Colon Cancer Experiences?

Question:

My grandma who is, like, the healthiest person I know was just diagnosed with Colorectal cancer (level C - out of A,B,C,D). She gets around great and everything so it came as a shock. At the third level, what treament is most successful? If you have dealt with this yourself or also have had a member of your family go through it..what was your experience like? Thanks.

Answers:
Hi, I'm sorry to hear that your Grandmother has colon cancer. I was 47 years old and diagnosed with advanced colon cancer, stage III-B.

That was in 2002. I had surgery to remove 22 inches of colon. I did 18 months of the chemo drug 5-fu and Leukovoran. It was a long 18 months but despite some days that I was feeling really crappy it wasn't that bad. I did not loose the hair on my head, but lost all my body hair. It was great not having to shave my legs for 2 years!

I was in remission for a little over a year when the colon cancer returned. This time it spread to my ovaries. I had surgery to remove the ovaries and followed that up with 6 months of a combination of the chemo drug Oxalliplaten with 5 f-u and Leukovoran. I finished that round of chemo in August of 2005.

I just went to my oncologist last week and had a tumor tracker blood test called a CEA done and while still elevated (4.3) there does not seem to be any evidence of remaining cancer.

I has been a long road but I am still here to enjoy each day. I do wish your Grandmother well. Make sure that she has an oncologist who is on the "cutting edge" of treatment options. I traveled to a University Hospital for a 2nd opinion on surgical and treatment options. They worked closely with my local oncologist and I feel that is why I am here today. That, and prayer. I will pray for your Grandma.

Good luck to all of you.

Other Answers:
Surgery to remove the tumor IF it has not spread to the liver and/or other organs. It will be great if they can completely remove the tumor if it encapsulated and not metastasized because that could mean a complete recovery. Bowel resection will probably require her to have a colostomy, where the feces leave the body through an opening in the abdominal wall and will require bags to be emptied and changed. She may not like that but it might have to be done to save her life. However, if the cancer has already spread, make her as comfortable as possible for as long as you can. You could try radiation treatments, less invasive. Chemotherapy is more invasive and causes other symptoms of illness. It sounds cold, but you will need to make final plans at a hospice or custodial care facility for your grandmother BEFORE she becomes too ill to stay at home. You will probably need a caregiver to assist you if you work because she will need someone to be with her if the prognosis is terminal. This illness results in rapid weight loss, possibly the loss of bowel control, the complete loss of the appetite and near the end, cachexia and a complete aversion to food. I pray that the tumor can be arrested early. May God be with you.

Colorectal cancer does have a high cure rate when cought early. Your grandmas cancer has had time to grow a bit but all hope is NOT lost!

Treatments can vary. Keep in mind that being that its the colon. tears do occur or rips that can seep bowel into the open abdomine. The body's natural defenses (immune system) can possibly fight off the infections but if chemo or radiation is inroduced..the immune system is shut down thus enabeling the infection to spread..and spread fast.

Do what you can to keep your grandmas immune system healthy.

I wish your grandma a better outcome and better treatment than my brother had. My brother suffered unimaginable pain for 9 months. Repeatidly going to his health practitioner complainin gof the pain only to be told it was all in his head. After the 9 months our mom insisted and took him to another dr. He was then diagnosed with colorectal cancer. He died 2 months after diagnosis. Autopsy showed his cancer was the size of a softball as well as having a full blown well advanced prostate cancer (non connected to the colo cancer)

My prayers are with you and your family!

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Colon Cancer Experiences?

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