Re: Wife diagnosed with Stage 3C Colon Cancer

[Guest guest]

Hi Dan, Welcome to our group. You will find lots of support here and

imformation. Sorry you wife has colon cancer. You and her will both

get through this. Now about the survival rates. Those statistics are

five years old. Now with the newer chemo's the odds are better. Since

it takes five years to get those statistics. Lots of people even here

on this group have survived this. Some are even stage four. Right now

you and your wife are going through the shell shock of being with

cancer. You are doing the research that we all have gone through.

With chemo her odds of survival improve. Every person is different

but she must have a good attitude. Attitude is a lot in cancer. She

can fight this and win. Others have achieved this. And not just a few

but many have. So chin up and take one day at a time. Listen to your

doctor and do your research. I have added your wife to my prayers.

Take it one day at a time and minute to minute of need be. Ingrid

> Hi everyone,

> I'm new here but I had to put something in here, not only to get

> information but to also express my feelings and get them out in the

open.

> My wife of over 18 years was diagnosed with colon cancer about a

> month ago. They did surgery last Wednesday to remove the cancer and

> the lymphnodes ect. She came home from the hospital last Friday and

> seems to be doing great.

> Today we went to the follow up appointment with the surgeon and he

> laid some really bad news on us. He said that she is in Stage 3C, I

> asked what 3c was and he explained. My research previous to this

> surgery gave me the understanding of the 4 different stages, 1 being

> the best 4 being the worst. Of course once he explained the

different

> stages in 3, I came to the realization that my wife was in about as

> bad a position as just about possible without being a 4.

> Then I did the stupid thing of looking up survival rates and the

> numbers are grim. Survival rates for stage 3c is only about 44%.

Not

> a lot to look forward to huh?

> We go in to see the Oncologist on June 6th to see the treatment

> options for her. I am positive that it will be some kind of

extremely

> aggresive Chemotherapy.

> I told my wife that we'll get through this and do whatever it

takes

> to get through it cause she is going to be around a long time. But

> the numbers are depressing at best.

> Is there anyone out there that was diagnosed with stage 3c or know

> of someone close that has beat it and has any advice?

>

> Thank You,

>

> Dan

[Guest guest]

Bumpy maybe but there is sooooo much hope. My husband Phil is here 2 years

later having been diagnosed with Stage 4 13 cm colon tumor with multiple nodes

and multiple liver mets.

ly we all were expecting the worst that June in 2003.

Phil went from 165 to 135 was jaundiced had swelling and lots of pain It

wasn't pretty.

He had the FOLFOX treatment and later added Avastin.

His colon tumor disappeared in Dec. 2004 w/o surgery. In fact his

colonoscopy then was cleaner than mine!! In April 2005 he had a pump inserted

near his

liver to deliver chemo straight to the liver and he is still on Avastin.

He has worked the entire time and outside of his chemo days and the liver

surgery has missed only one day due to cancer. With the pump he hasn't lost any

just goes and gets it refilled every 2 weeks which takes about an hour He

feels great and has gained all his weight back and then some weighing about

183.

I have also sent this on to my friend Monika whose husband Bert is a real

inspiration and was Stage 3 but is now NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE!!!!

I'll let her tell you the story.

Will this make your journey easier? Not always and that's ok that's why we

are here but if it gives you that ray of hope that gets you through the rough

timesI've succeeded.

God bless and hang in there

Narice.

> > > djw52566 wrote:

> > > Hi everyone,

> > > I'm new here but I had to put something in here, not only to get

> > > information but to also express my feelings and get them out in

> the

> > open.

> > > My wife of over 18 years was diagnosed with colon cancer about a

> > > month ago. They did surgery last Wednesday to remove the cancer

> and

> > > the lymphnodes etc. She came home from the hospital last Friday

> and

> > > seems to be doing great.

> > > Today we went to the follow up appointment with the surgeon and

he

> > > laid some really bad news on us. He said that she is in Stage

3C,

> I

> > > asked what 3c was and he explained. My research previous to this

> > > surgery gave me the understanding of the 4 different stages, 1

> being

> > > the best 4 being the worst. Of course once he explained the

> > different

> > > stages in 3, I came to the realization that my wife was in

about

> as

> > > bad a position as just about possible without being a 4.

> > > Then I did the stupid thing of looking up survival rates and the

> > > numbers are grim. Survival rates for stage 3c is only about

44%.

> Not

> > > a lot to look forward to huh?

> > > We go in to see the Oncologist on June 6th to see the treatment

> > > options for her. I am positive that it will be some kind of

> > extremely

> > > aggresive Chemotherapy.

> > > I told my wife that we'll get through this and do whatever it

> takes

> > > to get through it cause she is going to be around a long time.

But

> > > the numbers are depressing at best.

> > > Is there anyone out there that was diagnosed with stage 3c or

know

> > > of someone close that has beat it and has any advice?

> > >

> > > Thank You,

> > >

> > > Dan

[Guest guest]

Ahh here's what I was looking for my husband's cancer journey

Hope this helps

Narice

Caregiver to Phil

Diagnosed June 19, 2003

Stage 4 with multiple liver mets (Initially thought to be pancreatic)

July 2003-Severe swelling, Some Jaundice PCP tells us NOT to

Seek treatment.

We begin treatment with Dr. Jan Rothman

at Regional Cancer Center Erie, PA

5FU, Leucovorin, Oxilaplatin

August 2003- Phil's weight drops from 165 to 135

September 2003-Phil goes off diuretic (oops)

In late September he has CT showing

significant

Reduction of tumor. ;-)

December 2003- Tumor stable side effects so far are minimal some flu

like symptoms with the Oxilaplatin, dry chapped

hands

and occasional nausea

March 2004-Weight gain of 20 lbs (fluctuates between 155-160)

Tumor still stable, (13 cm in colon multiple liver

mets. Largest being 9 cm

April 2004 1 month chemo break YIPEEE!!!!!

April 21, 2004-Phil starts on new chemo 5 FU, Leucovorin, Oxilaplatin

AND Avastin via 46 HR pump. Weight 160.

April 23.2004 Mouth sores develop Using *magic mouthwash*.

CEA 2.5 down from 3.5 before Avastin

Low red & white counts

Dr. states *You could be the poster person for chemo response, when I first

saw you in the hospital last June 2003 I practically had to 'scrape you off

the

wall.' " :->

5/17/04 Red & white counts normalized. Platelet count down to 88,000

(normal 150,000. Chemo postponed for 1st time since diagnosis

5/24/04 weight 160

All blood counts at or near normal. Platelets at 122,000

June 2004 One year and still here

Chemo June 17 severe mouth sores develop platelets drop to 49,000 150,000

normal White counts drops to .09! Normal is 4.5

Starts week of Neuprogen to boost white count on July 1

7/7/04 Blood Counts normal chemo resumes

July 2004 CHEMO BREAKS yippee!!!!!

8/3/04 Chemo resumes FOXIL + Avastin

Bleeding gums (probably due to dental work), dark urine

Resolved by week's end. Blood counts still normal

8/17 Removed Oxilaplatin Hives during 5FU Leucovorin treatment Avastin and 46

hr.

5FU continues.

8/19 Endoscopy reveals Acid Reflux as cause of black stools and bloody

vomit.

THANK YOU GOD!!

8/20 Acidphex heals acid Reflux so no more bleeding but Phil will stay on it

to heal lesions in his esophagus and prevent further damage.

Sept. 2004 No noticeable problems CT scan scheduled for October

October 2004 CT scan reveals no change. No reduction and no new growth YIPPEE

November 2004 Low blood counts lead to a blood transfusion and need for IV

and oral iron.

December 2004 Counts up slightly and chemo resumes.

Oncologist is considering SURGERY!!!! :

January 21, 2005 colonoscopy Dr. could not find the tumor!!!!! :

Feb.2005 CT and PET scan confirms above resume chemo

Consult with Liver specialist Dr. Geller from University of Pittsburgh

Medical Canter scheduled for Monday Feb.28.

April 1 2005 surgical implants of chemo pump to liver and removal of

gallbladder which would be affected by same. Pump delivers a 5FU like chemo

to

liver

to work on multiple liver mets on a2 week on 2 week off schedule. Pump is

refilled by injection,

April 19, 2005

Recovery going well Stitches to be removed April 21. Phil working full

schedule

May 2005 Continue on Avastin and FUDR pump to liver. Up to 183 pounds!

Feeling better than he has in 2 years!!

[Guest guest]

Our old Primary care physician did. Told Phil there was NOTHING he could do

so go home and prepare to die! Needless to say we didn't follow THAT advice!

He comes to church about once every 3 or 4 months.I still get furious

every time I see him!

Narice

[Guest guest]

Our old Primary care physician did. Told Phil there was NOTHING he could do

so go home and prepare to die! Needless to say we didn't follow THAT advice!

He comes to church about once every 3 or 4 months.I still get furious

every time I see him!

Narice

[Guest guest]

You're right will do if I can figure it out

[Guest guest]

Thanks for replying to Dan's plea, he has to know there is hope in spite

of what the docs tell a person. I am glad my doc didn't get morose like

that. I live in hope!! I know that eventually I will die but so do we

all. Do I want to live to be 90 years old? Not hardly if I have no

quality of life. Right now I feel that I am here for a reason and God

will not take me until it is time whether I have cancer or whatever. I

feel good and as long as I do I am hopefully that I can lick this

disease or at least keep it in check. Take care and God Bless Jolene

flipper759@... wrote:

>

> Bumpy maybe but there is sooooo much hope. My husband Phil is here 2

> years

> later having been diagnosed with Stage 4 13 cm colon tumor with

> multiple nodes

> and multiple liver mets.

> ly we all were expecting the worst that June in 2003.

>

> Phil went from 165 to 135 was jaundiced had swelling and lots of pain It

> wasn't pretty.

> He had the FOLFOX treatment and later added Avastin.

>

> His colon tumor disappeared in Dec. 2004 w/o surgery. In fact his

> colonoscopy then was cleaner than mine!! In April 2005 he had a pump

> inserted near his

> liver to deliver chemo straight to the liver and he is still on Avastin.

>

> He has worked the entire time and outside of his chemo days and the

> liver

> surgery has missed only one day due to cancer. With the pump he hasn't

> lost any

> just goes and gets it refilled every 2 weeks which takes about an hour He

> feels great and has gained all his weight back and then some weighing

> about 183.

>

> I have also sent this on to my friend Monika whose husband Bert is a

> real

> inspiration and was Stage 3 but is now NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE!!!!

> I'll let her tell you the story.

>

> Will this make your journey easier? Not always and that's ok that's

> why we

> are here but if it gives you that ray of hope that gets you through

> the rough

> timesI've succeeded.

> God bless and hang in there

> Narice.

>

>

> > > > djw52566 wrote:

> > > > Hi everyone,

> > > > I'm new here but I had to put something in here, not only to get

> > > > information but to also express my feelings and get them out in

> > the

> > > open.

> > > > My wife of over 18 years was diagnosed with colon cancer about a

> > > > month ago. They did surgery last Wednesday to remove the cancer

> > and

> > > > the lymphnodes etc. She came home from the hospital last Friday

> > and

> > > > seems to be doing great.

> > > > Today we went to the follow up appointment with the surgeon and

> he

> > > > laid some really bad news on us. He said that she is in Stage

> 3C,

> > I

> > > > asked what 3c was and he explained. My research previous to this

> > > > surgery gave me the understanding of the 4 different stages, 1

> > being

> > > > the best 4 being the worst. Of course once he explained the

> > > different

> > > > stages in 3, I came to the realization that my wife was in

> about

> > as

> > > > bad a position as just about possible without being a 4.

> > > > Then I did the stupid thing of looking up survival rates and the

> > > > numbers are grim. Survival rates for stage 3c is only about

> 44%.

> > Not

> > > > a lot to look forward to huh?

> > > > We go in to see the Oncologist on June 6th to see the treatment

> > > > options for her. I am positive that it will be some kind of

> > > extremely

> > > > aggresive Chemotherapy.

> > > > I told my wife that we'll get through this and do whatever it

> > takes

> > > > to get through it cause she is going to be around a long time.

> But

> > > > the numbers are depressing at best.

> > > > Is there anyone out there that was diagnosed with stage 3c or

> know

> > > > of someone close that has beat it and has any advice?

> > > >

> > > > Thank You,

> > > >

> > > > Dan

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

You should up load this to the FILE section under Our Story or Stories

don't remember how I put it. That way it is always there for someone to

read and retain their hope in Lords miracles. Thanks for posting it

again. Jolene

flipper759@... wrote:

> Ahh here's what I was looking for my husband's cancer journey

> Hope this helps

>

>

> Narice

> Caregiver to Phil

> Diagnosed June 19, 2003

> Stage 4 with multiple liver mets (Initially thought to be pancreatic)

>

> July 2003-Severe swelling, Some Jaundice PCP tells us NOT to

> Seek treatment.

> We begin treatment with Dr. Jan Rothman

> at Regional Cancer Center Erie, PA

> 5FU, Leucovorin, Oxilaplatin

> August 2003- Phil's weight drops from 165 to 135

>

> September 2003-Phil goes off diuretic (oops)

> In late September he has CT showing

> significant

> Reduction of tumor. ;-)

> December 2003- Tumor stable side effects so far are minimal some flu

> like symptoms with the Oxilaplatin, dry chapped

> hands

> and occasional nausea

> March 2004-Weight gain of 20 lbs (fluctuates between 155-160)

> Tumor still stable, (13 cm in colon multiple liver

> mets. Largest being 9 cm

> April 2004 1 month chemo break YIPEEE!!!!!

> April 21, 2004-Phil starts on new chemo 5 FU, Leucovorin, Oxilaplatin

> AND Avastin via 46 HR pump. Weight 160.

>

>

>

> April 23.2004 Mouth sores develop Using *magic mouthwash*.

>

> CEA 2.5 down from 3.5 before Avastin

> Low red & white counts

> Dr. states *You could be the poster person for chemo response, when I

> first

> saw you in the hospital last June 2003 I practically had to 'scrape

> you off

> the

> wall.' " :->

>

> 5/17/04 Red & white counts normalized. Platelet count down to 88,000

> (normal 150,000. Chemo postponed for 1st time since diagnosis

>

> 5/24/04 weight 160

> All blood counts at or near normal. Platelets at 122,000

>

> June 2004 One year and still here

> Chemo June 17 severe mouth sores develop platelets drop to 49,000 150,000

> normal White counts drops to .09! Normal is 4.5

> Starts week of Neuprogen to boost white count on July 1

>

> 7/7/04 Blood Counts normal chemo resumes

>

> July 2004 CHEMO BREAKS yippee!!!!!

>

>

>

> 8/3/04 Chemo resumes FOXIL + Avastin

> Bleeding gums (probably due to dental work), dark urine

> Resolved by week's end. Blood counts still normal

>

> 8/17 Removed Oxilaplatin Hives during 5FU Leucovorin treatment

> Avastin and 46

> hr.

> 5FU continues.

> 8/19 Endoscopy reveals Acid Reflux as cause of black stools and bloody

> vomit.

>

> THANK YOU GOD!!

> 8/20 Acidphex heals acid Reflux so no more bleeding but Phil will

> stay on it

> to heal lesions in his esophagus and prevent further damage.

>

> Sept. 2004 No noticeable problems CT scan scheduled for October

>

> October 2004 CT scan reveals no change. No reduction and no new

> growth YIPPEE

> November 2004 Low blood counts lead to a blood transfusion and need

> for IV

> and oral iron.

> December 2004 Counts up slightly and chemo resumes.

> Oncologist is considering SURGERY!!!! :

>

> January 21, 2005 colonoscopy Dr. could not find the tumor!!!!! :

>

> Feb.2005 CT and PET scan confirms above resume chemo

> Consult with Liver specialist Dr. Geller from University of Pittsburgh

> Medical Canter scheduled for Monday Feb.28.

>

> April 1 2005 surgical implants of chemo pump to liver and removal of

> gallbladder which would be affected by same. Pump delivers a 5FU like

> chemo

> to

> liver

> to work on multiple liver mets on a2 week on 2 week off schedule. Pump is

> refilled by injection,

>

> April 19, 2005

> Recovery going well Stitches to be removed April 21. Phil working full

> schedule

>

>

> May 2005 Continue on Avastin and FUDR pump to liver. Up to 183 pounds!

> Feeling better than he has in 2 years!!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'll post this to the files for you Monika

Thanks and tell your Mom to enjoy that trip

I'm thrilled for her.

Love ya

Narice