re: I start chemo and radiation this week

I had Radiation, then Chemo, then Surgery, now on a different chemo. My cancer was stage 4 as it had spread to a lymph node outside of the rectal area.

Radiation: I was given an intense 5 treatments over the course of 1 week. The actual procedure is quick and easy. Not going to lie, the after effects caused some significant internal burning that was rather uncomfortable. Pretty much started the Saturday after the last treatment which was on a Friday. That lasted for about a week. See if they can put you on some significant pain meds.

Chemo: I was given 9 treatments of FOLFOX. This is 5FU, Leucovorin, and Oxalyplatin. This is probably what you will get. My side effects were being tired and you do have significant effects to the cold. You can't touch anything cold or drink anything cold. If you do, it feels like you are touching or swallowing needles. The Oxalyplatin caused my fingers and feet to basically go numb. My last treatment was last January and the numbness is still there but I am pretty used to it. The suckiest part is that you have to wear a pump for 46 hours and then go back to the chemo suite to get disconnected. You don't lose your hair with this chemo.

Surgery: I had a lower anterior resection with a temp ileostomy. This was a motherfricker, not going to lie. Pain afterwards was indescribable. My surgery lasted almost 9 hours and my rectum was removed as was my sigmoid colon. The surgeon created a new rectum from my large intestine called a J Pouch. Wearing an ileostomy bag sucked and was a pain in the arse. I had lost so much weight that I was eating a ton to gain it back. The bag would literally fill up as I was eating. I had the ileostomy reversal 60 days later and that surgery was easy. Shitting after that surgery was an adventure, but in about 2 months I was able to figure out my new normal and function regularly. Just wear a nice diaper for a while until you figure it out.

About 3 months after that, I found out that the cancer had spread to numerous lymph nodes around my body. I am now on a chemo regimen called Folfiri. I was told I'd probably lose my hair, but never did. Been on it every 2 weeks since September. Just makes me a little tired but it did screw up my GI system and it causes what is caused clustering, meaning that one bowel movements can end up being over 20 trips to the toilet to complete. It had gotten so bad that I talked to my surgeon about going back to the bag, but he had another idea that has worked awesome. Because I was so miserable, this miserable strategy sounded awesome and has turned out to be a perfect solution for me. Every morning, the first thing I do is give myself a 700ML enema which totally empties out my colon so I don't have to even think about going #2 the rest of the day. I jump in the shower after and am on my way.

I hope your journey is easier and more successful than mine. It is so treatable if caught in the early stages. I was diagnosed at 42 which is younger than the recommended colonoscopy screenings which are now done at 45 instead 50.