Hi Famaauarad,

I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum and I completely understand what you're going through. This week my Dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer that has spread to the liver.

It completely knocked me for six and I found these forums a real comfort. 

Stage 4 is when it has spread to other organs (this was what we were told for my Dad). His next step is to have a choloninc stent (prevent blockage) and see the oncologist to discuss chemo options. They've said it's not fair on him to operate at this stage.
I've been reading good things about how people have pulled through on these chats sites and this is giving me hope. 
It's early days for me and still trying to understand/process it all, but I will say you're not alone and it's good to talk. Keeping positive around your mum is  good too. I'm actually having a sleepover at my parents this weekend (taking the dogs he loves being around them). I'm making the most of my time with them as I don't know what's round the corner. 
Take Care and keep in touch x

Oh no, I am so sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis. It's just so awful isn't it :(

Thank you so much for the information. I have also found this forum comforting. There are a lot of positive stories, I truly hope that my mum and your dad have such a positive outcome. I know people can live for years and years with treatment. My mum is burying her head in the sand a little at the moment, but I am hoping that we will know what we are up against as soon as she's ready. 
 

I will also be spending as much time as possible with my parents. I think it's the best thing we can do right now isn't it. I never fully understood the saying one day at a time until now! It really makes you think.....you just don't know what tomorrow may bring.

Thank you so much for replying to me honestly, it means more than you know. So very kind of you. I hope you enjoy your weekend with your family and I really hope that your dad is in good spirits. 
 

wishing you and your family health and happiness.

xxxxx

Hi Famaauarad,

Thank you and I wish you and your family health and happiness too.

A lady on the Macmillan Community recommended this as a realistic read. I found it helpful so I thought I'd share with you too (you don't have to read it, but if ready to understand more, it's a good start)

bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/.../TreatingAdvancedBowelCancer_BowelCancerUK.pdf

Btw, the lady's mum had the same stage 4 cancer and it's been 12 years since diagnosis!

I would recommend the Macmillan Community too, they have a chat group specific for bowel cancer. 
Sending a hug x

Hi Famaauarad and Clare,

My mum has just received a very similar diagnosis and I'm looking to find a bit more info too, so thank you both for the information you've shared here as it helped me too.

Like you've said, I'm going to use this as an opportunity to spend even more time together and a chance to organise some nice things to do as a family.

Thank you - Poppy

Hi poppy, 

I am so sorry to hear about your mum. Trying to stay positive and also making memories is the most important thing right now. But it's so good to talk. I feel like I don't want to burden my mum with the worries I have, she already has more than enough of her own. So I have found this forum really comforting, I'll always be here if you would like to chat. We are not alone.
 

wishing you and your family health and happiness,

xxx

Thank you Famaauarad, it's so helpful knowing we're not alone and having somewhere to look for information and support.

Hopefully we both have plenty of time with our mums ahead. I'm also here if you need a chat at any point xxx

My friend was diagnosed with the same at 46 and at first they were only going to offer palliative radioy in her rectum. She persisted and was accepted in a chemo trial which helped but the tumours began to grow within a month if it ending. She has started immunotherapy but it's now in her bones and she is starting to have end stage symptoms but she's still here 14 months after diagnosis. I really think it depends on how aggressive the cancer is and how well you respond to treatment x