There is good reason to be cautiously optimistic.

I have a patient who has undergone the TheraSphere treatment 3 times for colon cancer metastatic to the liver (in addition to prior radiation, surgery & chemotherapy). His initial diagnosis was a little over 3 years ago, he's regained to his pre-diagnosis weight and is (as far as we can tell) free of disease at this time. The only caveats are 1) that he was in his 50's at diagnosis, not in his 30's, and 2) we have less than perfect methods of detecting residual or recurrent disease (even MRI's & PET scans can be falsely negative). General rule of thumb - the younger the age at diagnosis, the more aggressive the disease tends to be. Survival in late stage colon cancer is still relatively poor, but definitely improving as our technology evolves.

I wish your friend Godspeed & hope for the best for her. If you can persuade her to stay overnight after her treatment, that would be a good thing.

Daiwa, your patient's story sounds optimistic so I'll share it with my friend. Unfortunately, your comment confirms what I have read regarding her age. Thanks for the comment.

LW, another optimistic story. She didn't catch it early though. Pregnancy and childbirth masked early symptoms and then I think she procrastinated going to the doctor because she was so busy with her three boys. Thanks for your comment too.

Honey, I'm so sorry. 

I've heard varied reports about this treatment.  We've had patients who have had a complete recovery after having it, some who bought some valuable time by having it done, and then some who's disease was so aggressive that pallative care was the only option.

Unfortunately as Daiwa said, the younger the person the more aggressive the disease tends to be.  And, if it's already metastasized from it's original location.....well, then the odds for a complete recovery are against her.  I'm sorry, chickie.  I wish that I could tell you it's nothing to worry about and that she'll be fine, but I can't.  I don't want to be a voice of doom either because there's always a chance for recovery, but she's got a heck of a hill to climb to get there - and you already know that so I won't dwell on it.

Just because a hospital discharges her, doesn't mean she's well enough to travel.   I would strongly suggest that she take you up on your offer and stay with you at least the first night after the procedure.  That way if she has any adverse reactions that require medical treatment or intervention she'll be close to a phone and help.

If there's anything I can do, please let me know.  I'm always here for you.

There is always reason to hope.

One of my best friends was found to have a large glioblastoma (primary brain tumor) in November of 2005. I went to visit with him & his family right after it was found, prepared to tell him that the prognosis was very poor, treatment very arduous & expensive with no certainty of any response & that Hospice might be the best option.

He and his wife ultimately decided, with my somewhat reluctant blessing, to pursue active treatment including craniotomy, radiation and chemotherapy even though he was uninsured and would face personal bankruptcy from the medical costs. He remains alive and well as I write this, having just celebrated his 56th birthday and 34th anniversary. He's definitely beaten the odds.

I do know this but she doesn't seem to be acting like she does. I don't know if she's in denial or if she is just going the "I'll do what the doctor says and everything with be fine" route. Either way I'm frustrated with her. Noone around her wants to upset her (including me) but someone has to incite her to fight!

Thanks K. It always helps to know a friend is out there when needed. You can never have too many shoulders to lean on.

Daiwa, thanks for another optimistic story. It sounds similar to my hubby's childhood friend. They never thought she'd live to be a teen when they found her brain tumor back in the 70s. They proceeded to bombard her with radiation to the tune of about 100 times what they should have but 30 yrs later, she's still alive. Most of her problems now are a result of the radiation built up in her head. She's almost blind, deaf, and now she's had a stroke but is recovering. You just never know and you have to believe there is a way out other than death.

I don't know if she's in denial or if she is just going the "I'll do what the doctor says and everything with be fine" route.

Lots of people think that way, especially younger people with small children (as opposed to older people who's children have families of their own).  They just cannot comprehend their own mortality - they're too young, they're too vibrant; they're not supposed to have to think about their death just yet.  It's not that they're deying they're ill, they just think, as you said, that 'as long as I do what the doctor tells me I'll be fine'.  Some doctors are terrible about not telling people the gravity of the situation; they fail to use words like 'death' and 'end of life care' - words that some people NEED to hear.  People don't want to believe the worst and will hang on to hope where there is none - using words such as those really helps hammer home what's going on.   

I'll be sending some good and healing thoughts your way.

I'll be sending some good and healing thoughts your way.

Much appreciated!

My friend hasn't gotten results from her follow up yet. I'll post her progress once I know. I did find out that this treatment is only viable when the cancer is contained in one organ only.

My friend's results are fantastic!

Woohoo!

That's great news, Jill.

Thanks guys.  One of her tumors is half it's original size, another 2/3 and her liver enzymes are almost normal level.  The doctors were amazed and are feeling very optimistic.  She continues to have chemo every other week.  She says she feels really good and is taking the family to Disney World and Sea World in April.

That is fantastic news! I am SO pleased for you and her too!

Thanks K.  She has a great attitude, which, I'm sure you know, makes a huge difference.  She is being realistic about the severity of her situation but has some well earned optimism.

I have stage IV colon cancer, too, and am 41 years old. I had a procedure similar to Therasphere, called Sir-spheres. It has helped to reduce the size and number of tumors in my liver (no longer active disease) and keep things stable. I'm glad you friend's procedure has worked so well!!! She might be interested in the following link:

www.y90support.org

There are a number of people who have had the procedure and newletters she can browse through!

Take care and lots of luck!