Diagnosis Liver cancer

[Mary60]

Hi everyone I’m back but very sad stress I found out I have stage 4 liver cancer first I was diagnosed with  stage 3 bowel cancer  had the operation and chemo now this.  As I’ve been getting pain in my right rib and also when I go and open my bowel it pulls very painful , I found out that there is a few cells in the bowel went through the wall🥲 I have to wait until I see the Oncologist and see what happens?  They may remove the liver or the hey might give me immune therapy not sure.  At the moment I’m very sad crying.  I wish there was a support group here that I can talk too.

[Vanessak391]

Hi Mary,

My name is Vanessa Katz and I also have been diagnosed with bowel cancer stage 4. It is just over 6 months now. I had an abdominal operation where the removed 2 big growths. This is when the cancer was found.

I am in my seventh cycle of chemotherapy and it has spread throughout my abdomen. After reading your post i thought I may suggest gastro stop around 4 a day. This has reduced tummy pain alot after eating and easier bowel movements. I also use flushable wipes, again if you can afford it. Also hydralites again if you can afford it, they have helped drastically. I am 43 yrs old and have a disabled, nonverbal autistic 16 yr old son. So I can get pretty frustrated 🥴. There have been many tears and alot of yelling in pain, but it is getting better now. So let me know if your interested in keeping in touch, you would be the first, I haven't started up any companions yet. Please let me know if you have any tips. I live in Perth. Take care and rest well.

Regards,

Vanessa Katz 

[Mary60]

@Vanessak391  Hi Vanessa it’s so nice to hear from you.  Yes I would like to keep in touch either by here or even talk on the phone.  I live in Orange NSW I moved here to Orange as where I live in the hunter their system was not good , I also had stage 3 bowel cancer I had the operation extended right hemincolectomy  then finish 6 months chemo.  After that I found out I got not to sure stage 4 liver cancer🥲I will tell you more when we chat either here or on the phone if you like Vanessa .  Chat soon hung in there

[Felicity_CCNSW]

Hi @Mary60 and @Vanessak391 

I am very sorry to hear about the progression of both of your cancers. 

At Cancer Council we do have a nation wide telephone support group for people with Advanced Cancer. It is a very supportive group and is facilitated by trained counsellors at the Cancer Council. 

Please call 13 11 20 and ask about our telephone support group for Advanced Cancer. 

Here is some useful information about Advanced Cancer that may be helpful. 

Take care,

Felicity

Cancer Council Online Moderator

[Mary60]

@Felicity_CCNSW  Tks Felicity I really appreciate I do need support as this was a shock to me.  First it was my bowel cancer I had to deal with now it’s liver cancer.

[Mary60]

@Vanessak391  Hi Vanessa how are you going? Hope things are going well for you? Keep in touch if you want to chat on the phone that’s no problem. 

[Vanessak391]

Hi Mary,

I am in chemo for a few hours. I wanted to ask about the hemincolectomy. When you have some time could you let me know how severe your intestine was before they removed it. Do you have any other symptoms from it like trouble eating. The oncologist hasn't mentioned it to me and I was just curious about it. I am quite sure the is cancer all through my intestine. Hopefully I have got this info right.

Take care until then,

Vanessa Katz.

[Mary60]

@Vanessak391  Hi Vanessa when I found out i had stage 3 bowel cancer it started with when I go to the toilet I had pain when I open my bowel.  Then  every now and then I would see blood in my faces this was back in 2022.  So I went and had one of those bowel kit from chemist it came back negative then when I started getting the one from the government it came back positive.  So I went to my go in Newcastle she sent a letter of referral to get a colonoscopy? This was in early 2023 I was still waiting and waiting for nearly 8months , then I move to Orange nsw got a new doctor within 2months I had my colonoscopy then they found out I had a tumour I was devastated had  the hemincolectomy surgery then I had 6 months of chemo.  After that my last chemo on 3rd March couple weeks later I developed right rib pain and when I go to the toilet to open my bowel it hurt and was pulling then when I had ct scan I found out I had liver cancer which is incurable 😞. So I will be having more chemo I have been so stress today and crying I’m not coping well.

[Vanessak391]

Hi Mary, 

Very up upsetting to hear yr cancer journey. Mine is pretty bad as well. There have plenty of bad days for me. I have severe depression/anxiety from it all, so I am on alot of meds. They help alot.

This again is something sad what I write next. 

There is a process I went through recently called VAD. I wanted to let you know about it or keep it on mind.

It voluntary assisted dying VAD. So they accept cancer patients but the assessment process from the doctors have to be so severe, for it to get approved eg. Not being able to wipe yrself, shower, in hospital, extreme pain, no improvements with other trial of medicine and scans etc, and then they will let you go.

So I have my name on file for when that time arrives. But, I am not sure if you have it over there yet. England is going through approval now after several years of trying. So anyway just a thought.

I did want to ask you something which was, I am  with the public hospital here, Royal Perth, and they provide free psychologist sessions.

I did have to get a nurse to get me in there but it has paid off. I see her every few weeks and it helps alot. Are you seeing any therapist? Are you going private or public? I have private insurance but so far I am happy with the public system here. They seemed very organised and keep the patients under control. You see I went through 3 public hospitals for the abdominal surgery. It was a good insight. How is the public system over there? 

• Ok well I had a reasonably rough morning after chemo yesterday. I was in there for five hours. I have to take a little fan with because I stop breathing and faint. That was my seventh cycle. Starting to recognise the nurses now.

So today is resting up and eating day. It was relaxing writing to you. Take care and write back whenever yr ready. I prefer email at the moment. 

Take care,

Vanessa Katz