Bowel, liver & lung cancer

Hi,

I am diabetic and have blood tests done every 3 months. The last 2
tests showed a reduced Fe level in the blood. To find out the cause I
have done a colonoscopy, CT scan and a PET scan in last 2 weeks.

The Oncologist told me that there was a bleeding polyp almost blocking
the bowel, tumours on the liver and a small tumour on the lung. He
said that to operate on the bowel would delay the chemotherapy for too
long so he proposed 3 actions:-

1. insert a stent in the bowel polyp to keep the bowel open,
2. start the FOLFOX 4 (modified) chemotherapy, and
3. see if he could get me into a trial that would allow him to inject
radioactive material and small plastic beads directly into liver tumours
- the beads to restrict blood flow into the tumours and the radioactive
material to kill off the tumour.

He told me that I would have another CT scan after 3 cycles of the
chemotherapy to measure what affect the treatment was having.

He told me that life expectancy was only a few months if no treatment
was undertaken. He didn't give me a figure if treatment is undertaken
but reading about the treatment on the web indicates that there is a 10%
chance of exceeding 5 years.

What amazes me is that I feel well and yet if I don't undertake the
treatment I have only a few months left. If I didn't have regular
blood tests to check on the diabetes I would not have known I had a
problem.

I understand that the chemotherapy will make me feel very sick. I am
wondering if it is worth enduring the sickness due to the chemo and
living against not doing the chemotherapy and living a shorter but
happier life.

I would appreciate any feedback on the disease and the decision re
chemotherapy.
--

Cheers . . . JC

JC wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I am diabetic and have blood tests done every 3 months. The last 2
> tests showed a reduced Fe level in the blood. To find out the cause I
> have done a colonoscopy, CT scan and a PET scan in last 2 weeks.
>
> The Oncologist told me that there was a bleeding polyp almost blocking
> the bowel, tumours on the liver and a small tumour on the lung. He
> said that to operate on the bowel would delay the chemotherapy for too
> long so he proposed 3 actions:-
>
> 1. insert a stent in the bowel polyp to keep the bowel open,
> 2. start the FOLFOX 4 (modified) chemotherapy, and
> 3. see if he could get me into a trial that would allow him to inject
> radioactive material and small plastic beads directly into liver tumours
> - the beads to restrict blood flow into the tumours and the radioactive
> material to kill off the tumour.
>
> He told me that I would have another CT scan after 3 cycles of the
> chemotherapy to measure what affect the treatment was having.
>
> He told me that life expectancy was only a few months if no treatment
> was undertaken. He didn't give me a figure if treatment is undertaken
> but reading about the treatment on the web indicates that there is a 10%
> chance of exceeding 5 years.
>
> What amazes me is that I feel well and yet if I don't undertake the
> treatment I have only a few months left. If I didn't have regular
> blood tests to check on the diabetes I would not have known I had a
> problem.
>
> I understand that the chemotherapy will make me feel very sick. I am
> wondering if it is worth enduring the sickness due to the chemo and
> living against not doing the chemotherapy and living a shorter but
> happier life.
>
> I would appreciate any feedback on the disease and the decision re
> chemotherapy.

Hello JC,
I'm sorry to hear about your cancer.
It sounds like you're in UK? (caling it "bowel" and signing your posts with
"Cheers")
Your cancer is advanced, as you realize.
I''d want the polyp removed for 2 reasons: stop the bleeding to prevent
anemia and get the grading (Grade).
That should tell an experienced oncologist which chemo to use.
Is there a reason (or reasons) you can't have the polyp removed?

I'm sorry for the questions, but I'd like to have these informations in
order to understand the situation better and look up the UK, if applicable,
chemos (approved by Nice).
Thanks
J

On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 04:44:17 -0500, J <nswex@nalid;no> wrote:

>JC wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I am diabetic and have blood tests done every 3 months. The last 2
>> tests showed a reduced Fe level in the blood. To find out the cause I
>> have done a colonoscopy, CT scan and a PET scan in last 2 weeks.
>>
>> The Oncologist told me that there was a bleeding polyp almost blocking
>> the bowel, tumours on the liver and a small tumour on the lung. He
>> said that to operate on the bowel would delay the chemotherapy for too
>> long so he proposed 3 actions:-
>>
>> 1. insert a stent in the bowel polyp to keep the bowel open,
>> 2. start the FOLFOX 4 (modified) chemotherapy, and
>> 3. see if he could get me into a trial that would allow him to inject
>> radioactive material and small plastic beads directly into liver tumours
>> - the beads to restrict blood flow into the tumours and the radioactive
>> material to kill off the tumour.
>>
>> He told me that I would have another CT scan after 3 cycles of the
>> chemotherapy to measure what affect the treatment was having.
>>
>> He told me that life expectancy was only a few months if no treatment
>> was undertaken. He didn't give me a figure if treatment is undertaken
>> but reading about the treatment on the web indicates that there is a 10%
>> chance of exceeding 5 years.
>>
>> What amazes me is that I feel well and yet if I don't undertake the
>> treatment I have only a few months left. If I didn't have regular
>> blood tests to check on the diabetes I would not have known I had a
>> problem.
>>
>> I understand that the chemotherapy will make me feel very sick. I am
>> wondering if it is worth enduring the sickness due to the chemo and
>> living against not doing the chemotherapy and living a shorter but
>> happier life.
>>
>> I would appreciate any feedback on the disease and the decision re
>> chemotherapy.
>
>Hello JC,
>I'm sorry to hear about your cancer.
>It sounds like you're in UK? (caling it "bowel" and signing your posts with
>"Cheers")
>Your cancer is advanced, as you realize.
>I''d want the polyp removed for 2 reasons: stop the bleeding to prevent
>anemia and get the grading (Grade).
>That should tell an experienced oncologist which chemo to use.
>Is there a reason (or reasons) you can't have the polyp removed?
>
>I'm sorry for the questions, but I'd like to have these informations in
>order to understand the situation better and look up the UK, if applicable,
>chemos (approved by Nice).
>Thanks

Hi J,

I am in Australia.

I intend asking about how to stop the bleeding when the stent is
installed. I should be talking with the Oncologist in on Tuesday.

I gather that the stent is a quick fix to the blockage so that the doc
can get on with the chemo ASAP as operating to remove the section of
bowel containing the polyp and the affected lymph nodes would mean 5
days in hospital and a 4 week recovery period during which the chemo
couldn't be done.

I gather that he would operate on the polyp and the other tumours after
the chemo has shrunk them somewhat.

I am not sure what you mean when you said that "to get the grading
(Grade)" was a reason to remove the polyp. What is this grading?
--

Cheers . . . JC

JC <jc@invalid.net> wrote in news:ep2pt3t1ddbdbr48d4a9snlh0dr8raht5n@
4ax.com:

> Hi,
>
> I am diabetic and have blood tests done every 3 months. The last 2
> tests showed a reduced Fe level in the blood. To find out the cause I
> have done a colonoscopy, CT scan and a PET scan in last 2 weeks.
>
> The Oncologist told me that there was a bleeding polyp almost blocking
> the bowel, tumours on the liver and a small tumour on the lung. He
> said that to operate on the bowel would delay the chemotherapy for too
> long so he proposed 3 actions:-
>
> 1. insert a stent in the bowel polyp to keep the bowel open,
> 2. start the FOLFOX 4 (modified) chemotherapy, and
> 3. see if he could get me into a trial that would allow him to
inject
> radioactive material and small plastic beads directly into liver
tumours
> - the beads to restrict blood flow into the tumours and the
radioactive
> material to kill off the tumour.
>
> He told me that I would have another CT scan after 3 cycles of the
> chemotherapy to measure what affect the treatment was having.
>
> He told me that life expectancy was only a few months if no treatment
> was undertaken. He didn't give me a figure if treatment is
undertaken
> but reading about the treatment on the web indicates that there is a
10%
> chance of exceeding 5 years.
>
> What amazes me is that I feel well and yet if I don't undertake the
> treatment I have only a few months left. If I didn't have regular
> blood tests to check on the diabetes I would not have known I had a
> problem.
>
> I understand that the chemotherapy will make me feel very sick. I am
> wondering if it is worth enduring the sickness due to the chemo and
> living against not doing the chemotherapy and living a shorter but
> happier life.
>
> I would appreciate any feedback on the disease and the decision re
> chemotherapy.

Hi, JC,

I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis but glad to hear there are
things they can do for you.

Re chemo: From what I've seen myself & read here, different people
tolerate the same drug regimines quite differently. Steph, the
oncologist here, says that unless cure is possible, its purpose is to
increase comfort. In your case, reading forward, it looks like it could
shrink the polyops to make the surgery possible/more successful. Sounds
to me like worth considering.

My husband usually had a 'bed day' the 2nd day following chemo, needed
sleep & felt fluish. The rest of the time, he functioned quite well
with an afternoon nap. He had full days & evenings/nights most of the
time. We just learned to plan around that day. Once we flew overseas,
doing the flying the day after chemo & planned a rest day the one after
arriving. Worked well. His nausea was almost entirely controlled by
the anti-nausea cancer pills & ginger. Other people have a more
dificult time with chemo.

If I were you, I would give the chemo a try. If you have any problems
with tolerance, talk to the docs about whether adjustments can be made,
either to the dosage, drug or timing. Their monitoring sounds reasonable
& consistant to what my husband & others here had.

My husband's onc told him he had 6 months without chemo & with they
could probably double or even triple that. From what I've read since,
chemo by itself is not life-prolonging for most cancers, including his,
so I do not know what the onc meant. Surgery adds a whole new
dimension, so your case is different & hopeful.

From Google, you can research posts to alt.support.cancer by key word or
words. You do an advanced search. If you want instructions, we will be
happy to provide. You will find interesting reading there from many
posters at the time they were undergoing certain treatments. You can
also search on key words relating to your diagnosis & the drugs they
plan to use.

Please post back with any questions/concerns/thoughts. Many find this a
great place to vent, which is surely acceptable too.

Wishing you well,
Fig

JC wrote:

> On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 04:44:17 -0500, J <nswex@nalid;no> wrote:
>
> >JC wrote:
> >
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> I am diabetic and have blood tests done every 3 months. The last 2
> >> tests showed a reduced Fe level in the blood. To find out the cause I
> >> have done a colonoscopy, CT scan and a PET scan in last 2 weeks.
> >>
> >> The Oncologist told me that there was a bleeding polyp almost blocking
> >> the bowel, tumours on the liver and a small tumour on the lung. He
> >> said that to operate on the bowel would delay the chemotherapy for too
> >> long so he proposed 3 actions:-
> >>
> >> 1. insert a stent in the bowel polyp to keep the bowel open,
> >> 2. start the FOLFOX 4 (modified) chemotherapy, and
> >> 3. see if he could get me into a trial that would allow him to inject
> >> radioactive material and small plastic beads directly into liver tumours
> >> - the beads to restrict blood flow into the tumours and the radioactive
> >> material to kill off the tumour.
> >>
> >> He told me that I would have another CT scan after 3 cycles of the
> >> chemotherapy to measure what affect the treatment was having.
> >>
> >> He told me that life expectancy was only a few months if no treatment
> >> was undertaken. He didn't give me a figure if treatment is undertaken
> >> but reading about the treatment on the web indicates that there is a 10%
> >> chance of exceeding 5 years.
> >>
> >> What amazes me is that I feel well and yet if I don't undertake the
> >> treatment I have only a few months left. If I didn't have regular
> >> blood tests to check on the diabetes I would not have known I had a
> >> problem.
> >>
> >> I understand that the chemotherapy will make me feel very sick. I am
> >> wondering if it is worth enduring the sickness due to the chemo and
> >> living against not doing the chemotherapy and living a shorter but
> >> happier life.
> >>
> >> I would appreciate any feedback on the disease and the decision re
> >> chemotherapy.
> >
> >Hello JC,
> >I'm sorry to hear about your cancer.
> >It sounds like you're in UK?

> I am in Australia.
>
> I intend asking about how to stop the bleeding when the stent is
> installed. I should be talking with the Oncologist in on Tuesday.
>
> I gather that the stent is a quick fix to the blockage so that the doc
> can get on with the chemo ASAP as operating to remove the section of
> bowel containing the polyp and the affected lymph nodes would mean 5
> days in hospital and a 4 week recovery period during which the chemo
> couldn't be done.
>
> I gather that he would operate on the polyp and the other tumours after
> the chemo has shrunk them somewhat.
>
> I am not sure what you mean when you said that "to get the grading
> (Grade)" was a reason to remove the polyp. What is this grading?

Thanks for clarifying Australia, JC.
The grading is explained here as follows:
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=96
"You may hear your doctor talk about the 'grade' of your cancer. This means how
well developed or mature the cell looks under a microscope. The more the cancer
cell looks like a normal cell, the more it will behave like one

* The more normal a cancer cell looks, the lower its grade
* The more abnormal or less well developed a cancer cell is, the higher its
grade

Your doctor may call this 'differentiation'. Cells can be well differentiated,
moderately differentiated, or poorly differentiated. This is the same as low,
medium or high grade. Other doctors may talk about grades 1, 2, or 3, where
grade 1 is low grade.

Although there are many different ways of talking about this, it all comes down
to the same thing. A low grade cancer is likely to be less aggressive in its
behaviour than a high grade one. Doctors cannot be certain how the cells will
behave. But grade is a useful indicator. Grade is one of the factors doctors
use to decide on treatment with some types of cancer." [end quote from webpage]
If they biopsied your polyp, they may have it already.

Stents can be palliative as well (left in, if the person is not expected to live
long, to help things flow), so you'll have to sort out whether surgery is
planned (or not) for the bowel and what he intends to have done about the
bleeding.

I was concerned about the possibility of chemo caused anemia. Combined with the
bleeding, can cause more fatigue and breathing problems. Neoadjuvant chemo
(before surgery) seems to be a newer method of doing things. I see his point as
well.

As Fig mentioned pretreatment can help negate side effects. He'll, no doubt,
tell you the most frequently expected side effects. I think that FOLFOX is
called de Gramont - side effects are shown here
<
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Treat...imen/deGramont
>
Ignore the cycles there; yours might be different; and then the side effects may
be different as well, so really he's the best person to get these questions
answered, but it gives you an idea, in case the cycles are the same and/or what
questions to ask.

Is the tumor higher up or in the small bowel? I suppose I should have asked you
that first.

I'll see if i can find the clinical trial you've mentioned.

I'm not a doctor (obviously), but like the others here, wish you all my best and
hope that our posts help you know what questions to ask.

As Fig says, post anytime. Vents (getting thoughts and frustrations off your
chest) are okay as well.
I'll be back later after looking through clinical trials.
Best,
J

On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 14:59:11 -0500, J <nswex@nalid;no> wrote:

>JC wrote:
>

>> I am not sure what you mean when you said that "to get the grading
>> (Grade)" was a reason to remove the polyp. What is this grading?
>
>Thanks for clarifying Australia, JC.
>The grading is explained here as follows:
>http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=96
>"You may hear your doctor talk about the 'grade' of your cancer. This means how
>well developed or mature the cell looks under a microscope. The more the cancer
>cell looks like a normal cell, the more it will behave like one
>
> * The more normal a cancer cell looks, the lower its grade
> * The more abnormal or less well developed a cancer cell is, the higher its
>grade
>
>Your doctor may call this 'differentiation'. Cells can be well differentiated,
>moderately differentiated, or poorly differentiated. This is the same as low,
>medium or high grade. Other doctors may talk about grades 1, 2, or 3, where
>grade 1 is low grade.
>
>Although there are many different ways of talking about this, it all comes down
>to the same thing. A low grade cancer is likely to be less aggressive in its
>behaviour than a high grade one. Doctors cannot be certain how the cells will
>behave. But grade is a useful indicator. Grade is one of the factors doctors
>use to decide on treatment with some types of cancer." [end quote from webpage]
>If they biopsied your polyp, they may have it already.
>
>Stents can be palliative as well (left in, if the person is not expected to live
>long, to help things flow), so you'll have to sort out whether surgery is
>planned (or not) for the bowel and what he intends to have done about the
>bleeding.
>
>I was concerned about the possibility of chemo caused anemia. Combined with the
>bleeding, can cause more fatigue and breathing problems. Neoadjuvant chemo
>(before surgery) seems to be a newer method of doing things. I see his point as
>well.
>
>As Fig mentioned pretreatment can help negate side effects. He'll, no doubt,
>tell you the most frequently expected side effects. I think that FOLFOX is
>called de Gramont - side effects are shown here
><
>http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Treat...imen/deGramont
>>
>Ignore the cycles there; yours might be different; and then the side effects may
>be different as well, so really he's the best person to get these questions
>answered, but it gives you an idea, in case the cycles are the same and/or what
>questions to ask.
>
>Is the tumor higher up or in the small bowel? I suppose I should have asked you
>that first.
>
>I'll see if i can find the clinical trial you've mentioned.
>
>I'm not a doctor (obviously), but like the others here, wish you all my best and
>hope that our posts help you know what questions to ask.
>
>As Fig says, post anytime. Vents (getting thoughts and frustrations off your
>chest) are okay as well.
>I'll be back later after looking through clinical trials.
>Best,

Hi J

Thanks for explaining the grading. I will have to ask the Oncologist
what the grading is on the bowel polyp.

The bowel polyp is only about 150mm from the end of the bowel. It is
blocking the bowel so much that they couldn't get the camera past it.

The paperwork about the FOLFOX chemo treatment that I was given says the
following:-

Day 1: inject drugs including Oxaliplatin, Fluorouracil and Leucovorin.
I will be connected to a pump that injects the drug Fluorouracil slowly
over 2 days.
Day 3: Pump is disconnected and I receive a second dose of Fluorouracil
and Leucovorin.

This treatment is repeated every 2 weeks.
--

Cheers . . . JC

On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:56:19 -0000, Figgertoes <agent01413@my-deja.com>
wrote:


>If I were you, I would give the chemo a try. If you have any problems
>with tolerance, talk to the docs about whether adjustments can be made,
>either to the dosage, drug or timing. Their monitoring sounds reasonable
>& consistant to what my husband & others here had.
>

Hi Fig,

Thanks for the info on the effects of chemo.

I have decided that I will give the chemo a go and also do some of the
holistic stuff as well. My Oncologist was happy for me to do the
holistic stuff as that would only help keep the body going.
--

Cheers . . . JC

J wrote:

> I'll see if i can find the clinical trial you've mentioned.
>
> I'll be back later after looking through clinical trials.

Hi JC
There's so many names for the seeds, I can to expand the search string, then include
Australia .
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/result...%2Ftherasphere

Shows 48 studies but some are primary liver or other cancers and some aren't even
cancer.

So the ones that are metastatic are as follows.

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00604409
Recruiting Phase I Study of Capecitabine in Combination With SIR-Spheres in
Patients With Advanced Cancer
Condition: Metastatic Liver Cancer
Interventions: Device: Sir-Spheres; Drug: Capecitabine
Probably not that one

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00199173
Recruiting Comparing Hepatic Intra-Arterial Injection of Yttrium-90 Microspheres
Versus Fluorouracil (5FU) in Colorectal Cancer Metastatic to the Liver Only
Conditions: Colorectal Neoplasm; Liver Metastases
Intervention: Device: SIR Spheres intra-arterial hepatic
Possible

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00511862
Recruiting TheraSphere for the Treatment of Liver Metastases
Conditions: Colorectal Cancer; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine; Neoplasm Metastasis
Intervention: Device: Yttrium 90 glass microspheres
Possible

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00493883
Recruiting Use of TheraSphere® Yttrium-90 Glass Microspheres for Primary and
Metastatic Liver Tumors
Conditions: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms
Intervention: Device: yttrium Y 90 microspheres (TheraSphere®)

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00532740
Recruiting Radiolabeled Glass Beads in Treating Patients With Metastatic Liver
Cancer That Cannot Be Removed by Surgery
Conditions: Liver Cancer; Metastatic Cancer
Interventions: Drug: yttrium Y 90 glass microspheres; Procedure: brachytherapy;
Procedure: intrahepatic infusion procedure; Procedure: radioisotope therapy
Possible

I'll look through them as soon as I can.
In haste,
J

JC <jc@invalid.net> wrote in news:b01rt3htuf86g2oe5f434458nk0q9fu2dq@
4ax.com:

> On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:56:19 -0000, Figgertoes <agent01413@my-
deja.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>>If I were you, I would give the chemo a try. If you have any problems
>>with tolerance, talk to the docs about whether adjustments can be
made,
>>either to the dosage, drug or timing. Their monitoring sounds
reasonable
>>& consistant to what my husband & others here had.
>>
>
> Hi Fig,
>
> Thanks for the info on the effects of chemo.
>
> I have decided that I will give the chemo a go and also do some of the
> holistic stuff as well. My Oncologist was happy for me to do the
> holistic stuff as that would only help keep the body going.

JC,

Glad to hear you are giving it a go. Please keep us in the loop when
you feel like posting.

Just make sure the docs know exactly what you are taking. My husband,
known as Socks here, was told not to take mega-vitamin anti-oxident
pills during chemo as they could interfere with the chemo. All foods
were OK, Milk thistle was OK. All foods were OK, including blueberries
& other healthy things. There are many out there who will try to sell
you 'natural cures' & 'holistic potions & treatments.' We see a lot of
that here on newsgroup. If you are tempted by any of that stuff, please
run it by us here. It's quite sad that they prey on cancer patients,
but prey they do.

Take good care,
Fig

On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:20:35 -0500, J <nswex@nalid;no> wrote:

>J wrote:
>
>> I'll see if i can find the clinical trial you've mentioned.
>>
>> I'll be back later after looking through clinical trials.
>
>Hi JC
>There's so many names for the seeds, I can to expand the search string, then include
>Australia .
>http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/result...%2Ftherasphere
>
>Shows 48 studies but some are primary liver or other cancers and some aren't even
>cancer.
>
>So the ones that are metastatic are as follows.
>
>http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00604409
> Recruiting Phase I Study of Capecitabine in Combination With SIR-Spheres in
>Patients With Advanced Cancer
>Condition: Metastatic Liver Cancer
>Interventions: Device: Sir-Spheres; Drug: Capecitabine
>Probably not that one

It is probably this one - the page of notes written by the doc when we
first met mentioned SIR spheres however there was no mention of the
drug.

>http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00199173
> Recruiting Comparing Hepatic Intra-Arterial Injection of Yttrium-90 Microspheres
>Versus Fluorouracil (5FU) in Colorectal Cancer Metastatic to the Liver Only
>Conditions: Colorectal Neoplasm; Liver Metastases
>Intervention: Device: SIR Spheres intra-arterial hepatic
>Possible

The notes mention direct injection into the tumour rather than
intra-arterial.

>http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00511862
> Recruiting TheraSphere for the Treatment of Liver Metastases
>Conditions: Colorectal Cancer; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine; Neoplasm Metastasis
>Intervention: Device: Yttrium 90 glass microspheres
>Possible
>
>http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00493883
>Recruiting Use of TheraSphere® Yttrium-90 Glass Microspheres for Primary and
>Metastatic Liver Tumors
>Conditions: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms
>Intervention: Device: yttrium Y 90 microspheres (TheraSphere®)
>
>http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00532740
> Recruiting Radiolabeled Glass Beads in Treating Patients With Metastatic Liver
>Cancer That Cannot Be Removed by Surgery
>Conditions: Liver Cancer; Metastatic Cancer
>Interventions: Drug: yttrium Y 90 glass microspheres; Procedure: brachytherapy;
>Procedure: intrahepatic infusion procedure; Procedure: radioisotope therapy
>Possible

Probably not these three - the doc mentioned plastic spheres.

>I'll look through them as soon as I can.
>In haste,
>J

Many thanks for your assistance and knowledge.
--

Cheers . . . JC

JC wrote:

> On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:20:35 -0500, J <nswex@nalid;no> wrote:
>
> >J wrote:
> >
> >> I'll see if i can find the clinical trial you've mentioned.
> >>
> >> I'll be back later after looking through clinical trials.
> >
> >Hi JC
> >There's so many names for the seeds, I can to expand the search string, then include
> >Australia .
> >http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/result...%2Ftherasphere
> >
> >Shows 48 studies but some are primary liver or other cancers and some aren't even
> >cancer.
> >
> >So the ones that are metastatic are as follows.
> >
> >http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00604409
> > Recruiting Phase I Study of Capecitabine in Combination With SIR-Spheres in
> >Patients With Advanced Cancer
> >Condition: Metastatic Liver Cancer
> >Interventions: Device: Sir-Spheres; Drug: Capecitabine
> >Probably not that one
>
> It is probably this one - the page of notes written by the doc when we
> first met mentioned SIR spheres however there was no mention of the
> drug.
>
> >http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00199173
> > Recruiting Comparing Hepatic Intra-Arterial Injection of Yttrium-90 Microspheres
> >Versus Fluorouracil (5FU) in Colorectal Cancer Metastatic to the Liver Only
> >Conditions: Colorectal Neoplasm; Liver Metastases
> >Intervention: Device: SIR Spheres intra-arterial hepatic
> >Possible
>
> The notes mention direct injection into the tumour rather than
> intra-arterial.
>
> >http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00511862
> > Recruiting TheraSphere for the Treatment of Liver Metastases
> >Conditions: Colorectal Cancer; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine; Neoplasm Metastasis
> >Intervention: Device: Yttrium 90 glass microspheres
> >Possible
> >
> >http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00493883
> >Recruiting Use of TheraSphere® Yttrium-90 Glass Microspheres for Primary and
> >Metastatic Liver Tumors
> >Conditions: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms
> >Intervention: Device: yttrium Y 90 microspheres (TheraSphere®)
> >
> >http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00532740
> > Recruiting Radiolabeled Glass Beads in Treating Patients With Metastatic Liver
> >Cancer That Cannot Be Removed by Surgery
> >Conditions: Liver Cancer; Metastatic Cancer
> >Interventions: Drug: yttrium Y 90 glass microspheres; Procedure: brachytherapy;
> >Procedure: intrahepatic infusion procedure; Procedure: radioisotope therapy
> >Possible
>
> Probably not these three - the doc mentioned plastic spheres.

I'm sorry to tell you that none of those are in Australia.

So I searrched the same place, but just with "open" (meaning recruiting), Australia and cancer
and waded through 6 pages of search results. They are in Australia but not the one you're referring to
I also checked the following;
http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/ which seems to be NSW
and
http://www.ctc.usyd.edu.au/trials/ca...intestinal.htm National Clinical Trials Registry, NHMRC

Those are listed in this ADobe file ((2 pages only for those with slow connection).
http://www.cancersa.org.au/cms_resou...heinternet.pdf

Today's our monday, when's your Tuesday?
I may be out of town today, so not much time for searching.
Many, not all of the others, are search at each hospital.

Jacques, Australia, had trouble with 2 oncologists re; clinical trials.
I could be wrong, but if I recall correctly, the ones mentioned to him did not fit his situation.
So i don't know if they're pulling what I call 'bait and switch" or if we're not looking in the right places
or he's working on getting the trial to the hospital or ones funded by companies aren't listed on the
internet.

if you feel well enough, you could try searching the other places in that Adobe.
And/or print up that one you think it is and ask him for the equivalent form for the trial he mentioned to
you.
And if he can't produce, ask him why not ? Or we can keep searching after your appointment.

If you do search, look at the other trials as well.
You haven't mentioned how long for the FOLFox 4
Perhaps it'll be until you can't tolerate it any longer; then switch you to a clinical trial.
So know what's available..

Sorry I couldn't help fast enough
j

On Mon, 17 Mar 2008 03:10:44 -0500, J <nswex@nalid;no> wrote:

>JC wrote:
>

>Today's our monday, when's your Tuesday?

It's still Monday here. Sydney, New South Wales, where I live, is
currently 11 hours ahead of GMT but that will change back to 10 hours
ahead of GMT at the end of this month when the Daylight Saving ends.

>I may be out of town today, so not much time for searching.
>Many, not all of the others, are search at each hospital.

You've done heaps already. Time for a rest.

>Jacques, Australia, had trouble with 2 oncologists re; clinical trials.
>I could be wrong, but if I recall correctly, the ones mentioned to him did not fit his situation.
>So i don't know if they're pulling what I call 'bait and switch" or if we're not looking in the right places
>or he's working on getting the trial to the hospital or ones funded by companies aren't listed on the
>internet.
>
>if you feel well enough, you could try searching the other places in that Adobe.

I'll have a look.

>And/or print up that one you think it is and ask him for the equivalent form for the trial he mentioned to
>you.
>And if he can't produce, ask him why not ? Or we can keep searching after your appointment.
>
>If you do search, look at the other trials as well.
>You haven't mentioned how long for the FOLFox 4
>Perhaps it'll be until you can't tolerate it any longer; then switch you to a clinical trial.
>So know what's available..

I don't have an end date as yet. I know that after 3 cycles the doc
plans the I have a CT scan to see if the tumours have shrunk at all.

I should have the paperwork in tomorrows post about the trial.

>Sorry I couldn't help fast enough

You've done well! I am impressed.
--

Cheers . . . JC

On Mar 16, 7:39 pm, Figgertoes <agent01...@my-deja.com> wrote:
> JC <j...@invalid.net> wrote in news:b01rt3htuf86g2oe5f434458nk0q9fu2dq@
> 4ax.com:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:56:19 -0000, Figgertoes <agent01413@my-
> deja.com>
> > wrote:
>
> >>If I were you, I would give the chemo a try. If you have any problems
> >>with tolerance, talk to the docs about whether adjustments can be
> made,
> >>either to the dosage, drug or timing. Their monitoring sounds
> reasonable
> >>& consistant to what my husband & others here had.
>
> > Hi Fig,
>
> > Thanks for the info on the effects of chemo.
>
> > I have decided that I will give the chemo a go and also do some of the
> > holistic stuff as well. My Oncologist was happy for me to do the
> > holistic stuff as that would only help keep the body going.
>
> JC,
>
> Glad to hear you are giving it a go. Please keep us in the loop when
> you feel like posting.
>
> Just make sure the docs know exactly what you are taking. My husband,
> known as Socks here, was told not to take mega-vitamin anti-oxident
> pills during chemo as they could interfere with the chemo. All foods
> were OK, Milk thistle was OK. All foods were OK, including blueberries
> & other healthy things. There are many out there who will try to sell
> you 'natural cures' & 'holistic potions & treatments.' We see a lot of
> that here on newsgroup. If you are tempted by any of that stuff, please
> run it by us here. It's quite sad that they prey on cancer patients,
> but prey they do.
>
> Take good care,
> Fig

Mainly "ditto". I had stage 3 (no known mets) colon cancer, treated
with FOLFOX6 w/Avastin, similar to what your onc is planning. The two
days per cycle with a pump attached were no fun, but I did most normal
things, even mountain biking, with it in place. I don't really get
why your onc wants to skip the surgery, but he knows more than we can,
so he probably has good reason. I had the surgery first, and started
chemo after a few weeks to clean up any strays. The first several
treatments had little effect on me, but my onc was surprised, so as
Fig says, we all handle it differently.
This group is a great source of support and general information. Just
avoid the spammers, and remember that your doctors are the
professionals with your case information. Welcome to the club, and
may you beat the odds.

---
CSM

On Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:40:04 -0700 (PDT), csm7532@hotmail.com wrote:

>On Mar 16, 7:39 pm, Figgertoes <agent01...@my-deja.com> wrote:
>> JC <j...@invalid.net> wrote in news:b01rt3htuf86g2oe5f434458nk0q9fu2dq@
>> 4ax.com:
>>
>> > On Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:56:19 -0000, Figgertoes <agent01413@my-
>> deja.com>
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >>If I were you, I would give the chemo a try. If you have any problems
>> >>with tolerance, talk to the docs about whether adjustments can be
>> made,
>> >>either to the dosage, drug or timing. Their monitoring sounds
>> reasonable
>> >>& consistant to what my husband & others here had.
>>
>> > Hi Fig,
>>
>> > Thanks for the info on the effects of chemo.
>>
>> > I have decided that I will give the chemo a go and also do some of the
>> > holistic stuff as well. My Oncologist was happy for me to do the
>> > holistic stuff as that would only help keep the body going.
>>
>> JC,
>>
>> Glad to hear you are giving it a go. Please keep us in the loop when
>> you feel like posting.
>>
>> Just make sure the docs know exactly what you are taking. My husband,
>> known as Socks here, was told not to take mega-vitamin anti-oxident
>> pills during chemo as they could interfere with the chemo. All foods
>> were OK, Milk thistle was OK. All foods were OK, including blueberries
>> & other healthy things. There are many out there who will try to sell
>> you 'natural cures' & 'holistic potions & treatments.' We see a lot of
>> that here on newsgroup. If you are tempted by any of that stuff, please
>> run it by us here. It's quite sad that they prey on cancer patients,
>> but prey they do.
>>
>> Take good care,
>> Fig
>
>Mainly "ditto". I had stage 3 (no known mets) colon cancer, treated
>with FOLFOX6 w/Avastin, similar to what your onc is planning. The two
>days per cycle with a pump attached were no fun, but I did most normal
>things, even mountain biking, with it in place. I don't really get
>why your onc wants to skip the surgery, but he knows more than we can,
>so he probably has good reason. I had the surgery first, and started
>chemo after a few weeks to clean up any strays. The first several
>treatments had little effect on me, but my onc was surprised, so as
>Fig says, we all handle it differently.
>This group is a great source of support and general information. Just
>avoid the spammers, and remember that your doctors are the
>professionals with your case information. Welcome to the club, and
>may you beat the odds.
>
Hi CSM

Thanks for the info. At this stage the chemo is still a week or so
away. The doc is to install the stent late this week/early next week
when he can organise all of the equipment needed including an X-Ray
machine in the theatre. Once that is installed the chemo can start.

I am feeling confident about the treatment proposed.
--

Cheers . . . JC

>
> Mainly "ditto". I had stage 3 (no known mets) colon cancer, treated
> with FOLFOX6 w/Avastin, similar to what your onc is planning. The two
> days per cycle with a pump attached were no fun, but I did most normal
> things, even mountain biking, with it in place. I don't really get
> why your onc wants to skip the surgery, but he knows more than we can,
> so he probably has good reason. I had the surgery first, and started
> chemo after a few weeks to clean up any strays. The first several
> treatments had little effect on me, but my onc was surprised, so as
> Fig says, we all handle it differently.
> This group is a great source of support and general information. Just
> avoid the spammers, and remember that your doctors are the
> professionals with your case information. Welcome to the club, and
> may you beat the odds.
>
> ---
> CSM

Great points CSM mainly that the doctors have the best information. Good
Luck JC.
Alex

JC wrote:

> On Mon, 17 Mar 2008 03:10:44 -0500, J <nswex@nalid;no> wrote:
>
> >JC wrote:>
>
> >Today's our monday, when's your Tuesday?
>
> It's still Monday here. Sydney, New South Wales, where I live, is
> currently 11 hours ahead of GMT but that will change back to 10 hours
> ahead of GMT at the end of this month when the Daylight Saving ends.
>
> I don't have an end date as yet. I know that after 3 cycles the doc
> plans the I have a CT scan to see if the tumours have shrunk at all.
>
> I should have the paperwork in tomorrows post about the trial.

Okay. Thank you, JC
11 hours ahead 3 cycles every 2 weeks, then a scan..

How did things go yesterday?

No rush; I'll watch for your update, as you have time.

J

On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:45:06 -0500, J <nswex@nalid;no> wrote:

>JC wrote:
>
>> I don't have an end date as yet. I know that after 3 cycles the doc
>> plans the I have a CT scan to see if the tumours have shrunk at all.
>>
>> I should have the paperwork in tomorrows post about the trial.
>
>Okay. Thank you, JC
>11 hours ahead 3 cycles every 2 weeks, then a scan..
>
>How did things go yesterday?
>
>No rush; I'll watch for your update, as you have time.

Hi J

Yesterday was pretty laid back with little happening other than my usual
stretching regime and then a massage.

Today, however, was full on - a visit to a holistic clinic to see what
they can do to help. I walked out after some acupuncture with some
Curcumin & Quercetin mixture pills and a Chinese herbal anti-malignancy
medicine to take twice per day.

I arrived home to a message on the answering m/c asking me to go to the
hospital to fill in the paperwork and pick up the Picoprep bowel
cleanser powders to get things ready to insert the stent on Tuesday
afternoon.

Sometimes, like today, I wish I had a mobile phone as having one would
have saved me about 30Km of driving through afternoon traffic.
--

Cheers . . . JC

On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:23:27 +1100, JC <jc@invalid.net> wrote:

>On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:45:06 -0500, J <nswex@nalid;no> wrote:
>
>>JC wrote:
>>
>>> I don't have an end date as yet. I know that after 3 cycles the doc
>>> plans the I have a CT scan to see if the tumours have shrunk at all.
>>>
>>> I should have the paperwork in tomorrows post about the trial.
>>
>>Okay. Thank you, JC
>>11 hours ahead 3 cycles every 2 weeks, then a scan..
>>
>>How did things go yesterday?
>>
>>No rush; I'll watch for your update, as you have time.
>
>Hi J
>
>Yesterday was pretty laid back with little happening other than my usual
>stretching regime and then a massage.
>
>Today, however, was full on - a visit to a holistic clinic to see what
>they can do to help. I walked out after some acupuncture with some
>Curcumin & Quercetin mixture pills and a Chinese herbal anti-malignancy
>medicine to take twice per day.
>
>I arrived home to a message on the answering m/c asking me to go to the
>hospital to fill in the paperwork and pick up the Picoprep bowel
>cleanser powders to get things ready to insert the stent on Tuesday
>afternoon.
>
>Sometimes, like today, I wish I had a mobile phone as having one would
>have saved me about 30Km of driving through afternoon traffic.

There have been some developments in the saga.

On Tuesday I go into hospital to have the stent installed.

On Wednesday I visit the endo to sign the papers to go into the trial -
it is called "Randomised comparative study of FOLFOX6m plus SIR-Spheres
versus FOLFOX6m alone as first line treatment with non-resectable liver
metastases from primary colorectal cancer" Protocol STX026.

I may need to do another CT scan and a blood test before the treatment
starts. Still no news on when the chemo actually starts but it is
getting closer.
--

Cheers . . . JC

JC wrote:

> On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:23:27 +1100, JC <jc@invalid.net> wrote:
>
> >On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:45:06 -0500, J <nswex@nalid;no> wrote:
> >
> >>JC wrote:
> >>
> >>> I don't have an end date as yet. I know that after 3 cycles the doc
> >>> plans the I have a CT scan to see if the tumours have shrunk at all.
> >>>
> >>> I should have the paperwork in tomorrows post about the trial.
> >>
> >>Okay. Thank you, JC
> >>11 hours ahead 3 cycles every 2 weeks, then a scan..
> >>
> >>How did things go yesterday?
> >>
> >>No rush; I'll watch for your update, as you have time.
> >
> >Hi J
> >
> >Yesterday was pretty laid back with little happening other than my usual
> >stretching regime and then a massage.
> >
> >Today, however, was full on - a visit to a holistic clinic to see what
> >they can do to help. I walked out after some acupuncture with some
> >Curcumin & Quercetin mixture pills and a Chinese herbal anti-malignancy
> >medicine to take twice per day.
> >
> >I arrived home to a message on the answering m/c asking me to go to the
> >hospital to fill in the paperwork and pick up the Picoprep bowel
> >cleanser powders to get things ready to insert the stent on Tuesday
> >afternoon.
> >
> >Sometimes, like today, I wish I had a mobile phone as having one would
> >have saved me about 30Km of driving through afternoon traffic.
>
> There have been some developments in the saga.
>
> On Tuesday I go into hospital to have the stent installed.
>
> On Wednesday I visit the endo to sign the papers to go into the trial -
> it is called "Randomised comparative study of FOLFOX6m plus SIR-Spheres
> versus FOLFOX6m alone as first line treatment with non-resectable liver
> metastases from primary colorectal cancer" Protocol STX026.
>
> I may need to do another CT scan and a blood test before the treatment
> starts. Still no news on when the chemo actually starts but it is
> getting closer.
> -

Thanks JC
STX026 is a Sirtex number.
There's a list of Publications 'Clinical Trial Outcomes" on the Sirtex
webpage
< http://www.sirtex.com/content.cfm?se...01&ID=A0426C1D >,
but just the titles, not the outomes and I can't find the trial your speaking
of at http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/search/advanced
I did find 2 others but not the one you're referring to.
The only place I can find it is here
http://www.australasianresearch.org/content/view/30/42/

I'm still stuck on your not getting further anemic and the bleeding.
Is there radiotherapy there? Seems to me that Steph told us it could stop
the bleeding; unless your oncologist has some reason for not arranging it;
like lack of knowledge, lack of equipment or technicians or radiation
oncologists; forgetting or it's planned for the day of the stent placement.
(etc on conjectues)

If you haven't seen him ( this past Tuesday?) might be worth putting a call
in to him to ask if it's been planned for ?


I'd say Good luck about the stent but it's probably been done a number of
times and you're in good hands.
Thanks for the info. I'll watch for your updates.
Please keep in touch as you able.
Best,
J

On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:04:49 -0500, J <nswex@nalid;no> wrote:


>> On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:23:27 +1100, JC <jc@invalid.net> wrote:
>>
>> There have been some developments in the saga.
>>
>> On Tuesday I go into hospital to have the stent installed.
>>
>> On Wednesday I visit the endo to sign the papers to go into the trial -
>> it is called "Randomised comparative study of FOLFOX6m plus SIR-Spheres
>> versus FOLFOX6m alone as first line treatment with non-resectable liver
>> metastases from primary colorectal cancer" Protocol STX026.
>>
>> I may need to do another CT scan and a blood test before the treatment
>> starts. Still no news on when the chemo actually starts but it is
>> getting closer.
>> -
>
>Thanks JC
>STX026 is a Sirtex number.
>There's a list of Publications 'Clinical Trial Outcomes" on the Sirtex
>webpage
>< http://www.sirtex.com/content.cfm?se...01&ID=A0426C1D >,
>but just the titles, not the outomes and I can't find the trial your speaking
>of at http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/search/advanced
>I did find 2 others but not the one you're referring to.
>The only place I can find it is here
>http://www.australasianresearch.org/content/view/30/42/
>
>I'm still stuck on your not getting further anemic and the bleeding.
>Is there radiotherapy there? Seems to me that Steph told us it could stop
>the bleeding; unless your oncologist has some reason for not arranging it;
>like lack of knowledge, lack of equipment or technicians or radiation
>oncologists; forgetting or it's planned for the day of the stent placement.
>(etc on conjectues)
>
>If you haven't seen him ( this past Tuesday?) might be worth putting a call
>in to him to ask if it's been planned for ?
>
>
>I'd say Good luck about the stent but it's probably been done a number of
>times and you're in good hands.
>Thanks for the info. I'll watch for your updates.
>Please keep in touch as you able.
>Best,

Hi J,

I haven't done any further tests for the anaemia but I expect it and the
bleeding to be as before.

I haven't undertaken any radiotherapy. I guess the oncologist is
concentrating on having the stent installed and then starting the trial.
I will see him on Wednesday and will ask him about the anaemia and what
can be done to stop the bleeding.

I talked with the surgeon who will install the stent. He is not
expecting problems but he did say that there is a chance that the stent
cannot be deployed if the polyp is blocking the bowel too much to get
the stent through enough to bracket the polyp.
--

Cheers . . . JC

JC wrote:

> Hi J,
>
> I haven't done any further tests for the anaemia but I expect it and the
> bleeding to be as before.
>
> I haven't undertaken any radiotherapy. I guess the oncologist is
> concentrating on having the stent installed and then starting the trial.
> I will see him on Wednesday and will ask him about the anaemia and what
> can be done to stop the bleeding.
>
> I talked with the surgeon who will install the stent. He is not
> expecting problems but he did say that there is a chance that the stent
> cannot be deployed if the polyp is blocking the bowel too much to get
> the stent through enough to bracket the polyp.

Hello JC,
I'm a lot baffled as to why you've not been referred to consult with a radiation
therapist to discuss both the clinical trial that is planned and the tumor
blockage (pros and cons of using RT) and that there's a chance that the stent
cannot be deployed. And the bleeding.
I think I'd get one, at a different hospital, if possible, before starting the
chemo and/or clinical trial.
T'were me, the priority would be to slow the growth of the tumor and stop the
bleeding as soon as possible.
And doing both the chemo and the RT (too close together) can result in more severe
side effects from the RT.

I'm baffled as to why no comment from Steph. I cannot explain his absence. His
last post was March 2nd and I rely on him to double-check what I write to others.
Maybe he's lurking, maybe not.

If you're wondering where the other colorectal cancer patients are, so am I.
However, it's often been that way; posts appeared to go unreplied to and (part of)
why I stick around.
There's more colorectal patients on the private ACOR mail list. Possibly
approximately 800 (patients or caregivers, or survivors or loved ones) Some get
support from here and there.
Unfortunately, I can't tell you how many because for unexplainable reasons, it's
not available at this time.
http://www.acor.org/mlists/mlists.html

If you're interested, I suggest you open a "throw-away" yahoo email address and
use that to email your introduction and treatment plan. Don't forget to mention
you're Australian. You might hook up with others there, for tips on 2nd opinions
in your area.
Unless someone else has the correct and exact email address, best wait and try
the mail list later today; then follow the instructions, by clicking on the list
name.

I hope you'll stay in touch with us as well.
Best,
J

"J" <nswex@nalid;no> wrote in message
news:47E51EE0.B4E6C8DF@execulink.com...
> JC wrote:
>
>> Hi J,
>>
>> I haven't done any further tests for the anaemia but I expect it and the
>> bleeding to be as before.
>>
>> I haven't undertaken any radiotherapy. I guess the oncologist is
>> concentrating on having the stent installed and then starting the trial.
>> I will see him on Wednesday and will ask him about the anaemia and what
>> can be done to stop the bleeding.
>>
>> I talked with the surgeon who will install the stent. He is not
>> expecting problems but he did say that there is a chance that the stent
>> cannot be deployed if the polyp is blocking the bowel too much to get
>> the stent through enough to bracket the polyp.
>
> Hello JC,
> I'm a lot baffled as to why you've not been referred to consult with a
> radiation
> therapist to discuss both the clinical trial that is planned and the
> tumor
> blockage (pros and cons of using RT) and that there's a chance that the
> stent
> cannot be deployed. And the bleeding.
> I think I'd get one, at a different hospital, if possible, before starting
> the
> chemo and/or clinical trial.
> T'were me, the priority would be to slow the growth of the tumor and stop
> the
> bleeding as soon as possible.
> And doing both the chemo and the RT (too close together) can result in
> more severe
> side effects from the RT.
>
> I'm baffled as to why no comment from Steph. I cannot explain his absence.
> His
> last post was March 2nd and I rely on him to double-check what I write to
> others.
> Maybe he's lurking, maybe not.
>
> If you're wondering where the other colorectal cancer patients are, so am
> I.
> However, it's often been that way; posts appeared to go unreplied to and
> (part of)
> why I stick around.
> There's more colorectal patients on the private ACOR mail list. Possibly
> approximately 800 (patients or caregivers, or survivors or loved ones)
> Some get
> support from here and there.
> Unfortunately, I can't tell you how many because for unexplainable
> reasons, it's
> not available at this time.
> http://www.acor.org/mlists/mlists.html
>
> If you're interested, I suggest you open a "throw-away" yahoo email
> address and
> use that to email your introduction and treatment plan. Don't forget to
> mention
> you're Australian. You might hook up with others there, for tips on 2nd
> opinions
> in your area.
> Unless someone else has the correct and exact email address, best wait and
> try
> the mail list later today; then follow the instructions, by clicking on
> the list
> name.
>
> I hope you'll stay in touch with us as well.
> Best,
> J
>

JC's doctor and oncological team have the benefit of a clinical exam. ACOR
list is good since there will be similar people with similar problems.
Stents for Colonic blockage is not common in the United States and that
maybe the reason why nobody is responding. Doesn't mean stents are bad, but
for whatever reason it is not commonly used.

Best of luck JC,
Alex

On Sat, 22 Mar 2008 09:59:44 -0500, J <nswex@nalid;no> wrote:


>Hello JC,
>I'm a lot baffled as to why you've not been referred to consult with a radiation
>therapist to discuss both the clinical trial that is planned and the tumor
>blockage (pros and cons of using RT) and that there's a chance that the stent
>cannot be deployed. And the bleeding.
>I think I'd get one, at a different hospital, if possible, before starting the
>chemo and/or clinical trial.
>T'were me, the priority would be to slow the growth of the tumor and stop the
>bleeding as soon as possible.
>And doing both the chemo and the RT (too close together) can result in more severe
>side effects from the RT.

Hi J,

Well, today was a failure. The doc couldn't insert the stent as the
polyp was blocking the bowel almost completely. The attempt was made
using a wire to guide the stent into position and he was unable, despite
trying for 90 minutes, to guide the wire through the polyp.

He is going to try again using some form of guided instrument, that he
didn't have today, to see if they can get past the polyp. This will
probably be Friday or early next week. Great, another 1 1/2 days of
cleansing fluids and no real meals.

If this second attempt fails my onco agrees that the next step is to
surgically remove the polyp and surrounding bowel and tissue. That
will delay the onset of chemo by at least 5 weeks - 1 week in hospital
and 4 weeks recovery.

My onco confirmed that I have stage 4 cancer. I will have to decide
after the operation to remove the polyp whether to undergo the chemo or
continue living as now going to the gym 3 times per week and walking
around the neighbourhood.

Which is better - a shorter but much more pleasant life or a longer but
unpleasant life under chemo?

How sick do cancer patients get if they don't have the chemo?
--

Cheers . . . JC