Really sorry about your terrible news. I'm not a medic, but know that targeted treatments is available on the NHS for suitable colon cancers. And chemo can, in a few cases, shrink the tumours enough to make surgery an option. But this is looking unlikely in your wife's case. You may also wish to google SIRT. This is also available on the NHS for certain liver metastases. If you are not in a bowel cancer centre of excellence (places like The Christie, or Basingstoke) you may wish to seek a second opinion. My very best wishes. Harry

Hi Jamie, Your oncologist or indeed your GP could organise it. It may be a good idea to ask specifically for a centre of excellence. I mentioned The Christie and Basingstoke. The Royal Surrey Country hospital in Guildford is also a centre of excellence for SIRT, I believe. But remember that I am not a medic.

The good news here is that the metastases are currently confined to the liver. As long as that is the case, there is always some hope, even if it is a long shot. But your GP or oncologist will need to be pro-active, chasing up the relevant institution to make an appointment, and not taking too long about it. It is important that treatment is not unduly delayed while you seek the second opinion. Time is of the essence here.

Thanks Harry will get right on this you have been a great help

Thanks again

Hello Jamie so sad to hear the news about your wife, it is indeed such a shock when you get this news.  My son had a similar situation, he was going to be put forward for the SIRT treatment on the NHS but needed to have more chemo before he could go down to the christie, he had private health insurance and they agreed to pay for the treatment, I dont know if this would be a possibility for your wife.  I am on this site and also MacMillan and although I asked if people had had this treatment and what the outcomes were I did not get any information but that was a year ago so you can ask.  You have to take control and gain as much knowledge as possible and push for the most advanced treatments that are out there.  Love to you and your family.

leslie

Hi Leslie,

Thanks for the response I’m so sorry to here that you and your son are in a similar position to us.

Did your son go on to have the SIRT treatment and was there any benefit?

We are based in Scotland so not sure if we would be able to be transferred to the Christie, however I think the hospital in Edinburgh also offers SIRTS?

She is going to contact her private medical care tomorrow  however I don’t think she has large levels of cover. My work however have been very supportive and have offered to pay medical cost do you have any idea how much the SIRTS treatments costs?

Thanks so much for your help during this horrible time.

Hello Jamie, I think the cost privately was about £30,000 pounds and his health cover provider were willing to fund this.  Unfortunately Jonathan was accepted by the christie clinic for this treatment but became too ill and died last January 2017 aged 35 and ten days.  Everyone has a different journey through this terribel cancer experience and the only thing I would say is explore the options of having second opinions through the private sector as they may have access to treatments not available on the NHS. Wishing you and your family wellxx

leslie

Hi Leslie,

I'm so so sorry that your son Johnathan lost his battle with this terrible disease!

Thank you so much for taking the time to speak to me and give me information, I will definitely explore the second opinion in the private sector.

Lots of love to you and your family as well during this difficult time!

Jamie

Hi Jamie, The Christie often receives referrals from Scotland. No problem there. I don't know anything about Edinburgh.

Leslie, very sorry to hear about your son. My deepest condolences. xx Harry

Hi Jamie, I forgot to say that we are from Aberdeen so there would be no problem as I say the NHS would have referred him but he had to have more chemo and it was not doing anything for him at that time, whereas going through the private route did not require the extra chemo.Thankyou for your kind words.xleslie