Living with Stage 4 Liver Cancer

Hi John I take naps a lot especially once I take my Lanreotide injection once every 4 weeks. I normally stay home on that day and not do to much for 24 or 48 hours but relaxing. When I first started I experienced sides effects like swelling at the injection site,headaches, functional diarrhea, being cold, kinda groggy. But now the side effects way more less now. Connie in Atlanta

Hi John,
You’re the first patient on the Somatuline Depot extended release monthly shot I know of. My primary is pyloric channel (stomach/intestine) with metastasis to liver. I am assuming that your cancer is diagnosed as Neuroendocrine
Carcinoid Tumor. How long ago were you diagnosed? My side effects are fatigue, cement-like stool, joint discomfort; however I am grateful I don’t have any Carcinoid Syndrome (flushing) yet. I have avoided foods rich in serotonin, peel my apples, don’t eat many salads and include more protein in 4-5 small meal-snacks a day. I am grateful for activities that get my mind off my situation and have maintained my exercise/yoga routine as well as meditation practice.
I wish you much success with your treatments and hope your next test reveals improvement!
Be happy & well.

Dear Heart,
Emotions are good and bad in any situation. I have stage 4 liver cirrhosis with a 1.8 size cancer tumor. I gave to wait until the tumor grows to a size 2, then they will add radiation beads in the tumor, treat the diseased blood and plan on a liver transplant. I'm 66. When I first heard, I remember being overwhelmed, living in chaos and overthinking. My resolution for emotion is sharing with only those I trusted or here. It helped me to get it out, and find support groups. It's okay to cry. Crying relieves stress. Stress can be devastating to the healing process. I'm open to talk more. I've found I need support with others who have experience. I've been in this process since November and have improved emotionally. It's still on the surface daily.

Yes I have stag 4 liver and pancreas cancers. I’ve had 8 chemo sessions and getting another today. I only take two pain meds in the evening and I’ve been good. I lost like 20 lbs and been eating more now. I go to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix next week. I try to stay positive about this. We pray a lot. I’ve also been drinking a cup of water with a lemon a day. I think it’s helping too.

Hello I too drink a glass of lemon water that I fix at night to drink the next morning. It definitely helps with phlegm.

I have Bile Duct Cancer which spread to my liver. I did a year of chemotherapy and am on immunotherapy currently. My treatment team has me drinking 2 quarts of water a day to keep my kidneys working and flushing out dead cancer cells and the toxic chemo drugs. I like to add lemon juice. It's not easy to drink that much water and it requires a lot of peeing but I remain fairly healthy and it's part of my treatment. A positive attitude is proven to help along with a Spiritual Connection with a Higher Power. I stay socially involved with other patients on this forum and their treatments- working, not working, side effects etc. I have my bad days emotionally too, especially before and after treatment and before doctor visits. I am thankful for treatment that is working. John

I’m a stage IV throat cancer survivor but a good friend of mine has been diagnosed with stage IV liver/spleen cancer.
He and his family as well as my wife and I were devastated by this news. Of course he began searching the web and I did the same. Honestly we both found nothing but doom and gloom!
He was ready to accept the fact that he would be terminal and he was worried about going on disability like I am.
Well myself knowing better should have never searched the web because I did that when I was diagnosed and found bad results for my outcome as well.
Well he met with an Oncologist and was relieved to find out that his type cancer is not terminal and can be treated with a monthly injection! His stage IV will not affect his ability to remain functional and working!
Keep your good attitude and focus on your future. God is good all the time so hold on to that fact.
Praying the best for you!
MOJO

Yes, I was diagnosed with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) stage 3, on May 21, 2022. I had a 16.5 cm mass that they thought was an amoeba as I was in Mexico 2 weeks before. It turned out to be a tumor that attached itself to my healthy liver. I had the tumor removed along with 70% of my liver resected on May 27, 2022.
I had 3 months of NEDs then month 4, I was stage 4 as the HCC had traveled to my lungs and on a rib.
I am currently going through Immunotherapy and had 3 rounds of radiation.
So far, so good.

I am in a similar situation. My tumor reached the 2 cm mark and was removed by heat ablation. I am now on the transplant list inactive status as my liver function is good. Keeping up with appointments and meds and knowing you are doing what you can to stay healthy is a good strategy. I find that being grateful for each day and spending time or communicating with friends and family keeps me in a good place. I am thankful for all the people and wonderful life experiences I have. I guess it is just a matter of finding a way to focus on the positive things in life.
I have been inspired by so many on this forum. It always amazes me that people are so resilient and hopeful and successful despite life changing challenges. Thank you for sharing your story and best of luck to you in your journey.

Hi Cu2! Thinking of you today as you wait for results from your Jan 27 MRI. Wishing for no surprises and evidence our monthly shot is working well. You are strong and positive and a role model for me. Two years of being on this dangerous rollercoaster is such a challenge! Let me know how you are doing, okay? Hermit in Hemet (Bette)