Hello everyone.
I don't normally post in here, but thought I'd give it a shot. Here is my situation.
My mom was diagnosed with primary bowel cancer and secondary liver cancer very recently. They decided not to operate because they are unsure they can remove enough of it for it to be worth it. She got a port-a-cath (catheter) inserted in her chest this morning and will begin receiving chemotherapy through it very soon. I know bowel cancer is common and usually treated quite successfully, but what happens when it's already spread before they catch it? How advanced is this? What are the chances? How long do most people live after being diagnosed?
So many questions, so little time. I'm sorry. If anyone can give me some feedback, it'd be much appreciated. Thanks.

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A good friend is someone who will bail you out of jail.
A best friend is someone who will sit next to you and say "That was fawkin' awesome!"

[This message has been edited by Hezza (edited 10-10-2002).]

You are doing everything right so far. You are asking the tough questions and reading everything you can find.

If you are able, getting copies of your mom's pathology reports from her biopsies can help in knowing where to start looking. It would give the "staging" information to help you look for answers. Usually, colon cancer that has spread to a neighboring organ indicates a "Stage 4" cancer. No one can tell you "how long" someone has. That depends on so many things.

There are alot of chemo "clinical trials" available - hopefully they will help the medical profession find that combination of drugs that will do the job at combatting this disease.

Please keep in touch, I'm sorry I didn't spot your e-mail earlier and I hope you check back again.. and do tell me a bit about your mom as a person - I've been where you are and know how good it feel to just have someone ask something about your parent.

Hang in there - Keep reading - Keep talking thru it...
Bj