A Bumpy Road to Recovery for a Late-Stage Colorectal Cancer Patient During the Pandemic | Patient Story

I am now able to share this long, arduous, yet courageous cancer journey with a calm heart. I deeply thank Director Han and the friends in the Panda Group for their timely guidance. Despite various obstacles during the pandemic, we avoided many detours and received prompt, high-quality treatment.

In these cold times, our mutual encouragement and support have helped many families return to the path of happiness.

Author | Cherish Every Step

Editors | Guangguang, Xianning

I. Unusual Symptoms: The First Signs

Around July 2021, in the peak of summer, my husband, who had always been healthy, suddenly started passing gas frequently and having more bowel movements than usual. At first, I thought it was just from eating too much watermelon in the heat. But even after Mid-Autumn Festival, when we stopped eating watermelon, his bowel frequency continued to increase, and he spent longer and longer on the toilet. The stools also had a foul, fishy odor.

I grew worried and suggested he get checked. He said it wasn't necessary, as he had just had his annual company physical in January, and the report was fine. Since he works in the healthcare system and knows a bit about medicine, I, a layperson, naturally trusted his "it's fine" and didn't think much of it.

It wasn't until just before the National Day holiday that I noticed something alarming. While he was napping on the sofa and I was playing with my grandson nearby, I glanced back and, in the bright sunlight, saw his complexion was unusually sallow and unhealthy (my cataracts and usual inattention had previously kept me from noticing). My heart sank. When he woke up, I insisted on a gastroscopy and colonoscopy. He again said to wait until his company's post-holiday checkup.

So we waited until October 18. When the report came back, he said the only abnormality was a slightly elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level of 22.9, and everything else seemed fine. This time, I didn't brush it off. I took the report to a friend who works at a hospital. They also said it didn't look serious. But after I described his symptoms and mentioned he had never had a colonoscopy, my friend immediately advised, "Then just get the scope done. If it's clear, you'll have peace of mind."

II. Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer via Endoscopy

My friend, who works at a Traditional Chinese Medicine hospital, quickly scheduled a gastroscopy and colonoscopy for my husband at the branch closest to our home. He was admitted on November 11, and the procedure was scheduled for noon on November 13. On the day of the exam, after my husband had been in the procedure room for nearly an hour, the doctor came out to speak with me, saying, "Why did you wait so long? Come in and look." My heart leapt to my throat. I followed the doctor in, barely breathing, and saw on the monitor that his intestine was blocked by a purplish-red mass, leaving only a tiny opening as narrow as a plastic straw.

The doctor explained that the mass was 12 centimeters from the anus, which was as far as the scope could go. He stated it was definitely colorectal cancer, but whether it had spread was unclear. He informed me that a tissue sample had been taken for biopsy and recommended that my husband undergo a contrast-enhanced CT and MRI for further evaluation.

The doctor's words struck me like a bolt of lightning. I felt dizzy, as if the sky were collapsing. In our community, cancer is a taboo subject. A diagnosis is often seen as a death sentence: treatment means financial ruin with no guarantee, while refusing it means passing away within months or a year.

I stumbled out of the room, ran to the restroom, and sobbed uncontrollably. It took the cleaning staff's gentle words to calm me down. I quickly called my daughter and my friend. My friend rushed to the hospital, saw my pale face, and took me to the nurses' station to check my blood pressure. Despite never having hypertension, my reading had spiked to 170. Panicked and overwhelmed, I couldn't even look at my husband, terrified he'd see my tears. I forced a smile in front of him. After discussing with my daughter, we decided to keep the truth from him for now, telling him it was just a large polyp that the endoscopy team couldn't remove.

III. Imaging Reveals Double Primary Cancers

Guided by the doctor and my friend, my husband underwent a contrast-enhanced MRI the next day. The results showed multiple space-occupying lesions in both liver lobes, with the largest in segments S5 and S6, suspected to be malignant, initially indicating liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. The gastroscopy report also noted: purple-blue mucosal elevations at 39 cm and 36 cm from the incisors in the esophagus; two each at 30 cm and 15 cm; one on the posterior wall of the gastric fundus and one in the gastric antrum, suspected to be early esophageal cancer.

One blow after another left me barely able to stand. Fortunately, my friend remained calm and supportive. She immediately took us to the Municipal People's Hospital for a PET-CT, which thankfully showed no metastasis to other organs.

Since the endoscopy, I had barely eaten, drunk, or slept for three days. I visited every authoritative hospital in the city and consulted multiple TCM and Western medicine experts. Most recommended conservative treatment. But my daughter kept telling me never to give up, to spare no expense, to find the best doctors nationwide, and to sell our house if needed so we could live with them.

IV. Finding Hope in the Panda Group

Just after midnight on the third day, my daughter messaged me. She had found a patient support organization online called the "Panda Group" and sent me a long article titled "A Middle-Aged Beijinger's Notes on Fighting Late-Stage Colon Cancer." She urged me to read it carefully. I read it in one sitting. The heavy stone in my heart finally lifted. Like a lone boat in a stormy sea suddenly spotting a lighthouse, my mind cleared. I finally had a clear direction for my husband's treatment and renewed confidence in his recovery. That night, I finally slept.

My daughter immediately joined the Panda Group. After uploading my husband's scans and medical records, group members recommended seeking treatment at Peking University Cancer Hospital (Beizhong) and guided us on how to secure an appointment with Director Xing Baocai.

With a plan in place, we acted quickly. By Friday, I was busy printing medical records and borrowing pathology slides. In the afternoon, I went to the medical insurance office to register for out-of-town treatment. (Here, I must note a pitfall: neither the hospital nor the insurance office informed me that I needed to apply for chronic/special disease outpatient coverage first to get reimbursed for baseline exams in Beijing. As a result, we lost a significant amount of money on unreimbursed outpatient costs at Beizhong. This was my first mistake. Since then, whether in the Panda Group or with newly diagnosed patients, I always advise them to apply for local chronic/special disease outpatient coverage before traveling for care.) On Monday, I filed a claim with our insurance company (we had previously bought a critical illness policy for him). I ran around from morning till night, exhausted in body and mind, but the thought that my husband still had a chance at a cure kept me going.

V. Traveling North for Care: Confirmed Late-Stage Colorectal Cancer with Liver Metastasis

On November 23, 2021, exactly 10 days after his diagnosis, my daughter and son-in-law drove us to Beijing. Before leaving, I told my husband we were going for a trip and to visit a major hospital to see if his polyps could be removed. Fortunately, he has always been easygoing and doesn't pry. He maintained a good attitude, eating and drinking as usual.

The next day, Thursday, we successfully attended Director Xing's special outpatient clinic, applied for a pathology consultation, and scheduled a series of baseline tests. Over the weekend, my son-in-law's classmate warmly hosted us and drove us to visit the Summer Palace and other sights.

After completing the baseline tests at Beizhong, the diagnosis was confirmed: colorectal cancer (cT4aN2) with a tendency for multiple liver metastases (M1). The largest lesion was in S4, measuring about 29*23 mm, and the second largest was in S5, about 13*9 mm. The CRS score was 3. We then paid 16,000 RMB out-of-pocket for genetic testing and immunohistochemistry (this was our second pitfall; we later learned from Panda Group members that doing it elsewhere could save half the cost).

On December 7, 2021, my husband began his first cycle of preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The regimen was: Oxaliplatin + Fluorouracil + Leucovorin (FOLFOX regimen). Once the genetic test results came back showing RAS/BRAF wild-type, MSS, and HER2 (-), he received his second preoperative chemotherapy on December 27, with the regimen adjusted to FOLFOX + Cetuximab (FOLFOX+Cet).

During this period, we prepared to rent an apartment in Beijing for standardized treatment. We looked at several places near Beizhong, mostly shared by patients, which meant frequent roommate changes and shared kitchens and bathrooms—not very convenient. Renting a whole place alone was too expensive. So, with a relative's help, we rented a two-bedroom apartment in the Fengtai suburbs, easily accessible by a two-hour bus ride to Beizhong. This proved to be the right choice. The community environment was lovely, with retired neighbors singing, playing cards, chess, and instruments. A large nearby farmers' market offered fresh, affordable produce. We lived there for 5 months, feeling almost as comfortable as at home.

VI. Chemotherapy Works: A Chance for Surgery

After the second chemotherapy cycle, a follow-up scan showed the liver tumors had shrunk by 40%, and the smaller ones were barely visible. His bowel movements also became much smoother, indicating he was highly sensitive to chemotherapy. We had planned for three cycles before surgery, but the doctor said a third cycle wasn't necessary; another round might make the tumors disappear entirely, so we should just wait for the surgery schedule.

Hearing that surgery was possible, I was both thrilled and puzzled: "Wouldn't it be better if the chemo made them disappear completely, so he wouldn't need surgery?" Dr. Xu Da noticed my confusion and patiently explained: "It's like cutting down a tree. If you only remove the trunk above ground, the roots remain in the soil and can sprout again. Surgery is like digging out the entire root system, which greatly reduces the chance of recurrence." Understanding the rationale, we followed the doctor's advice. With the Spring Festival approaching, we scheduled the surgery for after the holiday.

Due to the pandemic, we didn't dare return home for the New Year, fearing a sudden lockdown would prevent us from returning to Beijing and delay the surgery. So, for the first time in our lives, we spent a unique Spring Festival in the capital. To keep my husband's spirits up, I tried to create a festive atmosphere: we visited the New Year market, bought holiday goods, pasted red "Fu" characters all over the apartment, and cooked delicious meals. On the second day of the New Year, I took him to stroll around Qianmen, the Temple of Heaven, and later the Forbidden City. We even went to Wangfujing to enjoy authentic Quanjude roast duck. He was happy every day during the holiday.

Since his diagnosis, I never restricted his diet. I stewed old hens, beef tails, beef, and mutton, and brewed "Five Red" soup. He ate whatever he craved, so his physical condition remained excellent. Initially, I wasn't in the Panda Group myself; my daughter relayed the group's advice and experiences. Realizing she was juggling work and two young children, I asked her to add me to the group.

In my free time, I studied the professional materials and treatment experiences shared in the group. From not even knowing what "prognosis" meant, I learned about Lynch syndrome, HER2 mutations, what staging indicates late-stage metastasis, and which chemotherapy regimens suit different types of metastatic colorectal cancer. The knowledge I gained from the group greatly aided my husband's subsequent treatment.

I also learned how to book appointments online, schedule tests, view reports and medical records, pay at self-service kiosks, and print documents. During the 5+ months of treatment in Beijing and subsequent follow-up chemotherapies, except for the initial trip which my daughter and son-in-law accompanied us on, I single-handedly managed all the travel between our hometown and Beijing's hospitals for the next three years, greatly easing the burden on our children.

[ Waiting for surgery at Beizhong, Temple of Heaven Park, 2nd day of the Lunar New Year 2022 ]

VII. Successful Surgery and Rapid Recovery

My husband was admitted on the 8th day of the first lunar month in 2022. The liver metastasis resection was performed on the 14th. The surgery lasted from 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Although there was a minor intraoperative complication—the tumor in S5 had infiltrated deeply and nicked a blood vessel during resection, requiring an open incision to suture—the overall procedure went smoothly.

[ Preoperative Examination Report ]

The very next morning, the doctor requested he get out of bed and move around. I was worried that moving too early might disrupt the wound, as in our hometown, patients typically rest in bed for three days post-surgery. But my husband bravely pulled himself up and persevered with walking, albeit unsteadily.

[ Liver Surgery Pathology Report ]

As it turned out, different philosophies yield different results. Combined with meticulous nursing care, my husband recovered remarkably fast and was discharged on the 8th day. 28 days after the liver metastasis surgery, on March 11, he underwent resection of the primary colorectal tumor in the Fourth Gastrointestinal Ward. The surgery was successful. After removing the bandages, I saw his abdomen crisscrossed with incisions and laparoscopic port sites. It looked heartbreaking, and I wanted to cry, but his strong constitution and rapid recovery soon put my mind at ease.

[ Bowel Surgery Pathology Report ]

With both the liver and bowel tumors removed, I was still concerned about the early esophageal cancer. Following Director Xing's recommendation, I booked an appointment with Director Chen from the First Thoracic Surgery Department in mid-April. A follow-up gastroscopy was performed, and the results showed: esophageal intraepithelial neoplasia. The head of the endoscopy department advised leaving it alone, as the upcoming 10 cycles of chemotherapy might also affect it. This diagnosis, so different from what we had heard locally, brought immense relief. My heart finally settled.

VIII. Arduous Chemotherapy During the Pandemic

Chemotherapy was scheduled every 14 days. I originally planned to complete the entire course at Beizhong before returning home. However, by late April, Beijing's pandemic situation seemed to be spiraling out of control. We heard that non-essential travel was discouraged, and emergency medical visits required applying for an ambulance through the local community. As outsiders, I doubted we'd get an ambulance if a lockdown hit. So, I quickly canceled the third chemotherapy appointment and returned home on May 2. Upon arrival, the community mandated quarantine. I applied for home isolation but couldn't leave for 7 days; all daily necessities were delivered to our door by relatives.

The third chemotherapy was due on May 6. After quarantine ended on May 8, I immediately took my husband to the local oncology hospital, but we were turned away: "We don't accept patients returning from Beijing." Even with a green nucleic acid test code, they refused, citing liability if an outbreak occurred at their facility. Desperate, I asked my friend to pull strings at the TCM hospital, where he finally received the treatment. Despite bringing the Beizhong protocol, they still added some Chinese herbal medicine.

For the fourth cycle, we found a connection at the oncology hospital's colorectal surgery department. They accepted him this time, but the doctor refused to follow the Beizhong protocol exactly, insisting on adding PD-1. He said, "It's already late-stage; why not add all the targeted drugs? Isn't it just 70,000-80,000 RMB? A life is more important." I consulted Director Han in the Panda Group and messaged Dr. Xu Da, my husband's attending surgeon at Beizhong. Both said it was unnecessary. A group member jokingly remarked that our local doctors were "overthinking it." I was so grateful to have joined the Panda Group, which saved us from this major pitfall.

For the fifth cycle, we transferred to the internal medicine department, where an acquaintance provided excellent care. The remaining cycles were completed smoothly there. In June, during the three-month post-op follow-up, a colonoscopy revealed two new polyps in the transverse and descending colon, and CEA had risen to 9.05. Since he was still undergoing chemotherapy, we decided not to remove them immediately.

After the final chemotherapy cycle on August 27, we rushed back to Beizhong for a follow-up on August 28. The CEA had dropped back to 6.28, and everything else looked fine. Only then did my tightly wound nerves finally relax. Director Xing advised regular follow-ups to monitor CEA changes.

IX. Recurrence of a Large Bowel Polyp

In October, my husband's CEA rose again. Wondering if the two bowel polyps were to blame, I insisted he get another gastroscopy and colonoscopy at the local TCM hospital (since painless colonoscopy wait times at Beizhong were too long, and doing it without anesthesia would be too painful). We hoped to remove the polyps endoscopically, but the procedure revealed two large adenomas in the ascending colon, the larger measuring about 10-25 mm in diameter, with some serrated glands penetrating the muscularis mucosae into the submucosa. The endoscopist said they couldn't safely dig deep into the large polyp and could only shave the surface. He asked if I wanted it removed or not.

Another difficult choice. Unsure what to do, I told the doctor to proceed based on their experience. They removed the smaller ones completely and only half of the larger one, sending it for pathology. Terrified, I booked an online consultation that evening with Director Cui, the attending surgeon from Beizhong's Fourth Gastrointestinal Ward. He advised waiting for the pathology results for a consultation.

I waited anxiously for the pathology report. Meanwhile, pandemic controls tightened, with cities and districts locking down. Beijing was completely inaccessible. Director Cui suggested mailing the pathology report and slides for consultation. When the Beizhong pathology consultation report arrived, the result was: tubular adenoma grade 1, benign. Only then did my suspended heart finally drop.

We had originally scheduled a follow-up at Beizhong for December 8, 2022, but due to an outbreak at Beizhong, they temporarily stopped accepting patients. We canceled and had the check-up done locally. After the pandemic eased, we made sure to travel to Beizhong for every follow-up. It has been over three years now, and by heaven's grace, my husband's health continues to improve.

Last fall, after a clinic visit, Director Xing advised that follow-ups every six months would suffice going forward. We plan to continue all five-year follow-ups at Beizhong. I believe standardized treatment is crucial.

X. Final Words of Gratitude

My husband has now recovered to the point where he is indistinguishable from a healthy person. He buys groceries, cooks, picks up and drops off his grandson at school, and can walk over 10,000 steps daily. His weight has increased to over 150 jin (75 kg).

[ Traveling in Henan, 2023 ]

The Panda Group is not only a blessing for millions of cancer patients but also a winter sun that saves families from the abyss of despair. The group's dopamine therapy has empowered wave after wave of patients and caregivers, strengthening their confidence to defeat the disease. It is also a treasure trove of inexhaustible treatment databases. Here, we have not only learned valuable medical knowledge but also forged precious friendships.

In these cold times, our mutual encouragement and support have helped many families return to the path of happiness. Once again, I thank Director Han and all the friends in the Panda Group! I also wish all patients on their medical journeys an early CR (Complete Response)!

[ Follow-up at Beizhong, World Park, July 2023 ]

To protect patient privacy, names used in this article are pseudonyms.
Images featuring patients have been authorized by them and may not be used without permission.

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