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Started By
Message
re: I start chemo and radiation this week
Posted on 3/21/22 at 9:31 am to doublecutter
Posted on 3/21/22 at 9:31 am to doublecutter
Wishing the best for you.
1
Posted on 3/21/22 at 9:31 am to doublecutter
I underwent chemo and radiation for colorectal cancer after the surgery was not conclusively successful of the removal of the stage two tumor.
Take the nausea medicines on a schedule as a preventative. Do not wait to "feel" sick. I was told this advice but did not take it to heart until after the first time. It only happened once ha.
Food will taste metallic and like chemicals. For me this was more pronounced in foods that were processed or included canned products. You will need to try lots of food to find what you can stomach. In the first month i threw away half of my food before i found five or six things i could "go to" when i was hungry.
Good luck and God Bless.
Take the nausea medicines on a schedule as a preventative. Do not wait to "feel" sick. I was told this advice but did not take it to heart until after the first time. It only happened once ha.
Food will taste metallic and like chemicals. For me this was more pronounced in foods that were processed or included canned products. You will need to try lots of food to find what you can stomach. In the first month i threw away half of my food before i found five or six things i could "go to" when i was hungry.
Good luck and God Bless.
Posted on 3/21/22 at 9:33 am to doublecutter
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.
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.
Posted on 3/21/22 at 9:33 am to alfhaim
Have a friend that was just dx with colon cancer, stage 2 or 3 (they don't know yet). So far no mets based on CT scans. Are mets not typical w/ this type of cancer for those that have it? Or, if no adjacent major organs have it, is there any way to tell if it has spread to the lymph nodes?
ETA Nevermind, I see SLT's post above. Prayers to you and all others dealing with this.
ETA Nevermind, I see SLT's post above. Prayers to you and all others dealing with this.
This post was edited on 3/21/22 at 9:36 am
Posted on 3/21/22 at 9:36 am to doublecutter
Routine colonoscopy or were you having symptoms baw?
Age?
Age?
Posted on 3/21/22 at 9:42 am to doublecutter
I have stage 4 colon cancer. I don’t have have to do radiation but I’ve been doing chemo for over 3 years. When I first saw the side effects I was very concerned like you. In my experience the chemo affects people differently. Hopefully it won’t be bad for you.
Do you know which chemo you will be taking? I’ll be glad to help with any questions you may have.
Do you know which chemo you will be taking? I’ll be glad to help with any questions you may have.
Posted on 3/21/22 at 9:42 am to doublecutter
Best of wishes and praying for you
This post was edited on 3/21/22 at 9:43 am
Posted on 3/21/22 at 9:44 am to doublecutter
praying for you brother. don’t know you, but you’re apart of the TD family. And i wish you all the best as you go through this. You will beat it and post about your arse kickery of cancer! Keep us updated.
Posted on 3/21/22 at 9:46 am to doublecutter
I can only give you prayers. I hope you stay strong throughout your trying journey.
Posted on 3/21/22 at 9:46 am to doublecutter
Prayers, bro!
Posted on 3/21/22 at 10:02 am to doublecutter
Prayers to all on this thread going through chemo. Kick some cancer arse, baws!
Posted on 3/21/22 at 10:11 am to doublecutter
Been reading thru and I'm shocked at how many posters have almost the same cancer, or real close in proximity.
I'm as bad as the next guy, but what will it take for us all to see how much more common this has become since we were young?
It's the foods people, no other explanation.
If we were only strong enough and supported by or government agencies in the process, I truly believe that vegetables, unprocessed meats, fish, etc, and clean water would make 50% of these cancers go away. But it wouldn't be overnight because we've been poisoning ourselves for decades
I'm as bad as the next guy, but what will it take for us all to see how much more common this has become since we were young?
It's the foods people, no other explanation.
If we were only strong enough and supported by or government agencies in the process, I truly believe that vegetables, unprocessed meats, fish, etc, and clean water would make 50% of these cancers go away. But it wouldn't be overnight because we've been poisoning ourselves for decades
Posted on 3/21/22 at 10:12 am to doublecutter
All the best wishes to you, in handling treatment well and speedy recovery
Posted on 3/21/22 at 10:26 am to doublecutter
I havent had radiation, but I have been through 8 rounds of chemotherapy over the past year with Etopiside, Cisplatin, and Carboplatin. The last two rounds were high dose chemotherapy, which just means they dumped an entire round of chemo into my body in one day and did that for four consecutive days. Side effects are always different between each patient but mine were hair loss, fatigue, stomach problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), nose bleeds, severe body cramps, neuropathy in my hands and feet, tinnitus in my ears (permanent unfortunately), oral thrush, temporary loss of taste (usually lasts about a month), and some dental damage.
A couple of items I can recommend to help - one being a mouthwash to use during/after chemo to crack down on mouth sores and changes to your saliva:
Amazon link
Also, anything and everything GINGER. Take these drops and it will help combat nausea during/after treatments - especially after the round of chemo ends and you're at home on your own:
Amazon link
Ginger supplements work wonders through this, there's even hot teas made from ginger (caffeine free) as well that helps!
I'm praying for you man. I just finished stem cell transplants at Tulane Med for the last four months and am hoping that's the end of it for me. One thing I can recommend is to get plenty of rest through all of this, it really is the best during recovery. Stay on top of the nausea medicine they'll prescribe you as well - zofran really is the best even though it tastes pretty awful.
ETA: Stage 4 testicular. 3 surgeries, 8 rounds of chemo, 2 stem cell transplants so far.
A couple of items I can recommend to help - one being a mouthwash to use during/after chemo to crack down on mouth sores and changes to your saliva:
Amazon link
Also, anything and everything GINGER. Take these drops and it will help combat nausea during/after treatments - especially after the round of chemo ends and you're at home on your own:
Amazon link
Ginger supplements work wonders through this, there's even hot teas made from ginger (caffeine free) as well that helps!
I'm praying for you man. I just finished stem cell transplants at Tulane Med for the last four months and am hoping that's the end of it for me. One thing I can recommend is to get plenty of rest through all of this, it really is the best during recovery. Stay on top of the nausea medicine they'll prescribe you as well - zofran really is the best even though it tastes pretty awful.
ETA: Stage 4 testicular. 3 surgeries, 8 rounds of chemo, 2 stem cell transplants so far.
This post was edited on 3/21/22 at 10:31 am
Posted on 3/21/22 at 10:28 am to Springlake Tiger
quote:
My cancer was stage 4 as it had spread to a lymph node outside of the rectal area.
Thanks for the detailed response.
I'm stage 3a, meaning that the cancer has spread to one lymph node. The doc says it's a lymph node that is right on the side of the outer wall of the rectum.
I will be taking pills for the chemo, so won't have to worry about a pump or implanted port at this time.
The plan is to have radiation to shrink the size of the tumor, as it will make surgery to remove it a lot easier. And chemo to try to keep the spread of the cancer in check and hopefully kill any rogue cancer cells anywhere else in my body.
The doc says that it's possible, but not probable, that the radiation could make the tumor disappear completely and for the chemo to kill off the cancer cells where surgery may not be needed.
Good luck to you and may the Lord be your side.
Posted on 3/21/22 at 10:28 am to doublecutter
God bless, good luck,and stay positive.
Posted on 3/21/22 at 10:30 am to tunechi
quote:
Routine colonoscopy or were you having symptoms baw?
Age?
Was starting to notice blood in my stool. So had a colonosopy.
I'm 62.
Posted on 3/21/22 at 10:32 am to PCBTiger
quote:
Good luck, I have had 23 rounds and round 24 is scheduled for today for stage 4 colon cancer. Stay hydrated, eat plenty of small meals, get plenty of rest. The first round is the toughest because of the unknown and seeing how your body will react. Chemo knocks me down for 3-4 days then I start to improve and then carry on as normal until it’s time for the next round.
Thanks for your response. God be with you.
Posted on 3/21/22 at 10:34 am to alfhaim
quote:
Take the nausea medicines on a schedule as a preventative. Do not wait to "feel" sick. I was told this advice but did not take it to heart until after the first time. It only happened once ha.
Thanks for the advice. I'm going to ask about this today at the treatment orientation,
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