Hi All,

I was diagnosed about 10 months ago with stage 4 cancer that had started in my bowel but spread to liver and lungs. When I asked my consultant how long I might have he said 'months, maybe into years but not multiple years'

That's where the bad news ends :)

They put me on an infusion of Oxaliplatin every three weeks, followed by two weeks of Capecitabine tablets. A little while later my two sons asked if there was any other, possibly non-NHS, treatment and we were told about Avastin. It's very expensive but my boys said they'd fund it as they wanted their children to know their grandfather - I've got 5 wonderful grandchildren, two brilliant sons and a very supportive wife.

Well, the treatment went pretty well with just a few side effects until my fingers went numb/pins & needly (if they're numb, how come you can feel them !) and my feet were especially uncomfortable although not often really painful. My consultant thought the feet and fingers could be caused by the Oxaliplatin and took me off it but those symptoms still exist, but may be slowly improving.

I have a very upbeat and positive attitude to my cancer (I call it the damn triffid inside me !)  and am happy to talk, and even joke, about it all. I could have had just a few months left, but here I am after nearly a year and I'm still enjoying life :). I'm determined to do all I can to make it many years and I would encourage everyone who suffers from this dreadful disease to try and be as positive as possible about it - I'm sure it helps.

Good luck to everyone on here :)

Cheers

Julian