People often ask me about his type of cancer and why it is so aggressive. Someone from my support group shared this with us and sometimes I don’t have the right words to explain so I wanted you to read it coming from someone else who is going through the same thing as James.
“There is very little research on this rare 1% sub-type of colon cancer. It has never been grown in a laboratory setting anywhere in the world. It is so rare that many doctors never see a case of it. Sadly, sometimes its key differences are overlooked because it is so rare. It typically does not spread into organs like the liver or lungs. Instead, it grows in thin sheets in the peritoneum and is very difficult to see on CT, MRI, and PET scans. Follow up colonoscopies are often normal despite widespread peritoneal metastasis” – Becky
This is exactly what happened in his case. The cancer has spread only around the organs and is being treated based on guideline care despite significant differences in the cell and how it spreads.
Signet Ring Cell is much more aggressive!! Unfortunately, he is being treated just like any other colon cancer.
MOMENTS THAT BRING US TOGETHER 
I worry about the same thing. Being treated as any other colon cancer when signet ring is so different.
I’m also at Stanford and have the same oncologist! I haven’t begun chemo yet. I’m not as strong as your James. I’m 60, weigh 90 pounds, and need to heal from this surgery. I can feel your pain and frustration that so little is known about signet ring cell and we are treated as any colon cancer patients. But let’s not stop fighting! Is there a support group for people with this disease in the area? I would like to join with my husband. Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person