I may be joining the club again.

REB

[quote="DulcimerGal"]I take it they did not cut this cancer out since it was on the outside of the wall? They are hoping more chemo will do the trick?[/quote]

That is correct.

I got unhooked from the pump yesterday, thus ending my first treatment.

I expected to feel my worst today, but I actually feel better. The nausia is pretty much gone, but my muscel hurt and I have no energy.

The weird thing about this new tumor is that it did not show up in my blood work. I don't know what that means.

My Oncologist is optimistic the tumor will be gone when I get my next PET scan in 2 months. I will have done 4 treatments by then. If it is working, I'll do 12 treatments and he mentioned something about follow-up treatments-whatever those are. If it is not working, then we'll have to try something else.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor & Temporary Colostomy
11-07-07 - 04-09-08 FOLFOX regimen and Avastin.
04-28-08 Colostomy Reversal
06-02-09 3 Tumors in the adipose tissue.
06-23-09 Start FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
10-26-09 Tumors gone.
11-25-09 Finish FOLFIRI, continue ERBITUX
01-27-10 Tumors in Liver and Adrenal Gland
01-28-10 start FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
Age Diagnosed 40. Current Age:43

REB

I got my second opinion at MD Anderson, yesterday. They recommend the same treatment my Oncologist is;

Folfiri and Avastin. Both places are testing me to see if I am a candidate for Erbitux.

Radiation is an option at both places.

M.D. Anderson does have some new promising drugs that we could try if all these other options failed.

I asked a lot more questions this time. It was tough, because I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the answers. The reason they can't remove it all surgically is because there are cancer nodules in the fatty tissue (adipose tissue ) that fills the abdominal cavity. So I am at Stage IV, and I guess I have been this whole time since those cancer cells have been there the whole time.

My blood work continues to show no cancer. That means this whole time, cancer has not been trying to spread through my blood, so that is good news.

My biggest danger right now is that this cancer is close to my small intestines. If it spreads into my small intestines, they said that is usually fatal.

Apparently, the Oxaliplatin only suppressed the cancer, but it didn't kill it. They feel confident the Irinotecan will kill it. So far the side effects from Irinotecan are much easier to deal with than the Oxaliplatin. My M.D. Anderson Oncologist said she has found that patients who have done Folfox, find Folfiri much easier to deal with. SO far that has been true with me.

The plan is still the same. Folfiri for the next two months. Check and see if it is working with PET scan. If so, continue. If not, try something else.

They want to add Erbitux if I test positive for it. If not, we'll continue with Avastin, but I don't think I will do both.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor & Temporary Colostomy
11-07-07 - 04-09-08 FOLFOX regimen and Avastin.
04-28-08 Colostomy Reversal
06-02-09 3 Tumors in the adipose tissue.
06-23-09 Start FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
10-26-09 Tumors gone.
11-25-09 Finish FOLFIRI, continue ERBITUX
01-27-10 Tumors in Liver and Adrenal Gland
01-28-10 start FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
Age Diagnosed 40. Current Age:43

DulcimerGal

hey REB,

MD Anderson has a great reputation - glad you went there for your second opinion. I am confident they can keep this under control - did you ask for percentages?

How are you feeling emotionally? What about your wife and kids? I am sure you are getting plenty of support from them and I hope from work too. If I remember you hardly missed any time last time around so I hope they will be flexible with you for this battle.

I am still praying for your healing and a complete cure.

Cheers - Dulcimergal
_________________
Rectal Cancer diagnosed Valentines Day 2008
Finished 6 weeks of radiation and chemo 4/23/08
Surgery to remove tumor - June 18th 2008
Colostomy Reversal August 20th 2008
Five rounds of Xeloda (chemo) to ZAP anything left!

REB

Hi DulcimerGal,

The initial shock of finding out I have cancer again was tough. I was really starting to think I was in the clear.

Now the shock is over and I have accepted the situation, and what I need to do to remedy it.

My wife has been stressing over it more than myself. She has Lupus and stress can cause a Lupus attack, so I tell her she need to relax. The kids are still too young to really understand what is going on.

I am an optimist. I also try not to worry about things out of my control. If I can fix a problem, then I do. If I can't, then I try not to worry about it. It is not always easy, but I try.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor & Temporary Colostomy
11-07-07 - 04-09-08 FOLFOX regimen and Avastin.
04-28-08 Colostomy Reversal
06-02-09 3 Tumors in the adipose tissue.
06-23-09 Start FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
10-26-09 Tumors gone.
11-25-09 Finish FOLFIRI, continue ERBITUX
01-27-10 Tumors in Liver and Adrenal Gland
01-28-10 start FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
Age Diagnosed 40. Current Age:43

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 479

REB-sorry to hear what your going through yet again-you should be commended for your positive attitude! your right though ..my mom says the same-it doesent do any good to mope around and feel sorry for yourself because what is -is andyou need to make the best of it. a negative attitude only seems to make things worse. and a positive one actually helps build strength to get through more than one thinks they can. funny how much power( positive )has. (altho that is much easier said than done) thoughts and prayers are with you and your family..you sound like you have alot to live for and just your children alone is worth fighting for! I have an aunt battling with Lupus so your wife is going through some trying times with her own battle as well. just remember no matter how bad things get....unfortunately there is always someone worse off. some people have to go through this battle alone-at least you have friends and family that are supportive. hang in there!

REB

Thank you, Sheila.

I just hope I am not becoming too abrasive to those around here.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor & Temporary Colostomy
11-07-07 - 04-09-08 FOLFOX regimen and Avastin.
04-28-08 Colostomy Reversal
06-02-09 3 Tumors in the adipose tissue.
06-23-09 Start FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
10-26-09 Tumors gone.
11-25-09 Finish FOLFIRI, continue ERBITUX
01-27-10 Tumors in Liver and Adrenal Gland
01-28-10 start FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
Age Diagnosed 40. Current Age:43

star · Senior User Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 308 Location: Ohio

HI REB,

You keep going and never give in, and laugh as much as you can as it sets of endorphines and its good for you. We are praying for you and family and we are all on this journey with you.

When I get my chemo I close my eyes and think of it washing out the bad cells ... so we pray that all those ugly cells will be washed away. and millions of great cells will take there place...

God Bless You ...

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