What does it mean to have stage IV cancer?
Stage IV cancer is sometimes referred to as metastatic cancer, because it often means the cancer has spread from its origin to distant parts of the body. This stage may be diagnosed years after the initial cancer diagnosis and/or after the primary cancer has been treated or removed.
How can you tell if you have Stage 4 cancer?
Stage IV cancer is determined in the five most common cancers this way: The cancer has spread beyond the breast, underarm and internal mammary lymph nodes to other parts of the body near to or distant from the breast. Metastatic breast cancer most often spreads to the bones, brain, lungs and/or liver.
What did fighting cancer teach me about life?
Fighting taught me that everybody can win, no matter who they’re fighting. You just have to apply a strategy. With cancer, you put your faith in the hands of the experts, into your doctor and the nurses and the support team, but you understand that the biggest role in this is you.
What kind of cancer is Stage 4 prostate cancer?
Stage IV (stage 4) prostate cancer The cancer is found in other parts of the body, even after the prostate has been removed. Metastatic prostate cancer usually travels to the adrenal glands, liver, bones and/or lungs.
What to do when you have stage IV cancer?
You just have to apply a strategy. With cancer, you put your faith in the hands of the experts, into your doctor and the nurses and the support team, but you understand that the biggest role in this is you. I took the energy from all the fear I felt and directed it toward getting out of the hospital.
What’s the flip side of anger for a cancer survivor?
The flip-side of anger is apathy, where one doesn’t feel anything at all and I would rather have anger, personally speaking. My husband of 32 years currently has stage IV hypopharyngeal cancer (a type of throat cancer). Believe me, pre-cancer there was all kinds of anger and disappointment because he is also an alcoholic.
How is my husband doing after 4 years of cancer?
We went through the living for 3 months at a time that all cancer patients have to endure, then every six months. Still every six months even after 4 years. My husband is doing well considering, with no reports of any new cancer. The problem is I like a lot of caregivers have a very angry man that I live with.
What happens to a relationship during cancer treatment?
Some relationships get stronger during cancer treatment. Others are weakened. Nearly all couples feel more stress than usual when cancer occurs. They often feel stress about: Knowing how to best support each other and how to communicate Juggling lots of roles (such as childcare, housekeeping, work, and caregiving)