I had my "annual" colonoscopy and received the good news that there is no evidence of disease (NED). I was told that unless there are other indications, I am now on a three year cycle for my next colonoscopy. I have been a member of this forum for over 4 years since my diagnosis in Decembe...

I just had my second CLEAR PET scan last week 15 months after surgery. I feel fortunate to have relatively minor side effects from the chemo, oxi, and radiation. I have mild neuropathy in my finger tips and feet but it does not restrict any activities. The only dietary change is I avoid chili with m...

I received the best news possible yesterday when my oncologist informed my wife and me that the PET scan from last week was clear with NED. I also had a sigmoidoscopy last month and 1.2 CEA count. I finished FLOX treatment on July 13 but my wife wanted to wait until we returned back from a 3 week va...

Congratulations and thanks for sharing your progress. It gives all us of us hope for a full recovery and full life free of worry and treatments.

I agree with the less likelihood of patients over 70 being active in online forum groups. However, in my infusion room I notice the average age of those around me to be around 70. I've told this to my wife after my first couple of visits. Some in their 60's, but many appearing to be 70-80. I am 51 a...

After the diagnosis on Dec. 23, 2011, colon resection surgery on Jan. 9 with 3 weeks recovery, five weeks of daily radiation and Xeloda, and just now completing 16 weeks of 8 sessions of FLOX treatment, I can say that I am finished and to my knowledge I am NED for 6 months. I meet with my oncologist...

Yes, I also get a mild case of hiccups the first few days after treatment. Very mild though. They only last like a sneeze, about 3-4 hiccups and it's over. And they only happen when I roll over or get out of bed. Very odd but obviously very manageable for me.

Congratulations! Yes, time to celebrate. I am completing my fifth of 8 FLOX treatments and to date my side effects have been very minimal. I have the usually bowel issues that are under due to regular ammonium during the first week and a change to a fiber and good protein diet. I saw the nutritional...

Rix, it's great to hear your positive attitude and stable condition. Also glad to hear of your vacation plans. My wife and I have visited the small community of Niagara on Lake on the Canadian side of the border twice in the past 6 years on our way to a summer cottage north of Toronto (we too live i...

Reading the posts in this forum has given me a great insight into what to expect and how to prepare for my FLOX treatments, so I'd thought I share what I've learned and experienced in my first two sessions. I completed my second of eight scheduled bi-weekly infusion sessions and effect was the same ...

My understanding of the difference between FOLFOX and FLOX is the absence of the take home pump and replaced by day 2 infusion.

Here's an article I found discussing the differences:

http://www.colorectalcancerupdate.com/edition/2005/5/grothey.htm

I should add that I am also taking L-Glutamine (30gm/day) day before continuing to 2 days post, B-Complex, and Alpha-Lipoic Acid - starting with 300mg and moving to 600 mg/day if no stomach issues.

I completed day #2 of my first FLOX treatment today and so far so good. I realize through the helpful posting of this group that the side effects can take several sessions to develop and strengthen. Yesterday was a 4+ hour session with a cocktail of IV's including anti-nausea, steroids, calcium-magn...

I had LAR on Jan. 9. The surgery was 3 hours which my surgeon said was normal. I was in the hospital four days and three nights. What worked for me was walking with my IV entourage in tow. I walked the halls 8-10 times a day about every hour for 20 minutes. I did not have an lleostomy but they did m...

Next Monday I start 5 weeks of 5day/week of radiation of my sigmoid colon. I the radiation oncologist assures me I will not have issues with pain in the rectum since the radiation will be targeted higher in the sigmoid colon adjacent to the rectum. The radiation oncologist says the main area of disc...