The Colon Club

Hi, I am 45 and got one month ago a diagnosis of rectal cancer stage T3N2M0 at least, but there is a suspect metastasi in one lung. I have started three days ago the neoadjuvant chemo with Xeloda and radioterapy, 5 days a week for 5 weeks. I have two kids that are 10 and 7 and I live in Norway. I found this amazing forum looking about experiences with Xeloda and I decided to share my journey with you.

All the best

Claudia

Hi Claudia

I was diagnosed at Stage IV T3N0M1 with a metastasis in my right lung.
I am coming up to 5 years from diagnosis and am currently NED (No Evidence of Disease) so I am suggesting that there is hope.

Kiwi

Me too Claudia
I was "supposedly" Stage IIIc did neoadjuvant chemoradiation with Xeloda, resection, adjuvant Xeloda, temporary ileostomy, ileostomy takedown
and a whole shitload of follow ups!

Lung met resected with more chemo 2.5 years later

NOW = still here 10 years after original diagnosis / resection

Like my friend Kiwi, ....HOPE ???
hellyeah !!!!
we ARE HOPE here, and live to prove it every day

Best wishes,
Welcome to the BEST forum nobody ever wants to have to join

Cheers
CRguy

Hi and welcome, sorry for the reason you are here.

I don't have any real advice except to say many people are beating this cancer today, so do not give up the hope. There have been a lot of advancements in the last 15 years.

You have found a great place for information and support,

Lee

Thanks a lot for sharing your stories

All the best

Claudia

Sorry you find yourself here, but thoughts and prayers you have a good response to treatment and find yourself NED soon!

There are folks where all along the treatment path including those that are done with it for a while so we know a lot of what you're going through so feel free to ask questions, vent or just chat here. Welcome to the board and I hope that you do well on the radiation and chemo with minimal side-effects.

There are a lot of us on here that are on the same journey as you. I am almost done with my adjuvant chemotherapy and will be having the takedown of my ileostomy some time after the first of the year. Feel free to ask any questions you have, we are here for you.

Thanks again for response! Today I am finished with my first week and I have also been checking one ovarian cyst but it looks like is clear and not related to the CRC. They took anyway cells and blood sample to test for specific markers and plan to remove that together with the uterus. So far so good, I feel positive and keep on training and working 50% as long as it is possible.

All the best and have a super weekend!

Claudia

Welcome to the group but sorry for the reason you're here.*hugs* I hope your chemo and radiation go well!*hugs*

A little update: I am finished with the 4th week of neoadjuvant chemoradioterapy. I fell fine apart for some pain in the xxxx.

I hope I will be able to work next week, because I have quite a lot of teaching. I have been reading a lot on the forum and it is amazing how much good information and links to papers can be found here!


I wish a nice weekend to everybody and I am happy to share my journey with all of you!


All the best


Claudia

I know that the last couple weeks of chemo/radiation can be tough. I soaked in the bath a lot and sat under the fan. If you can ask your radiology oncologist for some lidocaine it is helpful for the pain. Once you finish it doesn't take too long for your bottom to feel better. Good luck with the last week of your treatment.

Hi! I finished today with 25 radiochemotherapy sessions. I also had the last control and the results of biopsy from uterus and cervix. They were both negative but they want to remove everything anyway, also ovaries. I was surprised that the doctor said that they do not give adjuvant chemo for rectal cancer after the neoadjuvant one. At least for stage 3. I am going to get a new ct scan in 4 weeks to see if my suspect lung metastasis has changed. It will be good with some break now!

All the best

Claudia

I was stage 2A rectal cancer and neoadjuvant therapy, surgery, then adjuvant therapy. Are you saying you won't have chemo after your surgery? I think that is pretty standard for rectal cancer unless stage 1 or less.

susie0915 wrote:I was stage 2A rectal cancer and neoadjuvant therapy, surgery, then adjuvant therapy. Are you saying you won't have chemo after your surgery? I think that is pretty standard for rectal cancer unless stage 1 or less.

I guess it will depends on whether I am restaged to 4 and on the histology results of the removed tumor, but I was also surprised. Although I read several papers that show no evidence for increased survival after adjuvant chemo in rectal cancer, after radio and neoadjuvant chemo was given.

Claudia