Talking Frankly about Living with Advanced Cancer
Are you living with advanced cancer (sometimes referred to as stage 4 or metastatic cancer)?
This discussion is a safe space where you can connect with others to talk about the realities of living with limited time. It's not easy to find people who understand what it is like. For many reasons, you may not feel comfortable talking about your thoughts and emotions with friends or family. Perhaps you are alone. Even if you are surrounded by people who support you, you may experience intense loneliness.
Connect is a place where honest conversation can safely take place. You can speak frankly and be heard without judgement. I invite you to share your reality facing death and living now.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer Support Group.
At 83, I've been dealing
with prostate cancer for ten years, and currently am on doublet therapy (Lupron and Erleada). Rather than dwell on what's to come, I spend a good part of my time planning trips abroad with my wife, working in our yard, and trying to get all of our estate and finances in order so my wife and/or other family members won't have to. The last is a challenge as the Mrs has a hard time sorting through and organizing all of the stuff we've accumulated in 53 years of marriage! At least all of this, good and frustrating, keeps me from dwelling on the cancer, so I'm grateful for that,
I was also diagnosed in February 2024 with GEJ stage 4 with a lymph node in my neck positive.
Have been on 5 FU and immunotherapy for 28 cycles. Have had clear scans for quite awhile but my doctor has not said anything about getting off the 5 FU. I would be interested in the reason why your doctor is recommending stopping 5FU.
Thanks!
Thanks for your comment. My oncologist doesn't think that the 5FU is doing much at this point.
Thank You
My husband has stage 4 colon cancer, colon is clear now but a couple of spots in his liver ,he had Y90 placed directly into his liver . That shrunk them down but of course they wanted to grow again he is now on Fruquintinid for 21 days and off for 7 , it’s working which is great as we found out he’s actually allergic to chemo
I believe there are several “ targeted therapies “ available for you.
Good luck
Yes, it's been confirmed that it's spreading. Luckily, its still only in the bones and not a 3rd site so I am starting a new treatment tomorrow. I understand it's a bit harsher than the Ibrance I've been taking. I was really hoping to stay on Ibrance longer but I guess it's just not in the cards. I'll my research makes me just hope that I can still maintain what I do in my life for maybe another year. Could be wishful thinking, but I guess we have to do that, right? Good to hear that you've been metastatic for 5 years and still doing well. Or maybe you didn't say that. Are you still doing well?
@robynwithay, I hope your new treatment goes well, with minimal side effects and maximum effectiveness. I'm still doing well, and while it's taken some time, I've come to accept that there are just some things that we can't control or predict. There are new treatments or combinations of treatments coming along all the time. Any statistics that you see are lagging behind today's science. I know it's not going to be easy. Know that someone is the exception in all of the studies and outperforms expectations. You could be that exception. Is your family/support system aware of your diagnosis? Or is there someone that can help as needed? Sending big hugs.
I recently had my CT scan July -16 and my cancer doctor said it’s great that everything looked good but soon after having the scan my CA125 was high it was 38 now it keeps going up every time it’s checked. I was told to focus on my scan that was good and keep getting CT Sans every few months is routinely done. So I haven’t got a straight answer yet for anyone as to why it’s going up every time and it’s so concerning for me I wish they’d just tell me why or if it’s normal you know? And I only get Ct scans idk why i don’t get any other kind of test or scans ?idk know what a sigtura test is or pet ? I really hope you’ve figured it out with your doctor ik it’s frustrating
Hiya I’m Dave just starting 7/23 to live with stage IV mets lung to liver, bone (pelvis, hips, clavicles, entire spine) & again right lung. The dr said he cannot cure me but he’ll make sure I won’t die of cancer. Tanx doc. Immediately started radiation. Partially successful due to the location of the nodules in the spine. Next up chemo another joy ride. Those days following treatment are brutal even with all the anti-everything meds they give you. Then there’s the pain. Bone pain is hurtful, really hurtful. Even with morphine patches and oxy there’s a constant feeling of being unwell in my abdomen and back. Cannot stand at the sink to wash dishes much less climb a ladder to clean gutters. I’ve lost weight and continue to do so even with help from a nutritionist. So how do I live with advanced cancer; I guess I’m still angry hurting sad. I’ll get thru this as I did 2 yrs ago when I had sbrt for lung nodules. Self-pity isn’t helping