What Can Happen

ljkanderson · New User Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 3

I am new to this. My husband is 27 years old and was diagnosed with colon cancer when he was 25. He was considered cancer free for a year and this past January the cancer came back into his lungs. It is still considered colon cancer cells which is weird. He has been battling this for almost a year. He has went through various chemo treatments and nothing has worked he is on his last cycle. It is just me and him at home so I am the one who takes care of him all day long and every night. I am getting scared because he is so short of breath that he can barely move without getting winded. Does anyone know what happends towards the end? I don't know if I have to worry about a lung collapsing at home or a stroke or something. I am getting really scared. He is currently in the hospital where they have been monitoring him and trying a couple different breathing treatments but nothing seems to really be helping. Any advise on what to expect. He is considered stage IV and has been for at least 2 months.

sugarlumpkin · New User Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 4

I have no advice--just wanted to give you a virtual hug. I admire your strength.

Please ask the doctors and nurses who are treating your husband the questions that you asked here. They should know the answers.

brainman · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: What Can Happen

I am so sorry about your husband's colon cancer. I moved your message to the colon cancer forum because that is really what your husband is dealing with and you might get better advice there from others who have been down this road before.

It is not fair for someone so young to have to face the problems you and your husband are facing. I do not know what his prognosis is and that is very much different from one person to the next. According to my original prognosis, I should have died at least 5 years ago. I can hear the fear you must be experiencing Sad

. Facing uncertainty is such a scary place to be.

You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us updated.
_________________
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/

ljkanderson · New User Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 3

The problem that I am having is that I did try to talk to the doctor to see how long he thought my husband had left but he kept not answering me and just telling me that they are going to try this new chemo to see if it will help. I am in a bad situation. I can't ask these types of questions in front of my husband because he thinks that I want him to die so I can get on with my life. People have been telling him to see if he can get a lung transplant. Does anyone know of anyone having cancer in their lungs and getting a transplant? I don't think he has really accepted what is going on. He doesn't want to die and does not want to do any preparation (a will) or anything like that. He doesn't ask the doctor any questions because I don't think he really wants to know the answers to them. If it were me I would be angry and demand to know what is going on. But he doesn't he just complains and takes whatever drugs are given to him. Any advice on how or what to say to him to come to terms with the reality that his cancer is serious and he might not survive this.

sugarlumpkin · New User Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 4

I am so sorry that your husband is not able to do any preparations. I am so sorry that he thinks you want him to die. I am so sorry that the doctors are not answering your questions.

However, I do think you can talk to the doctors without your husband there (a private appointment, telephone call, et cetera?). Perhaps that will allow you to speak more freely and precisely and get your questions answered.

DocSeiwert · Site Admin Joined: 14 Oct 2007 Posts: 20

This is incredibly difficult and I admire your strength trying to do the right thing.

Communication is very important in this situation. If you don't get the answers from your doctor, you may want to bring it up and say that you feel a lack of information, maybe even if he could recommend a colleague.

There are unfortunately no simple answers. E.g. a lung transplant will not help a metastatic colon cancer usually, because it will just come back elsewhere.

It sounds like your husband is struggling with accepting what is going on - and rightfully so, I cannot even imagine. Sometimes talking about this can help, sometimes with family, sometimes with professional help (a psychologist or faith based organization, etc.). Friend can be helpful.
Some doctors are very good at this especially those dealing with end of life situations (palliative care). This may be something to bring up with your current doctor and that's probably what I would try.

I wish you and husband good luck and much strength in this battle.
_________________
Tanguy Seiwert, MD
Medical Oncologist, University of Chicago

Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please always consult with your physician.

nossacrs · Regular Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 21

im realy sorry to hear about your husband, i lost a good freind who was only 24 years old to this cruel illness. im 44 now and ive been fighting this illness since feb 2004, i was diagnosed with colon cancer with liver mets back then, ive done all possible treatments, eg colon surgery, 2 liver resections, bladder surgery, chemo, radiation treatment, colostomy, and since august last year it spread to my lungs. the doctors advised me to do more chemo, but i cant handle that anymore, to many bad side effects, so since november last year ive had no more chemo. i just stick to the radiation treatment for now, they have used radiation treatment on both my lungs and liver twice this year so far. i feel ok and im still living a bit of a life.

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