Husband has terminal cancer.

Hello everyone!

My husband was diagnosed with bowel cancer 28 months ago.  He was originally told that unless they could shrink the bowel tumour he would not be able to have surgery.  Luckily after a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy his cancer had shrunk and he was able to have his bowel, prostate and bladder removed.  We nearly lost him twice but he is a real fighter and pulled through only to find out he had liver cancer. They operated to remove 25% of his liver and his gall bladder.   

Unfortunately the cancer returned and spread to his lungs and he is now having immunotherapy and chemotherapy to try to control the spread of his cancer.  During lockdown his treatment was put on hold and his cancer grew very rapidly.  He has been receiving treatment for the last 4 months but it is beginning to stop working.

Is there anyone out there who is at this stage and can tell me what to expect? 

  • Your husband is definitely one tough cookie Kitty although I'm really sorry to see that the cancer has returned once again and the treatment is no longer working.

    This news must have been very tough to receive after everything you've been through together but you're not alone as many of our members have been in this position and I'm sure some of them will be along soon to share their experiences and advice with you.

    In the meantime if you'd like to have chat with one of our cancer nurses you can contact them on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Wow Kitty, what a roller coaster your on. Cant tell you what to expect as we are not quite in the same boat. My husband had a spine op and they discovered kidney cancer. Removed the affected kidney and was given the all clear. 3 months later it had spread to right hip and right lung. Now in both hips and lung. We were told that it wasn't curable but may be manageable. Havent found treatment that works yet but remain hopeful and think that we have time to try something else. My husband, Andy, has gone down hill rapidly but from the medication not the disease at the moment and looks so poorly. Lockdown really did screw things up for people for a lot of people didnt it. Has anyone given you a prognosis at all for the coming weeks if the treatment isn't beneficial? Adele x

  • Hi Adele

    Thank you for your reply. I havent been on this chat for a few weeks as I found I was getting very upset by everyone's sad stories.  I think you are right to remain hopeful as it is amazing what treatments they have now.  Unfortunately I fear we may be coming to the end of our journey as far as treatments are concerned.  Mark had his scan a couple of weeks ago and we are still waiting for the results.  We should have had them last week but there seems to be a delay.  Luckily for me Mark has been resigned to his fate for a long time now.  He wanted to live long enough to see his second grandchild and she was born on November 5th.  

    Mark has had two years of treatment and I have often found the treatment to be worse that the cancer.  Although, as I said, it has given us so much more time than we would otherwise have had.

    My best wishes to you and Andy - keep fighting.

    Kitty x