Just diagnosed: Surgery not an option, looking for hope

Posted by vcsongradi @vcsongradi, Feb 8 10:11am

Went in for my first colonoscopy in December, F age 58. Had negative Cologuards for the last 4 or 5 years. My PCP gave me a FIT test in September which came back positive. Colonoscopy revealed a rectal mass (close to the sigmoid colon junction) she said was typical cancer presentation. Had some abdominal pain and went to ER. PET scan found mets to liver and both lungs, stage IV. Colorectal surgeon told me that surgery, "would not benefit me." Oncologist gave me 2 to 3 years prognosis, said treatment would be palliative and not curative, and surgery, "would never be an option." Started FOLFOX + Mvasi in January; just finished my 2nd round. CEA was initially 58, and is now 46, so that is good news I think. Don't really have a question, just looking for some hope from the stories of other people.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Colorectal Cancer Support Group.

roywalton | @roywalton | Feb 9 1:09pm

Recent review of A total of 9 studies reported the objective response rate during treatment, and the total number of cases was 700. Among them, there were 358 patients in the BEV + FOLFOX group, a total of 191 patients achieved objective remission, and 342 cases in the FOLFOX group, a total of 95 patients achieved objective remission.

vcsongradi | @vcsongradi | Feb 9 11:12am

In reply to @roywalton "Are you able to get a second opinion?" + (show)

I had a second opinion from Moffitt Cancer Center and she agreed with the current treatment plan.

roywalton | @roywalton | Feb 9 6:56am

Are you able to get a second opinion?

vcsongradi | @vcsongradi | Feb 8 2:05pm

In reply to @roywalton "Are you sure you had the cologuard test for or 5 years ago? Why did the..." + (show)

I had been doing Cologuard for 4 or 5 years instead of a colonoscopy, because I live by myself and had no one in my life who would be able to drive me/stay at the hospital for the appointment, and it was negative every time. I started having some odd bowel symptoms (stool odd shape) and she suggested a FIT test which was positive. I have never had cancer prior to December 2024 so my first CEA was done in December which was 58, and my 2nd CEA was done following the 1st round of chemo and was 46.