Suzi, my friend had both, but not together. Apparently, they want to treat her in an aggressive way since they couldn't operate... I pray she has good results. Your encouragement and friendship will be a blessing. May God have mercy and minister healing to her body. ~abreeze

IÂve heard of this, but donÂt know anyone whoÂs been through the double whammy. My guess would be that sheÂll get smaller doses of chemo and radiation because sheÂs getting both at once. Attacking the cancer on two fronts sounds pretty darn effective. It doesnÂt necessarily mean that they think the cancerÂs extremely aggressive. I think that if they were really afraid of this particular tumor, they would remove as much of it as they could before beginning other treatments, but situations vary greatly according to how the tumorÂs situated. How far the cancer has spread is more important than how big the tumor is. Colon cancer is really treatable if itÂs caught before itÂs spread very far.

Cancer treatments are changing all the time: my mother was on at least two experimental drugs for colon cancer. Your friendÂs doctor thinks that the chemo/radiation combo will be more effective. They may still operate after this round of treatment is finished and the tumor is smaller. Cancer.org and the Johns Hopkins websites both have a lot of information. Make sure youÂre mentally prepared before you start looking for information. Some of the statistics can be pretty grim for the really advanced cancers.

Hang in there: no matter have great the outcome, it's going to be a bumpy ride. DonÂt be bashful about asking for support for her, you or her other loved ones.

Take care,
Scotland

Has your friend simply asked her doctor why they are recommending both chemo and radiation at once? That might be the most effective route, rather than speculating and trying to guess.

yes i've heard of people getting both. we've been at the cancer dr, and know some who are getting chemo there and leave there and go to hospital to get radiation. good luck to your friend! DianePA

Thanks so much for all the replies.

They did tell her it is "quite aggressive." I don't ask a lot of questions...she says she feels free to talk to me& has quite a lot. Unless she specifically asks my advice, I don't offer it with the exception of suggestion that she gain all the knowledge she can about the disease, pray & laugh a lot and keep visualizing the meds & radiation attacking & killing ALL those nasty little gremlins. I also try to give more mundane support like cleaning her house, doing laundry, grocery shopping & such- the things she just can't keep up with.

Suzi

Suzi, you said: "I also try to give more mundane support like cleaning her house, doing laundry, grocery shopping & such- the things she just can't keep up with."

Give yourself a big pat on the back for being the best kind of friend. Things like that may be mundane to those of us who can do them, but they are mountains to your friend.

You are a gem!