Comments on: In Her Own Words: I Stood Up to Cancer http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/policy_news/2008/09/in_her_own_words_i_stood_up_to_cancer We envision victory over colorectal cancer Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:03:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Thao http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/policy_news/2008/09/in_her_own_words_i_stood_up_to_cancer/comment-page-1#comment-2060 Thao Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:35:03 +0000 http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/?p=1697#comment-2060 My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer stage II last month in June of 09. I am just very thankful that he has a wonderful team of surgeon, oncologist, and radiologist to help him through everything. He had surgery to remove a large part of the cancer and now he's going through 6 months of chemo. The chemo is giving him diarrhea and excessive vomiting. I just hope he will survive through everything! My advice to others is just to seek the best possible medical team and if you think the physician is not doing all they can for your loved ones, seek others! Get a second opinion like most of you have said before. I can't stress how important it is. Believe me, there are doctors out there who neglect to order further testing and provide important follow ups. My friend's dad had surgery that's gone wrong because his surgeon wasn't aware that he had a bad liver and he died 25 days after the surgery. Again, anything can happen in surgeries but most things can be prevented if the surgeon did their homework. My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer stage II last month in June of 09. I am just very thankful that he has a wonderful team of surgeon, oncologist, and radiologist to help him through everything. He had surgery to remove a large part of the cancer and now he’s going through 6 months of chemo. The chemo is giving him diarrhea and excessive vomiting. I just hope he will survive through everything! My advice to others is just to seek the best possible medical team and if you think the physician is not doing all they can for your loved ones, seek others! Get a second opinion like most of you have said before. I can’t stress how important it is. Believe me, there are doctors out there who neglect to order further testing and provide important follow ups. My friend’s dad had surgery that’s gone wrong because his surgeon wasn’t aware that he had a bad liver and he died 25 days after the surgery. Again, anything can happen in surgeries but most things can be prevented if the surgeon did their homework.

]]> By: Kate Murphy http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/policy_news/2008/09/in_her_own_words_i_stood_up_to_cancer/comment-page-1#comment-1065 Kate Murphy Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:42:50 +0000 http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/?p=1697#comment-1065 Jan, It is wise to seek a second opinion, especially in cases where doctors might take a different approach to treating advanced colorectal cancer. A team of doctors -- oncologists, surgeons, radiologists -- can look at all the information about your son's case and recommend the best approach. You can find these multidisciplinary teams in large cancer centers including those that are NCI-designated. Search for an <a href="http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/map-cancer-centers.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">NCI-designated center by state</a> or ask your doctor to refer your son to one. When tumors are limited to the liver, surgery can be an effective treatment sometimes leading to cure. The right time for surgery should be determined by the team of doctors. Encourage your son to talk to a larger team. Jan,

It is wise to seek a second opinion, especially in cases where doctors might take a different approach to treating advanced colorectal cancer.

A team of doctors — oncologists, surgeons, radiologists — can look at all the information about your son’s case and recommend the best approach.

You can find these multidisciplinary teams in large cancer centers including those that are NCI-designated. Search for an NCI-designated center by state or ask your doctor to refer your son to one.

When tumors are limited to the liver, surgery can be an effective treatment sometimes leading to cure. The right time for surgery should be determined by the team of doctors.

Encourage your son to talk to a larger team.

]]> By: janet harris http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/policy_news/2008/09/in_her_own_words_i_stood_up_to_cancer/comment-page-1#comment-1064 janet harris Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:44:20 +0000 http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/?p=1697#comment-1064 my son was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in november of 2007. we were told that he had a few spots on his liver and not to worry about the small spots on his liver right now. my son was in a clinical trial. he has stopped his chemotherapy treatment a couple of times because he became sick of it. i personally feel from the research that i've done he should have the surgery to remove the tumor from his colon and a liver resection. his dr says not yet and started him back on the chemotherapy. i'm afraid this dr is going to let this spread. what should we do? my son was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in november of 2007. we were told that he had a few spots on his liver and not to worry about the small spots on his liver right now. my son was in a clinical trial. he has stopped his chemotherapy treatment a couple of times because he became sick of it. i personally feel from the research that i’ve done he should have the surgery to remove the tumor from his colon and a liver resection. his dr says not yet and started him back on the chemotherapy. i’m afraid this dr is going to let this spread. what should we do?

]]> By: Kate Murphy http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/policy_news/2008/09/in_her_own_words_i_stood_up_to_cancer/comment-page-1#comment-1046 Kate Murphy Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:17:41 +0000 http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/?p=1697#comment-1046 Scott, C3 doesn’t make recommendations for specific doctors. However, we do urge people to consider a second opinion or treatment at an NCI-designated Cancer Center. These centers are doing research and are also most likely to offer you a <em>multidisciplinary team</em> that includes surgeons, oncologists, and radiologists. Team recommendations are critical for advanced colon cancer like your wife’s case. You can find a center by state in the <a href="http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/cancer-centers-list.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">NCI Cancer Centers Program.</a> Because your wife is so young, also ask the doctors about genetic counseling and testing. It may help her and also is important for her family and your children. Scott,

C3 doesn’t make recommendations for specific doctors.

However, we do urge people to consider a second opinion or treatment at an NCI-designated Cancer Center. These centers are doing research and are also most likely to offer you a multidisciplinary team that includes surgeons, oncologists, and radiologists. Team recommendations are critical for advanced colon cancer like your wife’s case.

You can find a center by state in the NCI Cancer Centers Program.

Because your wife is so young, also ask the doctors about genetic counseling and testing. It may help her and also is important for her family and your children.

]]> By: Scott Drumheller http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/policy_news/2008/09/in_her_own_words_i_stood_up_to_cancer/comment-page-1#comment-1044 Scott Drumheller Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:23:42 +0000 http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/?p=1697#comment-1044 Can you provide information on the best colorectal pysicians? There is a big desparity on knowledge levels from ONC to ONC and surgeon to surgeon. We need to have the bet in our corner. My wife is DX stage four 30 years old and mother of three. There is liver and suspect lung involvement. Need help! Can you provide information on the best colorectal pysicians? There is a big desparity on knowledge levels from ONC to ONC and surgeon to surgeon. We need to have the bet in our corner. My wife is DX stage four 30 years old and mother of three. There is liver and suspect lung involvement. Need help!

]]> By: Kate Murphy http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/policy_news/2008/09/in_her_own_words_i_stood_up_to_cancer/comment-page-1#comment-963 Kate Murphy Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:37:42 +0000 http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/?p=1697#comment-963 Lisa, it is very hard for anyone to give an accurate prediction of how long someone with advanced colon cancer will live. Doctors can tell you the time that most people live after diagnosis and what time chemotherapy will add -- but these are estimates and not firm predictions for a particular individual. Chemotherapy does add time for most, but not all, people. If older people are in good health other than their cancer, they can benefit as much from chemotherapy as younger patients. However, I am more concerned that your father's doctor would not want him to have the most accurate information possible. Even if he is very frail or very old, he should know the truth. You also shouldn't feel it is necessary to lie to him. Sometimes these talks are very painful and they are never easy for families, but it is important for you to be able to be honest. At the same time you can focus on helping your dad to live as completely and fully as possible during whatever time he has left. Make sure that he is comfortable and that his symptoms are treated. Talk about good memories. Do the things he enjoys as much as possible. If you feel that your father's doctor isn't giving you all the answers you need, consider getting a second opinion. A large cancer center may offer more options. However, they probably can't be more specific about exactly how much time your father has left. It's just too difficult to do that. Lisa, it is very hard for anyone to give an accurate prediction of how long someone with advanced colon cancer will live. Doctors can tell you the time that most people live after diagnosis and what time chemotherapy will add — but these are estimates and not firm predictions for a particular individual.

Chemotherapy does add time for most, but not all, people. If older people are in good health other than their cancer, they can benefit as much from chemotherapy as younger patients.

However, I am more concerned that your father’s doctor would not want him to have the most accurate information possible. Even if he is very frail or very old, he should know the truth.

You also shouldn’t feel it is necessary to lie to him. Sometimes these talks are very painful and they are never easy for families, but it is important for you to be able to be honest.

At the same time you can focus on helping your dad to live as completely and fully as possible during whatever time he has left. Make sure that he is comfortable and that his symptoms are treated. Talk about good memories. Do the things he enjoys as much as possible.

If you feel that your father’s doctor isn’t giving you all the answers you need, consider getting a second opinion. A large cancer center may offer more options. However, they probably can’t be more specific about exactly how much time your father has left. It’s just too difficult to do that.

]]> By: Lisa http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/policy_news/2008/09/in_her_own_words_i_stood_up_to_cancer/comment-page-1#comment-958 Lisa Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:02:24 +0000 http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/?p=1697#comment-958 My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer at the end of March this year and had surgery to remove the cancer. They found cancer in the lymphnods after the surgery and did one bout of chemo over the 48 hours. The chemo caused (or so they told us) blood clots in my dads lungs so they stopped the treatment and said he would probably be fine but they were not going to do any of the follow up testing because they would not treat him anyways so there was no point in looking for something that they would not treat. We found out at what point my dad should get the scans and demanded that our GP order the tests, which he did. At about the same time my dad started having stomach problems again and was admitted to the hospital and as it turns out he now has stage IV colon cancer, which has spread to the liver, stomach and lungs. They tried to do surgery again but the stomach cancer has spread too much. No one will tell us how much time he has left but he seem to be failing very fast (we just found out about the spreading last Tuesday Sept 2). We have been told it can be anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months but with chemo possibly 9-12 months. We have an appointment Sept 22 to see if chemo is even an option. We feel so left in the dark and angry and we feel like we are lying to our dad because the doctors told him he could last a year, they said he didn't need to know the truth). Has anyone else been this far advanced and had any success with chemo? Please, if there is anyone out there with any answers we would really appreciate it. Lisa My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer at the end of March this year and had surgery to remove the cancer. They found cancer in the lymphnods after the surgery and did one bout of chemo over the 48 hours. The chemo caused (or so they told us) blood clots in my dads lungs so they stopped the treatment and said he would probably be fine but they were not going to do any of the follow up testing because they would not treat him anyways so there was no point in looking for something that they would not treat. We found out at what point my dad should get the scans and demanded that our GP order the tests, which he did. At about the same time my dad started having stomach problems again and was admitted to the hospital and as it turns out he now has stage IV colon cancer, which has spread to the liver, stomach and lungs. They tried to do surgery again but the stomach cancer has spread too much. No one will tell us how much time he has left but he seem to be failing very fast (we just found out about the spreading last Tuesday Sept 2). We have been told it can be anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months but with chemo possibly 9-12 months. We have an appointment Sept 22 to see if chemo is even an option. We feel so left in the dark and angry and we feel like we are lying to our dad because the doctors told him he could last a year, they said he didn’t need to know the truth). Has anyone else been this far advanced and had any success with chemo? Please, if there is anyone out there with any answers we would really appreciate it.
Lisa

]]> By: Felicia Cash http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/policy_news/2008/09/in_her_own_words_i_stood_up_to_cancer/comment-page-1#comment-956 Felicia Cash Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:13:05 +0000 http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/?p=1697#comment-956 In November 2005 I also have colorectal cancer stage IV beat the colorectal cancer now it spread to both of my lungs and to my lymphnodes and now a spot to my liver. Had surgeries, radiation, chemo, extense chemo, and clinical trials been fighting for awhile nothing is working so i'm working on finding some alternative. Iknow I can survive this!!! In November 2005 I also have colorectal cancer stage IV beat the colorectal cancer now it spread to both of my lungs and to my lymphnodes and now a spot to my liver. Had surgeries, radiation, chemo, extense chemo, and clinical trials been fighting for awhile nothing is working so i’m working on finding some alternative. Iknow I can survive this!!!

]]> By: Suzanne Lindley http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/policy_news/2008/09/in_her_own_words_i_stood_up_to_cancer/comment-page-1#comment-953 Suzanne Lindley Tue, 09 Sep 2008 23:01:33 +0000 http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/?p=1697#comment-953 Christine, Great blog and it was so fun to watch for the CYB shirts in the audience! You guys ROCK! I, too, am glad to see Andy out and about. Hope you can post some pictures soon. Suzanne Christine,

Great blog and it was so fun to watch for the CYB shirts in the audience!

You guys ROCK! I, too, am glad to see Andy out and about. Hope you can post some pictures soon.

Suzanne

]]> By: Pam Gravlin http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/policy_news/2008/09/in_her_own_words_i_stood_up_to_cancer/comment-page-1#comment-949 Pam Gravlin Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:37:11 +0000 http://fightcolorectalcancer.org/?p=1697#comment-949 Thank you Christine, for ably representing C3! WAY TO GO ANDY! GLAD TO HEAR YOU ARE OUT AND ABOUT! Thank you Christine, for ably representing C3!

WAY TO GO ANDY! GLAD TO HEAR YOU ARE OUT AND ABOUT!

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