Please can someone help shed some light

or some insight as to what is happening with my Dad.

My lovely dad is only 57 and 6 weeks ago started experiencing moderate to severe pain in his abdo/rib area that travelled through to his back.  After x-rays, blood tests and endoscopy, there was nothing untoward. 

This week he had a CT scan and the results came in last night.  They show 'masses' in the bowel, spots on the liver and inflammed lymph nodes in the same area.

Of course, we are automatically suspecting the worst.  The doc wont mention the 'C' word yet, as we have to wait for the colonscopy biopsy to comfirm (2 weeks away...pure torture having to wait).

Can masses be benign when they are also associated with liver spots and inflamed lymph nodes?  Can it all be benign?  If it is cancer, what is the likelihood that it can be treated?  How long do people live? If it is cancer, is it possible for it to all be removed?  Does chemo really work?  do people really go into full remission after having cancer in different places in the body?  Do you think this sounds like a death sentence since the lymph nodes are already inflammed as well?

I am terrified and i'm sorry for all the naieve questions.  My family has never had to deal with cancer before and i am completely ignorant in all aspects.

Please help.  i'm so scared.

Rebecca

 Hi Rebecca,

  Sorry to hear about you father, and you are right it  rough waiting,  It could be cancerm but if caught early enough and with chemo and radation it can make a huge difference. My wife was 48 yrs old when she found out got  colon cancer and  then we entered on a  long journey, I spent many hours reading books and  on internet finding out all about  the body and cancer.

You  just have to prepare for  bad news BUT KNOW if your Dad  and family can be POSITIVE   that is half the battle..  there are millions on this journey, so  if your family can   start Praying  healing on your dad and love him and hug him as much as you can.

Try to have Hope and  think the best and know if you do hear bad news there are many of us with Drs and Nurses can help on your journey.. So live with HOPE AND FAITH..

 There is anothe  cancer site called  cancer  forum.. which is good for info also andgood people on it.

 Keep us in touch and if you want any more help or advise please let us know as we are here for you, dad and family...

 God Bless You  All...Keep Going ...

        Best Wishes  Rob

If at the worst it is stage 4 colon cancer, it is very treatable.  Search this site and others for stage 4 colon cancer survivors.

Thankyou both for replying.

My mother just called around at lunchtime.  She confessed to me that she omitted to tell me additional facts last night when she and dad were given the news.

It definitely is cancer, and from the looks of it, stage 4.  However, the stage is yet to be confirmed but will it will be once surgery is done.

The worst part is that is has spread to liver and lymph nodes.

Am trying so hard to be hopeful and i'm praying for a miracle.  I will search for stage 4 colon cancer survivors as you mentioned...i could definitely use some positive stories to help keep my faith.

I was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in March 2006. I have been in treatment (surgical resection, chemo, mostly recently Y90 -radioactive beads) I am 51 and doing well. I get a scan in a couple weeks to see how things are working but I feel good. There IS hope. They are finding new treatments all the time. Be careful when you read articles to look for the dates written - old information is very scarey. Keep praying and I will too. love to your family - be strong

I am taking so much comfort from hearing about people surviving their stage IV cancer.  Mum has now started Dad on some juice made of carrots, beetroot and celery.  It's funny how we have all jumped on this juice with gutso, as previously my family were skeptical about alternative therapies.

But oh how things change.  We have heard many amazing stories of others who have been drinking this vege juice and have had massive improvement.

Yes, i have been carefully looking at dates of all the articles i read.  Your are right, some of the stats are definitely scarey.

It's just such a shock for dad to have this cancer in such an advanced stage and until 6 weeks ago, there was not a sign that there was anything untoward.

Mommasue, where did your cancer spread to, if you dont mind me asking?  You are doing so well and seem very positive.  You are an inspiration.

Right now is very hard, as we are all in limbo waiting for the next test and results of the blood test, and an official diagnosis.  We are all bracing ourselves for it.  But knwoledge is power, and i'm trying to obtain all i can.

Thanks everyone.

Hi,

 My wife got colon cancer in 2001, and I learnt a lot about body and cancer over the 8 yrs, check out your self on  Google......... Sugar and cancer....Asparagus and cancer...

               Linseed Oil and cancer... Tumeric and cancer...

M ake sure your Dad  drinks lots of water every day, also talk a good multi vitimin after a meal each day, also plenty of veg (   raw and steamed)  and fresh fruit,,, ( you can juice them)  every day..

 Keep off processed food as much as possible,, keep off red meat and pork as much as possible,,,,

 Chicken, turky and tuna and fish is good....

 its important to keep all the good nutrients going  in  so they can fight the cancer,  Make  sure your if he cannott eat big meals make sure he eats lots of small ones each day.

 Also what is good is Ensure..its like a meal in it self, but like I said so important to get lots of fresh veg and fruit into the body each day.

 Also the body does not store VIT  C  or VIT B.. so make sure every day he gets plenty of vit C and get him a good complex VIT  B and take  each day... and most important ....KEEP PRAYING AS GOD CREATED YOUR DAD ..

  Hope all this is a help to your dad,,, if you want to any more help just ask..

     Best Wishes  Rob

Thankyou Rob...your posts are very informative, very encouraging and positive.

We're keeping dad off the red meat, upping the water and pure vege juice.  Will start the flaxseed/linseed oil and cottage cheese thing too shortly.

Does your wife experience bad pain? Dad's is terrible.  he is off to the doc today to get something to relieve it.  i hope they give him something decent.   Codeine isnt doing a thing.

Also, how did you and your wife cope once given the diagnosis/prognosis?  Was Barb ever given a timeline?  ie: "sorry Ma'am, this is stage IV and you have 3-6 months left".  Both Dad and Mum are terrified of that conversation they'll be having in the next week with the docs.  how do you cope with that?  Dad is having such a hard time accepting this, he is terrified and i dont blame him.  i'm scared for him too, but trying hard to remain as normal as possible for him.  I have to remember i have to support mum too.  She is dad's rock, so i have to be her rock.

Thanks for all your posts Rob.

Rebecca