Any advice for someone starting Folfox

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dbmelone
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Any advice for someone starting Folfox

Postby dbmelone » Sun Nov 24, 2013 4:28 pm

Just got my chemo schedule... I start 12/4 and go every other week for 12 treatments - gave myself Thanksgiving to enjoy....
I was wondering what advice/tips are out there for Folfox? I understand I will sit in a chair for 3.5 hours and then go home with a pump for 46 hours.
What tips/tricks are out there for this.....
12/4 and 12/18 one cycle each of Folfox
11/15/2013 Port-A-Cath inserted
10/28/2013 left colon resection, 1 of 12 nodes removed positive
T1N1aM0 + Stage IIIA
AJCC: T1 N1 M0

lorrainem
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Re: Any advice for someone starting Folfox

Postby lorrainem » Sun Nov 24, 2013 5:22 pm

First off, expect anything. There are those that do well enough to continue working and those that need to take work leaves. Be prepared for the sensations of hot and cold, especially cold. Keep gloves near your fridge or anything that you might need to touch that is cold. I can't describe the sensation but you don't want it.
Other than that, talking to your chemo nurse would be best advice as when you/if you develop side effects that are unique to you, they are very prepared to assist with info, scripts or whatever is necessary. Wishing you the smoothest possible sail.
Chemorad/Surgery/Chemo
Stage II, no mets, no nodes NED 05/08 again 08/08 again 11/08
Ileostomy reversal 10/16/08

Lee
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Re: Any advice for someone starting Folfox

Postby Lee » Sun Nov 24, 2013 5:57 pm

Load up on liquids a day or two before your infusion. I always got hit with diarrhea those first few days. And you want to make sure you do not get dehydrated.

Some people like to fast during this time. For me, I found keeping food in my stomach kept nausea at bay, thus I ate several times a day vs 3 meals a day. I would hit Burger King on my way to the infusion and get one of those breakfast sandwich. I figured the carb and the protein would get me through the day. I also drank Ensure daily. My taste buds changed a lot while on chemo. If something did not sound/feel good, I would not eat it.

List to your body, if your tired, REST!! Don't push it. Tell your Dr of any problems you have. Many times there can be an easy solution. Side effect can be accumulative, so listen to your body.

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!

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Voxx66
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Re: Any advice for someone starting Folfox

Postby Voxx66 » Sun Nov 24, 2013 6:19 pm

Is it Folfox by itself or Folfox + Avastin? When I do Folfox alone the infusion is 2 hours and the premeds and pump hook up take another 30 or so minutes. With Avastin add on another 1.5 hours the first time. I second the idea of keeping food in your stomach - but it's hard to say what you will want until you see how it goes.

On hopeful note -don' be surprised if it is no where near as bad initially as you are expecting.
DX and resect 10/2012 age 46
Stage IIa CRC
liver mets both lobes 8/2013
CEA 28
FOLFOX + Avastin 8/26/13 3 rounds
Folfox only 3 rds + rd 8
platelets low round 7,9,10 5FU only
1/14 CEA 1.0 y90
5fu
10/14 mets lung and peri
1/15 Folfiri

JJ2212
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Location: Montréal, QC

Re: Any advice for someone starting Folfox

Postby JJ2212 » Sun Nov 24, 2013 8:10 pm

I'm a newbie at this, having done only 3 rounds of FOLFOX so far.
From the start, I was surprised by how uneventful the infusion part was. I kept expecting that i'd start feeling sick but I never did. Just slept through most of it, since I didn't get a good night's sleep the night before. Round #1 was hard for me because i was hypervigilant about every little feeling and potential side effect. In hindsight, it went pretty smoothly but my nerves got the best of me.

My best advice would be to try to stay calm and not worry about getting all of the potential side effects. Every one reacts differently. I know it's easier said than done, but good luck.
Rectal cancer dx 04/13 @ 42, MSS, KRAS positive
T3N2M1 (1 lung met)
5 weeks xeloda+radiation finished 07/13
APR 9/13 (permanent colostomy), 27/31 nodes positive :-(
12 rounds of FOLFOX 04/14
Lung met growth 11/14
26 cycles Regorafenib (Stivarga) from 11/15 to 01/17
New lung met and chest/neck lymph nodes 01/17
1 cycle Folfiri

kiwiinoz
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Re: Any advice for someone starting Folfox

Postby kiwiinoz » Sun Nov 24, 2013 8:30 pm

Folofx, big scarey nasty chemotherapy that would make me go bald and feel like crap is the image that I had prior to taking it. After going through it, I would never venture to say it was "easy" as it certainly wasn't, but it was not anywhere near as bad as what I thought.
I drank a lot of fluids the entire time I was on folfox as I found it flushed by system me out well and kept me from bouncing around too much between dehydration and diarreah.
I did get tired towards the end when the cummulative effects started to hit, but I worked every single day apart from one and that was due to a blockage not due to chemo.
I ran and excercised which I think is a really good thing to do as it helps with your energy levels, makes you feel better, and reduces your risk for recurrance. Even just walking 30 mins a day can do that.
The only thing I would say would be to keep an eye on the neuropathy which is caused by the oxaliplatin and let you onc know if it is getting too much.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes.
Stage IV Rectal Cancer (39 Year old male at dx)
pT3N0M1 (wish that was M0)
Diagnosed 05 Dec 2012
LAR 05 Jan 2013
VATS 27 Feb 2013
FOLOFX April 2013 - Sep 2013
Clear Scan 03 Dec 2013 - August 2020
Port Out 26 March 2015

kiwiinoz
Posts: 1170
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Re: Any advice for someone starting Folfox

Postby kiwiinoz » Sun Nov 24, 2013 8:31 pm

JJ2212 wrote:I'm a newbie at this, having done only 3 rounds of FOLFOX so far.
From the start, I was surprised by how uneventful the infusion part was. I kept expecting that i'd start feeling sick but I never did. Just slept through most of it, since I didn't get a good night's sleep the night before. Round #1 was hard for me because i was hypervigilant about every little feeling and potential side effect. In hindsight, it went pretty smoothly but my nerves got the best of me.

My best advice would be to try to stay calm and not worry about getting all of the potential side effects. Every one reacts differently. I know it's easier said than done, but good luck.


Can I ask why you have an uncofirmed Lung Met?
Stage IV Rectal Cancer (39 Year old male at dx)
pT3N0M1 (wish that was M0)
Diagnosed 05 Dec 2012
LAR 05 Jan 2013
VATS 27 Feb 2013
FOLOFX April 2013 - Sep 2013
Clear Scan 03 Dec 2013 - August 2020
Port Out 26 March 2015

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GrouseMan
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Location: SE Michigan USA

Re: Any advice for someone starting Folfox

Postby GrouseMan » Sun Nov 24, 2013 9:43 pm

My wife just completed her 8th treatment Thursday. The 6th where they have added Avastin to the combination. Hopefully your experience will be much like her's and be quite mild. She drinks plenty of water, usually room temp, just to avoid any potential cold sensitivity. So far she really hasn't had much. She gets some pins and needles in her fingertips for the days of the infusion, but it generally passes a few days after the pump disconnect. She takes Magnesium supplements and doubles up on that one the morning before of oxaliplatin infusion. We believe this helps reduce the neuropathy caused by the OXI. Her worse side effect is mild diarrhea managed well with imodium. You likely will need to take more than the box recommends but that recommendation is for people not undergoing chemo!

As Voxx has indicated some folks fast. My wife eats before during and after. She generally uses the anti nausea drugs in a proactive manner to stay ahead of it, and as a result doesn't need them very much. She takes the minimal prescribed, and the mildest of the two they gave her. Her first experience with it she took the pill, and ate. She found eating made her feel much better, and ever since if she feels the nausea coming on she grabs a bite to eat and takes a pill. There is a bit of a psychological component to nausea I believe and its important to stay ahead of it.

Many of the other side effects like first bite pain, when eating, Cold sensitivity and mouth sores, so far have been mostly an annoyance to her. The one I notice most is that she sleeps a lot more, falling asleep on the couch in the evening more. She use to run and train for trail races, but I don't think she has the energy now. She continues to work (she is a civil engineer).

Regards,

GrouseMan
DW 53 dx Jun 2013
CT mets Liver Spleen lung. IVb CEA~110
Jul 2013 Sig Resct
8/13 FolFox,Avastin 12Tx mild sfx, Ongoing 5-FU Avastin every 3 wks.
CEA: good marker
7/7/14 CT Can't see the spleen Mets.
8/16/15 CEA Up, CT new abdominal mets. Iri, 5-FU, Avastin every 2 wks.
1/16 Iri, Erbitux and likely Avastin (Trial) CEA going >.
1/17 CEA up again dropped from Trial, Mets growth 4-6 mm in abdomen
5/2/17 Failed second trial, Hospitalized 15 days 5/11. Home Hospice 5/26, at peace 6/4/2017

JJ2212
Posts: 268
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Location: Montréal, QC

Re: Any advice for someone starting Folfox

Postby JJ2212 » Sun Nov 24, 2013 10:02 pm

kiwiinoz wrote:

Can I ask why you have an uncofirmed Lung Met?


I have one spot on my lung that the radiologist wouldn't biopsy because of it's position near the aorta. Last news I got was that the spot shrunk 1mm over the course of my Xeloda+radiation, so the oncologist is assuming that it is malignant as it responded to chemo. It's a bit of wishful thinking on my part, but I'm hanging on to hope that it's benign until my next scan or x-ray tells a different story. It's my one hope that I'm actually stage 3 instead of 4. I know the number shouldn't make a difference, but somehow it does...

Janie.
Rectal cancer dx 04/13 @ 42, MSS, KRAS positive
T3N2M1 (1 lung met)
5 weeks xeloda+radiation finished 07/13
APR 9/13 (permanent colostomy), 27/31 nodes positive :-(
12 rounds of FOLFOX 04/14
Lung met growth 11/14
26 cycles Regorafenib (Stivarga) from 11/15 to 01/17
New lung met and chest/neck lymph nodes 01/17
1 cycle Folfiri

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O Stoma Mia
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Side effects management under FOLFOX

Postby O Stoma Mia » Mon Nov 25, 2013 5:14 am

dbmelone wrote:Just got my chemo schedule... I start 12/4 and go every other week for 12 treatments .... I was wondering what advice/tips are out there for Folfox? ... What tips/tricks are out there for this.....

Hi dbmelone - Here is some information on FOLFOX for you.

  • FOL-F-OX (infusion)
    https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/folfox

    FOL - Folinic acid (Leucovorin) side effects
    http://www.drugs.com/sfx/leucovorin-side-effects.html
    https://chemocare.com/druginfo/leucovorin-injection

    F – Fluorouracil (5-FU) side effects
    http://www.drugs.com/sfx/fluorouracil-side-effects.html
    http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug- ... racil.aspx

    OX - Oxaliplatin side effects
    http://www.drugs.com/sfx/oxaliplatin-side-effects.html
    http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug- ... latin.aspx
    .
  • Types of IV infusion lines
    https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/making-treatment-decisions/tubes-lines-ports-catheters.html
    .
    https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/your-implanted-port
    .
    https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/jco.2012.45.5733
    .
  • Side effects log -
    _MON____TUE_____WED____THU____FRI_____SAT____SUN__
    .AM PM...AM PM....AM PM...AM PM...AM PM....AM PM...AM PM.
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Diarrhea
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Vomiting
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Nausea
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Mouth Sores
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Hand-and-foot syndrome (HFS)
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Fever or infection
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Stomach area pain
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Pain (other)
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Fatigue
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Constipation
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Loss of appetite
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Dehydration
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Skin problems
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Hair loss
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Dizziness
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Headache
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Insomnia
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| Taste problems
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| etc..
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...|
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...|
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...|
    |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...| |...|...|
    .
  • FOLFOX Treatment Journals - Several members have posted journals of their FOLFOX experience. Here are some links:

    FOLFOX Treatment Diaries
    http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=55011&p=435961#p435961

    http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=59205&p=468320#p468320

    http://www.unixwiz.net/techtips/folfox6.html
    .
    https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=60501#p479337
    .
  • Medications for each side effect - For each of the major expected side effects, you should have a plan for treating the side effect at three possible levels of intensity, for example:

    1. Mild level - Home remedies or over-the-counter preparations
    2. Moderate level - Mild prescription medications or over-the-counter preparations
    3. Severe level - Strong prescription medications

    It would help to have the options identified in advance at these three levels for each major type of side effect (and approved by your doctor), although it may not be necessary to purchase everthing in advance. Some products may be hard to find, so it may be wise to do some research in advance to determine where you are going to obtain the products in case you ever need them.

    It is important to be pro-active and start treating the problems early, as soon as they start to appear. There is a reason for this: Under chemo/radiation therapy the immune system becomes somewhat compromised and a bit dysfunctional. It takes a bit longer for medications and treatments to take effect, so you need to start the treatments early, at the first sign of a problem. If you decide to wait until the problem becomes almost unbearable, then this might be a bit too late for your immune system to step in, catch up, and quickly solve the problem. In a way, there is no point in taking a 'macho' approach by trying to be a hero by toughing it out. Now is the time when your body needs tender loving care by giving it some form of treatment whenever something starts going wrong.
    .
  • Consent form - If you have not done so already, you will need to read and sign the hospital's "Chemotherapy Informed Consent" form. This is a form that describes the major risks and benefits of the treament procedure. I would recommend that you read your form thoroughly before you sign it, and be sure that any questions you might have are answered before you sign. Also, ask for a photocopy of the form that you have just signed. A sample template of such a form can be downloaded from the link below. Click on the link, and use the SaveAs option to save the file to the Windows Desktop. Then after the download is complete, open the file and look at its contents, in particular the section on "Risks/Side Effects of Proposed Treatment". This is where the main side effects of your treatment (FOLFOX) will be listed on the form that they give you to sign. Chemotherapy Consent Use and Discussion Guide
    .
  • Book - I would recommend reading the following book, which gives a general introduction to chemotherapy without focusing on any particular drug. The emphasis is on how to deal with the main side effects that are common to most all chemotherapy regimens, i.e., nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, neuropathy, etc. It is a good guide for someone who has had no prior experience with chemotherapy
    "Chemotherapy Survivor Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Get through Treatment ", by J. McKay and T. Schacher, (2009)
    .
    Also:
    https://www.amazon.com/Braving-Chemo-Expect-Prepare-Through/dp/1733456503
    .
  • Your weight - Oxaliplatin dose is determined by patient body surface area (BSA) measured in meters squared, the formula for which requires your height and weight as input. Body Surface Area (BSA) Calculator. Be sure that they get your exact current weight, otherwise they may put the wrong dose of oxaliplatin in the syringe (i.e., don't get weighed with your pockets full of keys, cell-phone, wallet, etc, and be sure to take off your shoes and any heavy clothing). If you weigh in at a heavy weight, the dose they calculate for you may be too high, and it may amount to an overdose. A normal dose of Oxaliplatin (85mg/m2) is bad enough, and you certainly don't want to get an overdose. Also, make sure they re-weigh you properly for each new cycle of Oxaliplatin, since you may be losing weight from one week to the next, so your dose should be decreased each time according to amount of weight lost.

  • Oxaliplatin side effects - Treating peripheral neuropathy by naturopathy -

    Re: Oxyplatin advice (post)
    http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=50311&p=385241#p385241
    Prevention and Management of Chemotherapy-Induced-Peripheral Neuropathy in Survivors of Adult Cancers: ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline
    http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/32/18/1941.full.pdf+html
    Complementary Therapies for Chemo-Neuropathy: An Integrative Oncologist's Bag of Tricks
    http://www.integrativeoncology-essentials.com/2013/06/complementary-therapies-for-chemo-neuropathy/
    °
    A randomized controlled trial of hand/foot-cooling by hilotherapy to prevent oxaliplatin-related peripheral neuropathy in patients with malignancies of the digestive system
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10163151
    .
  • Note: Oxaliplatin toxicity and oxaliplatin desensitization protocols -

    Oxaliplatin desensitization questions
    http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35164#p246839
    Allergic reaction to Oxi
    http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=43093#p304849
    Desensitization protocol for oxaliplatin
    http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57906&p=456018#p456018
    Hypersensitivity Reactions to Oxaliplatin and the Application of a Desensitization Protocol
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15477639/
    °
  • Oxaliplatin - Slower infusion rate. Normally, the Cycle 1 infusion is run at a slower rate (like 3 hours instead of the normal 2 hour infusion). This is so that they can better monitor the patient for reactions during the first infusion. From Cycle 2 onward, however, they will probably try to set up the infusion at the normal rate (like 2 hours to deliver the same amount of chemo that was delivered over a 3-hour span in the Cycle 1 infusion). This might be too fast for you. It would be less stressful on your system if they continued with the slower infusion rate from Cycle 2 onward. The down-side to this is that your infusion sessions would be an hour or more longer than standard if you choose to go with the slower setting. This is something that you could discuss with your oncologist.
    .
  • Oxaliplatin -Lower overall dose of oxaliplatin - I think the standard dose for oxaliplatin is 85mg/m2, but the fall-back dose for patients who cannot tolerate this level is 75mg/m2. It might be better for you over the long haul if you were given the lower dose instead of the standard dose. With the lower dose you would have almost all of the benefits of oxaliplatin, but would have the added possible benefit that you may be able to tolerate oxaliplatin for the treatment period as opposed to having to drop it completely halfway through. This is also something you could discuss with your oncologist.
    °
  • Note: 5-FU toxicity and DPD deficiency (Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency)

    Several sources indicate DPD Deficiency affects from three to eight percent of the population.

    Over 11 thousand new cancer patients can expect to have some degree of DPD deficiency. Unfortunately, this is not typically discovered until a cancer patient receives some form of 5-FU.

    In its most severe from, the combination of the deficiency and 5-FU toxicity has a 33% mortality rate. Thirteen hundred people die annually from 5-FU toxicity. 1300 people...if those same people were dying in plane crashes, by crazed gunmen, etc, there would be a media outrage. Instead, these are people dying quietly in hospitals and their homes.

    Genetic testing is readily available but not part of the standard of care. It may not be covered under insurance plans as part of treatment. The cost of testing is relatively inexpensive. If your treatment is going to include 5-FU based, DEMAND TO BE TESTED. Pass along this information and do everything you can to make testing a standard part of the use of this dangerous drug.
    Reference: https://www.chrisbeatcancer.com/one-dose-of-5-fu-chemo-can-kill-you/

    Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency (DPD deficiency)

    ColonClub thread: 5-FU & Xeloda Extremely Allergic-
Last edited by O Stoma Mia on Wed Sep 20, 2023 6:50 pm, edited 38 times in total.

Jeep297
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 5:19 pm

Re: Any advice for someone starting Folfox

Postby Jeep297 » Sat Nov 30, 2013 1:55 pm

I would agree to expect anything. Some people handle it very well and some don't. While I had about every negative symptom in the book, it seems that is more rare and most tolerate it better than I did. My suggestions would be to drink a lot of water, get the rest you need, and be proactive about symptoms that happen. If you get bad nausea Emend was incredibly helpful for me.
Colon cancer @ 29 yrs old 11/10
Tumor removed 11/10
DX: Stage IV (3 distant lymph nodes)
6 months of FOLFOX + Avastin
Clear Pet 6/11
Indefinitely on Avastin

Savsmom
Posts: 41
Joined: Fri Oct 18, 2013 8:34 pm

Re: Any advice for someone starting Folfox

Postby Savsmom » Sat Nov 30, 2013 9:32 pm

I'm going on number 3 . My first was terrible I was so nauseous it was crazy I slept like 5 days straight the meds they gave me just didn't help. So I spoke with docs had them switch it up now taking emend best drug ever I swear. Still a ill nauseous but not sick and rested but wasn't knocked out. I am cold sensitive , I have a nasal drip, peely nose so when I blow it I have bloody boogers, all my soft tissues are sensitive like 3 days after disconnect nose mouth privates, and skin is tender. Tingly fingers and upper lip a lil. My skin is dryer than normal. I hade felt like my nodes were swollen and tender and doc said was from 5 fu. Going home with a fanny pac sucks and weird so nervous it's going to mess up. Some people don't feel a thing til later like 5 or 6 I've heard. I was pissed to feel shitty so early. Oh and I taste the chemo during all of it until it's disconnected. Doc says everyone is diff and effects everyone differently . Good luck! Hope it's a fast cycle for you!
35 yr old mother wife.
stage 3c colon cancer 7/34 nodes
Diagnosed sept 30,2013
Colon resection oct 12, 2013
Ct nov 5, 2013 clear Ned
Chemo folfox nov 6,2013
Onward and upward from here. F- U cancer!

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ptfly
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Re: Any advice for someone starting Folfox

Postby ptfly » Sat Nov 30, 2013 9:55 pm

my wife did 16 weekly folfox infusions without a port (I don't recommend either). She had no side effects except for change in her taste for food. at week 14 all of it hit her hard and she made it two more weeks. There is not telling. She had not aversion to cold and no neuropothy.
Hoping she does as well on folfiri this week.
Husband to Tracie with stage 4 CC. Liver Mets
DX 5-10-13. C resection 5-17-13. 5/17 LN
FOLFOX+AVI 6-11 thru 9-19-13
HAI pump on 10/31/2013 :) Stopped 9/14 :(
https://www.facebook.com/paul.turley.92
Passed peacefully in my arms at home on 11/11/14

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edinaman
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Re: Any advice for someone starting Folfox

Postby edinaman » Sat Nov 30, 2013 9:55 pm

You are getting a lot of good information here. Just a few things that come to mind. Bring something to do or read. Believe it not, chemo gets to be sort of boring. I brought a dvd player and watched movies. Also, dress in layers. I found that the chemo room was fairly cool-they did supply warm blankets. You will get through this. The first time you see the needle, you expect the earth to rumble, the heavens to open up, but nothing really happens. The chemo nurses are a great source of information. They are on the "front line". Don't be afraid to ask them questions, and let them know if anything doesn't seem right during the infusion.
Good luck.
Jeff
Went in for surgery for a cyst on my bladder, and they found colon cancer growing on the outside of the colon. Got to have two surgeries at the same time! Stage 3, one node involved.

Jeep297
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2011 5:19 pm

Re: Any advice for someone starting Folfox

Postby Jeep297 » Tue Dec 03, 2013 1:05 pm

Jeff makes a lot of great points above. Find something to keep you occupied, warm, and comfortable. I never had an iPad until treatment and that little thing was AMAZING in helping pass the time through treatment and all the various doctors visits. I could communicate with friends/family, read books, watch movies/shows, and browse online. It was also much easier to lug around than a computer. My nurses were incredible as well and very helpful throughout.
Colon cancer @ 29 yrs old 11/10
Tumor removed 11/10
DX: Stage IV (3 distant lymph nodes)
6 months of FOLFOX + Avastin
Clear Pet 6/11
Indefinitely on Avastin


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