Stage III diagnosis chemo

[sandee60]

I went for my post op appt and was told by surgeon they found an additional tumor in one of my lymph nodes. He said that makes me stage III and he is recommending chemo for six months. I have an appt with the oncologist on Wednesday, 4/8. I was just wondering what to expect and what to prepare for? This is all new for me.

[Lee]

Chances are you will get FOLFOX. Do take the chemo. You want to do everything now in hopes that it does not come back or spread.

Some tips while on FOLFOX, drink TONS of liquids a day or 2 before each infusion, you will lose it with in 48 hrs of chemo. I always hit BurgerKing and got an egg breakfast sandwich on way to chemo. Eggs gave me protein and toast gave me carbs keeping nausea at bay. When on chemo, eat several small meals vs 3 meals a day. Again food in stomach can keep nausea at bay. Don't worry about eating healthy when on chemo, everything will taste like cardboard in short order, thus even junk food is better than nothing. And when food taste like cardboard, junk food taste tons better than healthy food.

Drink Ensure daily for vitamins and minerals.

Most people while on FOLFOX could not handle coldness in the throat. Be prepared to eat and drink food at room temperature.

Good luck,

Lee

[MSJC]

I also had positive lymph nodes and got folfox. Cold really bothered me, throat, hands and feet. Nausea was a problem for me too, but it doesn't effect everyone the same way. Folfox was no fun at all for me, but hopefully worth it in the long run.

[horizon]

When that happened to me they sat me down and pointed out the options of FOLFOX or XELOX and wanted me to decide right then. Kind of frustrating and overwhelming because I didn't know anything about either. I went with XELOX, which was Oxi infusions and lots of Xeloda pills. I don't regret me decision. As others have mentioned the cold sensitivity from Oxi is pain.

[sandee60]

Okay. Now I would like opinions on FOLFOX vs XELODA?

[sandee60]

Sorry XELOX vs FOLFOX.

[chemo sabe]

Folfox regimen is going in for an infusion of Oxaliplatin and leaving with a pump connected to you that will slowly inject 5 FU into you. You go back 2 days later and get the pump disconnected. 12 days after that, you are back in the chair getting another infusion of Oxalyplatin. This continues for 12 infusions (6 months).

Xelox regimen is an infusion of Oxaliplatin followed by 2 weeks of taking xeloda every day, then a week off and you are back in the chair again. This continues for 8 infusions - total of 24 weeks or 6 months,

Studies seem to indicate that Xelox may be slightly more effective than Folfox but neither come with a guarantee. a major side effect of xeloda seen in many patients is hand/foot syndrome. Pretty nasty stuff. However, I chose Xelox because with Folfox I would be at the doctor too frequently. The 3 week interval for Xelox fit my life better.