Update - Stage 3b, nearly done with adjuvant chemo

[Readerokie]

Just wanted to pop in and give an update, for those who in future may be searching the forum and in our situation. I searched desperately, in the weeks after my husband's diagnosis, for stories of people who came relatively easily through surgery or chemo. And of course I understand there's a selection bias at work here - those in need of support and help will be the voices more reflected on the board. Just wanted to share our experience.

Hubs is 3 months out from diagnosis and urgent partial colectomy. We were warned he might have a stoma after surgery as he didn't go through prep, but he had eaten and drunk so little for days he was pretty cleaned out, so they were able to avoid one. He was almost immediately able to eat regularly, though he had some 'food fear' lingering after his horrible experiences of digestive pain from before diagnosis. He is still very cautious of new foods, but is now eating his old favorites at a rapid pace and has gained back 20 lbs. At 6-8 weeks after surgery he recovered a lot of his energy and good humor, even while starting 4 rounds of CAPOX. His first round was a bit difficult trying to get a good balance of meds to control nausea, each round his sensitivity to cold drinks has extended by a couple of days (round 1 it was gone after 3 days, round 2 after 5 days, round 3 took over a week). He's had very slight neuropathy in his hands, noticeable only in round 3 (and I assume round 4, which is coming up in 10 days). He's beginning to have some insomnia.

But overall, he's doing GREAT. He's back to doing yardwork and house projects, has lots more energy than before the surgery, and his sense of humor and interest in life has returned. We hadn't realized until it came back how long it had been missing - for years cancer stole it from us! Even though he's still going through chemo, I feel as though I have gotten back the man I married, and am very grateful for his treatments.

[ANDRETEXAS]

Glad you have some positive news to report. So far, so good. Have your husband keep up the exercise, in whatever form. It's important. And stay hydrated. Sounds like he's back with the right attitude. Best of luck moving forward.

[beach sunrise]

Sounds like he is on upward swing of things. That is good news. For insomnia has he tried melatonin. I finally tried it and it knocks me out for a good nights sleep. I wouldn't hear a tornado coming, lol.

[sunnysideupalways]

Thank you for sharing! I very much appreciate your outlook on your situation. My husband is also 38 and recently diagnosed. He has his left hemicolectomy tomorrow and I have been in the same boat as you trying to find any stories that match ours and this update is so nice to read.