Postby juliej » Fri Jun 10, 2016 6:32 pm
Welcome, BondGirl11! My diagnosis came out of the blue too. I was a healthy, veggie-eating runner and had never been hospitalized before for anything. It's hard to get your head wrapped around a cancer diagnosis, but it sounds like you're doing very well - tumor gone, only 1/23 nodes affected, and feeling strong after surgery!
I also had Xelox, which is the name of your therapy. It's a combination of Xeloda and Oxaliplatin. Everyone reacts differently to chemo so it's hard to say what your side-effects will be. Also, side-effects vary somewhat cycle to cycle. Sometimes they're better or worse for seemingly no reason. That said, they are some side-effects that almost everyone gets.
With Xeloda, that's hand-foot syndrome, also called HFS. It causes redness, tenderness, and possibly peeling of the palms and soles. You will need to modify some of your normal daily activities to reduce friction and heat exposure to your hands and feet. You will also need to keep your hands and feet lubricated. Most people use Bag Balm, Eucerin, or Udder Cream - something heavy that really coats and protects your skin. Avoid things like washing dishes in hot water, hot baths, tight fitting shoes, etc.
With Oxaliplatin, the number one side-effect is something called "peripheral neuropathy" or cold sensitivity. This causes numbness, tingling, and cramping of hands or feet and is often triggered by cold. This symptom will generally lessen or go away between treatments. However, as the number of treatments increase the numbness and tingling will take longer to lessen or go away. Your oncologist will monitor this and if necessary lower your dose or stop treatment early. The cold sensitivity occurs within hours of the infusion (mine started while I was still in the infusion chair!) and typically lasts several days. Touching anything out of the refrigerator, freezer, cold section of the grocery store, or washing your hands with cold water will set off the numbness and tingling. This affects a lot of things in your daily life -- drinking cold beverages, stepping on cold tiles on your bathroom or kitchen floor, etc., so plan accordingly (wear gloves to get things from fridge, wear slippers on tile floors, keep room temperature beverages conveniently on your counter for easy access).
Chemo is far from fun, but we can give you tips to get through the worst of it. You might ask your oncologist about taking either B6, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, or Glutamine for the neuropathy. Several people here, including me, have had good results from taking them during treatment or shortly afterwards. Or you might ask to see an "Integrative Medicine" doctor. They advise patients on which nutrients to take to lessen the side-effects and damage of chemo. I would also recommend getting a medi-port because oxaliplatin is hard on your veins. It's a simple day surgery to get one and if you get a PowerPort (ask for it!), you can use it for CT scans too, which is nice.
No matter how the doctor delivers the news, cancer is a devastating blow. Then you have the privilege of telling your family and friends, tolerating chemotherapy and dealing with a roller coaster of emotions. Sometimes letting it all hang out can be the best way to deal with an enormous obstacle. So please feel free to come here, ask questions, get support, or just vent! We're here for you!
Hugs to you!
Juliej
Stage IVb, liver/lung mets 8/4/2010
Xelox+Avastin 8/18/10 to 10/21/2011
LAR, liver resec, HAI pump 11/2011
Adjuvant Irinotecan + FUDR
Double lung surgery + ileo reversal 2/2012
Adjuvant FUDR + Xeloda
VATS rt. lung 12/2012 - benign granuloma!
VATS left lung 11/2013
NED 11/22/13 to 12/18/2019, CEA<1