Mother with Stage Four Colon Cancer

Hi my name is angelica. I'm 16 years old and my mom has gotten diagnosed of stage four colon cancer about a few months ago. This is an update on her situation (to read more about her situation, please read the first message i posted).  i just found out she has anemia because of the cancer.
She also sweats so much, we put paper towels on her back to absorb the sweat and when i take it out of her back it is drenched and soaked up from her sweat. Yesterday was her third chemo session. She had very bad side affects such as shaking profusely, weakened, fever, and with a lot of pain. Does my mom have any other options besides chemo to help fight the cancer? Weather natural cures or advancements in technology? If so, what would they be?? I read the label that was on her bag of chemo and it had this on it: 2D5CC DSW oxaliplatin 140mg. I don't know what it means, i was wondering if anyone else did if they could tell me? Please help me if you have any information that could help. Thank you very much
sincerely, angelica

 

 The chemo you indicated is Oxy. (short for what you said). It is the main course of action for anyone with stage 4 cancer at this time. It works wonders but is very hard to get though. Unfortunately if your mom is stage 4 it is her best course of action. Talk to her Dr. to see if they can lower the dosage. The sweating and feeling cold is a normal side affect but the temp. is not. Tell the Dr about that. While on chemo your ability to fight infection is also at a weekend state. She may have an infection tell the Dr. about that and he will check her urine, blood and get a chest Xray to check for an infection. That may or may not be her problem but it should be checked out. If there is no infection they may be able to decrease her dosage. Stage four cancer is very serious and she is Lucky to have you looking out for her. I would not try any type of home remedies on stage four cancer stick with the chemo and she will be OK.Good Luck! 

Hi Angelica, I believe that chemo is the best option. Perhaps the doctor can prescribe something to alleviate the side effects.

Angelica,

 I'm sorry you have to go through this at such a young age.  Chemo is the prescribed course for Stage 4 unless the cancer can be surgically removed.  If it has spread to multiple locations, they generally won't do surgery because it would be like playing whack-a-mole.  But your mother should have multiple chemo options.  If the Oxali is causing the side effects, her oncologist could substitute Irinotecan (aka CPT-11 or Camptosar) for the Oxali.  I have tolerated this drug much better than I did Oxali and it has been effective for me.  Your mother is probably also on 5-FU (does she have a pump for 46 hours in a fanny pack?).  The doctor could also add Avastin if she isn't already getting it.  Avastin side effects are generally mild.  Do you know what they are doing for her anemia?  They could give her an infusion of red blood cells.  Does she have an adult caregiver at home?  Someone should be communicating her side effects/symptoms to a nurse at her oncologist's office. 

Jack

Hello Angelica. I am very sorry to hear that your mom was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. My father has it as well and is using the same drug as your mom. The oncologist has told my dad that there is an alternative drug that they give in pill form if the patient cannot handle the oxaliplatin. I do not know the name of it but I am sure the oncologist will know.

As far as the anemia, have someone ask the oncologist if it is okay to put her on some type of multi vitamins with Iron. Either that or they should be able to give your mom an injection in the office that helps with the anemia.

 Either way I hope your mom recovers and can handle the chemo since it IS the best choice.     

Angelica, My sister has stage 4 colon cancer and made the mistake of going through chemo. It further damaged her immune system and now that we're educated as to the harmful effects of chemo and the many other options, we are heading to an alternative clinic - yet to be chosen. We're researching 4 of them. To get educated on cancer and chemo, try websites by Dr. Mercola and Dr. Robert Young. God be with you on this tough journey!