Confused

Hi, I've posted a few times and I am still really confused about what my partner and me have been told. My partners bowel cancer was staged at 3 verging on stage 4. The consultant said although no spread shows on scans it was close to being stage 4. We have just seen paperwork stating the stage of 3-4 although it also says no spread . What does that mean.  ? I feel we are going up in a rollercoaster then straight down again.

the cancer was staged at 2. What does that mean? I can only find the description of what that is rather than explanation.

we are both so confused . The consultant said he was having adjuvant chemo and then said that it may not be that as he may and probably will need a further op to remove strands? 
his locum consultant said he may not need an op.

we have no idea if we are coming or going

he also suffered an extravasion on the last round which had meant antibiotics , countless trips to the clinic and doctors and a really hard , red painful arm. 
I hope someone could answer my questions 

thanks

lisa 

 


 

 

  • Hi Lisa. 

    Cancer grade is a scale of 1 to 4 to see how cancer sells look different from healthy ones.

    Eg 1 =sells look relatively normal. 4=cells look completely different.

    Hope that clears that for you. 

    From what I've found out, remember I'm no expert, stage 1to4 is how the cancer has gone from the surface of the bowl (1) to how much its grown into the bowel wall. 

    Hope that helps. 

    Hope i haven't scared you with that info but at least you should have a better idea. 

    Remember keep positive. 

    I have to now my cancer is coming back, count should be 0.0 beginning of year 2.2 last month 65 so now probably over 100 going on new meds soon hopefully to get it down again. 

    Still thinking about those goldfish what a shame yum yum. 

    Remember keep positive. 

    Love Billy xxx 

     

  • Oh billy you are always there for me even though you have enough on your plate. I don't mean my goldfish either!!

    its just stage 3-4 I don't get. It's either 3 or it's 4 .

    ismt it?

    i May have fish today . Seafood down the beach

    yum yum 

    Lisa 

  • Hi Lisa.. 

    No it could have gone slightly more than 3 but not far enough to be 4 it can also depend on who is checking it different people have different ideas.

    . I know it's very difficult and confusing sometimes but try to keep it simple. 

    It's like skin thickness it can vary so depends where it's checked. 

    Love Billy xxx 

  • Thanks Billy. We have just been bumbling aling thinking stage 3 when all along is 4. Consultant said 3. Anyway at the moment they have said hadn't spread so that is the 1  positive to hold on to 

    xx

  • Hi Lisa,

    Lucky you being near sea. Enjoy that seafood!

    Just adding to what Billy says, purpose of staging is to open up treatment options. So if Consultant puts 3-4 you get more options than if he only puts 3. NHS have to justify treatments. So if any doubt where staging is at, then you do better if 4 added in as possibility. 

    Lots of people on forum don't open all posts only ones relevant to them. So best put bowel cancer in title - all you have is Confused.

    Love Sunny xx

  • Hi Lisa,

    Imagine if you are at the beach...Go down near the water. The waves come up.

    You are not in the water, but very close. A wave may touch you. Or not.

    So you are near the border. That area where sand is wet, but not yeat immersed in sea.

    Doctors will treat cancer staged at 3-4 harder than if farther away from the edge.

    But standing by sea where sand has got a bit damp underneath is not the same as being immersed in the sea.

    Love Sunny xx

  • There are more positives Lisa.

    Hubby is having chemo to mop up spread if the wave touches.

    Also not all stage 4 the same. The sea analogy is very good. Easier to treat at edge or in the very shallows, just inches. Cancer won't overwhelm body there. You live while just inches in the water. Not until the waves go over the head and cancer drowns you is there a problem. Got to go a lot deeper. So there is that grey area and then even if you go in the water, in shallows not so bad not like being in and knocked off feet. Not black and white. Please do not panic. Sounds like your consultant said you are still on the beach. But being cautious. Doing everything to make you stay on beach if possible. Even if go in the water not the end! Billy is in the water. Waves not over Billy's head but waves got a bit bigger. So he's getting new beds to stop him from going any deeper in where more danger.

    Love Sunny xx

  • Sunny,

    that's such a good way of explaining it. I've been so good recently but seeing it all and all the confusing grades and stages . Numbers letters all over the place.

    i think the extravasion has thrown us. 
    he's having a pic line in now but not sure If chemo will go ahead as he's got cellulitis.

     

    Thank you sunny. How are you today? It's raining here now so it if reading I think . Glad the sun has gone , far too hot x

  • Hi Lisa,

    It's easy to get confused. All a bit mind-boggling.

    The extravision will have thrown you. Cellulitis is horrible. 

    Why don't you post in Caring for Someone with Cancer or Living with Cancer with title Bowel Cancer - Chemo issues Pic line and cellulitis. Then explain what has been going on and ask if anyone can share or offer support/morale boosting tips. When we get low, that's when the anxiety sets in. You have had a lot going on recently. Tough times for you and hubby.

    It was very hot today. Have had to postpone my run. And swim pools still not open here. Not a single public one!! 
    Love Sunny x