Colorectal cancer stage 3c: Need positive feedback

I was diagnosed with stage 4 Colon Cancer and metastasis in the liver. In Jan. 2019. Had a Colon resection and liver resection and part of my Pancreas removed. On March 1st 2019. Recovered well and had Chemo starting in June bi weekly for 4 month. Had terrible side effects after 4 months and hospitalized for 4 weeks. Recovered well after that. Now almost 2 years after surgery I am doing well and live a happy independent life. I still have check-ups every 6 months. I am now 82 years old.
Margreet

Hello @eddiebu and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for joining this discussion to share your experience and hope with other members who are not on the other side like you have been for 20 years. That is incredible.

I can see that you and @duckduck2020 have connected and are sharing questions and feedback.

What do you remember most about your experience that now, looking back, you would suggest other members do/don't do?

Was your cancer BFRA

I don't know if this will help but after the surgery, the chemo was the worst part. No appetite, very tired, some nausea but not too bad. played golf every chance I could, only 9 holes, too tired to play more. Olives seemed to get my appetite going. Long walk right after chemo. I looked at it as another life experience. I attended my sons wedding and the pictures tell it all.
The only thing that I can offer is to stay positive. Don't worry about things until there is something to worry about. Then listen to the Docs. Mine were awesome. Went up to Duke cancer clinic where they did the second round of chemo and did the liver resection.
There were chemo drugs available for the second round of chemo that were not available for the first. New treatments are evolving every day. If you can hang in there long enough, something will show up that will do the trick for you.

What means BFRA, I have never heard of that, sorry for my ignorance.

Hello Joyce @kenc, I see that you posted in the Chronic Pain members discussion using your husband's member name which is great! Since you mentioned you had colorectal surgery several years ago and continue to have sporadic pain in the abdomen and rectal area, as well as the feeling of pressure in the rectal area, I thought I would invite you to this discussion Colorectal cancer stage 3c: Need positive feedback where you can meet @wilcy @duckduck2020 @eddiebu @margreet and other members who may be able to offer suggestions or share their experiences with you. Just click the VIEW & REPLY button at the bottom of this email notification and it will take you to the discussion.

P.S. - If your husband doesn't want to share his member name, I'll bet you he will show you how to join Connect and create your own member name. 🙂 or you can join on your own - How to Join Mayo Clinic Connect - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/#how-to-join-connect

Hi Joyce
Yes I have colon and liver cancer stage 4 . It also is the BRAF type which is aggressive! I had a illosophy done in May . It was suppose to help with the pain . It has except I still have some pain . I now know my liver looks like cottage cheese ! Not good ! I now go for fluids everyday but 1 out of the 7 . I think my days are getting numbered but I am doing chemo every other week . Very strong , !
Hang in there because it could get better after t

Had over 20 lymph nodes removed 8 years ago! Still here! Stage 3

Margreet, BRAF refers to a gene mutation.
Here's a definition from the National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/braf-v600e-mutation
BRAF (V600E) mutation
"A specific mutation (change) in the BRAF gene, which makes a protein that is involved in sending signals in cells and in cell growth. This BRAF gene mutation may be found in some types of cancer, including melanoma and colorectal cancer. It may increase the growth and spread of cancer cells. Checking for this BRAF mutation in tumor tissue may help to plan cancer treatment."

Did they check for this mutation when you were diagnosed?

I don’t know, have to ask my Oncologist, was diagnosed with stage 4 Coloncancer in January 2018., had surgery, colon resection, liver resection, and part of my pancreas removed, followed by an aggressive chemo treatment, at the moment, 2 years later I am still in remission. Except they discovered a cyst in my left kidney that is slowly growing, will have an MRI in two weeks to see if my left kidney should be removed or remove the cyst by Ablation. They don’t know if the cyst is cancerous or not. I am now 82. In good shape , swim in the lake, live independent don’t feel anything abnormal . I am getting a bit anxious about the results of the MRI.