Stage 4 CRC long journey in progress

@mallika58, first of all I'm sending a cyberhug and pouring you a cup of tea. It has been a long road and you sound tired.

I'm tagging fellow colorectal cancer, stage 4 members like @martin77, @sher4boys @jeff1957 @paul28 @sundance6 @mercator @nathan45 @duckduck2020 @margreet @lisag03 @colca @marquesdi @pjebp @wilcy to share their experiences, tips and words of encouragement.

You've been through a tough regimen of chemo and radiation. Some side effects can take a long time. Let your symptom management nurse know what is going on in case this is out of the ordinary or there is something that can help.

Radiation proctitis can begin during radiation treatment and last for a few months after treatment. Or it can occur years after treatment. In this article from Mayo Clinic, there are medications that can help with radiation induced proctitis.
- Treatment for proctitis caused by radiation therapy https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/proctitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376938

You may wish to ask your oncologist about getting relief. Has your surgeon suggested when surgery might be?

I will be meeting the surgeon in a couple of weeks when I will have clarity on likely fate for surgery

It's really hard to know what to say sometimes as everyone's experience is different. I think that we are all learning from each other and hopefully someone can offer something that is informative or valuable to know and helpful. Other things might be offered in an interest to provide hope.
I care greatly about the plight of others and don't dwell on my own so much.
My colon cancer metastasized to my lower right lung.
I had colon resection and lung resection just 7 weeks apart.
That was 7 and 5 months ago.
I have not had chemo or radiation. I am taking a gamble that no one agreed with.
Instead I have blood tests every 3 months and CT Scans every 4 months. I have doctors that have allowed me to do this my way and up until such time that I am proven wrong.
My reasons are to simply avoid chemo and the side effects as long as possible.
My honest prediction would be that my cancer returns in under two years and will involve my liver next.
I send all of my best wishes to you and may you receive a tremendous blessing along your journey. I hope you are strong and will lean on your doctors at will.
Please update us. I am very interested in how you progress!
Paul

I agree with Paul, everyone experiences things differently. For me it is 4 years ago when I was diagnosed with Colon cancer stage 4. ( metastasized) Had a colon resection, liver resection and pancreas resection all in one operation. After 12 weeks I had 8 chemo treatments than I got very sick ( vomiting and diarrhoea) spend 4 weeks in the hospital and after discharge gradually got my strength back. Had regular CT Scans and now starting my 5th year still in remission. There is hope . I wish you strength and my best wishes.
Margreet.

I am 60. Stage 3 rector, balance and fatigue yes, here I am with no surgery and finished my Radiation and chemo for 6 week treatment. Finished July last year. Partner and I took 1st place at 3.5 pickleball doubles last night. Hope to only keep improving each day. Wish you all the best with your fights .

I have been trying to get answers. Maybe you can help me. I have been constipated for many yrs and about the last 2 yr after I poop I still push because I feel like some more needs to come out like something is there. I chalked it off to being irritated from the hard stool. I told my Dr about it the other day and for some reason he was in a bad mood from the moment he walked in the exam room. He said I will order you a cologaurd and walked out. I wasn't satisfied so I took the cologuard questionnaire when I got home and it said I am not a candidate to get a colonascopy ASAP. Since it is Sunday I need to call the Dr's office and tell them to refer me for one Stat. I am so scared I let this go to long that it might of spread. I have never seen my Dr in a bad mood he is always so kind...don't know what was wrong with him

You need to see a new doctor.
Your current doctor is not serving your needs and lacks concern for your condition. ( *no one should ever be constipated for many years as you have stated ).
My diagnosis is find a new doctor and hopefully one comes to you that has been recommended by a trusted source.
Best wishes to you!
Paul

I waiting 6 years between colonoscopy, 53 -59, gave the cancer time to grow. Looking back a polyp removal would have been better than chemo and radiation, for sure