am I worry over nothing? - Cancer: Colon Message Board

0zzie · 05-01-2005, 05:53 PM

Hi all
My hubby was diagnosed 3 weeks ago with rectal cancer and secondary cancer in the liver, he's now finished with all tests and scans etc, and has to wait till 25th May to start chemo and radiotherapy, is this normal? and wouldn't the cancer spread even more? the chemo and radiotherapy is ...first week, just radiotherapy, second week both radiotherapy and chemo, third week radiotherapy again, and last week both chemo and radiotherapy..this is on a 5 day week, the doc's need to shrink the rectal cancer as it's already in the muscles, once they have shrunk the cancer they can then operate, when my hubby is over the first op they will then removed part of the liver, then we guess more chemo and radiotherapy to make sure all has been removed..
does this all sound about normal?
Thanks for being there guys, it's great to know there's this fantastic backup with people who have been there or are like us, just starting out...
~cheers~

wmkcolors · 05-01-2005, 06:50 PM

It sounds like he is having the right treatment. Did the doctor tell you why your husband should wait 3 more weeks to start treatment? I don't know much about operations on the liver. Just to ease your anxiety, you could always get a second opinion. This board is very helful, in finding info. and support from others. There are also some wonderful websites, with info. about the different stages and forms of treatment. Just type into the search engine, colorectal cancer; etc. Never hestiate to ask the doctors any questions that are on your mind, though I know it can be intimidating. His specialists will probably be his colorectal surgeon, radiation oncologist and the oncologist, who oversees his chemo. Let us know how your husband and you are doing.

ktee_uk · 05-03-2005, 01:14 PM

hello wmk

Dont know why they should be slow in starting up his regime..... only way to find out is to ask...... I found that you really have to ask the docs a lot of questions and let them know that you want to understand the reasoning behind types of treatment offered and timescales of the treatments. It rattles their cages sometimes but at least it keeps you better informed.

In a lot of cases the radiotherapy is used first before surgery. In my husbands case they had to operate first as he had near blockage. They told us after the op that his liver was unoperable but they gave him 3 months chemo to shrink the liver mets down and this was successfull enough for them to perform a liver resection. He then had more chemo then radiotherapy/chemo. A lot of treatment.

Hope this helps
ktee

0zzie · 05-03-2005, 08:24 PM

according to the TV news last night, and todays newspapers there is a 6 month waiting list for radiotherapy, so guess having to wait till the 25th May isn't all that bad...it depends on how urgent the radiotherapy is as to how soon you start your treatment... as long as the cancer doesn't spread... the Government is building a new radiotherapy unit attached to one of the main hospitals here, which would have 3 new machines, which should cut the waiting list. We have two hospitals here that have the radiotherapy units that we are aware of. So all patients from other hospitals are directed towards either one of these...we are going to call our surgeon as he was keen on having my husband start radiotherapy and chemo ASAP and make him aware that he hasn't started his therapy and chemo.....

wmkcolors · 05-03-2005, 11:18 PM

Well, guess you can use the next 2+ weeks to rest up for the treatment and prepare your home, for anything he might be needing, to offset nausea or fatigue; for example, during his 5 week long, daily treatment sessions. Radiation can make one feel very tired and chemo increases nausea. I waited 2 weeks for my radiaiton to start, and I remember the shock of everything was still ringing through my body. I tried to find things to help relax me. Of course, I did alot of research too. Please let us know how his treatment progresses. Lots of support here!!!