Thanks for all the replies, folks - I really appreciate it.
I understand that everyone's experience is different, but I also wanted to know what the majority of folks do and eat and in general, what works and helps.
I've got a Sancuso patch to put on tonight (because yes, I'm more concerned with nausea than diarrhea, although I understand that can be problematic, too). I have an ileostomy pouch and will keep it throughout my treatment, with a reversal planned about a month after Tx is over (sometime in the fall, assuming all goes well). I mention that because it can present its own challenges and special dietary requirements & restrictions (although luckily so far, I've been managing quite well. At this point, it's more of an emotional hurdle than a physical / practical one.)
I'll continue to read and post here since this board is incredibly helpful. As soccermom pointed out, it can be frustrating when people who have not personally gone through treatment tell you it's no big deal. (My WOC nurse has that attitude about the ileostomy pouch. I felt like telling her, "Yeah, well let's see how damn chipper you are when you have a poopie pouch attached to YOUR abdomen!") Sorry - still coping with all of this and my anger tends to surface now and then.
42 yr. old female
Rectal cancer Stage 3C T3 N1 M0 - Sept 2015
28 rounds radiation w/Xeloda - Nov - Dec 2015
2/17/16 - Surgery to remove rectal tumor, lymph nodes (2/20+), ovaries & fallopian tubes, temp. ileostomy
3/28/16 - 9/26/16 -12 rounds FOLFOX w/full oxi
Ileo reversal 10/27/16; Port removed 12/1/16
Lung mets confirmed 2/6/17
March-May 2017 - brain mets; brain rad. 5/9-5/29/17