Hi all,

Just a quick update for anyone that stumbles across this discussion thread.  Looking above, I last posted in April 2022 just after my liver and right lung operations. I'd just had a CT scan; the results  which came later initially gave us a bit of a scare, but without going into detail, it turned out to be my body getting back to normal (whatever that is) following the surgery.

So we seized the moment and were fortunate to be able to have a lovely summer holiday.

I have had two further CT scans since then and both have been completely clear :-)

My next scan will be at the end of this month, but i feel well, so hoping for continued good news.

I still have the ileostomy and to be honest that does get me down from time to time, but i have to remind myself that if i hadn't had that done, I'd probably be dead by now.

So i say again, anyone that has been diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancel (as i was), please don't give up. When i was first diagnosed in June 2020 it was pretty grim - 'incureable and untreatable', but here i am, still here and still planning to be one of the ones that make it.  

Big hug,

Andy

Hi Andy

What fantastic news to get just before the weekend, you have made my day. I know how it feels when you get the all clear. Good luck with your next scan, my 5 year scan will be in May (always get scansiety when it's due) but I am always the optimist as you are.

Take care and best wishes

Big hug

Denise

Hi Andy and Denise, just wanted to say I'm taking so much hope from both your stories! My husband was diagnosed with secondary bowel cancer last month. He is in for his bowel opp tomorrow and then we wait and see what the next steps are. He also has 2 liver mets one 6mm and one 9mm in segments 7 and 4a - apparently both towards the top. The PET scan hasn't showed up anything else so have to take the positive in that! From everything I read it feels like the only cure is liver surgery but that location of the mets has to allow for this and also if they are too small they won't be able to operate - blows my mind! I just wondered if you could tell me anymore about the size and location of your mets. I'm currently pregnant with our first, longed for IVF baby and this all just feels so unfair. My husband is only 40. It's scary but trying to keep positive and up beat like both of you! 

Hi Andy and Denise, just wanted to say I'm taking so much hope from both your stories! My husband was diagnosed with secondary bowel cancer last month. He is in for his bowel opp tomorrow and then we wait and see what the next steps are. He also has 2 liver mets one 6mm and one 9mm in segments 7 and 4a - apparently both towards the top. The PET scan hasn't showed up anything else so have to take the positive in that! From everything I read it feels like the only cure is liver surgery but that location of the mets has to allow for this and also if they are too small they won't be able to operate - blows my mind!

Hi Lexi

So sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis. I hope his op goes well tomorrow. I had 3/4 of my liver removed in 2 ops 2 weeks apart in May 2018. The liver is an amazing organ, it regenerates itself. I won't say it was an easy ride but it can be done. Im sure Andy would agree.

You both have an amazing reason to keep going, as you soon will have a little person in your family. What lovely news. !!

Best wishes to you all and please keep me updated as to your husband's progress. 

I am always here if you need to talk.

Denise

Thanks. The bowel opp went according to plan yesterday and he is in good spirits today - he always is. So positive! I'm so proud of him. How long did you take to recover from the bowel opp? Did they tell you about any nodes they took away after the surgery? Our surgeon hasn't told us much at all. I think it gets sent away for a biopsy and then we hear? We also need to hear from liver team what there plans are - I hate the waiting! Do you remember what section of your liver and what size hour tumour(s) were? Sorry for all the questions. I know each cancer is individual to the person but I suppose looking for positive stories keeps me more positive! Thanks x

Hi Lexi

I'm so glad to hear the op went well and that he is in good spirits. I took about 6 weeks for me to recover fully before I started chemo. The removed 35 lymph nodes 8 of which were cancerous. You are right it will get sent away for biopsy, always ask them to send you copies of the letters and the outcome of his appointments and operations. I don't know what size my tumours were on my liver, all I know is that I had 3 Lesions on one side of my liver and one on the other side, hence they removed 3/4 of my liver in a two stage operation. I am due for my 5 year scan this May and so far there has been no evidence of disease. So it can be done, I have done it and so can your husband. Please take some comfort from my story.

Good luck and please keep me informed as to his progress

Denise

Thanks so much. We have an update in that they plan to give him chemo after he recovers from his opp. I was hoping they would tackle the liver with surgery first and reading that to be a bad sign but maybe not? Did you have bowel opp, chemo and then liver surgery then? How long was your chemo? Thanks 

I had my bowel op on 20th November 2018 then started 4 rounds of chemo in the January, I then had my liver ops in May and 2 weeks later in June, then I did another 4 rounds of chemo just to be sure they got it all. Hope that helps.