Postby BrownBagger » Mon Jul 12, 2010 11:17 pm
I didn't have a big problem with the post-op radiation and chemo for rectal cancer, so maybe you won't either. I think it's easier on men than it is on women, generally speaking. If you're like me, it shouldn't really get in the way of your everyday life for 5 or 6 weeks. The knowledge that you're getting cured is more than enough motivation to see it through in relatively good humor.
Surgery, likewise, is not the end of the world. I spent 4 days and nights in the hospital and then another 2-3 weeks recovering at home until I returned to work. I could certainly get some work done on the computer in the days and weeks following my operation, but I wouldn't schedule a lot of stuff in that period. You need your rest and you'll get plenty of it. Enjoy & relax.
Chemo sucks. No two ways about it. Personally, I found that exercise really helped me get through chemo/rad and straight post-op chemo. Not everyone would agree, and there are some good arguments for taking it easy during adjuvant chemo. I ignored all of them and exercised as much and as vigorously as I could. I relied on natural nausea suppressants (exercise, ginger, cannabis), so I never needed prescription anti-nausea meds. Bear in mind that as a 2A, I only had four rounds of Xelox. 3s and 4s get a lot more, and I don't claim to speak for their experience. I was in pretty rough shape after just 4 rounds, and around here, 8-12 is pretty standard. But anyway, I biked my ass off and it worked for me.
Good luck. There are positive aspects to this experience and I would encourage you (or anyone else) to try to identify and exploit them.
Eric, 58
Dx: 3/09, Stage 4 RC
Recurrences: (ongoing, lung, bronchial cavity, ribs)
Major Ops: 6/ RFA: 3 /bronchoscopies: 8
Pelvic radiation: 5 wks. Bronchial radiation—brachytheray: 3 treatments
Chemo Rounds (career):136
Current Chemo Cocktail: Xeloda & Erbitux & Irinotecan biweekly
Current Cocktail; On the Wagon (mostly)
Bicycle miles post-dx 10,477
Motto: Live your life like it's going to be a long one, because it just might, and then you'll be glad you did.