New to the Club

[ShooterDave]

I’ve been lurking the past couple weeks and learning a lot of what lies ahead for me. Thank you all for sharing your stories and experiences.

Sitting here at Mass General getting my first infusion and feeling pretty overwhelmed. Even though all the doctors and nurses and staff here are fantastic, this just flat out sucks.

[NHMike]

Welcome to the board and you're a relative local to me (Southern NH). When you get some time, you might want to put a summary in your sig so we can have an idea as to what you've already gone through and what's to come. This is a great place for support, advice, ideas and even rants.

[Atoq]

Welcome and sorry for your diagnosis! It is hard especially at the beginning, but having a plan and starting treatment helps a lot.

Claudia

[NHMike]

I can see your diagnosis now and you're a young guy and that's a tough diagnosis but you did get into treatment really quickly from diagnosis. It sounds like they're using the FOLFOX to shrink the tumor and mets and hopefully they'll be able to get it all. Yes, cancer treatment is awful.

[ShooterDave]

I’m Haverhill, Mike, so that is pretty close.

Right now the treatment plan is chemo, radiation, then likely surgeries. I was able to see the team of doctors the very next day after the colonoscopy, which is when they told me the plan. I’ve since had a PET CT and PET MRI. Those scans showed the mets, but the oncologist didn’t change anything. I’ll have another scan after 4 rounds to ascertain the effectiveness of the chemo.

It’s quite devastating, but I’m trying not to let the negatives consume me.

[martd]

You definitely nailed it on that one it does suck indeed. Just stay positive try your best to manage the side effects. The first few treatments tend to be not as bad but it does vary from person to person. This forum is a great place for support and answers.

Dan

[AppleTree]

I am from Cape Cod and had my chemo here. MG had recommended the same treatment, so I went with the local hospital. My lung surgery (VATS) was done at Mass General by Dr. Lanuti. You are in good hands at Mass General. I like this group because people here can really relate and understand what you are going through.

[NHMike]

I’m Haverhill, Mike, so that is pretty close.

Right now the treatment plan is chemo, radiation, then likely surgeries. I was able to see the team of doctors the very next day after the colonoscopy, which is when they told me the plan. I’ve since had a PET CT and PET MRI. Those scans showed the mets, but the oncologist didn’t change anything. I’ll have another scan after 4 rounds to ascertain the effectiveness of the chemo.

It’s quite devastating, but I’m trying not to let the negatives consume me.

One of the folks on this board's husband was at MGH with Stage 4 and they had a surgeon that did a great job removing liver mets. So you're definitely at a great place to get through this thing. It's a long road to go through and it's really tough in several places but I've been told that you just put one foot in front of the other and keep going. We'll be with you every step of the way.

[ShooterDave]

The CT/MRI reports lists one 12mm met on my lower right lung. The liver mets are listed as several small lesions on both lobes. Hopefully the chemo will get the liver lesions and the lung met can be taken care of.

[ANDRETEXAS]

Yes. Stay positive and exercise as much as you can....even while you're hooked up to the pump if possible. Take one day at a time and don't get ahead of yourself. Tell your doctors of any side effects as soon as you recognize them. You can do it !!! Andre

[DarknessEmbraced]

I'm sorry for your diagnosis and hope your chemo goes well!*hugs*

[ScaredButGottaWin]

Yeah it sucks. Nothing I can say willl change that. I am in a similar situation - 41 with stg IV. In my opinion, the worst is the first few months. Then you learn to deal. One day at a time.

[ShooterDave]

My first infusion went well, and the port site is healing nicely.

Today was infusion 2 and I can say it’s a little bit more uncomfortable. I’m thinking early to bed and hope for a little better tomorrow.

I can see these first few months being tough due to the lack of information and without a detailed plan. Completing 4 rounds and then a scan is a long time to wait for more news. Oh well, I’ll just keep getting up to go to work and trying to do as much as I can to feel normal.

[Koreysue]

Sorry to hear you have joined this club, but This forum is a great place to find answers or hear about other survivor’s experiences. It’s also nice to be able to help others. A give and take of support. It’s nice to not feel so alone.
Rest when you need to, and try to keep an excersize routine.
Korey

[Maggie Nell]

I can see these first few months being tough due to the lack of information and without a detailed plan.
Completing 4 rounds and then a scan is a long time to wait for more news. Oh well, I’ll just keep getting up to
go to work and trying to do as much as I can to feel normal.

Hey there ShooterDave,

Sounds like you're on your "Pat Malone" over there...you got work buddies who you've confided in about what's
going on for you?

Maggie

PS We could all do with an ear-worm

FOLFOX Prison Blues

I see the chemo comin'
it's flowing in my vein
so I keep out of the sunshine and only walk in rain,
I'm stuck in Folfox prison, and time keeps draggin' on
I just sit here waitin', till this bag is gone.

When I went to my doctor, my onco told me, man
A rectal tumor's got you, so we gotta have a plan.
I started radiation, just to watch it die
now every time they zap me, I see that sucker fry.

I went to onco meetin's and drivin' my own car
I can't feel my hands 'n feet, so hope it isn't far.
I know they said it's coming, a side effect for free
but my doctors keep on tryin' to
cure my neuropathy.

Well when they free me from this prison,
leave that satan in a bag
I am on my healing journey but I won't ever brag,
far from Folfox prison, that's where I've got to stay
I'll tell my chemo nurses, "have a damn fine day."

I see the chemo comin'
it's flowing in my vein
I nuked that little sunnabitch and now I'm out of pain,
I'm stuck in Folfox prison, and time keeps draggin' on
I just sit here waitin', till this bag is gone.

Yes I'm stuck in Folfox prison, and that's a natural fact
and this chemo keeps on messing with...
my digestive tract.


( by CRguy, with apologies to the great Johnny Cash !)

swiped from Hi I'm FOLFOX.... how do you like me so far?
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13273&p=102950#p102950