1. < Caregivers

Metastasized colon cancer: At a loss..what is next?

Posted by lah @lah, Sep 24, 2019

My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer over 5 years ago. It will be 6 years on valentine's day. About a year later it metastasized to both lungs. There are a lot of small modules in both lungs. He had a lung biopsy done and confirmed it is colon cancer. He has taken all of the chemos and immunotherapy for colon cancer.
He has worked pretty much everyday except for surgeries or chemo days. It has taken me a long time but, I get it now. He works to keep busy and keep his mind off it.
He takes care of all his own needs. So I don't really feel I deserve the title of caregiver. But yet, here I am feeling lonely, depressed, and sad most of the time. The last 2 weeks I went through a really dark time. I might mention that during these 6 years I lost my mom, dad and in February my youngest brother died suddenly of a massive heart attack.
No matter what I say or do it is wrong. He likes a food one week, so I buy it again and suddenly he doesn't really like it. Nothing I cook is right. Nothing I say is right. Nothing I do is right in his eyes. I act silly with the grandkids and he shakes his head in disapproval.
I realize he is sick, and not feeling well. I try to remember that he is just taking it out on me cause I'm the closest one to him.
All of my family lives in different states. I work full time, take a yoga class once a week and ride my stationary bike at least 45 minutes 4 days a week. Last summer I broke the tibula and fibula off in my right ankle. Had emergency surgery and still not 100%. I'm 62 so maybe it's as good as it's going to get.
Wow seems sort of selfish when I re read this. Mostly about me.
I notice in the past several weeks he seems to be breathing harder. He finally admitted he gets out of breath easy and has heart palpitations.
I want to know what to watch for next. I know everyone is different and there is no set answer. But is this something he can overcome? When I ask the dr he said we always hope to cure.
Wow sorry so long.

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suerc | @suerc | Dec 11, 2019
In reply to @bond007 "my hunnybunnys dr has no treatment plan in place and I guess the oncologist feels there..." + (show)
@bond007

my hunnybunnys dr has no treatment plan in place and I guess the oncologist feels there is too much cancer .. he has lost so much weight and eaten very little. he does drink water and every now & then a boost. what can I do for him get a second opinion?

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Give your honey bun lots of love. I agree with a teaching hospital or mayo clinic and soon. Lots of love. Praying for you.

REPLY
wilcy | @wilcy | Dec 14, 2019

I lost my spouse of 40 years of marriage during my major colon cancer! I certainly understand some of what your going through! After coming home, I spent 2 years without any outside care! Now have spinal stenosis! Also colostomy for cancer! Am not a druggy! Does your state approve medical marijuana? Am 68 and never used it until now! It works! Don’t have to smoke it Edibles will really help him and you!

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lorenna | @lorenna | Oct 25, 2020
In reply to @brenz "My husband also has stage 4 colon cancer that spread to his liver and lungs. It..." + (show)
@brenz

My husband also has stage 4 colon cancer that spread to his liver and lungs. It is over 8 years now. Most of the reply’s , I see, have given you some great advice. My suggestion here is for your hubby. I did not see any mention of cyber knife ( very pinpointed radiation) . My husband has had this done on MANY of the tumors in his lungs (both lungs). Cyber knife has worked every time. The nodules get zapped with the radiation and then are gone. Not to say other new ones don’t appear but the ones he had radiated are gone. Maybe you can look into this for your hubby. We live near Philadelphia and use Philadelphia Cyber Knife. The doctor is Dr. Lanciano. She has kept my husband alive for many years now. Each person has circumstances related to their specific condition, but this might be an avenue for your hubby.

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Hi! I was interested in the case of ablative radiation. My father also has metastasis from colorectal cancer, liver, he did radiofrequency in the liver and the needle caused more metastases in the fig and abdominal wall. The liver removed three weeks ago, now he will undergo low-radiation radiotherapy on the abdominal wall, but I am looking at radiosurgery in the lung. My father has 4 nodules. Two in each. Does your husband live well? Chemo gives my dad a lot of reaction. It does not decrease the nodules with the chemo.

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2 replies
lah | @lah | Oct 27, 2020
In reply to @lorenna "Hi! I was interested in the case of ablative radiation. My father also has metastasis from..." + (show)
@lorenna

Hi! I was interested in the case of ablative radiation. My father also has metastasis from colorectal cancer, liver, he did radiofrequency in the liver and the needle caused more metastases in the fig and abdominal wall. The liver removed three weeks ago, now he will undergo low-radiation radiotherapy on the abdominal wall, but I am looking at radiosurgery in the lung. My father has 4 nodules. Two in each. Does your husband live well? Chemo gives my dad a lot of reaction. It does not decrease the nodules with the chemo.

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My husband also has colon cancer with mets to both lungs. Chemo did not decrease his nodules and the side effects were rough also.
They sent us to cyberknife . He is having biopsy and they will place markers for the cyberknife. Have you heard of or tried it?
I have not heard of the ablative radiation. Is he having good days? Keep us posted xoxo

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1 reply
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Oct 27, 2020
In reply to @lah "My husband also has colon cancer with mets to both lungs. Chemo did not decrease his..." + (show)
@lah

My husband also has colon cancer with mets to both lungs. Chemo did not decrease his nodules and the side effects were rough also.
They sent us to cyberknife . He is having biopsy and they will place markers for the cyberknife. Have you heard of or tried it?
I have not heard of the ablative radiation. Is he having good days? Keep us posted xoxo

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Hello @lah. Yes, I’ve heard of cyberknife. It was used often at our hospital In Colorado. It is a modified version of radiation therapy. The beam of radiation os very narrowed and can be focused on the specific problem tissue. Nothing else should be affected. Good luck and the best to your husband

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 1, 2020
In reply to @lorenna "Hi! I was interested in the case of ablative radiation. My father also has metastasis from..." + (show)
@lorenna

Hi! I was interested in the case of ablative radiation. My father also has metastasis from colorectal cancer, liver, he did radiofrequency in the liver and the needle caused more metastases in the fig and abdominal wall. The liver removed three weeks ago, now he will undergo low-radiation radiotherapy on the abdominal wall, but I am looking at radiosurgery in the lung. My father has 4 nodules. Two in each. Does your husband live well? Chemo gives my dad a lot of reaction. It does not decrease the nodules with the chemo.

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Hi @lorenna, I'm sorry to hear that the chemo didn't reduce the lung nodules. Will he have to have abdominal wall radiation before he can have radiosurgery of the lungs? When does your father start radiotherapy of the abdominal wall?

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