End Stage? Stage IV Colon Cancer. HELP!

Hi Everyone:

I would sincerely appreciate some advice.

My huband was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer in April of 2011 (he was 48 at that time). Mets to the liver and 2 lymph notes. The surgery was successful. They removed nearly 2 feet of his intestines.

His initial chemo worked well for the 1st six months. We were very optimistic because his 2nd scan revealed that the tumors had begun to shrink. Sadly, his next scan showed that the chemo was no longer working -- the tumors had grown considerably.

The oncologist then gave him a stronger chemo (4-FU?). Same thing happened with this therapy. It stopped working.

The cycle continued -- stronger chemo, smarter cancer cells. His oncologist explained that the cancer cells will nearly always outsmart the chemo.

(IMPORTANT: To those of you who have colon cancer with mets to liver, please keep a positive attitude. This doesn't always happen to everyone. Everyone has different body chemistry, so don't think that this will happen to you. It's just very diffcult to treat tumors in the liver.)

Throughout this past 1 and 1/2 years, George (his name) went through periods of staying in bed for days at a time with little to no appetite, then he'd "snap out of it" -- he'd get himself up, get dressed, drive to the store, barbeque food on the grill, tend to his veg garden, play with the cats. He'd enjoy himself doing all the stuff that he loves to do. As if he was totally healthy. But then, a few weeks later, he'd be back in bed w/o appetite for weeks.

The chemo began to take it's toll on George's body and was making him so sick that he decided to discontinue chemotherapy. At this point, he's receivng pallative care only. Since then, he seems to be deteriorating. He doesn't get out of bed -- only to get himself to the bathroom. He has a small appetite and tries to eat. Whenever he eats, it's extremely painful for him to digest his food. He throws up most of it.

Before my eyes, he seems to be wasting away and I'm scared. I've never been through this before and don't know what to expect next.

He's extremely stubborn and lately very irritable and occasionally breaks down in tears. Because we're always in close quarters, it's hard for me to call his doctors office to get information. I know that he wishes to keep his medical info from me since he doesn't want me to worry.

This guy is the love of my life. Really it was love at first sight. We met the night that the Boston Red Sox won the series in 2007 and got married around 6 months later. He's my rock and I'll be devastated when he goes.

Now, we have a little glimmer of hope. There's a new drug available (extremely expensive, but our ins covered it). It's called Regorafenib. It's so new that it's not yet available in pharmacies. The cancer center had to arrange for it specially with our insurance. This drug kills the cancer cells of colon cancer. I'm afraid that he's too far gone for this to work for him, but the doctor wants to test it. Not sure why -- the brochure stated that it may cause liver damage as the 1st warning.

If anyone can explain to me what to look for in end stage of colon cancer  -- what are the signs that his time will come soon, I would be very grateful.

Thanks so much for reading all of this.

 

And the salvestrols case reports in which has a case with colon cancer, so it should work with colon cancer! http://www.beating-cancer-gently.com/support-files/salvestro

Hi Sarah, I'm so sorry to hear that beloved husband is doing so poorly. I'm a stage 4 myself with lots of mets to the liver, but Avastin seems to be keeping my cancer in check for now after nine cycles of folfiri plus Avastin. I was diagnosed in January. As for the end, from what I've read the person with cancer sleeps more and more and basically withers away. I'm pretty sure that you'll come across one or two discussions on this topic if you look through the list of threads. Also, you might want to check in the caregiver section. I'm sorry I can't be if more help. I know the medicine you mention is brand new, approved in September I believe. I wish you and George the best of luck and I will be thinking of you, holding you in the light. Sincerely, Anne

Hello,

I was diagnosed colon cancer late stage 4, under 6 mos to live) mets to the brain, abdomen, liver (sev times).  Had left lobe liver tumor resected, right lobe completely removed.  Over 2 ft of colon removed, temporary Illeostomy (sp?), brain tumor and all tumors resected.

I did traditional treatments and prayed a lot.  I had a holistic doctor/friend that had done tremendous research on colon cancer.  He set me up with a post treatment array of the best colon cancer, and cancer in general, supplements and diet.  He knew everything and didn't charge me a dime for advice or supplements.  I finally MADE him let me pay him.  I say that to let you know it was all legit.  He wasn't trying to make money off me.

There are cancer/toxic cells roaming around everyone's bodies.  Many bodies properly kill the cancer cells with a process called apoptosis, but for those of us who get cancer, that process isn't working properly.  Look it up herehttp://www.biooncology.com/research-education/apoptosis/apoptosis/index.html?cid=bio_pa_F001220_P000453&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=what%20is%20apoptosis&utm_campaign=Bing%202012%20BioOncology%20Research%20Apoptosis%20(Jun12)

Anyway, he taught me   what I needed to eat and what supplements I needed to take to get the process going again.  I am 3.5 yrs tumor free (orig diag 5.5 yrs ago).  I would be happy to share some of his recommendations with you.

During treatment I was at death's door many times and I am in good health now.

Feel free to let me know if you would like any other info.

Ican post it if it interests you.

Sincerely, Kathy

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much for your advice. I found the information that you provided and am so very sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

It's a wonderful thing that you are reacting to the Avastin. I bet you'll have a much more positive outcome. I think that George (my husband) has been on every type of chemo that's ever been manufactured. He hated the oxyplatin(?)

I think he's far more advanced than you are and you may have a better long-run prognosis. I wish you the very best.

If you'd like, you can look me up on facebook (under Sarah Burns - Connecticut). If you just want to vent on a non-cancer person (so far).

Doesn't it seem as if more and more people are getting cancer lately? I've lost 2 co-workers in the past year to this bastard disease. Everyone I know knows of someone with cancer. Once and a while I would sit with my husband when he got his chemo transfusions, but they're usually too busy at the cancer center and there's no place for me to sit. You are far from being alone wth this.

I wish you my very best and will post on the correct page next time.

Thank you for your report. It's interesting material and I could try to get my husband to try it, only problem is .. is that he cannot hold any food down anymore.

He's badly constipated and whenever he eats, it's very painful for him to digest it. The tumors are also causing pain, but he can't take his painkillers since they cause more constipation.

Thanks again and my best to you.

OMG, Kathy:  That's amazing. My husband also had 2 ft of colon removed (if they had caught it in stage 1, we'd be golden). His problem is the mets to the liver. His oncologist is not a big believer in liver resection b/c it can be risky, possibly causing the cancer to metasasize more and, as he always tells us, "It always comes back in the liver. Even if I got you a new one.".

I should show your message to his doctor. (I'll take your word for the apoptosis, I've heard of it before.) I still wish I knew why cancer is so much more prevalent these days. Maybe all the cell phones.

My very best to you.

 

On Dec 19, 2012 6:23 AM sarah06779 wrote:

Hi Everyone:

I would sincerely appreciate some advice.

My huband was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer in April of 2011 (he was 48 at that time). Mets to the liver and 2 lymph notes. The surgery was successful. They removed nearly 2 feet of his intestines.

His initial chemo worked well for the 1st six months. We were very optimistic because his 2nd scan revealed that the tumors had begun to shrink. Sadly, his next scan showed that the chemo was no longer working -- the tumors had grown considerably.

The oncologist then gave him a stronger chemo (4-FU?). Same thing happened with this therapy. It stopped working.

The cycle continued -- stronger chemo, smarter cancer cells. His oncologist explained that the cancer cells will nearly always outsmart the chemo.

(IMPORTANT: To those of you who have colon cancer with mets to liver, please keep a positive attitude. This doesn't always happen to everyone. Everyone has different body chemistry, so don't think that this will happen to you. It's just very diffcult to treat tumors in the liver.)

Throughout this past 1 and 1/2 years, George (his name) went through periods of staying in bed for days at a time with little to no appetite, then he'd "snap out of it" -- he'd get himself up, get dressed, drive to the store, barbeque food on the grill, tend to his veg garden, play with the cats. He'd enjoy himself doing all the stuff that he loves to do. As if he was totally healthy. But then, a few weeks later, he'd be back in bed w/o appetite for weeks.

The chemo began to take it's toll on George's body and was making him so sick that he decided to discontinue chemotherapy. At this point, he's receivng pallative care only. Since then, he seems to be deteriorating. He doesn't get out of bed -- only to get himself to the bathroom. He has a small appetite and tries to eat. Whenever he eats, it's extremely painful for him to digest his food. He throws up most of it.

Before my eyes, he seems to be wasting away and I'm scared. I've never been through this before and don't know what to expect next.

He's extremely stubborn and lately very irritable and occasionally breaks down in tears. Because we're always in close quarters, it's hard for me to call his doctors office to get information. I know that he wishes to keep his medical info from me since he doesn't want me to worry.

This guy is the love of my life. Really it was love at first sight. We met the night that the Boston Red Sox won the series in 2007 and got married around 6 months later. He's my rock and I'll be devastated when he goes.

Now, we have a little glimmer of hope. There's a new drug available (extremely expensive, but our ins covered it). It's called Regorafenib. It's so new that it's not yet available in pharmacies. The cancer center had to arrange for it specially with our insurance. This drug kills the cancer cells of colon cancer. I'm afraid that he's too far gone for this to work for him, but the doctor wants to test it. Not sure why -- the brochure stated that it may cause liver damage as the 1st warning.

If anyone can explain to me what to look for in end stage of colon cancer  -- what are the signs that his time will come soon, I would be very grateful.

Thanks so much for reading all of this.

 

I'm Georgia Lucas, "cancer stories," not "urostomate," but I'm having trouble getting my password accepted tonight, so I just used my husband's. When he was stage 4, he became so thin & gaunt, he looked like a malnourishd, war-ravaged refugee He could not speak beyond a whisper & he wheezed when he tried for the cancers had invaded his lungs. He was on Avastin & CT10 at the time for he was deathly allergic to 5FU, which is usually recommended for late stage colon cancer. (At least it was 3 yrs ago.) Everyone thought he was dying. Some were even praying that God would take him quickly to reduce his suffering. But we still clung to that thread of hope, albeit as small as a grain of mustard seed.

I was surprised when his doctor told us not to rely on quacks, but to save our money and pray. He said our answer to how much longer my husband would live could only come by prayer. We would have spent all the money we had at that point to find a cure. But pray we did. Oh, how we did pray! At first we prayed for healing. Then we prayed for reasons, God's reasons for allowing this. Finally when all seemed lost, we prayed to God to give us the ability to cope, the strength to bear this burden of sickness and grief, and to help us reach out to others in similar situations. Then to everyone's surprise, he lingered and lingered, then gradually began to improve. Today, 3 years later, he is cancer-free. Everyone who knows him, Christian or not, sees him as a miracle. That is why we are here trying to give hope and promote faith in others. With the help of oncology nurses & fellow cancer patients we published a book "In Spite of Cancer" & give all proceeds to cancer research. 

So please don't give up or give in to the cancer. God is stronger than any disease. If God thinks it best for your husband to live, he will.

Hi Sarah:  I lost my husband to colon cancer on Oct. 3 after 2 years and 8 months.  He did all the chemos, he had colon cancer removed, he had liver surgery, right lobe removed, RFA on some recurring tumors after the liver surgery and SIR Spheres after that.  His problem was everything that had been done to the liver just damaged it too much.    They tried him on some maintenance chemos but they did not work.  His liver just continued to fail.  He did sleep more and more, and ate and drank less and less.  Off and on he had issues with ascites in his tummy and legs and feet which we controlled with drainings and lasix but in the end he was fluid-free.   He just bascially went permanently to sleep on day  -   October 3.   I am so sorry that you and your husband are going through this.   Its just so sad and so upsetting and so terrible.  I do see that lots of people do liver longer than my Ron lived, but we tried everything we knew to do.  He fought hard.    I hope this helps.   Usually in colon cancer, it is the liver that causes death.

I will pray for you.

Love Sandy

On Dec 19, 2012 7:48 AM LiliZ wrote:

And the salvestrols case reports in which has a case with colon cancer, so it should work with colon cancer! http://www.beating-cancer-gently.com/support-files/salvestro lcasestudies2.pdf"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.beating-cancer-gently.com/support-files/salvestro target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.beating-cancer-gently.com/support-files/salvestro

How can you refer to that selvestrols colon cancer case, when you can’t  find any specifics(Biopsy,  staging),  and not even confirmed for cancer?
I think all those cases  are misleading.

Please be careful when somebody refers to some abstract testimonials or clinical cases. 
Make sure the information is complete and verified by trustful person.