i've got a ton of questions...

the1mike · New User Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Donna, TX

Hello all and thanks in advance!
My name is Michael and I am just looking for some info because I am completely lost. Any info or personal experience anyone can provide would be totally helpful. I am just feeling quite lost in all of this and could use some info.

My fiance's mother (50 yrs old, Mexican, history of cancer in the family, already had a hysterectomy) was just yesterday diagnosed with colon cancer.

Her first chemo treatment starts TODAY. Is that normal? good sign? bad?

Apparently the cancer has spread a bit --- to her liver. Her liver was the original issue. Is this a bad sign?

She'll be returning to the doctor ever 2 weeks for additional chemo. Is this normal?

I have a ton of questions about all the details which come my way, but I'm not about to bother them with my questions. She and her family live in Mexico and her mom is receiving treatment in Monterrey Mexico.

THANK YOU!
Michael

lifestooshort · Regular Joined: 06 Dec 2006 Posts: 19

Hi Mike,

I'm really sorry to hear about your fiance's mum. It sounds like she has something similar that my mum had. My mum was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer of the Liver that the doctors believed had originated in the Colon, although scans never showed anything up in the Colon. This spread a bit to the lung although the Liver was the primary concern for the doctors.

When my mum was diagnosed over 2 years ago, the doctors prescribed a course of chemo for her. Surgery wasn't an option and neither was radiation. At the time my mother was just about to go on a holiday of a lifetime and the doctors thought Chemo could wait for a month. I'm glad she went on holiday, because as it turned out, it was the last one she had.

Answers to your questions:

I think once doctors detect Cancer they want to get treatment started asap. Therefore it is good that they are starting the Chemo so soon. Depending on what Chemo they are giving your fiance's mum, this will either treat the Colon or the Liver, or maybe either both. My mum had a Chemo injection initially once every month, but she took chemo tablets every day for 3 weeks. Her second course of Chemo was to have an injection once every 3 weeks and she took the tablets once a day for 3 weeks. I guess it depends on the Chemo as to how often people have it.

Please do let us all know if you have any further questions. One thing I will suggest is that your fiance maybe wants to have a look at your mum's lifestyle and any particular changes she could make which would be beneficial to her health. I'm talking about, diet, smoking, drinking, exercise etc. She really needs to be doing all she can at this stage.

My thoughts are with you and your fiance.

the1mike · New User Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Donna, TX

Thank you so much for your reply. It really does mean allot to me and is a big help.

I am traveling to see my fiance, her mother and family today. I am sorry for your loss and thank you for your kind words. You have been a great help.

Cheers,
Michael

brainman

Hi Mike,
I agree with lifestooshort. Once the cancer is diagnosed, treatment usually starts ASAP. As for “normal”… hardly anything is “normal” with cancers since treatment schedules and responses can vary from one person to another. There are some stander treatment and schedules. I do not know what kind of treatment your fiancé’s mother is receiving. Even if I did, I have no first hand knowledge of colon cancer, so I would not be of much help to you anyhow. However, it is good that her doctors are responding as soon as possible. I will be praying and thinking about you and your family.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma 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/

the1mike · New User Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Donna, TX

Jim, thank you for your response. It does help. To merely hear from folks in response to my post is helpful. It is nice to know there are folks on the other end listening, reading and taking the time to reply. THANKS!

For prayer purposes, my fiance's mom's name is Miriam.

Thank you.
Michael

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