Feeling really sad and in need of support

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LisaB8
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun May 27, 2018 1:10 pm

Re: Feeling really sad and in need of support

Postby LisaB8 » Sun May 27, 2018 1:23 pm

I think you expressed what many of us are truly thinking in those alone moments when it’s just us and the cancer. I just finished round 5 or FulFox. Round 2 and 3 were very tough. They started me on Neulasta and took me off all BP meds ( heart rate dropped!) round 4 and 5 were not bad. As far as the pump- they started me out with the pump on 24/7 for 30 days. I’d get a new cartridge every two weeks so the 48 hour pump is ok with me. I also have depression. Please make sure your meds are adequate. I take Lexapro and Buspar plus Trazadone for sleep cycle. Hang in there. I’m proof that a bad round doesn’t mean the next one will be bad, too.
Diagnosed 11-15-17 Stage II. C T-4. Resection
January 2018 30 days radiation and 24/7 chemo pump
February 2018 Recouperation
Pet scan clear
March 2018 began 8 treatments of FULFOX plus Neulasta

Swirdfish
Posts: 290
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2016 3:57 am

Re: Feeling really sad and in need of support

Postby Swirdfish » Sun May 27, 2018 7:07 pm

I had x8 folfox treatments, then neuropathy in the hands and feet where starting to get severe and was annoying, however I pushed through. Im abit more then a year out now, and my hands are all but normal again, and my feet are about 80% better, but still lingering numbness especially on cold morning, however ive learnt to live with the feeling, and is quite normal. I threw everything at this, I didn't want any regrets.
06/2016 Went in for colonoscopy came out with a tumor. Age 35
12cm from verge at junction. Rectal cancer.
Clinical stage T3 NO MO
Temp illestomy
Completed 5FU and Radiation
LAR surgery planned 13 Oct 2016
Completed ULAR surgery 11-10-2016.
0/22 nodes
pT3 N0 M0 R1
Stage 2A

Pathology reviewed and changed
ypT3 N0 M0 R0

Started folfox 21-11-2016
5-4-17 NED
Reversal 12-4-17

VeggieLvr
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2018 3:02 pm
Location: NY

Re: Feeling really sad and in need of support

Postby VeggieLvr » Mon May 28, 2018 3:11 pm

LisaB8 wrote:I think you expressed what many of us are truly thinking in those alone moments when it’s just us and the cancer. I just finished round 5 or FulFox. Round 2 and 3 were very tough. They started me on Neulasta and took me off all BP meds ( heart rate dropped!) round 4 and 5 were not bad. As far as the pump- they started me out with the pump on 24/7 for 30 days. I’d get a new cartridge every two weeks so the 48 hour pump is ok with me. I also have depression. Please make sure your meds are adequate. I take Lexapro and Buspar plus Trazadone for sleep cycle. Hang in there. I’m proof that a bad round doesn’t mean the next one will be bad, too.


Thank you LisaB8, I appreciate your support. I didn't even realize they do a 30 day pump, you're right 48 hours is a heck of a lot better in comparison. I'm not on any meds for depression at the moment but am considering it (although am scared of more side effects!), and was also going to ask them if there is anything else I can maybe take for sleep. Thank you again for you encouragement. :)
F, 42, Stage IV CC
2/23/18 - colonoscopy/virtual colonoscopy, diagnosed CC
3/6/18 - left hemicolectomy, 12" removed, clear margins. Multiple mets to lymph nodes (removed), omentum & liver, 1 possible lung met
4/6/18 - port install
4/9/18 - Folfox (Oxaliplatin/Leucovorin/5FU) 4 rounds
6/19/18 - liver resection, HAI pump install
8/30/18 - Folfiri (Irinotecan/Leucovorin/5FU)
12/5/18 - Erbitux added
5/28/19 - 2nd liver resection/ablation

VeggieLvr
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2018 3:02 pm
Location: NY

Re: Feeling really sad and in need of support

Postby VeggieLvr » Mon May 28, 2018 3:15 pm

Swirdfish wrote:I had x8 folfox treatments, then neuropathy in the hands and feet where starting to get severe and was annoying, however I pushed through. Im abit more then a year out now, and my hands are all but normal again, and my feet are about 80% better, but still lingering numbness especially on cold morning, however ive learnt to live with the feeling, and is quite normal. I threw everything at this, I didn't want any regrets.


Swirdfish I'm so glad your neuropathy has subsided, hopefully it goes away fully in time. I hear you about not wanting any regrets, I was all set to go all out until treatment started and hit me like a ton of bricks. But I will keep on fighting and just make sure to tell my doctors everything that's happening and how it's affecting me.
F, 42, Stage IV CC
2/23/18 - colonoscopy/virtual colonoscopy, diagnosed CC
3/6/18 - left hemicolectomy, 12" removed, clear margins. Multiple mets to lymph nodes (removed), omentum & liver, 1 possible lung met
4/6/18 - port install
4/9/18 - Folfox (Oxaliplatin/Leucovorin/5FU) 4 rounds
6/19/18 - liver resection, HAI pump install
8/30/18 - Folfiri (Irinotecan/Leucovorin/5FU)
12/5/18 - Erbitux added
5/28/19 - 2nd liver resection/ablation

LittleG
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue May 08, 2018 4:25 am

Re: Feeling really sad and in need of support

Postby LittleG » Mon May 28, 2018 3:49 pm

VeggieLvr wrote:
LisaB8 wrote:I think you expressed what many of us are truly thinking in those alone moments when it’s just us and the cancer. I just finished round 5 or FulFox. Round 2 and 3 were very tough. They started me on Neulasta and took me off all BP meds ( heart rate dropped!) round 4 and 5 were not bad. As far as the pump- they started me out with the pump on 24/7 for 30 days. I’d get a new cartridge every two weeks so the 48 hour pump is ok with me. I also have depression. Please make sure your meds are adequate. I take Lexapro and Buspar plus Trazadone for sleep cycle. Hang in there. I’m proof that a bad round doesn’t mean the next one will be bad, too.


Thank you LisaB8, I appreciate your support. I didn't even realize they do a 30 day pump, you're right 48 hours is a heck of a lot better in comparison. I'm not on any meds for depression at the moment but am considering it (although am scared of more side effects!), and was also going to ask them if there is anything else I can maybe take for sleep. Thank you again for you encouragement. :)


Veggielvr, sorry to hear you are having a hard time. It's tough going but you can get through it. Just keep talking to your health professionals about how you are getting on. I found on Folfox that the I fusions days I couldn't sleep due to steroids they gave me and I ended up with a sleeping tablet to help get sleep on those days but in the days after my disconnect I crashed out on my own. Also worth noting that antidepressants have interactions with the anti-nausea drugs that you take so make sure you ask about this and talk through the risk v benefits. I ended up coming off medication based on the side effects and risks vs the benefits I was having from it. But everyone is different and the benefit far outweighs any risk.

On the neuropathy - once again tell your doctors what you are feeling. I spend a lot of my time standing at work and sometimes without shoes on, so I told them exactly what I was feeling (tingling etc) and they adjusted the oxi accordingly. Eventually I after an extra week break at 75% they pulled the pin on it as I still had tingling on infusion day. 5 months later with the exception of a case of butter fingers (which I suspect is here for good) my fingers and toes are fairly close to where they started.

Swirdfish
Posts: 290
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2016 3:57 am

Re: Feeling really sad and in need of support

Postby Swirdfish » Mon May 28, 2018 7:32 pm

VeggieLvr wrote:
Swirdfish wrote:I had x8 folfox treatments, then neuropathy in the hands and feet where starting to get severe and was annoying, however I pushed through. Im abit more then a year out now, and my hands are all but normal again, and my feet are about 80% better, but still lingering numbness especially on cold morning, however ive learnt to live with the feeling, and is quite normal. I threw everything at this, I didn't want any regrets.


Swirdfish I'm so glad your neuropathy has subsided, hopefully it goes away fully in time. I hear you about not wanting any regrets, I was all set to go all out until treatment started and hit me like a ton of bricks. But I will keep on fighting and just make sure to tell my doctors everything that's happening and how it's affecting me.


The chemo days or even upcoming chemo treatments just the though of it made me want to throw up. I didn’t use any of the medication they gave me I believe the made me feel worse. I just slept and slept some more when I needed it. It isn’t easy but was over quite quickly now thinking about it. During the chemo 8 weeks neuropathy wasn’t that bad. I’d say it hits you worse 2 to 3 months after you finish. But that’s me and not everyone is the same.

Some days I didn’t even know if my foot was on the brake or throttle in the car.
06/2016 Went in for colonoscopy came out with a tumor. Age 35
12cm from verge at junction. Rectal cancer.
Clinical stage T3 NO MO
Temp illestomy
Completed 5FU and Radiation
LAR surgery planned 13 Oct 2016
Completed ULAR surgery 11-10-2016.
0/22 nodes
pT3 N0 M0 R1
Stage 2A

Pathology reviewed and changed
ypT3 N0 M0 R0

Started folfox 21-11-2016
5-4-17 NED
Reversal 12-4-17

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Feeling really sad and in need of support

Postby NHMike » Mon May 28, 2018 8:43 pm

Swirdfish wrote:
VeggieLvr wrote:
Swirdfish wrote:I had x8 folfox treatments, then neuropathy in the hands and feet where starting to get severe and was annoying, however I pushed through. Im abit more then a year out now, and my hands are all but normal again, and my feet are about 80% better, but still lingering numbness especially on cold morning, however ive learnt to live with the feeling, and is quite normal. I threw everything at this, I didn't want any regrets.


Swirdfish I'm so glad your neuropathy has subsided, hopefully it goes away fully in time. I hear you about not wanting any regrets, I was all set to go all out until treatment started and hit me like a ton of bricks. But I will keep on fighting and just make sure to tell my doctors everything that's happening and how it's affecting me.


The chemo days or even upcoming chemo treatments just the though of it made me want to throw up. I didn’t use any of the medication they gave me I believe the made me feel worse. I just slept and slept some more when I needed it. It isn’t easy but was over quite quickly now thinking about it. During the chemo 8 weeks neuropathy wasn’t that bad. I’d say it hits you worse 2 to 3 months after you finish. But that’s me and not everyone is the same.

Some days I didn’t even know if my foot was on the brake or throttle in the car.


The mental aspect is tough. There are times when it felt like dread the day before an infusion.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

VeggieLvr
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2018 3:02 pm
Location: NY

Re: Feeling really sad and in need of support

Postby VeggieLvr » Thu May 31, 2018 11:10 am

LittleG wrote:Veggielvr, sorry to hear you are having a hard time. It's tough going but you can get through it. Just keep talking to your health professionals about how you are getting on. I found on Folfox that the I fusions days I couldn't sleep due to steroids they gave me and I ended up with a sleeping tablet to help get sleep on those days but in the days after my disconnect I crashed out on my own. Also worth noting that antidepressants have interactions with the anti-nausea drugs that you take so make sure you ask about this and talk through the risk v benefits. I ended up coming off medication based on the side effects and risks vs the benefits I was having from it. But everyone is different and the benefit far outweighs any risk.

On the neuropathy - once again tell your doctors what you are feeling. I spend a lot of my time standing at work and sometimes without shoes on, so I told them exactly what I was feeling (tingling etc) and they adjusted the oxi accordingly. Eventually I after an extra week break at 75% they pulled the pin on it as I still had tingling on infusion day. 5 months later with the exception of a case of butter fingers (which I suspect is here for good) my fingers and toes are fairly close to where they started.


Thank you LittleG, I am the same way with sleeping the first night due to the steroids. They had my try Ativan to help me sleep and also to alleviate the nausea - it seemed to help, although I don't know that it helped me sleep any more than when I take Xanax (I've been taking the generic Xanax (Alprazolam) .25 mg occasionally for anxiety even before I was diagnosed with cancer). I am nervous about side effects of any more medication so that is a good point to be aware of (I once took one dose of Effexor, also before I was diagnosed, for anxiety and depression and the side effects from that were so bad I never took it again!).

I'm glad your neuropathy has basically gone away, that's good to hear. I admire you and anyone else who goes to work through this - I'm out on disability right now till August and I can't imagine working, although I know I will need to go back!
F, 42, Stage IV CC
2/23/18 - colonoscopy/virtual colonoscopy, diagnosed CC
3/6/18 - left hemicolectomy, 12" removed, clear margins. Multiple mets to lymph nodes (removed), omentum & liver, 1 possible lung met
4/6/18 - port install
4/9/18 - Folfox (Oxaliplatin/Leucovorin/5FU) 4 rounds
6/19/18 - liver resection, HAI pump install
8/30/18 - Folfiri (Irinotecan/Leucovorin/5FU)
12/5/18 - Erbitux added
5/28/19 - 2nd liver resection/ablation

VeggieLvr
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2018 3:02 pm
Location: NY

Re: Feeling really sad and in need of support

Postby VeggieLvr » Thu May 31, 2018 11:16 am

Swirdfish wrote:The chemo days or even upcoming chemo treatments just the though of it made me want to throw up. I didn’t use any of the medication they gave me I believe the made me feel worse. I just slept and slept some more when I needed it. It isn’t easy but was over quite quickly now thinking about it. During the chemo 8 weeks neuropathy wasn’t that bad. I’d say it hits you worse 2 to 3 months after you finish. But that’s me and not everyone is the same.

Some days I didn’t even know if my foot was on the brake or throttle in the car.


I'm with you on just the thought of treatments making me want to throw up - I have to actively avoid thinking about it on my good days or I will start to feel anxious and sick. In the two days before my treatments where I start my restricted-calorie fasting I also get cranky, knowing that he treatment is coming up and that I have to fast for it specifically.

Good to know about neuropathy potentially coming on worse in the months after treatment, that's good information to have, thank you.

Swirdfish wrote:Some days I didn’t even know if my foot was on the brake or throttle in the car.


I'm lucky in that my husband has been doing most of my driving for me, on the days I drive on my own it feels weird now!
F, 42, Stage IV CC
2/23/18 - colonoscopy/virtual colonoscopy, diagnosed CC
3/6/18 - left hemicolectomy, 12" removed, clear margins. Multiple mets to lymph nodes (removed), omentum & liver, 1 possible lung met
4/6/18 - port install
4/9/18 - Folfox (Oxaliplatin/Leucovorin/5FU) 4 rounds
6/19/18 - liver resection, HAI pump install
8/30/18 - Folfiri (Irinotecan/Leucovorin/5FU)
12/5/18 - Erbitux added
5/28/19 - 2nd liver resection/ablation

VeggieLvr
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2018 3:02 pm
Location: NY

Re: Feeling really sad and in need of support

Postby VeggieLvr » Thu May 31, 2018 11:18 am

NHMike wrote:The mental aspect is tough. There are times when it felt like dread the day before an infusion.


NHMike I completely agree! I try my best to enjoy the days I'm feeling well, but two days before my next treatment I start to get cranky and sad.
F, 42, Stage IV CC
2/23/18 - colonoscopy/virtual colonoscopy, diagnosed CC
3/6/18 - left hemicolectomy, 12" removed, clear margins. Multiple mets to lymph nodes (removed), omentum & liver, 1 possible lung met
4/6/18 - port install
4/9/18 - Folfox (Oxaliplatin/Leucovorin/5FU) 4 rounds
6/19/18 - liver resection, HAI pump install
8/30/18 - Folfiri (Irinotecan/Leucovorin/5FU)
12/5/18 - Erbitux added
5/28/19 - 2nd liver resection/ablation

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: Feeling really sad and in need of support

Postby Lee » Thu May 31, 2018 4:30 pm

One thing that really helped get me through chemo was one fun day every week. I would not see Dr.(s) on this day, I would do something fun like getting together with a girl friend. It was one day I would not think about my cancer. Kind of a vacation from cancer.

Good luck,

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

VeggieLvr
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2018 3:02 pm
Location: NY

Re: Feeling really sad and in need of support

Postby VeggieLvr » Thu May 31, 2018 10:03 pm

Lee wrote:One thing that really helped get me through chemo was one fun day every week. I would not see Dr.(s) on this day, I would do something fun like getting together with a girl friend. It was one day I would not think about my cancer. Kind of a vacation from cancer.

Good luck,

Lee


Thank you Lee, that's great advice. I have a couple of outings this weekend I'm really looking forward to, which will be a nice break from all this for sure!
F, 42, Stage IV CC
2/23/18 - colonoscopy/virtual colonoscopy, diagnosed CC
3/6/18 - left hemicolectomy, 12" removed, clear margins. Multiple mets to lymph nodes (removed), omentum & liver, 1 possible lung met
4/6/18 - port install
4/9/18 - Folfox (Oxaliplatin/Leucovorin/5FU) 4 rounds
6/19/18 - liver resection, HAI pump install
8/30/18 - Folfiri (Irinotecan/Leucovorin/5FU)
12/5/18 - Erbitux added
5/28/19 - 2nd liver resection/ablation

Caat55
Posts: 694
Joined: Sat Dec 23, 2017 6:01 pm

Re: Feeling really sad and in need of support

Postby Caat55 » Thu May 31, 2018 10:37 pm

VeggieLvr wrote:
Swirdfish wrote:The chemo days or even upcoming chemo treatments just the though of it made me want to throw up. I didn’t use any of the medication they gave me I believe the made me feel worse. I just slept and slept some more when I needed it. It isn’t easy but was over quite quickly now thinking about it. During the chemo 8 weeks neuropathy wasn’t that bad. I’d say it hits you worse 2 to 3 months after you finish. But that’s me and not everyone is the same.

Some days I didn’t even know if my foot was on the brake or throttle in the car.


I'm with you on just the thought of treatments making me want to throw up - I have to actively avoid thinking about it on my good days or I will start to feel anxious and sick.

I'm lucky in that my husband has been doing most of my driving for me, on the days I drive on my own it feels weird now!


It yo that. I don't want to think, prefer my husband to friends but both don't want company nor to be alone.
Do at 55 y.o. Female
Dx 9/26/17 RC Stage 3
Completed 33 rad. tx, xeolda 12/8/17
MRI and PET 1/18 sign. regression
Surgery 1/31/18 Ileostomy, clean margins, no lymph node involved
Port 3/1/2018
Oxaliplatin and Xeloda start 3/22/18
Last Oxaliplatin 7/5/18, 5 rounds
CT NED 9/2018
PET NED 12/18
Clear Colonoscopy 2/19, 5/20

lakeswim
Posts: 229
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:37 am

Re: Feeling really sad and in need of support

Postby lakeswim » Fri Jun 01, 2018 1:22 pm

NH Mike - I hear you about anticipating the treatment. I know that's a "thing" (they warned/told me about it). I'm almost more nervous about Round 2 because Round 1 went well and I don't want to assume it will be the same. Like someone here said, take it day by day and just get through it - whatever it is.
Female - RC dgns @ 49 y
Adenocarcinoma
10-11 cm from anal verge ("large")
Stage 3a - T4N0M0
FOLFOX May -Sept 18
Capecetabine + Radiation - 28 sessions - Oct - Nov 18
Jan 19 - MRI & flex sig show tumor gone, Chest/ab CT no change
Feb 19 - MRI & flex sig show tumor gone
W&W (must travel)
.....W&W surveillance 2019,2020,2021,2022,2023....
Jan 24 - approaching 5 years this Spring with W&W surveillance to end.
*grateful*

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Feeling really sad and in need of support

Postby NHMike » Fri Jun 01, 2018 5:11 pm

lakeswim wrote:NH Mike - I hear you about anticipating the treatment. I know that's a "thing" (they warned/told me about it). I'm almost more nervous about Round 2 because Round 1 went well and I don't want to assume it will be the same. Like someone here said, take it day by day and just get through it - whatever it is.


Round two was probably my toughest round because I didn't anticipate the cumulative effect and because it was so cold here. After that, we reduced the Oxaliplatin and that helped a lot. Still no fun but the infusions weren't as debilitating.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT


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