Re: New Here/Rodney

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/16/2005 11:05:59 PM Eastern Standard Time,

rthornton@... writes:

Hello.

About a month ago, I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer with

liver mets and had my colon removed. Next week I get to start chemo +

Avastin (strangely looking forward to it). I just found this group on

Yahoo and look forward to reading other people's stories.

Anyway know anything about the side effects of chemo 5FU + Leucovorin

and Avastin? I've been told that since I am relatively young (35

years old) that it may not be so bad. I'll find out soon enough.

I look forward to reading through the messages here.

Sincerely,

Rodney

Hi Rodney and welcome to our group!!! Sorry I'm so far behind in responding

to these emails.

We are soooo hoping your young age does help you get through the chemo

regime. Everyone is different, so there's no way to tell you how your body

will

react. Did you already get your treatment this week? If so, how did it go?

Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

Caregiver to Glenn

Colon resection 6/03 removing 9 in. of colon including cancerous tumore and

3 of 22 removed lymph nodes were also cancerous.

Infection set in at surgical site...Open wound for 2 months, chemo for 8

months

Mets to Liver found 4/04, inoperable; one tumor too close to artery and vein

Chemo infiltration to chest 8/04 with severe side effects including severe

pain and muscle damage (permanent??)

10/04 Severe lower ab pain unable to eat, colon shut down, hospitalization

w/morphine 8 days. Sent home with basically no diagnosis. Possibly the cancer

causing the pain.

Ascites (Fluid build-up) and Paracentesis (draining) on a regular weekly

basis

11/09/04 on 5FU/Leu/Oxaliplatin/Avastin " cocktails " 46 hr. infusions

Mid Dec. 04 - CT. Scan shows largest tumor on liver has reduced 1/3,

remaining 11 tumors stable; no growth. Chemo is working...Yippee!!

02/05 Continued bi-wkly Ascites and Paracentesis may mean chemo no longer

working.

Emergency CT. Scan performed. Tumors are reducing in size, some as much as

half!!! Chemo is working!!!

Found a blot clot in the vein going in to the liver!!! Waiting for MRI so

GI Dr. can decide to treat with meds or surgery. Onc. now believes the blood

clot is reason for the continuing Ascites.

March 04...Lovamax shots nightly to dissolve the clot and open the portal

vein going in to the liver, hoping the liver will function more normally.

Still not sure if blood clot or tumor. Why? No answers.

ICU hospitalization twice..total of 9 days out of 14 for varices bleeding in

the esophogus. No chemo now for 6 wks. Drs., Liver specialists, and GI

specialists working on a plan. Ascites is doing more damage than chemo to

Glenn's

body. Have to " take a chance " (Drs. words) and do the shunt surgery and

very SOON!!

TRYING TO KICK BUTT with this darn disease!!!