Latest Colon Cancer discussions http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/cancers/colon-cancer/1,0,119,18.htm Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ my dad has developed a staphylococuc aureus infection in his hickman line should he have it removed or can antibiotics treat this condition .as anyone had this and what was the outcome.thanks scott http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25772,0.htm scottaug Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT First, I would like to thank all who have replied to my post about my brother, Mark.  Mark has been battling colon cancer for nearly four years.  He has had surgeries and chemo treatments, yet the cancer is now in his abdomen, liver, lymph nodes, and we believe a tumor in his rectum is pressing on his kidney.  He was on his third week of a Stage I clinical trial, which I understand is just after animal studies, through USC and became terribly sick.  He was vomitting continously, slurring speech, falling down.  He went back to USC and they rehydrated him.  The doctor told him that he had gone longer than any other person on this treatment.  He wanted Mark to have an MRI of his brain and an ultra sound of his kidney, and then finish the fourth week of the treatment.  Feeling that the USC doctor would continue him on it for the sake of the study and not for Mark's good, Mark returned to his original oncologist.  She talked to him about all he'd been through and where he is now and it was decided that now was the time for him to step back, stop the chemo, stop the tests, and take time for disability from work.  He didn't have to do anything he did not want to do.Mark has an appointment with an immunologist named Fereshteh Akbarpour MD at Orange County Immune Institute in Huntington Beach, CA.  A few months ago, I had emailed Patrick Quillen, author of the book "Beating Cancer With Nutrition." He replied with a recommendation of going to her for another opinion.  Part of her approach is the alternative of Vitamin C and supplements to detoxify and build up the immune system.  We hope that even if Mark can not beat the cancer, at least he could regain some of what he lost from the chemo, and feel better.  Any thoughts?  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25754,0.htm ChrisHB Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT My husband was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer mid May and had a simultaneous subtotal colectomy and liver resection first of June.  He will begin chemotherapy in a little over a week with Xeloda x2 weeks off one week and will receive infusion of oxiplatnin at the begining of each 3 week cycle.Anyone out there with this chemo regime please post anything about your experience.  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25748,0.htm Bonzonie Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am suffering from Paraneoplastic syndrome, Paraneoplastic syndrome is related hypercoagulability. The blood becomes thicker that make it run slower. So the body is starve of Oxygen. It can cause heart attack or stroke that are fatal. I am feeling very bad. can't sleep because it make my body struck.Anyone experience this and know how to release the syndrome!!!Please help!!! Immediately! http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25738,0.htm HokChin Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Most of you know the story:Husband stage 3-4 terminal ileum cancer that has been treated like colon - because there is not a regime for terminal ileum (small bowel) cancer that he has.  This is first recurrence after successful surgery and treatment ended March of 07.  This mass was found inoperable during exploratory surgery May 29 due to attachment to femoral/ileac artery.  Very aggressive and growing quickly, yet not metastasizing beyond original point.  Brian on Monday starts a 5 week regimen of combo daily oral xeloda (good thing we have insurance - saved over $3400 on the rx) and daily radiation treatments.Here are two statements the oncologist has made that are causing me worry:On our first visit for this recurrence the onco walked in and made this unsolicited statement:  "We are not going to talk quantity, you are young and we will fight this."  We have not ever asked for quantity in terms of wanting to know years, months, etc.  We just keep assuming this too shall pass.  (I know, naive, but blissful)There will be a break after the 5 weeks for rest and CT/PET scans.  When I asked how long the break would be "a month or two?"  He replied, "Oh no, we don't have that luxory."  Last time it seemed that no one was in the same hurry we were...now we don't have the luxory? I haven't questioned him when he has made these statements, because Brian has been present and Brian has the attitude that life goes on and we will beat this... I want him to keep this positive attitude.  I haven't had a visit with the onc on my own.What would you all do?  Remain blissfully naive?  Call the onc and ask?  Question the onc in front of Brian?I will be out of town for the next two onc visits.  I kind of don't want to bring it up with the onc while I am gone and then have him talk to Brian while I am out of town.  Thanks in advance, I know you all will give good advice,LeeAnne http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25722,0.htm Sickofitall Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am a stage 4 colon cancer with mets to lung. I had been on chemo folfox and folfiri for 8 mons but did not shrunk much, a tumor 3x3cm is located on a difficult position. Hibert suggested me to look into cyber knife treatment. I hurried to do more research on Google and youtube. I do found  lots reports on this very new high-tech treatment. It can treat almost all kinds of tumors . It is a wonderful medical invention. But I wonder why my doctor and my Onc never mention it. My doc also told me radiation is not good for me, don't think about it, cause it will have scar tissue on lung. I like to ask is anyone has tried it? How it works? How do you feel? Is insurance covers that? I gues must be very expensive. And which hospital offer this cyber knife radiation?    http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25709,0.htm mimi7 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am very worried. Now, my blood is very thick. I think it flow very slowly. My body is starving of Oxygen. Have anyone expenrienced this before, please give some comments. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25684,0.htm HokChin Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT To try to make a long story short...My mother has had colon cancer almost 3 years since her first of about 5 operations. Tried chemo and had an allergic reaction...at that point she needed some time to get stronger and when she had a blockage and had a colostomy she was put on erbitux...this worked well for several months....when it stopped working the Dr. told her to get her house in order and has put her on low dose of chemo. She has several mets in her abdomen and one under her liver...her CEA is up to 40 now and she will not have another count done for two weeks. She has been very strong, but now she is looking very aged and week. I just wish I knew what to expect and why are the Doctors giving up. They said when the cancer spreads that the first symptoms would be pain in her stomach. Has anyone else gone through this. No cancer in bones, lungs or liver yet. Also to much scar tissue to operate again.Thanks for any information http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25679,0.htm Raes Daughter Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am 25 years olds. I was found to have anemia, black stool and every symptoms of colon cancer. I also fell the tumors in my belly. Importantly, i have bladder cancer symptoms, liver cancer symptoms and paraneoplastic syndrome. Can any one please tell me how serious it is and please help! I will have colonoscope next two weeks but I plan to go to hospital again tomorrow because of the a paraneoplastic syndrome related to hypercoagulability of the blood (the blood is "thickened").Please help as soon as possible! http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25676,0.htm HokChin Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer which metas to the liver where he had 7 spots spread out threw the liver.  he was diagnosied in april of 07 and started chemo in may. during his year on chemo he had good results with his blood levels and with each petscan, cat scan and mri. they all showed everything was shrinking.. the last pet / cat scan he has was may of 08 and it showed that all the spots in  the liver were gone and the repeat colonoscopy showed that he only had scar tissue left. they said they coulc not do surgery at the beginning because teh fact all tumors where spread threwout teh liver and now they say they can not do surgery cause they would have no area to target to cut out since there is nothing there.. now his dr is advising him to still stay on chemo ( every other week and come home with a pump for 46 hours) he tells him studies have shown peopel who do not get off have a lesser chance of it coming back.. but our thinking is how can he stay on chemo for years without  the chemo effecting his body. the doctors are just leaving him feeling alone like he needs to choose if he should stay on or give his body a break from it. they also mention him taking xeloda.  can anyone give advise on that medicine or if anyone has been on chemo for a long time wheere there more side effects...  thank you http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25649,0.htm jayjul Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT In the post I  just made my subject line was too long.....I asked about MD Anderson, but I'd like to know if there would be any other options for my brother who is very sick from his last round in a clinical trial for colon cancer which is in his rectum, liver, lymph nodes, lung, abdomen.  Thank you http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25623,0.htm ChrisHB Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT My brother Mark has been battling colon cancer for more than three years.  He had surgeries and chemo yet cancer in rectum, lymph nodes, liver, lung, and abdomen.  He tried two clinical trials, the first did no good (25% growth) and he stopped the second after three weeks of a four week cycle.  Apparently he made it longer with that treatment than any other patient. The doctor wanted him to finish the fourth week but Mark felt that with vomitting, dehydration, slurred vision, falls it was doing him more harm than help.  His original oncologist had him stop the treatments after he saw her today.  He will have an MRI of his brain and sonogram of kidneys. He begins disabillity from work tomorrow and will spend the next month trying to recover and regain weight.  I was wondering if anyone can suggest another route? He did have an appointment  with an immunologist who was recommended by Patrick Quillen, author of Beating Cancer With Diet, but canceled when he started the second trial.  I am wondering if he should reschedule that appointment if only to help put him on a diet protocal for recovery.  Would MD Anderson be a suggested option for an opinion or treatment at this point?  Has anyone been there or any other suggested options for treatment would be appreciated. Thank you http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25622,0.htm ChrisHB Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hello, Is there any long time survivor for stage 4 colon cancer with extensive metastatis to liver without liver resection please? Thanks. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25523,0.htm tarachand Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am 55 years old and I feel so confused and disoriented. After so many tests, ct scan, cat scan, MRI, colonoscopy, biopsy ext. last month I had been diagnosed with colon cancer w/mets to liver,  the tumor in the liver have 9.5 cm x 8.7 cm measure,  the Dr. wants for me no operation from now (?), just  to try chemo first, she said that some patient with  the same type of cancer gets better result with the chemo than operation, I am going to have my first chemotherapy next July 1, and  I have been  so uncomfortable and  in pain since March/2008 that I went to the hospital for the first time for a chest pain and also pain  in my right abdominal area, I have not have any type of treatment yet , only painkillers, right now I am on  Oxycodone . I can’t exercised  my self , if I do,  I start feeling short of breath and the pain in the liver is killing  me, I am in sedentary state, just waiting and hoping for next week.  I would like to ask if someone can give me some information about the chemotherapy, I am very scare!  I have read about it throughout the web but is not the same , I just  looking for some hope. I will appreciate in advance. God bless you!Thank you http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25479,0.htm acdymandy Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT I have come to this site for couple of days now. I read all the messages and my heart breaks. I was diagnosed with colon cancer on the 16th of June. I go into hospital tomorrow to have section removed from my colon. I feel so lucky that it was caught early. Else I would'nt know what to do. I have learned that this site is a wonderful thing. I will keep in touch with all. I want to do everything I can to help even if it just to give hugs to all. I will keep each of you in my prayers and thoughts dailey. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25476,0.htm ladybrat Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT I found out last sept 07 i had colon cancer, stage 1, had surgery to remove 16 inches of my colon, and my dr said as long as i take a bloodthinner coumadin, chemo would do me more harm than good, i'm still puzzled over that, didn't ask what he met. i go in soon for another colonscopy, it has me worried, which i guess is natural, just hopeing for the best  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25474,0.htm HelenJS Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT My husband finished a full round of erbitux with irinotecan about a month ago but is still experiencing the rash associated with erbitux.  Can anyone tell us how long this is expected to continue?  We are so happy to report the combination was successful in treating his stage four colon cancer with mets to liver, lungs and lymph nodes.  He has had three major surgeries including the initial colon resection plus two liver resections with the chemo following the last liver surgery.  His latest scan shows no evidence of disease!  We are so thankful for this but wonder how long he will have to tolerate this bothersome rash and dry skin.  Any advice? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25446,0.htm No5fu4me Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT I am a 48 year old worried male. During the past 12 months I have noticed a change in bowel movements. They have been smaller in diameter and just seamed different. I figured it was some sort of change that comes with age.This past Saturday I had diarrhea with blood and mucus and continues to remain the same up to today, 5 days later. I now have the feeling of fullness and constipation along with the diarrhea and some minor abdominal discomfort.  It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out what is going on having some of the bad tell-tell signs. It seems as though my body has been trying to tell me something but fell on deaf ears.  I called my doctor this morning and I am currently trying to get in to see him. I belong to a huge HMO and getting in to see my doctor takes an act of congress sometimes. I am considering getting my wife and kids (ages 21 & 23 still at home) together this evening and telling them what I suspect is going on with me. I hope that it is a good idea to let my family know right up front what I suspect. That’s my story so far and will keep the board up to date as I travel down this possible bumpy road. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25430,0.htm markymark Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT Are any of you out there having treatment for colon cancer mat. to the liver. We are waiting to find out if the cancer cells mutate or not before we have more chemo. All this waiting and the very aggressive cancer my husband has the cancer is spreading. He has a stint in the liver and a drain tube. What is out ther for us or are we out of options. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25414,0.htm pappy1 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT Has anybody with Stage IV colon cancer with small non-localized lung & liver mets had any experiences with procedures such as radio frequency ablation RFA, Cryotherapy, Hyperthermia, surgical resection, etc. they could share with me ? I live in Canada but am able to travel ...even to German clinics if necessary as I hear they offer additional medical alternatives to mainstream treatments (chemo), so any info welcomed as I'm now diagnosed as terminal. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25412,0.htm heysous Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi, I have stage 3 colon cancer. Had surgery. Getting ready for chemo. Any suggestions would be helpful. I will take pill xeloda 500mg. Has anyone else taken these? What are the side effects and what can I do to minimize the side effects? Any infor is good. thanks Paula55 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25401,0.htm paula55 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT I was diagnosed on Monday the 20th with colon cancer. I will go in for surgery on Monday the 30 to have a portion of my colon removed. I know for awhile I will be on bland diet. But will have a diet that will be for the rest of my life. I have been one of the lucky ones. It was caught early and had not spread to anyother parts. My heart goes out to all of you. I will always pray for you.Teresa http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25396,0.htm ladybrat Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT I had a diverticulitis at the beginning of May. I passed 1 week at the hospital on antibiotics because they diagnosed a small rupture of the colon. I don't have any symptoms anymore but I need to have a colonoscopy done at the beginning of July. I always had loose stools since god knows I can remember... I'm 39 now ! I was surprised to had been diagnosed with diverticulitis since I was never constipated in my life ... Quite the opposite... I read anything I could find on the subject and the symptoms of Ulcerate Colitis, Crohn disease and colon cancer and they are very similar ... Since I'm adopted I can't look at my family medical history for colon cancer. My question to you is How many of you found out that they had colon cancer because they had diverticulitis ? I'm a bit worry that they are going to find something at my colonoscopy ... bad stuff... Back to top  '); //-->  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25378,0.htm VOLTAIRE2030 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT My dear friend was diagnosed with Colon Ca 3 years ago. At time of emergency surgery she was found to have obstruction secondary to tumor, lymphatic spread and a single liver metastasis.  She had done remarkably well after 3 round of chemo.  A few months later she was placed on Avastin for a rising CEA (about 22) although scans were OK.  Over the last 3 years she has been on Avastin a total of 3 times bringing CEA down to as low as 4-7.  The most recent round of Avastin was completed a week ago after scans showed more liver activity and CEA was 22.  Repeat CEA now 24 and Erbitux will most likely be started after "teaching class" attended on the drug.My question is this:  Does the fact that the cancer seems to be refractory to the Avastin and that a new drug (with side affects that seem to plague a majority of the patients) must now be used forecast a "downward spiral" in health and longevity? Does anyone have any recommendations re: alternative therapies to try while on Erbitux? (My friend has been taking a plankton "juice" called frequensea) Has anyone reading this had a GOOD experience on Erbitux?  Thank you so much for this website and for all the contributors who share their heart and experiences. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25352,0.htm acetrace Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT Has anyone out there been successful having IMRT treatments for colon cancer? My dad has one lymph node that has not gone away with repeated chemo treatments (last treatment was with Xeloda and Camptosar) so now he will begin IMRT to blast it.  Just wondering if anyone on this site has been through this type of treatment and what might be expected. Thanks. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25346,0.htm Argentina13 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT