Hi colon talk - been reading these threads a lot over the last few weeks since I got my diagnosis. It really helps to hear from real people who have been where I am and worse.
I'm a 37 year old male. I had noticed blood in the stool, and after taking a FIT test from my primary care doctor, was recommended a colonoscopy. (This actually took forever to get him to agree too, which is a compliant for another time.)
Colonoscopy showed mass in rectum, so the past month has been consults with doctors, all kinds of imaging (CT, PET scans), and the general working through the process. They're staging it at 3A due to the slight inflammation of one of the lymph nodes.
I'm starting treatment with 6 weeks of radiation and neoadjuvant chemo, then a surgery anout 6 weeks after and follow up chemo for about 5 months. The medical oncologist has recommended Xeloda pills.
What have your experiences been with Xeloda? (I know that it is different for everyone.)
Any tips for dealing with the radiation side effects? The other threads I've seen say don't wipe after BMs, use a bidet water bottle to clean up, and look at numbing creams. Anything else you wish you knew going into treatment?
Thanks again - hopefully I can have an NED soon (and for the rest of my life.)