with mets to the Liver..that path has worked for me. I worked out a "step" program much like you hear of persons who are participating in a 12 step program in Recovery Programs, practicing the steps each day and finishing it each day,also. I have also developed the most Positive Mental Attitude that I could muster and practice being involved with Music, Books, Good News, writing letters of encouragement, choosing a Sunday School Class that is not "traditional", but what I call more progressive and open to New Ideas... I must be open to New Ideas about every facet of life, or, I feel, I will perish. I feel that I have directly told by God that I must offer reconciliation, love, peace, tranquility, understanding to everyone that I come into contact with..or I will NOT DEFEAT CANCER. I also asked God to send me a messenger each day..another person who is speaking directly to me, sent by God that day as my daily messenger to let me know that I am on the "right track". My plan is working for me and would love to share it with others. Please contact me by email at --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ---. God Bless us all in our fight to live. Pat Phelps
Hi Patty My husband had colon cancer { stage 3 } in 2001 which was operated on & had chemo 5FU for 6 months...... Which he lost a lot of weight ... He went to 175 lbs from 200lbs......
The cancer returned in March 2005 in the liver & near pancreas ...... Stage 4..... He was put on Irinotecan {cpt-11 } From March 16 until May 26 ..... The cancer was still growing... John was 197lbs.... Eating Swiss Chalet, 2 pork chops, roast beef, fish, chicken & lots of vegg's.....He had a very good appetite.... He was put on Oxaliplatin June 20 until Oct. 4 when he almost died from a reaction to the Oxaliplatin..... { see page 2 message board colon cancer stage 4 } He still has a very good appetite & he's now 214 lbs.... He has a CT nov. 29 & sees the doctor dec.13.....
Karen
Hi Karen,
My dad just started with CPT -11, his doctor said that he will wait with CT scan to see if it works after the 3rd cycle of chemo. That is 9 weeks. Is this normal? Would you know if Avastin and oxalipation are approved for Canada. Are there any other drugs beside those two above to replace CPT-11?
All the best to you and your husband.
Robert
Hi Robert My husband had 6 rounds of CPT-11 before he had the CT May 24 2005..... When they found out it wasn't working..... Liver 2.3 x 2.4cm from 2.0 x 1.8 cm ....pancreas lymph node 2.9 x 2.5 from 2.3 x 2.1cm from his last CT March 26, 2005.... He also had a port-a-cath put in March 15 2005 & started the chemo the next day.....
Oxaliplatin is available though a special access program... { SAP }....That Sanofi { the company that sells oxaliplatin }has established for patients who are unable to cover all or part of the drug costs themselves.... Oncology Access Assistance Program...... Your oncologist cannot apply to Health Canada Special Access Program on your behalf until you have completed the the forms for above... And you have to fill out a Summary of household income, assets & liabilities.........
If you go to Google And look up Avastin & Erbitux in Canada it says they are now approved by Health Canada..... But not yet available in the hospitals......
I'm hoping my husband can have chemo here { Toronto, Ontario } without going to the U.S...... There is always new drugs coming along...... John sees the oncologist dec. 13, after his CT nov. 29...... So we will see what happens ..........
You can go to page 2 of the message board and see my husband's story Colon cancer stage 4 Johna
All the Best to you & your dad..... Karen
Thank you for all that info, How often your husband had CPT-11 infusion? My dad has it every two weeks. I have done some reading on this site about some alternative methods. I like essiac tea and flax seed oil idea. Would you or someone know if that can be taken between chemo cycles. My naturopath says yes, but I would like to verify.
All the best, I will keep my finger crossed , hope that November's CT scan will reveal better news for you both. Keep in touch.
Robert
John had the CPT-11 Starting March 16 2005, March 29, April 12, April 26, May 10, May 24.... He also had the 5FU with the CPT-11..... Then he started the oxaliplatin June 20...... The oncologist said the cancer wouldn't grow for 4 to 6 months, because the oxaliplatin was holding the cancer { not growing }........
I don't know about flax seed, but I know John wouldn't take it...... Fussy Critter !!!!!
The doctor told John to stop taking Selenium as it mite interfer with the chemo he was on..... He also stopped taking the multi-vitamin couldn't swallow it...... Keep in touch & all the best to your dad
Karen
Thank you for this info, so your husband was taking it every 2 weeks. My dad is taking it every three weeks, it must be a different dose I assume. Definitely keep in tuch. I hope you get a better news in Dec.
Best of luck to you and John.
Robert
Hi Robert They go according to weight to make up the chemo for each person.... I'm hoping everything is going to be ok in dec. But John said his side feels funny..... I said why didn't you tell me.... Because it would make you worry more......
I will definitely keep in touch & all the best to you & your dad.
Karen
I just read an article in Polish magazine about new drug for advanced colon cancer which metasised to other organs. Guess, the article was about AVASTIN. Shortly, it does amazing things. It should be given as addition to regular chemoteraphy. It is already approved by European Union and available in my home country. I would not understand why might not be available widely in Canada. Ask your doctor when you see him in Dec. My dad got appointment with Dr. Davidson, at St Joseph Hosp. for second opinion on Dec 1 , he is a medical oncologist. I will ask him abot Avastin as well and let you know.
All the best
Robert
Hi Robert Why it's not available across Canada...... MONEY........ Every time Health Canada adds a new drug { covered } it costs the Government $$$$$$$$ ..... They have to make sure it's cost effective....... Just like they want to send my husband to the U.S. for chemo & OHIP will pay for it ..... ?????
Hope the doctor at St. Joseph's can help your dad..... Hope they have the new drugs available there....
I want to ask the oncologist at Sunnybrook about Erbitux when we go there...... Right now John's been off chemo since Oct 4 2005...... Hope the oxaliplatin is still holding the cancer at bay......
I keep a book on John everything he eats, meds, side effects, weight , platlets, appts.... etc..... So I can go back and check on anything.....
All the best to you and your dad Karen