Good Morning everyone -- I have been lurking on the board since early September - finally got my act together enough to post something. This is an amazing forum , with such a range of support , positivity , realities , hope and information - it's been of tremendous help to me in the last 100 days Thanks to ALL - I promise to chime in where appropriate as I can see the benefits other can gain from my experiences as well.
51m / Stage 3b Colon Cancer from this August - per my signature - successful colectomy. Surgeon and Oncologist were both positive about my prognosis. I start round of 5 of 12 folfox tomorrow - liver enzymes popped up last round , they reconfirmed them , so not sure what that means for tomorrow's cycle., we will see. So far side effects have been pretty much the range of what others have posted - although I had two terrible days of neuropathy in the last cycle and my fatigue / energy level is getting the better of me.
Two questions:
1) I elected to move fast on my treatment - given it was a fairly " simple" case - is there such a thing ? - I am thinking now , does it make sense to have someone review my pathology and treatment as a second set of professional eyes ? it's not a concern over the doctors , more about seeking additional consult and information
2) Told we will do CEA at end of chemo treatment and also the scan \to establish the baseline going forward - assuming this is typical - but I guess in the back of your mind , you don't want another hurdle in front of you after these twelve rounds - but I guess that wouldn't matter anyway - seems like such a range across the board on the SCAN front / CEA numbers - not sure if that is case based / MD opinion or adjuvant vs. neo-adjuvant treatment ? - would love some opinions.
Once again , I am humbled by everyone's willingness to share something personal and difficult on this board - it's quite humbling and I cannot give enough gratitude.
Best
Blakeacw