Stage iv colon cancer

Hi All.

I am looking for some positivity really. 

My mum was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer that's spread to her liver and maybe her lung in July 2019.

She was rushed in for an emergency Laparotomy in July due to a bowel blockage. She was given a "temporary" Stoma.

It was a very scary time for our family as we did not expect anything like this. My mum was fit and well before all this happened. We had just found out I was pregnant after 2 rounds of IVF with her 1st grandchild. Our whole lives were turned upside down.

Mum was given a Picc Line and started treatment (Folfox and Panitumumab) in October. A week later she had a blood clott in her Picc are so we went to our nearest A&E and they insisted the Picc was removed! We know now that was incorrect but how can you tell a Dr how to do his job!?

Mum missed 2 lots of chemo because of this and had to wait for a space for another picc or Hickman to be fitted. She had Chemo "the old fashioned way" with a 3 night stay in Hospital.

Then, she suffered a burst abses in her tummy from the scar of the Laparotamy performed in July! Shes recovering well and wound is healing nicely. She had to miss another 2 lots of chemo though!!

Shes had another Picc fitted into her left arm and started Chemo again tomorrow! :)

I feel like weve had nothing but obstacles since July and all this missed Chemo is worrying me. Were not sure how bad her cancer is, if its getting worse etc as Mum doesnt want to know until she has her 6 rounds and then a scan. 

I see her getting poorly one day and the next shes like my Mum again.

I know stage Iv cancer is incurable but I want more than anything for Mum to be here for another few years yet.

Any positive stories or words of wisdom welcome. 

Finding this all too much atm and baby due in January. Never in a million years would I of thought our family would have to deal with this!!! 

 

  • Hi Agf1988,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. I'm so sorry to read about what you're all going through at the moment - this certainly sounds like a difficult situation and I hope you're geting on OK.

    There have been a lot of obstacles along the way and hopefully now things settle down in terms of the treatment process for your Mum.

    Since she doesn't want to know until the scan, ultimately there's nothing to be done in the meantime apart from trying to take one day at a time, which I know is cliched. I'm sure it's incredibly hard seeing her go through this so just do what you can to support her but ultimately you need support too especially with your baby due soon (congratulations on that!).

    Keep talking to others and hopefully you have some support around you. We're always here for you on this forum too if you ever want to talk about things or simply to write down your thoughts or worries.

    You might find it helpful to browse the forum to talk to others or perhaps to find any others in similar situations.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi, my husband has also been diagnosed with the same cancer. I am wondering how your mum is getting on now? my husband is on intensive care and I am worried so much