Anyone on XELOX and working?

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AJQ
Posts: 27
Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:29 am
Location: CA

Anyone on XELOX and working?

Postby AJQ » Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:59 am

Hi
I am new to this forum and been recently diagnosed of stage 3 appendix/CC. Had right hemicolectomy almost 4 weeks ago and now starting Xelox( Oxaliplatin + Xeloda pills) soon. I must work! Any experience and how to manage with Xelox and weather I can keep working office job full time.
Appreciate it.

AJ
53 yr, stage 4 adenocarcinoma of appendix(PD) and Cecum
5/16/17: LAP Appendix Removal
5/22/17: Diagnosed. T4 poorly differentiated with LVI
6/21/17: LAP RHC: 1/21 positive Lymph. T4N1M0
7/27/17: started Xelox (Capox) cycles
10/17: CT scan. Multiple Peri and Pelvis mets. Stage 4
11/17: CRS/HIPEC. All nodules removed- low PCI
1/18: CT. 2 lung nodules. next CT on 4/24
7/18: multiple Liver nodules. 3 additional lung nods. Started targeted therapy
1/19: CT scan and Liver resection planned for 2/1/19

Aqx99
Posts: 403
Joined: Fri Mar 31, 2017 7:28 am
Facebook Username: aqx99
Location: Pfafftown, NC

Re: Anyone on XELOX and working?

Postby Aqx99 » Sun Jul 16, 2017 10:51 am

I'm about to start the same chemo as you. My oncologist said I would need a couple of days after each infusion to recover from the worst of it. I would suggest trying to schedule your infusions so you can make the most of your weekend for recovery. I work a rotating shift and always have Tuesday and Wednesday off, so she scheduled me for infusions on Monday.
Anne, 40
Stage IIIB Rectal Cancer
T3N1bM0
2/21/17 Dx, Age 39
2/21/17 CEA 0.9
3/23/17 - 5/2/17 Chemoradiation, 28 treatments
6/14/17 Robotic LAR w/temp loop ileostomy, ovaries & fallopian tubes removed, 2/21 lymph nodes positive
7/24/17 - 12/18/17 CapeOx, 6 Cycles
7/24/17 Dx w/ovarian cancer
9/6/17 CA 125 11.1
11/27/17 CEA 2.6
12/5/17 CT NED
12/13/17 CEA 2.9
1/11/18 CA 125 8.6
1/23/18 Reversal
3/21/18 CT enlarged thymus
4/6/18 PET NED
7/10/18 CT NED
7/11/18 CEA 2.6
9/18 Bilateral Prophylactic Mastectomy

AJQ
Posts: 27
Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:29 am
Location: CA

Re: Anyone on XELOX and working?

Postby AJQ » Sun Jul 16, 2017 11:20 am

Thankx aqx99!
I chose thursdays for my infusions and hope to go to work on mondays.
53 yr, stage 4 adenocarcinoma of appendix(PD) and Cecum
5/16/17: LAP Appendix Removal
5/22/17: Diagnosed. T4 poorly differentiated with LVI
6/21/17: LAP RHC: 1/21 positive Lymph. T4N1M0
7/27/17: started Xelox (Capox) cycles
10/17: CT scan. Multiple Peri and Pelvis mets. Stage 4
11/17: CRS/HIPEC. All nodules removed- low PCI
1/18: CT. 2 lung nodules. next CT on 4/24
7/18: multiple Liver nodules. 3 additional lung nods. Started targeted therapy
1/19: CT scan and Liver resection planned for 2/1/19

Basil
Posts: 275
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2017 12:33 pm

Re: Anyone on XELOX and working?

Postby Basil » Sun Jul 16, 2017 12:44 pm

I worked through six rounds of FOLFOX. Missed a day here and there. Some cycles were just worse than the others. I'd get infusions on Wednesday and would feel pretty good Thursday and Friday, then feel crappy Saturday and Sunday. Could usually drag into work Monday and on the mend after that. Gotta admit, though, I spent a lot of time staring at my computer and not doing any actual work.
40 y/o male (now 46), kids 11 & 14.
Dx 3/16/17, rectal cancer s3,t3,n1,m0
PROSPCT trial (FOLFOX in lieu of chemorad)
FOLFOX 4/5/17 - 6/26/17
LAR 7/31/17, temp ileo
pathological complete response
Adjuvant chemo cancelled (IDEA Study)
Ileo reversed 9/25/17
NED
1 year scans - clear
2 year scans - clear
3 year scans - clear
4 year scans - clear
5 year scans - clear (considered cured)

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horizon
Posts: 1668
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:10 pm

Re: Anyone on XELOX and working?

Postby horizon » Mon Jul 17, 2017 12:02 pm

Everyone reacts differently, but for me I didn't miss an unplanned day of work through 6 months of XELOX. Took Wed off for an infusion and worked from home Thur and Fri. Monday I was back at work and the gym.
I'm just a dude who still can't believe he had a resection and went through chemo (currently 12 years NED). Is this real life?

[Ana & Alex]
Posts: 96
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2017 5:14 pm
Location: Austria

Re: Anyone on XELOX and working?

Postby [Ana & Alex] » Mon Jul 17, 2017 4:18 pm

I'm on Xelox as well but unfortunately I cannot share the positive experiences described on this thread :|

After my two cycles I was admited in the hospital and was bed ridden for a week with massive nausea, uncontrolled shivering, fatigue, constipation and neuropathy. After day 10 I started cooking again and dong some house chores and playing with my daughter. I'm currently in my week off chemo and still have nausea.

I'm reducing the dosis to 80% next time around and I'm hoping that I too, will be able to spend the first few days resting and then have a taste of normal life and go back to Work again.

It was been difficult to figure what works for me, I've tried multiple drugs only with limited effect. This time around we're intreducing Dronabinol for nausea control, trying new laxatives and hoping for the best.

Staying on top of side effects and learning how to counteract them has been the greater challenge and the fact that I seem to metabolize oxaliplatin really slow and end up with a higher dosis of the drug in my body longer than planned.

I hope that you too, can maintain a normal life and work, as many people in this forum. And im hoping to join you soon as well.

All the best and good luck,
Ana
Dx @ 29 yo. Mum (2 y.o.) & Wife

12/2016: Rectal AdenoCa G2. CEA 4.3. RAS Wild. MSS. IIIB.
01 - 03/2017: 28 RTx + CHT 2,5 g/d Capecit.
03 - 06/2017: Suplemments and Cimetidine.
05/2017: TME/TAMIS + permanent Colostomy CEA 0.5
05/2017: ypT2N2aM0 (4/15), good cCR, limited pCR
06 - 8/2017: 4x CapOx 3,5 g/d (2x Oxi reduced to 80%)
09 -11/2017: 3x Capecit. monotherapy 4g/d
12/2017: Aspirin, Vit. D3, Curcumin, Multivitamin.

AJQ
Posts: 27
Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:29 am
Location: CA

Re: Anyone on XELOX and working?

Postby AJQ » Mon Jul 17, 2017 5:30 pm

Thank you Ana and all for your replies. I really
Appreciate them. Going for CT scan this Friday and then first Chemo doze next week. Will keep you all posted

All the best.

AJ
53 yr, stage 4 adenocarcinoma of appendix(PD) and Cecum
5/16/17: LAP Appendix Removal
5/22/17: Diagnosed. T4 poorly differentiated with LVI
6/21/17: LAP RHC: 1/21 positive Lymph. T4N1M0
7/27/17: started Xelox (Capox) cycles
10/17: CT scan. Multiple Peri and Pelvis mets. Stage 4
11/17: CRS/HIPEC. All nodules removed- low PCI
1/18: CT. 2 lung nodules. next CT on 4/24
7/18: multiple Liver nodules. 3 additional lung nods. Started targeted therapy
1/19: CT scan and Liver resection planned for 2/1/19

Brearmstrong
Posts: 112
Joined: Sun Mar 26, 2017 3:24 pm
Location: CT

Re: Anyone on XELOX and working?

Postby Brearmstrong » Mon Jul 17, 2017 7:36 pm

AJ, while I am going through 12 rounds folfox, I am still working full time but take Friday off as that is the day after pump is removed and I am down and out for at least 48 hours. Reason I am replying though is that our diagnosis is similar with exception of me having 8 positive nodes. Wanted to say hi and let's keep in touch as time goes by. Appendix cancer can be a different beast but hoping mine doesn't spread through peritoneal mets as that makes treatment more difficult. I wish you all the best with your scan!!
Brenda
50 F diag 1/17
Muc Adeno 4cm
mod diff G2 T4aN2
nodes 8/50
CEA 4.6 after surgery <.05
KRAS G12D MSS
FOLFOX Apr-sep 17
Nov 17 PET p aortic nodes Stage IV
Folfori w/avastin
May 18 surgery on nodes xeloda 2yr
Aug 18-May 20 NED
July 20 hysterectomy
July 21 vats right lung
Clinical trial- failed liver Mets biopsy shows now poorly differentiated carcinoma.
HAI pump at MSK may 2022
Nov met to pancreas- causing pain
Radiation ablation to pancreas Dec 22
New lung Mets watch and wait

AJQ
Posts: 27
Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:29 am
Location: CA

Re: Anyone on XELOX and working?

Postby AJQ » Mon Jul 17, 2017 10:51 pm

Brenda,
Thanks for your reply. Appendix cancer is rare and can be very aggressive and unpredictable. Let's stay in touch. You can PM me and I give you my email address.

AJ
53 yr, stage 4 adenocarcinoma of appendix(PD) and Cecum
5/16/17: LAP Appendix Removal
5/22/17: Diagnosed. T4 poorly differentiated with LVI
6/21/17: LAP RHC: 1/21 positive Lymph. T4N1M0
7/27/17: started Xelox (Capox) cycles
10/17: CT scan. Multiple Peri and Pelvis mets. Stage 4
11/17: CRS/HIPEC. All nodules removed- low PCI
1/18: CT. 2 lung nodules. next CT on 4/24
7/18: multiple Liver nodules. 3 additional lung nods. Started targeted therapy
1/19: CT scan and Liver resection planned for 2/1/19

mpbser
Posts: 953
Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:52 am

Re: Anyone on XELOX and working?

Postby mpbser » Wed Jul 19, 2017 5:08 am

A little off topic: How often do you get your ox- infusions? My husband's oncologist says 1x every 2 weeks but the NCCN guidelines say every 3 weeks. More specifically, this is what it says:

CAPEOX
Oxalplatin 130 mg/m2 IV day 1
Capecitabine 1000+- mg/m2 twice daily PO for 14 days
Repeat every 3 weeks
Wife 4/17 Dx age 45
5/17 LAR
Adenocarcinoma
low grade
1st primary T3 N2b M1a
Stage IVA
8/17 Sub-total colectomy
2nd primary 5.5 cm T1 N0
9 of 96 nodes
CEA: < 2.9
MSS
Lynch no; KRAS wild
Immunohistochemsistry Normal
Fall 2017 FOLFOX shrank the 1 met in liver
1/18 Liver left hepatectomy seg 4
5/18 CT clear
12/18 MRI 1 liver met
3/7/19 Resection & HAI
4/1/19 Folfiri & FUDR
5/13/19 HAI pump catheter dislodge, nearly bled to death
6-7 '19 5FU 4 cycles
NED

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LeonW
Posts: 358
Joined: Sun May 03, 2015 4:59 pm
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Re: Anyone on XELOX and working?

Postby LeonW » Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:47 am

My infusions were all day sessions on Thursdays. Was pretty sick on Fridays/Saturdays but much better the Sunday. Then gradually better each day the folowing week and almost normal during week-3. Everyone reacts differently, but I was glad I just had retired before everything started.

Your planned schedule (chemo on Thursday - resume work on Monday) makes sense.
I hope you'll do better than I did; give it try and keep day-to-day record how you feel. Once it's predictable it feels *much* better.

Bets wishes, Leon
Dec 2012 - CC 2 unresect liver mets, CEA 41.8 (MM 65yrs)
Jan 2013 - colectomy @ spleen 2/26 nodes IVa T3N1bM1a
Feb-Jul - 1x Xelox-7x Xelox/Avastin, shrinkage from #3
Aug - 2x PV embolization (both failed)
Sep 2013 - R liver resect, 25d hosp (liver failure/delirium, lung emboli, encephalopathy), no living cancer (pCR)
2014/15 - recovery, scopy: 2 polyps
2016 - new town/life
2018, scopy: 2 polyps
2018/20 low (1.0-1.4) CEAs/clean CTs: 4x2014, 6x2015-17, 3x2018-20
next June 2021!

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horizon
Posts: 1668
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:10 pm

Re: Anyone on XELOX and working?

Postby horizon » Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:50 am

mpbser wrote:A little off topic: How often do you get your ox- infusions? My husband's oncologist says 1x every 2 weeks but the NCCN guidelines say every 3 weeks. More specifically, this is what it says:

CAPEOX
Oxalplatin 130 mg/m2 IV day 1
Capecitabine 1000+- mg/m2 twice daily PO for 14 days
Repeat every 3 weeks


If you go the Xeloda (Capecitabine) and Oxi route that's how it works. If you go with FOLFOX you wear a pump for a period of time and then repeat in less than three weeks. For me personally I loved the third week where there was nothing to do. No pills and no infusions. I always called that my mini chemo vacation.
I'm just a dude who still can't believe he had a resection and went through chemo (currently 12 years NED). Is this real life?

mozart13
Posts: 158
Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2016 7:38 pm
Location: Toronto

Re: Anyone on XELOX and working?

Postby mozart13 » Wed Jul 19, 2017 11:03 am

mpbser wrote:A little off topic: How often do you get your ox- infusions? My husband's oncologist says 1x every 2 weeks but the NCCN guidelines say every 3 weeks.


My understanding is every 2 weeks if considered curable, they tend be more agresive in that case.
55 year at the time of diagnosis, male
Diagnosed with T1,T2 N0 M0 rectal cancer
Total neoadjuvant therapy or TNT (chemoradiation followed by systemic chemotherapy)
Negative since Feb. '17
No surgery
Watch&Wait approach 8)
I don’t come much to the forum , so if this is not updated it means I remain negative!
Wish good luck to all!

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horizon
Posts: 1668
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:10 pm

Re: Anyone on XELOX and working?

Postby horizon » Wed Jul 19, 2017 11:32 am

mozart13 wrote:
mpbser wrote:My understanding is every 2 weeks if considered curable, they tend be more agresive in that case.


I was given a choice of every two weeks with the pump and FOLFOX or every three weeks with XELOX. The stated goal was always a cure for my case.
I'm just a dude who still can't believe he had a resection and went through chemo (currently 12 years NED). Is this real life?

mpbser
Posts: 953
Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:52 am

Re: Anyone on XELOX and working?

Postby mpbser » Wed Jul 19, 2017 11:51 am

Thanks for the input re: Ox timing for XELOX/CAPEOX protocols. It's good information to have at this point in time for us, so much appreciated.
Wife 4/17 Dx age 45
5/17 LAR
Adenocarcinoma
low grade
1st primary T3 N2b M1a
Stage IVA
8/17 Sub-total colectomy
2nd primary 5.5 cm T1 N0
9 of 96 nodes
CEA: < 2.9
MSS
Lynch no; KRAS wild
Immunohistochemsistry Normal
Fall 2017 FOLFOX shrank the 1 met in liver
1/18 Liver left hepatectomy seg 4
5/18 CT clear
12/18 MRI 1 liver met
3/7/19 Resection & HAI
4/1/19 Folfiri & FUDR
5/13/19 HAI pump catheter dislodge, nearly bled to death
6-7 '19 5FU 4 cycles
NED


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