Secondary liver cancer from the bowel?
Hello
I am a 23 year old male, diagnosed with Duke C bowel cancer in may 2008. I had a proctocolectomy to remove the tumor but it spread to the lymph nodes and a recent ultrasound showed mulitple lesions on my liver.
I am not so concerened whether i live or die but really just how much pain i will experience with or without medicine as i am quite sick to death of hopsitals and am not really happy of the idea of more hospital stays and/or drugs.
thank you
Tagged with: bowel cancer • drugs • duke • hopsitals • lesions • liver • lymph nodes • medicine • proctocolectomy • sick to death • tumor • ultrasound
Filed under: Bowels
This is terrible news and you are far too young to have to deal with it. I am so sorry.
If you have multiple liver lesions surgery is not going to fix it. It sounds as though you understand the prognosis is not good. I know one can only take so much of doctors and hospitals before you are sick of them. You need to talk to your oncologist about your priorities to make sure your goals are the same and discuss your concerns about pain. Not everyone experiences severe pain. Also, be clear about your objections to drugs. What is it that makes you dislike them? Do they make you nauseous? Fuzzy headed? Sleepy? Your doctor can work with you to give you different or a combination of drugs that are better for you, but they need to know what you don’t like about them first. If and when you are ready hospice really is a good idea. When you feel like it look into a few in your area and talk to them about how they would handle your case. Best wishes.
Wow, I am so sorry to hear this. I would talk to the drs and ask for a referral to a liver surgeon to be evaluated. If the cancer is inoperable I would talk to the drs about time and pain management. Consider hospice as it is geared towards pain managment and comfort measures. My thoughts are with you.
Dukes system
Dukes classification, first proposed by Dr Cuthbert E. Dukes in 1932, identifies the stages as:
* A - Tumour confined to the intestinal wall
* B - Tumour invading through the intestinal wall
* C - With lymph node(s) involvement (this is further subdivided into C1 lymph node involvement where the apical node is not involved and C2 where the apical lymph node is involved)
* D - With distant metastasis
Coping and support
A diagnosis of cancer can be extremely challenging. Even when a full recovery is likely, you may worry about a recurrence of the disease. But no matter what your concerns or prognosis, you’re not alone. Here are some strategies and resources that may make dealing with cancer easier:
* Know what to expect. Find out everything you can about your cancer — the type, stage, your treatment options and their side effects. The more you know, the more active you can be in your own care. In addition to talking with your doctor, look for information in your local library and on reliable Web sites on the Internet. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) answers questions from the public. You can reach the NCI at 800-4-CANCER, or 800-422-6237. Or contact the American Cancer Society (ACS) at 800-227-2345.
* Be proactive. Although you may feel tired and discouraged, don’t let others — including your family or your doctor — make important decisions for you. It’s vital that you take an active role in your treatment.
* Maintain a strong support system. Friends and family can be your best allies as you face your cancer diagnosis. They want to help you, so take them up on offers to make meals or provide transportation to and from appointments. Sometimes the concern and understanding of a formal support group or other cancer survivors can offer unique emotional support. Although support groups aren’t for everyone, they can be a good source for practical information. You may also find you develop deep and lasting bonds with people who are going through the same things you are. There are also support groups for the families of cancer survivors.
* Set reasonable goals. Having goals helps you feel in control and can give you a sense of purpose. But don’t choose goals you can’t possibly reach. You may not be able to work a 40-hour week, for example, but you may be able to work at least half time. In fact, many people find that continuing to work can be helpful.
* Take time for yourself. Eating well, relaxing and getting enough rest can help combat the stress and fatigue of cancer. Also, plan ahead for the downtimes when you may need to rest more or limit what you do.
I am sorry you are so young and experiencing this……
I have just had personal family experience with liver cancer so I now know a little more about it.
Lesions on the liver is not good and will not be painful for you until you are close to the end of your life and then it will be a modified pain that will be controlled by your doctors. We just went through this 1 month ago with my MIL after a 1 month diagnosis of Liver Cancer.
When they offer you the pain medication do take it. It will help keep you comfortable and there is no reason in suffering through it. Since you have gone through a portion of this already I am sure you are tired of hospitals and medications.
Chemo is a possibility depending on the amount of lesions and what the doctors see as an outcome. With it in the lymph nodes then it is traveling as my MIL’s did.
One thing you do have to hold onto is the spirit of your family and your friends as well as the ones that will work to help take care of you through what you will endure…..
I wish you all the best through this….it’s going to be a tough road to have to go once again but your spirit and will you can keep strong and that will help you get through this….
~Many Blessings to you…