My oncologist just discussed desensitization to oxaliplatin with me last week. I had an allergic reaction to Oxi three years ago and now we're going to return to it. For my first dose, I will just be in the clinic, but if I have a reaction then I will have my next dose in the hospital ICU over the c...

I had a bone marrow biopsy done because of continued low platelet counts. I was given a local anesthetic and intramuscular shots of dilaudid and ativan. It wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be. It doesn't take very long - it just feels strange. I'm not sure how to desc...

Oxaliplatin, one of the FOLFOX drugs, causes cold sensitivity. You can try drinking cold drinks or touching something cold, but it will be a very unpleasant sensation. For me, it was almost like a burning sensation. The cold can also cause muscle spasms which, when in your throat, can make you feel ...

Oh, I just remembered something else... When I was on the morphine drip after my colon surgery, my roommate and his girlfriend came to visit and brought Trivial Pursuit with them. So we started to play. What I remember is that I did really well and wound up winning the game. What actually happened i...

I was diagnosed with ascites last November. It was very uncomfortable and I was incredibly nervous after I did some online research about ascites and colon cancer. Then I went in to have the fluid drained. They weren't able to drain very much, but they did get enough so they could test it. They foun...

I was on a morphine drip after my liver resection, but my remaining liver wasn't processing the morphine so it was just building up in my body. Although I have no memory of this, my parents have told me that I had them laughing hysterically for almost an hour. I was telling stories and singing Weird...

I didn't have the RFA done yesterday. Instead, they did cryoablation on the met because of the location (at the base of my right lung). It went well. I had to be awake for the whole thing which I was not expecting although I'm actually glad I didn't know ahead of time. I would have worried a lot mor...

The RFA is scheduled for Tuesday morning. I'm a little nervous, but I'm extremely busy today and tomorrow so that should help keep my mind off it.

Thanks for the replies. I have already decided to go with RFA. This lung met was first seen in December 2006 and measured at 2mm. Last month it measured 6mm so it is very slow growing. I also currently have no other evidence of active disease. What I am really looking for it personal experiences wit...

I have a small nodule in my right lung (6mm) and rather than invasive surgery or chemotherapy, we have decided to use RFA. I'm looking for personal experiences with RFA to the lungs (not to the liver). Can anyone let me know what the procedure was like and how long it took to recover? Thanks! Christ...

I had two clots up near my neck and they caused an enormous amount of pain (and swelling - I couldn't turn my head), but once I started on blood thinners (lovenox for two weeks; coumadin daily ever since) it didn't take long for the pain to go away. I did take pain killers as necessary. It did take ...

My oncologist told me that a liver specialist (I had mets) would tell me no alcohol, but he said no habitual or binge drinking. If I want to have a cocktail or glass of wine occasionally, I should, but no more than two. My liver is clear now, but the numbers are still off so he has me on the same pl...

This is just a random possibility, but on the scans you had two weeks ago, was there any sign of fluid in the abdomen? I gained weight suddenly around my midsection and then they found it was caused by fluid. Your fingers swelling and the abdominal discomfort made me think of this. My fingers didn't...

Not all colon cancer patients are anemic - especially if the cancer is caught at an early stage. Unexplained anemia suggests colon cancer, but testing for anemia is not a way to diagnose colon cancer. The itching and mucus could also be hemorrhoids, but it's a good idea to see your doctor and push f...

One of the hardest things for me to learn after my diagnosis is that taking painkillers for real physical pain will not lead to an addiction. Because of your abcess and the fact that it is not closed up yet, your pain is completely understandable. And two Vicodin a day is almost nothing. Regarding t...