Advanced bowel cancer

Hi my husband  48 has just being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer which has spread to liver, he starts chemopherpy next week for 6 month ,Since being told he has become really down and just moping about, I on the other hand are trying to stay positive, does any one have any advice on what to expect when chemo starts and how to try and keep him positive

  • Hi and welcome to the forum, though obviously sad for the reason you find youreslf here. 

    Presumably, your husband's medical team will have explained the chemotherapy regime that he'll l be having and possibly, you'll have had an opportunity to visit the centre where he'll receive his treatment? 

    I think it's fair to say, that chemo is a very 'personal' thing amd affects everyone individually, so until your hubby gets underway with it, it may be hard to advise on what to expect. 

    On a practical note, when I went for my infusions, my partner amd I would go well prepared, taking things like magazines, word searches, drinks, snacks (though I was provided with lunch and drinks) . My partner would download films on his tablet to watch. 

    I was always amazed at the commeradery within the 'chemo circle' (seats were arranged in small groups to enable the nursing staff to get their patients. 

    I used to doze, chat to my partner or simply just rest while having the treatment. 

    I hope that once your husband starts his treatment, he will begin to feel a little more positive, but it is a lot to get your head round. Keep being positive for him, your support will prove invaluable (I really have appreciated my partner's endless support) 

    Do keep in touch and let us know how your husband is getting on and so that we can support you too. 

    Sending a hug, Jo x

     

  • Hi my husband was told he had terminal bowle. Cancer with over 20 liver mets stage 4 that was nearly three years ago after 6 months of chemo they had shrunk enough ti have surgery it has been a long battle but he is still here and fighting so tell your hubby there is lots of hope out there so go for it  he is still a young man so man up and have a go .

  • Sorry to hear this news about your husband's diagnosis. I was diagnosed with bowel cancer 2 years ago. Fortunately for me it was caught at an early stage and I had a hemicolectomy, removal of part of the colon, and beacause it had not spread I did not need chemotherapy. However my friend's son in law was diagnosed and his had spread to his liver, he received chemo and then surgery and is still here 9 years later to tell the tale! Good luck to you and your husband and follow the good advice of those who have been through the journey, thre is light at the end of the tunnel. A good positive mental attitude is key as well.

  • Sorry to hear about your husbands recent diagnosis. It can be very overwhelming and it does take some getting used to. 

    I can only comment from the experience I have witnessed. My father at 63 was diagnosed last April so 11 months ago now. His was stage 4 bowel cancer classed as 'incurable' and it had spread to his lungs and liver. This diagnosis came after a year of going back and forth to the doctors and hospital. He started palliative chemotherapy last May. He'd go once very two weeks for roughly 6 hours. Then it would continue to pump into him at home for a further couple of days. His symptoms were tiredness, feeling weak, gone off of his food and drink, night sweats. These symptoms only kicked in around his 3rd/4th dose of chemo though! Unfortunately the chemo didn't really work and he ended up getting a bowel obstruction at the end of July so he needed an emergency operation to remove 75% of his bowel. He did stabilise from September - December where he didn't need any chemo. But since then it's started to grow again and his recent lot of chemo  (2nd line treatment) has caused a blood clot in his arm which then lead to him having a stroke. He's OK now! There's plenty of positive stories, sorry if I've not been much help but though I'd share my father's bowel cancer journey so far. Each and every person is different and has their own unique case.