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  Bowel Cancer Australia
  Health Consumer Organisation

  Bowel Cancer Australia works to reduce the impact of bowel cancer in our society through awareness, education, support and research. We aim to help save ... View profile

  Hi John,
  
  Thank you very much for your question.
  
  It is difficult for many of our bowel cancer patients when they are told there are secondary cancers present, asking certain questions may make it feel too real or too pessimistic, but being informed is important for both you and your family.
  
  
  
  Lung and liver tumours are often dealt with by Oncologists as a long term management plan due to the fact that they can not remove the tumours altogether, aiming for the tumours to remain small in size and limiting further growth or spread.
  
  
  
  Further information on lung and liver tumours is available on the Bowel Cancer Australia website:
  
  
  
  Advanced Bowel Cancer Information
  
  
  
  Secondary Liver Cancer Information
  
  
  
  Secondary Lung Cancer Information
  
  
  
  I do believe it is important to have a very open and honest dialogue with your Oncologist, and ask:what they believe is to be your next step? how long the chemotherapy will be administered?are there any further therapies he/she would consider (such as SIRT therapy used for liver tumours)?
  
  
  
  Further information on SIRT therapy is available on the Bowel Cancer Australia website at: Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT).
  
  
  
  Your doctor, Oncologist and/or Gastroenterologist will always be happy to discuss any concerns with you, and it may help stop your mind from racing with too many unanswered questions.
  
  
  
  Further information on treatment options and questions you might like to to ask your Oncologist and Gastroenterologist are available on the Bowel Cancer Australia website at: Putting your treatment plan together.
  
  
  
  We hope we have been assistance, and answered your question. Please do let us know if you have any further questions.
  
  
  
  Wishing you all the best for your ongoing treatment.
  
  
  
  
  
  Kind regards
  
  Tammy
  Bowel Cancer Australia Nurse Advisor
  
  Please Note: Bowel Cancer Australia's Nurse and Nutritionist Advisory services are subject to the following disclaimer. Reply to this post  |  Report
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• • 

    natjane
    Healthshare Member

    Hi John,
    
    
    
    My partner Michael who is 38yrs is in the same position as yourself. We were diagnosed in June with Advanced Metastic Bowel cancer(lungs and liver as well). Like you Michael has too many liver tumors to operate on and we too have been told that they hope to manage these. Mike had an Anterior Bowel Resection and he is on 6 months of Chemo and Avastin……3 down 9 to go. Personally I am too finding not knowing what the future holds for us to be extremely daunting. The fact that they can't cure but only manage…….. I think I am going to start writing my questions down for our oncologist next week. Goodluck on your journey John, Reply to this post  |  Report
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• • • 

      johnrobert
      Healthshare Member

      Hi Natalie and Micheal,
      
      
      
      My first cycle of treatment is now in its final stages. I have had 9 out of 12 sessions. the second scan has shown that the shrinkage in the liver tumors has slowed down, however they were encouraged by my blood tests, which indicate a reduction in the cancer cells - I think?
      
      The oncologist tells me that the hope is that the liver tumors remain dormant and that one option, after the first session of chemo is over is to go on maintenance which means you get topped up as necessary.
      
      The nurses at chemo have been great, however in some cases the mangement of the side effects has been something I have had to work out myself by trial and error.
      
      If I can be of any help to Michael with this please let me know.
      
      Good luck to you both and I look forward to keeping in touch. Reply to this post  |  Report
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  natjane
  Healthshare Member

  Thankyou John.
  
  We have just completed number 4 treatment. Mike is feeling it this time,very tired and the back pain is quite bad this time. Looks like after the 12th Chemo treatment our Oncologist would like to continue the Avastin every 3 weeks and maintain oral chemo. We will see how we go when the time comes. Michael's blood's are good and his weight has levelled out which is good. 1st Ct scan not for another 3 weeks though. Hope your going ok John. Cheers. Reply to this post  |  Report
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  someone
  Healthshare Member

  Hi John
  
  My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer and liver mets in Feb 2009. He has had a bowel resection, 2 liver resections (one unsucessful) three rounds of chemo, SIRT and has now undergone nano knife which is a relatively new treatment where the tumor is “electricuted”. We are hopeful that the one tumor in his liver has been destroyed with this treatment. He will have a PET scan in 4 weeks to confirm meanwhile he continues on maintenance chemo of 5FU & Avastin. My husband always is positive and refuses to “give up”. and continues to amaze me with his strength of character. I hope everyone on this site can show the same strength to fight this horrible disease. Reply to this post  |  Report
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• • 

    Bowel Cancer Australia
    Health Consumer Organisation

    Bowel Cancer Australia works to reduce the impact of bowel cancer in our society through awareness, education, support and research. We aim to help save ... View profile

    Hi Judy,
    
    
    
    We have just read your post re: your husband's fight with cancer. It is very moving and uplifting to hear your husband, who has endured so much, still remains so positive. 
    
    
    
    On behalf of Bowel Cancer Australia, we would like to wish you and your husband all the very best in his ongoing fight with cancer.
    
    
    
    If you have any queries or concerns - please feel free to contact us at Bowel Cancer Australia if you would like any advice from our nurse and nutritionist advisory service, or if you would like more information on joining our Love My Family group, in helping spread the word about bowel cancer and / or if you would like to be put in contact with other patients similar in a similar situation.
    
    
    
    
    
    Kind regards
    
    
    
    The team at Bowel Cancer Australia.
    
    
    
    Please Note: Bowel Cancer Australia's Nurse and Nutritionist Advisory services are subject to the following disclaimer. Reply to this post  |  Report
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    Bowel Cancer Australia
    Health Consumer Organisation

    Bowel Cancer Australia works to reduce the impact of bowel cancer in our society through awareness, education, support and research. We aim to help save ... View profile

    Hi Natalie,
    
    
    
    Thanks so much for your posts, and for being a part of the Bowel Cancer Community on Healthshare.
    
    
    
    Please do let us know if we can offer any advice, or help by answering any questions you or your partner might have.
    
    
    
    If you do have any queries or concerns - please feel free to contact us at Bowel Cancer Australia if you would like any advice from our nurse and nutritionist advisory service, or if you would like more information on joining our Love My Family group, in helping spread the word about bowel cancer and / or if you would like to be put in contact with other patients similar in a similar situation.
    
    
    
    We wish you and your partner all the very best in his ongoing fight with cancer.
    
    
    
    Kind regards
    
    
    
    The team at Bowel Cancer Australia.
    
    
    
    Please Note: Bowel Cancer Australia's Nurse and Nutritionist Advisory services are subject to the following disclaimer. Reply to this post  |  Report
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