So I have Stage 4 colon cancer.

[Evoman]

Doctors found a tiny met on my lung, and some possible infection in my chest lymph nodes. My cea is hovering at about 400. I have to go back and get more chemo. I got folfox for my previous colon cancer, and I will be getting Folfiri and Avastin for my next round.

This sucks.

Doctor is saying that there is still a chance, though pretty small, that I can be cured or live a substantially long time, but based on all my reading, I'm not sure if I completely believe it.

I managed to get through 1 year of pharmacy school while going through chemo and operations. But I'm not sure I can do it again, or if it's even worth it now.

This really sucks.

[ZombieHorde]

1. ...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Oh no, my dear Evoman...

I am so sorry to hear your terrible news.........

You are in my thoughts...

[applegrove]

3. BIG VIBES to you. "Fight the good fight with all of your might".

[chalky]

4. I am so sorry to read this, Evoman.

I have no words for this. Just...

[JNelson6563]

5. Hugs & encouragement!

Never give up.

Julie

[sinkingfeeling]

6. I'm really sorry. I want to encourage you to not give up. Think of the cancer as an

enemy in a video game and the chemo drops are your ammo to wiping it out. Visualize it in your mind, your victory.

[cmd]

7. This is not something you want to hear

I've been stage IV breast cancer for two and a half years. I've gone through three kinds of chemo. They worked for a while, then wham - the cancer starts growing again. I'm now on my fourth kind of medicine and am feeling pretty good. I'm just glad I don't have to work or go to school. Savor every minute. Laugh as often as you can and take advantage of every program out there. We can do it. Hang in with me.

[Irishonly]

8. I am so sorry to read this, Evoman

Last edited Fri Nov 9, 2012, 12:14 AM - Edit history (1)

I am going to encourage you to fight with everything you have. If getting mad at the cancer helps you fight it, get madder than you ever have before and please don't give up. It is a decision that only you can make but I hope you kick your cancer on its ass.

You never know with cancer. I survived breast cancer and survived two rounds of chemo, a mastectomy and weeks of radiation. I still have radiation scars and I was in treatment 13 years ago. I wanted both breasts gone but my doctor was leary enough of the cancer returning he was afraid if he took the non affected breast the cancer may go to my chest wall. I have been very lucky. I have met women and men that have beaten cancer back several times. A very wise woman told me cancer stages were just a number and to never let it get me down.

How strong you were to even go to school while in treatment. I got so weak I couldn't drive because I didn't have enough strength to apply the brakes and you made it through school.

I will keep my candles lit and will have one especially for you like I do the DU members I am aware of that are fighting cancer. Please don't give up.

[KC]

9. Oh no

I am so sorry to read this Evoman. Please whatever you do, do not give up. Keep fighting this horrible stuff with whatever
it takes!! We're here to give you emotional support when you need it.

[mwdem]

10. I'm so sorry to hear this Evoman.

Try to stay positive, it helps a lot, as I'm sure you know.

[shrike]

11. If you were a very elderly person, I might have different advice.

But since you are so young I would advise you to give it all you've got.

A friend of my husband's has stage 4 colon cancer. His doctors tell him he could have a life expectancy of up to 20 years if the treatment they're giving him works. The cancer was back in his lungs and near his tailbone: his lungs are now clear and they are working on shrinking the met near his tailbone until it's small enough for cyber knife. He's 59, btw, much older than you.

Last year, I read about a woman who's lived 11 years so far as a Stage 4 colon cancer patient. Her quality of life is very good. Wish I could still find the link.

We'll all be thinking of you.

[Tab]

12. Sorry to hear that, I'm going through the same thing

Colon cancer with mets to both lungs, though small. Did FOLFOX the first time around (pre-stage IV), FOLFIRI this time.

If you're looking for warm and fuzzy reassurance on Stage IV CC w/mets to lungs, the Internet is not the place to be looking. I went through a similar freak-out, but as I settle into it, I actually find the FOLFIRI more tolerable than that damned oxyplatin. At least my hands aren't freezing and I can taste food. I'm not on Avastin though.

My big problem now is my platelets are taking a beating.

Interesting thing is that what we have is considered on the rarer side - CC usually spreads to the liver, not often the lungs. That said, the long-term prognosis is not good. I'm hoping I hit the 5-year mark, because we caught it "early", as were watching it via PET scans (as I presume you have since you said it was tiny), but I'm not making plans more than 12-15 years out.

It's curious, though, how it refocuses your life. If you can, try to harness the focus you get. I would suggest continuing with school if your medical schedule allows. I work full-time, even though I spend Tuesday's getting chemo and the next two days wearing an infusion pump. I think to sit at home and sink into depression would be worse. I'd be a basket case. Instead, I feel oddly energized, with a purpose.

Please PM me (DU mail) if you want to chat offline about this.

- t

[Evoman]

13. Thanks everyone. Sorry I haven't responded until now.

I've been busy trying to get my life back in some sort of order.

I'm not giving up. I've never been a lie down and die sort of guy. I may have to quit school anyways, because trying to go full time studies (or even part time) in a professional program while going through god knows how much chemo seems like a little too much too me.

Thanks for giving me some hope. Hell, at this point I would be happy with 5 more years....at least enough time to do some travelling. I guess that part of my fear is that I'll get to sick to do any of the things I want to do.

[mwdem]

14. Hang in there!

You have a lot of support here.