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[dianetavegia]

Hi again, Jen. Since you had lymph nodes involved, you are at least Stage III. FOLFOX is THE treatment for Stage III. I was dx'd at 58 and did quite well through FOLFOX. I don't think your diet will be affected. Actually, I was told immediately to give up red meats forever since that is contraindicated for a healthy colon.

Have you gotten the results of your CT scan yet?

Please keep a positive outlook! I was Stage III for 38 months before a small spot grew on my liver. I just had my liver resection and did not need follow up chemo. I'm 3 1/2 years out from diagnosis and feel awesome (except for some tenderness where I had the liver surgery incision).

BTW... MOST people never have a 2nd colon resection. Were you tested for FAP or other genetic / hereditary conditions or KRAS. These results will be helpful in your doctors choice of treatment but FOLFOX IS the creme de la creme for Stage III as of today.

[esk2poo]

Jen,
Sorry that you had to find this club but it truly is the best thing on the Internet for people in our shoes. With the lymph node involvement, you'll be doing chemo but you will get through it and do fine. Any questions you have, you will get great input here. This disease does suck and so does t
He chemo but it has to be done. You are so young and seem to have such a great attitude. That will get you a long way. Please keep in touch and ask away/vent, or whatever you need to do.

Your onc makes a lot of money so every little thing you feel, call them anytime and run it by them. We are not docs but can ease your mind about expectations. Try to stay away form Dr google. The information on there is not up to date and there is so much more that has come along to help us. There are many great minds on here that have been down your path and can help allay your fears.
Good luck
Allen

[Seriously, WTF?]

Welcome aboard this crazy train where you will find an enormous amount of love and support! xoxo

[justin case]

I was recently diagnosed with stage iv at the age of 36. It is amazing to me to see so many young people with this. I have not started chemo yet as I am waiting for liver resection surgery, but have been told that when I do start it will be with FOLFOX. As for side effects, everyone is different. My dad was diagnosed just over three years ago with stage three, similar to you and did six months of FOLFOX. His side effects weren't too bad, just some constipation, weight loss and a bit of nub ness in his fingers and toes. He is now cancer free and his doctors consider him 'cured'. As for your concerns about fertility, you can have your eggs frozen to be used later. I recommend you look into this if you want to have kids at some point. I have one child and have decided not tomlookmintomways to preserve my fertility.

I have to ditto this about his father's side effects, and possible fertility issues. Of course you need to talk to medical professionals, about the fertility situation. I had very little problem with FOLFOX. I had 9 treatments, and only had a little fatigue, and some cold sensitivity in my hands, oh and first bite pain, a minor inconvienience. Most people are not able to drink cold beverages for a few days after treatment. I did not experience this problem. As you yourself have already said, everyone is different. I did have a reaction to one component of FOLFOX, but that was allieviated on subsequent treatments, with benedryl. Good luck on your journey, and keep an open mind. Stay away from Dr. Google.
Regards,
Michael

[lohidoc]

Thank you so much for your support! So glad I found this forum with so many great people.

I spoke with my surgeon this morning and received some results from the surgery - 5 lymph nodes tested positive and he is strongly insisting chemo. I have an appointment with my oncologist tomorrow to discuss in more detail.

When I was first diagnosed my oncologist explained that if chemo was needed it would most likely be FOLFOX. I was wondering if anyone has tried any other forms of chemo or alternative methods or you have used FOLFOX and liked it? This is all so overwhelming and of course the internet only shows what you don't want to hear! DId some research and not too thrilled about the side effects - mostly the chance of becoming infertile. Of course everyone reacts differently, I am just seeing the worst right now. Also concerned about how it will effect my eating habits as I am vegan & would prefer not to change my diet. At the end of the day I'll do whatever needs to be done, just trying to see all options!

Many thanks!

Very sorry you are joining us, and you're so young. Sorry, I just can't get over that. About the chemo/infertility. There is some evidence that being on Lupron (a GNRH Analogue, your gynaecologist will know all about it) may protect your ovaries during chemo. Essentially it puts you in temporary menopause, the ovaries become dormant. As chemo largely affects dividing cells, this approach may protect your fertility. Good luck.

Here's a link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2858300/

[jens22]

I lost about 75-60% of my hair , but thinning , no clumps. The best part is that now I have mid back beautiful long body wave curls that people would pay lots of money for!!

[suzcoates@comcast.net]

Welcome...I am new too and I wish you tons of luck.

[AudreyM]

Welcome - I'm new too! Waiting on my surgery date, just have to finish all the pre-op stuff. Just think - in a real short time you will have this behind you and you will be telling the other newbies BTDT!

[tammylayne]

Sorry you had to come here, but glad you have found this site. It is a great place to find others that have gone through everything you are going through...so we get it, and sometimes that is what you really need.

The next 6 months will be challenging, but doable. Remember to always tell your docs what your side effects are, because they can and do tweak the dosage to help control things better. I also worked with a nutritionist and he was great, esp since I had an ileo, so there were other considerations to think about.

Take advantage of any offers of help....have a list ready at all tiems so when someone says what can I do to help...you have something to tell them. It might be take your cat to the vet, pick up some groceries or make you a couple of meals you can freeze. Many of us were very sensitive to smells while doing chemo, so it might be nice to have someone cook for you outside of your home.

Drink lots...room temperature at least part of the time. If you become dehydrated it tends to make everything feel worse.

Come her often...someone is almost always here...and we get it...

Be kind to yourself....

[Mona]

Hi Jen,
I am so sorry about your dx. This is a great forum, a lot of good people with a lot of information.
I am from Staten Island, please PM me if you need any help.Wwe can even talk.
Maria

[MissM]

I was diagnosed at 28. I'm sorry that you got this awful disease especially so young. Feel free to PM me if you feel like talking to someone although I am scheduled for surgery on Wednesday so I may be out for a while.

[Deirdre]

Sorry you are here but welcome and unfortunately, there are many other young people on here who can share your journey. All of us, will too, of course.

[Georgie]

Hi Jen, welcome but sorry you're here! Talk to your Onc about fertility concerns, they should be able to advise you on the best way to manage it. I had RT, so different to you (rectal ca so had chemo and RT pre surgery). The RT put me straight into menopause, some women go into menopause from FOLFOX, some don't. From what I've read some have had their periods return some time after treatment. I personally had ovarian tissue harvested. I chose thus option as it was quick and therefore would not have delayed my treatment. So I can have the ovarian tissue put back in to reverse menopause when both my doctors and I are comfortable I have been disease free for a decent enough period of time.

Being a stage III patient like you I fully recommend having chemo, you're young and have your whole life ahead of you! Throw everything at this stupid cancer, do everything you can to ensure it doesn't come back. Please feel free to ask me if you have any questions about fertility stuff, I'm more than happy to share my opinions and my story.

Best of luck as you fight the beast.

Georgie

[lcook6]

Sorry about your news. I have been a member of this club since May that is when my sister was diagnosed and this club has been supportive and knowledgable in every aspect of this disease. I wish you the best and prayers for you and your family.

Lisa

[jnfrmbrwn]

Thank you so much for your replies! Everyone is so helpful & it feels great to know that there are others out there who have experienced this & can relate.

I'll be starting chemo on August 15th - any suggestions on things to do before hand? I read going to the dentist was a good idea, making some meals to freeze, etc but I'm sure I'm missing a lot! Also trying to gain weight since I lost a lot since my surgery. (If there are any posts that already talk about this, no need to respond! I'll poke around the site for a bit.)