A Real Record of Treating Colorectal Cancer with Peritoneal Metastasis | Patient Story
I have tried many times to write about my mother, Ms. Qiu Yunfeng, and her battle with cancer, but our story does not have an uplifting, happy ending.
I once drafted it following the treatment timeline, but it ran into thousands of words just at the beginning. I realized it might not be suitable or interesting to others. The thought came and went several times, and now nearly a year has passed since the end of our journey. Time is both ruthless and fair.
Still, I want to write something, whether it gets published or not, simply for my own solace.
—————
Author | Niuniu (Patient's Family Member)
Editor | Xianning
Ms. Qiu Yunfeng was a deeply devoted mother. Even in a fatherless household, she raised me to be a sweet, unpretentious girl without any sense of inferiority about our family. I thought I could just coast through life like a carefree little salted fish until retirement in my 30s or 40s, only to become a little old lady. Yet, life still handed me the trials that everyone must face sooner or later.
In the golden autumn of 2016, Ms. Qiu was diagnosed with her first colon cancer. Back then, I was like a frightened animal, trembling and tearful from the diagnosis call through the surgery. We followed a rather typical, unguided path: diagnosis, finding a personal connection, hospitalization, giving red envelopes, surgery, discharge, and chemotherapy. Believing the tumor removal meant a cure, I arbitrarily reduced the medication and stopped treatment. We also relied on Thymalfasin, traditional Chinese medicine, and sea cucumbers. The initial pathology was pT3N1Mx, with one cancer nodule and dMMR. Ignorance brought four years of peace. Throughout that time, aside from occasional quiet worries late at night, my mother remained my steadfast support, and I could still live my carefree life.
Time flies. In the midsummer of 2021, a phone call left me shivering with cold dread. The attending physician, whom I had grown familiar with over the past four years, told me: peritoneal metastasis, not much time left, at most half a year to a year... How I managed my emotions, how I returned to China and went through quarantine, is all a blur now. I only remember breaking down in tears in our old house before seeing her, and then steeling myself. The next day at the hospital, I saw Ms. Qiu hospitalized. Her spirits were decent, and her ascites was under control, but she had lost a lot of weight. After a detailed conversation with the doctor, I realized I could no longer blindly follow orders. I searched extensively on Zhihu, where a kind stranger shared invaluable advice, and I also read through clinical guidelines.
Retrieving the 2016 pathology report, I saw it was dMMR. The first step was genetic testing. Of course, I couldn't avoid the pitfalls; bridging the information gap alone is incredibly difficult. The attending doctor recommended a small company for a blood-based NGS test. It didn't show the expected MSI-H; instead, it was fully wild-type MSS. Still, I was glad. A wild-type result might explain the good response to chemotherapy. The real turning point came when a young girl in the same ward mentioned a patient support group called "Panda and Friends," with a WeChat official account I could check. I joined and was thrilled to find a specific group for colorectal cancer with peritoneal metastasis! There were also materials from Professor Chen Gong discussing peritoneal metastasis in colorectal cancer. After reviewing everything and lurking in the group for a few days, I realized this was a legitimate and professional community.
I began to change. After thorough research and consulting with fellow patients, I took Ms. Qiu to Guangzhou. My targets were clear: Professor Chen Gong in surgery and Professor Deng Yanhong in medical oncology. I also had her PICC line removed and replaced with a port-a-cath. The consultations went very well. Professor Chen advised us to return home, stop bevacizumab, and prepare for surgery. Both doctors questioned the previous genetic test, and post-surgery retesting later confirmed that the initial report was indeed invalid. Switching from a PICC to a port greatly pleased Ms. Qiu, as she no longer had to restrict her movements or avoid wearing short sleeves. During the wait for surgery, her spirits noticeably improved, and she gained 5 jin (about 2.5 kg).
The last day of 2021 was spent in the operating room. The surgery went smoothly, achieving an R0 resection with no other organ involvement besides the peritoneum. Post-operative genetic testing revealed a KRAS G12D mutation. From dMMR to wild-type to KRAS mutation, each shattered expectation taught me to prepare for the worst. Ms. Qiu, of course, was kept unaware of these details. She bravely endured the major surgery. Honestly, I feel the eight months that followed were a hard-won gift. Without joining the Panda group and gaining more information, we would never have had the courage to go to Guangzhou. Even a local surgeon admitted he wouldn't have taken on a peritoneal metastasis case, calling it a futile effort. I am deeply grateful I took that step, and equally grateful for the many comrades who walked alongside us and Professor Chen, who clearly explained the pros and cons.
I won't detail the subsequent recurrence and the final days. While I regret some missed details, looking back at our treatment decisions, I believe every step was the best choice we could make at the time. If I had to name my biggest regret, it would be that, as a family member, I kept thinking, "Let's hold on a bit longer, let's try one more thing, maybe it will work." I realized too late that I should have better aligned our efforts with her physical condition and personal wishes at that time.
As a patient's family member, I am deeply grateful for the existence of patient organizations. They do more than just bridge information gaps and offer medical guidance; they provide crucial emotional support. When your life revolves around accompanying and caring for a patient, it's inevitable to become disconnected from society, and others simply cannot understand our reality. Having a place to share our joys and sorrows with others who truly understand is a blessing.
As one of countless family members of late-stage patients, I have no right to advise patients. I only wish to speak to fellow caregivers: prepare for the worst, strive for whatever hope may exist in between, and listen and accompany them often.
Editor's Note: Not all efforts can change the outcome. The proportion of advanced gastrointestinal tumors that can be cured or achieve long-term survival is less than one-third. Surgery for peritoneal metastasis may extend survival, but most patients still experience recurrence within a year. We cannot only record successful cases while ignoring the complexity, cruelty, and uncertainty of cancer treatment.
Understanding the illness and acknowledging the limits of medicine, yet still choosing to strive and accompany, may not lead to a cure, but it aims to leave as few regrets as possible, allowing patients to feel the warmth of their families amidst their suffering.
Life is composed of memories. Let those moments of mutual companionship, the tenderness and courage of every dawn and dusk, and the love of those who cared for us remain forever in our hearts, guiding us through every stage of life.
<Small Donation Channel>
Certified by Charity China
▼ Prevention is the highest wisdom ▼
Patient Stories | Click text to jump directly
Notes from a Middle-Aged Beijing Resident Fighting Advanced Colon Cancer | The Anti-Cancer Magic of Panda Star | Aming: Accompanying My Mother Through Two Years of Treatment for Colon Cancer with Liver and Lung Metastases | Qingcao: Sharing Treatment for Colon Cancer with Liver Metastasis | Deep Sibling Bond: 4 Years of Treatment for Colon Cancer with Liver Metastasis | Xiao Li: A Patient's Personal Account of Fighting Cancer | Sister Xiuxiu: The Treatment Journey for Colon Cancer with Liver and Ovarian Metastases | Brother Guo: A Resilient Treatment Path for Colon Cancer with Peritoneal Metastasis | Naonao: The Self-Rescue Journey After Recurrence of Colon Cancer at Age 27 | Sister Tudou: A 7-Year Anti-Cancer Journey with Colon Cancer Metastasizing to Lungs and Brain | Yuan Yuan: A Beautiful Young Woman Fighting Cancer, Living with a Smile | Jin Xia: A 4-Year Treatment Journey for HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer | The Grumpy Uncle's Battle Against Gastric Cancer | Mickey: Treatment Path for Advanced Gastric Cancer at Age 31 | Summary from an Advancing Colon Cancer Patient's Family Member (Including Care Guide) | Alison: Treatment for HER2-Positive Advanced Colon Cancer | From Stage IV Gastric Cancer to Complete Remission | 78 Liver Metastases Are Not a Death Sentence | The Advanced Cancer Patient Who Entered the ICU Due to Infection Is Now Tumor-Free | Panda Group Member Story: Weihua 1 | From Diagnosis to Recurrence | Panda Group Member Story: Yang Yong | Striving for Self-Improvement | The Cruel Truth Behind Treatment Value: Why Some Patients Are Advised Against Seeking Treatment in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou | Anti-Cancer Blogger Fengzi Passes Away: Who Will Care for Young Patients Fighting Cancer Alone? | Panda and Friends | Lao Chen: What It's Like to Join a CAR-T Clinical Trial, Over Three Years with Colon Cancer Liver and Lung Metastases, An Anti-Cancer Veteran | Sister Yangguang: Life Should Not Lose Its Color Because of Illness | Patient Story
Doctor-Patient Communication | Click text to jump directly
Peking University Cancer Hospital Shen Lin: 2023 Advances in Immunotherapy for Colon Cancer | Director Shen Lin's Step-by-Step Guide for Colon and Gastric Cancer Patients on Seeking Medical Care
Peking University Cancer Hospital Xing Baocai: Doctor-Patient Communication on Colon Cancer Liver Metastasis
Guangzhou Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center Chen Gong: Can Surgery Be Performed Immediately After Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis? | On Surgery for Colorectal Peritoneal Metastasis | On Treatment Strategies for Colorectal Liver and Lung Metastasis | Maintenance Therapy and Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer | Patient Group Case Analysis Q&A (Part 1) | Patient Group Case Analysis Q&A (Part 2)
Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center Cai Guoxiang: Transcript of Patient Group Communication and Q&A
Guangzhou Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center Wang Fenghua: Transcript of Patient Group Communication
Guangzhou Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Xiao Jian: Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy, and Immunotherapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer
Beijing Friendship Hospital Yao Hongwei: Necessary Examinations for Rectal Cancer Patients and How to Read the Reports
▽ Click to read the original article and join the support group