Hello,
I was diagnosed in August at age 41 with stage IV rectal cancer w/ mets to both liver and lungs. Now, 7 months later, I am considered cancer free- there is hope! My progress has amazed all the doctors, but they say it is starting to become more common. My oncologist also told me to ignore the 5 year survival statistics I read on the internet, not only because they are depressing, but because they are based on statistics of patients who were diagnosed and treated prior to some of the newer drugs coming out. The newer drugs don't have 5 year survival statistics yet because they haven't been out long enough yet. I was treated with "Foxfox plus Avastin". I had a total of 10 rounds of it, once every two weeks. I went from 12 tumors in my liver and several small nodules in my lungs down to everything gone in my lungs & just one tumor still showing up in my liver- but it doesn't show up at all on the PET scan, which means it's now noncancerous.
I'm currently halfway through radiation and low dose chemo (6 weeks worth) & will have surgery on the original rectal tumor site 4-6 weeks after radiation ends. After that, they will relook at my liver to see what, if anything shows up. If there's still something there, even "noncancerous", then I'll probably have cyberknife on it.
I was told that even if nothing shows up on the PET & they call you noncancerous, that there still can be microscopic cells there & that's why I'm still getting the low dose chemo during my radiation.
Fortunately, I haven't had the weight loss issue- I've actually gained a few (much to my dismay, but I suppose given the scenario, that's better than losing). Anyhow- I know there are several nutrtional supplements available for the weight loss- keep experimenting with those.
God bless you both- I will keep your husband in my prayers. The Lord has been amazing in the past few months of my life!
Best wishes-
Lisa