Colorectal Cancer has spread. No cure and no ops, just palliative care. To say we're numb is an understatement. Is anyone in a similar position?

I’m Heather.

Not sure how to adequately put into words!

Had some stomach issues last few weeks of Aug25, thought it constipation and age (53 at the time). Ended up in hospital after an afternoon of vomitting undigested food. Xray came back clear. Back the next day for a CT scan. Blockage & swelling in my bowel (left side) so an emergency op that day - no real time to think.  Tumour, and it got through my bowel wall, so lining of my stomach affected & satellite lesions. 13 lymph nodes taken, 50% positive. Surgery got all visible cancer, no stoma. Chemo followed after recovery from open surgery, 4 cycles of “mop-up”.

Feb26 appt with oncologist, where i mentioned a sore back (thought muscular due to an increased inactivity, and some stomach pain. He brought forward my scan to March. Start of March I was vomiting again. Another CT (thinking bowel). Cancer has spread: my ovaries, my lumbur and my stomach lining again. 

To say we were numb is an understatement. Nothing to cure and no ops. Basically palliative care and maintaining a quality of life.

Anyone else with similar? 

  • Hi Heather i have terminal rectal cancer, have had a stroke and a heart attack so I was unsuitable for surgery, next up was having  a stoma op and then radiotherapy, after this after more scans my oncologist told me the cancer had spread to my liver and there's nothing more to be done for me,  to say I'm shocked is a understatement Getting  my head around it now and am trying to do something everyday, am up and down quite a lot. Take all the help you can get, St barnabas hospice have been great to me.  You are not alone.

    Best wishes

    Tony