Mom with Stage IV colon cancer...I need info please!

deanna · New User Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 4

My mother has had colon cancer for 13 years. Long story short....5 surgeries, colostomy, spots on lungs, liver, all treatments you can think of....she has been strong and optimistic the entire time....talk about a trooper!!! Now she is in the hospital...oncologist says 4 spots on the brain now. Can no longer tolerate or absorb chemo so radiation it is again....10 treatments to the brain. She weighs 98 lbs and can't stand alone. Dr has recommended we start thinking about hospice. I'm scared. You would think after 13 years I would be ready...but I don't seem to be even close to ready.
Anyone out there have any idea how long I have with my mom or what I can expect with the brain cancer?
Thank you,
Deanna

brainman

deanna, I am so sorry about your mother's continuing struggle with cancer. She really is a trooper to have survived for 13 years and gone through so much. None of use ever wants to experience times like you are going through. All that we can do is to live one day at a time... I know, easier said than done.

Generally speaking, if the doctor thinks that it is time for hospice to get involved, it means that the doctor thinks that she has six or less months to live. But that is just a rule of thumb. It sounds like your mother is a fighter and she could live longer. However, it does sound like she is in her last year. You really do need to live as if every day is her last.

Although I am a brain cancer survivor, my experience does not necessarily translate to a person who has brain mets of another primary cancer. Brain tumors of any kind are rather unpredictable in the symptoms they cause. It greatly depends on their size and where they are located. Since the brain affects every aspect of life, anything could happen. However, in the long run, there are some commonalities. Your mother will probably continue to get weaker... eventually staying in bed all the time and sleeping for longer periods of time. Her appetite will probably also get worse so try to make sure she eats and stays hydrated.

Try to make every day a special day in some little way. You and your mother are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

deanna · New User Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 4

Thank you so much for replying. Sounds like you are a real trooper also! My mom was diagnosed after my grandmother died of colon cancer. No symtoms...but at first they thought they got it all...so anyone who reads this please always get a 2nd or 3rd opinion after colon surgery.

She has 3 smaller spots on her liver for about a year and a half now. But on this last scan, when they found the brain spots, they said she had a larger spot close to her colostomy area. They say nothing can be done for the liver.

She has 4 spots on her brain. One on the right, one of the left, and 2 in the back. This just came about so I haven't got all the particulars yet. Dad says about 1 inch in diameter.

She has tolerated the first two treatments okay....not great....but okay. She is 75 years old.

Thank you for making the forum available....

brainman

Deanna, after the doctors told your mother that they "got it all" did the cancer take to recur? I ask this because it is not uncommon for doctors to make that claim only to have it recur somewhere else... especially with cancers that like to spread easily... like colon cancer.

Is your mother on any kind of chemo at the present? The problem she has is that the tumors in her brain and in her liver are best treated in different ways: Whole Brain Radiation for the brain and chemo for the liver and that new area near the colostomy. That combination would be hard on a young person. It could be fatal on someone older unless they are in very good health otherwise. If the liver has already been damaged significantly by previous chemotherapies, I can see why the doctors do not what to give any more.

Having said that, you know your mother better than anyone else... more than her medical team. You know how much fight she still has left in her. You know how she feels day in and day out. If you really think she should at least be offered chemo for the liver, push her oncologist for more information. If she/he will not give you any answers, you can always ask for a second opinion and a large research center with a liver cancer treatment center of excellence.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

alisaNZ · New User Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 7

Has your mother ever tried any natural therapies??? I have been taking glyconutrients, and find them very good.

I have also done 6 rounds of chemotherapy (4.5 months), but had VERY minimal side effects and VERY good results. My cancer is now currently dormant. I have been using other supplements and natural therapies as well.

Anyway, i'd be happy to let you know what i've been doing if you are interested.

Wishing you and your mother all the best!
Alisa Smile

deanna · New User Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 4

The last round of chemo mom was on made these awful sores in her mouth and throat...making it impossible to eat. That was 2 weeks ago....that's how we found out about the spots in the brain...had to go to hospital cause she was so weak....about 95 lbs....

I forgot to tell you she has "several" spots on both lungs..........has had for about 2 years....

We have never tried any non traditional types of therapy.....I always wanted to but her oncologist has been so successful for so long my mom and dad didn't want to explore that idea.

After her first initial surgery "when they told her they got it all"....about a year and 1/2 later they found it again in her colon.

Mom has always tolerated chemo and radiation really well....until lately.

I would be very interested to know what natural methods you are using.....

Thank you!!!

alisaNZ · New User Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 7

Unfortunately, they NEVER really know if they "got it all"..... There could always be dormant cells. I still have a large rectal tumor, and several small tumors all over my liver, which show up on CT & MRI, though do NOT show up on a PET scan. This means that the cancer currently not acting like cancer.... they don't really know what it means.

I prefer natural therpies because they actually help the body get stronger, and not weaker as the conventional therapies do. Using them together I have found good.

Of course most Dr's will NOT agree with natural medicine since it's not something they were taught in medical school. This makes it difficult for alot of people, seeing as so many people think their Dr's are God..... but it's important to remember they are just ordinary people too, who can make mistakes as much as the next person. Dr's do NOT always know best! Do your own research, be informed and question them!!! If they are good, and have your best interests in mind, they shouldn't have a problem with this and understand that you want to do everything possible to stay healthy.

Like Dr's, Natropaths also go to school for long amounts of time, and are very knowledgable, just have a different approach.... I will be happy to share my experience, though I would suggest finding a good (qualified & reputable) Natropath if you are interested in complementary and alternative medicine. They can direct you in what is best for your mother on an individual basis.

It's important to tell the oncologist all the natural methods you are trying to make sure it doesn't interfere with any drugs.... most shouldn't.... the only thing I stopped using temperarily were strong antioxidants at the time of my chemo injections.... this was because they actually help your immune system, and the idea of chemo is too damage it, with the hope of killing the cancerous cells, as they are weaker and should die first.

Though remember..... most Dr's don't agree with natural medicine, and may advice against it.... I find this VERY frustrating! If I came across an oncologist whom was completely oppossed to and recommended against natural medicine I would be questioning their intelligence and looking for a new Dr!

Here are some of the natural / alternative therapies I have used:
** Glyconutrients
** Other supplements as recommended from Natropath
** Color Therapy
Crystal Therapy
Sound Therapy
Reiki
** Ozone Therapy
** Mind-Body

The ** are the one's I've used consistantly. I would be more than happy to give you more info on any of these. There is a really good book I have that discusses all these. It's called "Natural Detoxification - a practical encyclopedia", written by Jacqueline Krohn & Frances Taylor. I actually bought this book ages ago, before I had cancer, though find it especially usefull now! Smile

Speaking of books, this messge is getting really long!!! Sorry about that Smile

But I hope it helps. Hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday!!!

Alisa Smile

PammySue51 · Regular Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Ohio

Hi Deanna. I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. Thank God you have had all of this time with her, in spite of the fact that she is battling so courageously! I have a friend who is using hospice, though it is just for pain management. Since he is Stage IV he does fit into the hospice criteria, but can go in and out of their care and just use them to help with his pain management.

I have stage IV cancer also, and plan to fight just as hard as your mom has done. My grandsons are ages 9 and 6 and I plan to be here to see them grow up.

I hope all works out well for you, but actually I don't think you can ever be "ready" to lose a loved one, but you can make it through it and you do go on. As close as I was to my dad I was amazed at how quickly I was able to bounce back after losing him. It's been 8 years since he died and, while I still miss him, the stuff I remember is the happy stuff. For instance, we live in the midwest and dad and I would always be in a "race" to see who spotted the first robin in the spring. So...whenever I see my first robin I think of dad and smile. The tears fade...it's the pleasant memories that stay with us. That's the way God made us.

I'm actually glad my dad wasn't here to witness the horrific experience I went through last year when I almost died. It would have broken his heart. If you'd care to read about it, here is my blog site. I hope it's okay to post it on here. If not, my apologies to the administrator.

http://pamsmiraculouscancerblog.blogspot.com

Blessings to you.
Pam
_________________
Pam
stage IV colorectal cancer with mets to liver and lung - dx 9/06
6 months FOLFOX6 + Avastin completed 6/07
Xeloda since 6/07 with Avastin recently added again.
http://pamsmiraculouscancerblog.blogspot.com

deanna · New User Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 4

Thank you all for your kind words of support and caring. What remarkable people you are!!! You have my "positive thoughts" and prayers.
I'm still trying to process everything and not much in the mood to "talk" ri ght now.....I'm sure you understand.
I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you guys...it's hard for people to understand how you are feeling if they haven't had a close relationship with this crap we call cancer....I can't imagine how you guys feel.......I'm only a bystander.

PammySue51 · Regular Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Ohio

Deanna, many times it's harder to be a "bystander" that the patient -- it really is. I watched my mom suffer for 3-1/2 months in the hospital in 1977 for pancreatic cancer. I SO wanted to trade places with her. It was so hard.

However, on a brighter note -- my mom is a 30-year cancer miracle. I'm hoping to follow in her footsteps. She is 80 now and an inspiration to many. My mom had cancer in 1977, had a "Whipple" operation performed (almost unheard of at the time), contracted several infections and had to be opened up again. Finally, after 3-1/2 months they basically sent mom home to die. Back then, they did not do chemotherapy if they felt they "got it all". Praise God, she is still with us and we can't keep her down Laughing

!
_________________
Pam
stage IV colorectal cancer with mets to liver and lung - dx 9/06
6 months FOLFOX6 + Avastin completed 6/07
Xeloda since 6/07 with Avastin recently added again.
http://pamsmiraculouscancerblog.blogspot.com

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