35yr female with stage 4 colon cancer

sonjalynn · New User Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Posts: 3

I have just been diagonised with stage 4 colon cancer. It has moved to my liver in multipule places. I have just completed my first chemo treatment and need a little insite but wanted to give a little background first. Im 35 and in the USAF over 16yrs. I have 2 young boys (2 and 4)June 2009 I found melanoma on my leg and had it removed. Found that it had spread to my lymph nodes in my leg. (very small amount) They decided to PT scan my body to see if it had spread anywhere else and discovered a place in my stomach and liver. To everyones surprise it was Colon cancer I have had for yrs and never knew! (thank goodness it wasnt melanoma) I have never had any symptoms nor do I have any family history of cancer. They are hoping the chemo will shrink the spots in my liver enough to do surgery to remove the rest.
Just curious to what I have to look forward to here. The only side effect I have from the Chemo so far is nausea. I have a very positive outlook and a stong support group. I know once I tackle the colon cancer i will have to remove my lymph nodes in my leg. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. My biggest weakness is not having any control in this fight.

REB

I am sorry you have to join this club, but welcome.

Fighting cancer has come a long way in the past few years. It is not the death sentence it used to be. More and more people are beating it.

They are coming out with amazing stuff all the time now. We have lots of options. So fight and don't give up hope.
_________________
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: 480

i- sorry to here it as well-Rebs right they have come along way-the road is rough and bumpy- and times youll get frustrated and depressed but fight hard and stay positive theres hope.

sonjalynn · New User Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Posts: 3

Thank you for the response. Does the nausea get any better thoughout the chemo? Has anyone found any secrets that help? I went and got some ginger root tablets, i've heard they help. I have also talked to the doc about changing the nausea meds. Other than that i really havent had any other side effects. Will I get more side effects with each treatment or is this what it will be like for the rest of the treatments?

wytyspy · Senior User Joined: 13 Nov 2006 Posts: 116

I am so sorry you are in this battle. Be proactive with the anti-nausea drugs. Don't wait until you feel sick to take them. Take them regularly after chemo. I assume you start your chemo with anti-nausea IV drugs and that they continue through the treatment? If not, ask for them but I bet you are getting them. They may need to switch you to something stronger. Good luck!
Bless you,
Lucinda

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

HI.

Sorry to hear of your news, what chemo are you getting? have the mentioned radation at all? What is your CEA count? if not sure what CEA ask your DR and also check it out on google... Do you do regular blood tests? Do you ask to see results of them and also of your scans? As you can...

Check out on Google.... Sugar and cancer...Linseed oil and cancer..

Aapargus and cancer.... Tumeric and cancer... make sure you drink lots of water every day... and also take a good Multi VITIMAN... AND TAKE VIT C AND ALSO VIT B COMPLEX EVERY DAY... body does not store Vit C or Vit B as you need to replace it each day... you have to keep immune sytem strong to fight the cancer.... also eat lots of veg and fruit and mixed nuts and keep off processed foods and do not eat lots of red meats... go for chicken,turky, fish, tuna...

Diet is so important in fighting cancer... and add Prayer and Postive outlook and fighting spirit and you can go the distance..

Keep us updated and we are all with you on the journey...and here to help.... keep going and try to laugh as much as you can...

God Bless YOU..................................Rob

topazil

Compazine is great for the nausea, you just have to be proactive and take it before the actual nausea comes on. Also room temperature opened flat ginger ale helps me a lot, I don't know if it's the ginger or the non bubbliness or a combination but it helps (the warmth is cause of the Avastin as I am getting more of the neuropathy symptoms now, even if it's room temperature and the room is a bit cold, I get the ice shard feeling in my throat and my throat closes up and does not want to swallow anymore)
_________________
Total hysterectomy July 23 2008, mass in colon.
Colonoscopy Aug 2008
Rigid Sigmoidoscopy with a laparoscopic-assisted partial colectemy with en bloc small bowel resection Sep 2008
Diagnosed: Stage IV Colon Cancer mets to lungs and liver. (T3,N2,M1,G2) KRAS Mutation
Started chemotherapy: 09/14/09 Folfox-6 with Avastin then Avastin alone.
Next treatment 03/22/10 Camptosar with Avastin every 2 weeks for 3 months then PET scan
Most recent CEA Level: 03/08/10 79.4 down from 240 on 03/01/10

sonjalynn · New User Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Posts: 3

Thanks I will try the ginger ale. I have my next treatment on Wed. and i've taled to the doc about changing my meds so im keeping my fingers crossed. I will try and find out my levels. I dont really know what they mean so he will have to explain them to me. I get my blood work done all the time and when I began this i was a little anemic but have been taking iron to help it. Thanks for all the advice it is so appreciated. I hate that anyone else ever has to experience any of this but selfishly there is a little comfort in knowing im not alone.

God bless

sheila · Senior User Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Posts: 480

sonjalynn-the gingerale is good-but there is a difference in gingerale-canada dry flat room temp is best(not as sweet and ginger is known for settling upset stomach- also if you can tolorate it-eat a few lettuce leaves plain-chlorophyll helps too.(thats why dogs chew grass! theyre instinctively knoweledgable. plain soda cracker with the gingerale may work for you as well.

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