Neoadjuvant ChemoRad Advice

[Big Jay]

My oncologist is Dr Nilofer Azad and I really can't say enough good things about her; whip smart, compassionate, precise, and straight-forward. She specializes in colorectal and works out of Hopkins, but she also works out of Sibley in DC so if you do try to see her and can't get in at JH, try Sibley and then you can continue seeing her at JH.

I have a friend who is good buddies w/ a lot of Hopkins Docs. I asked him to ask them who'd they'd see if they were the cancer patient. Several have said they'd see Dr. Azad. So, I may have to check her out.

My meeting w/ Browner was very underwhelming. She was in the room but that's about it. She let her fellow, Dr. Shaikh, do all the talking. I really liked Dr. Shaikh. She asked lots of questions and wanted to know all the symptoms and steps that lead up to that appointment. All good stuff. Browner though was just on a chair keeping quiet. I got her to answer a question or two but she didn't bother to volunteer any information or ask me any questions. I'm going to go out on a limb and try to give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she was testing out Shaikh. We'll see how she does at my follow up appointment on 9/1.

Other than than I've just finished up round 11/30 of the radiation. Alls well so far except for some intestinal grumbling and I can not longer trust that a fart is just a fart.

[Swirdfish]

I flew through chemoradiation, however side effects didn't really hit me until the last week. I've got today and tomorrow then my radiation is over. Constant stomach pains, nausea and loss of appetite. They told me full effects generally come on about a week or two after you finish and last about 2 to 3 weeks. Just what my nurse said.

In saying that make sure you have your pain killers and bascopan etc on hand at the ready.

I've actually got to see my surgeon in 30 mins and will be asking for better meds. The over the counter aren't cutting it too well.

Edit: I got tremadol and Panadene forte. Tremadol needs watching as a pain killer.

Everyone is different but be prepared in case

Also medical marijuana helped with the nausea.

[Big Jay]

Thanks all for the advice and support. The whole process wasn't as bad as I expected. The Xeloda was a a bit of a non-event w/ some minor gut discomfort and really dry feet after the last week wrapped up.

The radiation... well... my bladder got quite a sunburn and a full bladder became an amazingly painful experience. That's eased up considerably over the past two weeks. Luckily I also only experienced the infamous razor-shits on the rather "productive" weekend after radiation ended. Felt like i was passing a saguaro cactus, arms and all, out of the old pooter.



I'm enjoying my 6 weeks of being free of the anal probing. The fun starts again in November with another round an poking and prodding culminating in the main event of rectal removal on 11/17. The wife and I are going to have on last fun trip to Paris while I can still crap like a normal human. Lots of red wine, baguettes and snails... not a bad send off for the poop-chute.

[AussieAssCancer]

Great to hear! And even better that you're giving the turd cutter a proper send off Enjoy!!!

[Pita]

Love the send off!!! Have a great time... ox

[kellywin]

Great news that you're through that fun! Gotta love the razor blade shits.

One thing I might add, if you haven't been stretching, do it now. The radiation killed my gluts and all the surrounding muscles, I should have been stretching, but I didn't know. You might get on top of that and see a physical therapist just in case.

[justin case]

Hi folks,

I'll be meeting w/ the Rad Onc doctor this week. Odds are he'll recommend the tried and true 28 sessions of radiation along with Chemo. I've seen a lot of posts about the post-op chemo experience. However, besides AppleTree's excellent diary, I've not seen a lot of comments about peoples' pre-op experiences.

So, any words of advice and/or encouragement? I'm dreading the problems, especially the sexual side effects, but I'd rather go in w/ full knowledge rather than get an unpleasant surprise later.

Thanks!

5 years ago, about this time, all I wanted to do was live ! Radiation can do a number on your (what was that 3 letter word) oh yea, life !

[justin case]

Great news that you're through that fun! Gotta love the razor blade shits.

One thing I might add, if you haven't been stretching, do it now. The radiation killed my gluts and all the surrounding muscles, I should have been stretching, but I didn't know. You might get on top of that and see a physical therapist just in case.

I hate when people refer to me by name, young lady !