Postby Guest » Sun Apr 08, 2007 8:46 pm
Hi all -
Irish, will you be on 5FU alone or with oxilaplatin? The 5FU side effects for me were pretty tolerable - nausea and fatigue, but my basic goal was to be able to do the basics for my family and to rest when I needed, and I felt that I accomplished that - everybody does react differently though. The anti-nausea meds worked well, and I used them the first 2-3 days, but they made me very constipated. Then chemo induced diarrehea the following week, though not very bad. System is still on a roller coaster, 2 months off. The oxi presents peripheral neuropathy, and again, different for everyone. Mine was pretty significant, and I'm still having numbness and tingling in my fingers on a constant basis, but it doesn't interfere much with daily life - just a pain! The onc. nurses really stressed that the litany of side effects they present are possibilities, not probabilities for everyone. I never developed cold sores, and I know that can be a big issue. So try not become overwhelmed and take the time to treat yourself well - rest, eat well, laughing will help immensely!
Seussfan - I was on the schedule you described and it worked out well. I could take the weekend to flake out and recover somewhat. By the end of 12 treatments, I was pretty fatigued the first 2-3 days off the pump, needed to rest several times a day, but after that my energy picked up.
Good luck to you both! Let us know how things are going. By the way, does anyone think we can convice Kate Spade to whip up something better looking than the typical fanny pack, or shoulder bag - I hated going out in public with that thing!
I am 38 single mom, trying to lose weight and train for a mini triathlon. I have had very loose stools on & off for about 4 years. But started having blood in June. I mention this to my GP and suggested that I try to add fibercon to my diet. I tryed this for 6 more months, which I continued bleeding. I was sent for a colonoscopy in November, which I did this without the sedation. As soon as the scoop was in, I saw the tumor. I was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma cancer, which was confirmed with the biopsy. I had my rectum removed on January 2, 2007 and now have a temporary ileostomy. . I have gone through 28 radiation treatments with a chemo drip. I had mild reaction to the radiation but nothing with the chemo. 
Now they are suggestion additional chemo treatments of 6 months using 5FU. This is suppose to start at the end of April. I am trying to kept my routine as normal as possible with my son and work. So I just wondered what I might expect. Such as time involved and reactions that I might have. Thanks in advance for your input.. 
