Today is my last day of Chemo!

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Beckster
Posts: 438
Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2017 3:01 pm
Location: New Jersey

Today is my last day of Chemo!

Postby Beckster » Fri Jun 09, 2017 2:23 pm

It has been a long six months, but in 2 hours I will take my last dose of Xeloda. :D :D :D
I want to take this time to thank all of you on this forum who helped me through the side effects and helped get solutions to any problem. Without you, I wonder if I would have been able to finish.

As I was thinking about the end, I am now thinking about all the CT scans and bloodwork, especially CEA numbers. Scanxiety is now setting in.....but this forum will help me through it! Ct scans every 6 months and bloodwork every 3 months. My oncologist said I have an excellent prognosis, but I reminded him that if something were to happen, it would happen to me! :shock: :o

Thanks again!
57/F
DX:(CC) 10/19/16
11/4/16- Lap right hemi(cecum)
CEA- Pre Op (1.9), Pre Chemo (2.5)
Type: Adenocarcinoma
Tumor size:3.5 cm x 2.5 x 0.7 cm
Grade: G3
TNM: T3N0M0/IIA
LN: 0/24
LVI present
Surgical margins: clear
MSS
12/27/2016 - Capeox, anaphylactic
1/2/17 to 6/9/17- Xeloda
6/17,12/17,6/18,12/18,6/19,12/19,12/20,12/21 CT Scan NED :D
CEA- 6/17- 3.6, 9/17- 2.8 12/17-2.8, 3/18-3.1, 6/18-3.0, 9/18 2.8, 12/18 2.5 3/19 3.1 6/19 3.1 9/19 2.6 12/19 2.8 6/20 3.0 12/20 2.7 6/21 2.9,[color=#000000]12/21 2.7[/color]
Clear Colonoscopy 10/17, 11/19,11/21 :D

TXLiz
Posts: 249
Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2016 3:31 pm

Re: Today is my last day of Chemo!

Postby TXLiz » Fri Jun 09, 2017 2:31 pm

Awesome! Time to party! Celebrate before you get back on the worry train.
Vomiting and blockage 9/19/16 46 y F
R hemi colectomy 9/20/16
Stage 3 B CRC, located in cecum
3 out of 16 lymph nodes positive
perineural invasion/lymphovascular invasion
infiltrating, mod differentiated adenocarcinoma with a mucinous component
separate tumor nodules present in pericolonic adipose tissue
MSI-high
Baseline PET scan clear 9/16 CEA 0.5
FOLFOX 10/16- 3/17
April 16th, CT scan clear. CEA 1.1
Lynch "inconclusive"
Colonoscopy 10/5/2017 clear

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: Today is my last day of Chemo!

Postby Lee » Fri Jun 09, 2017 6:15 pm

Congratulations, that is a MAJOR milestone. I agree party time.

For some strange reason, my 1st 3 month follow up was easy, I wasn't worried. BUTT the next 3 month follow up. Once I got the results, took about 24 hrs for me to unwind myself. Did not sleep well for a few nights leading up to the results and for 24 hrs after.

Remember one day at a time, one step at a time,

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!

mozart13
Posts: 158
Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2016 7:38 pm
Location: Toronto

Re: Today is my last day of Chemo!

Postby mozart13 » Fri Jun 09, 2017 6:49 pm

Congrats Bekster,
It is not eassy to go through chemo, I just finished my 4th folfox, and find it tough, hate it, even though my oncologist said that I have excellent response to Oxilaplatin.

You definetlly earned party, you've donne every thing by the book, enjoy it, those tests are reassurance, dont drive yourself nuts by thinking too much about it. What is the plan, after all the torture, recovery, hobby, work?
You are still young, try to pre-occupy your mind with something different , away from current trend, if possiblle!
Congrats again, wish you well!
55 year at the time of diagnosis, male
Diagnosed with T1,T2 N0 M0 rectal cancer
Total neoadjuvant therapy or TNT (chemoradiation followed by systemic chemotherapy)
Negative since Feb. '17
No surgery
Watch&Wait approach 8)
I don’t come much to the forum , so if this is not updated it means I remain negative!
Wish good luck to all!

justin case
Posts: 4269
Joined: Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:26 am
Location: Katy, Texas

Re: Today is my last day of Chemo!

Postby justin case » Fri Jun 09, 2017 7:09 pm

Beckster wrote:It has been a long six months, but in 2 hours I will take my last dose of Xeloda. :D :D :D
I want to take this time to thank all of you on this forum who helped me through the side effects and helped get solutions to any problem. Without you, I wonder if I would have been able to finish.

As I was thinking about the end, I am now thinking about all the CT scans and bloodwork, especially CEA numbers. Scanxiety is now setting in.....but this forum will help me through it! Ct scans every 6 months and bloodwork every 3 months. My oncologist said I have an excellent prognosis, but I reminded him that if something were to happen, it would happen to me! :shock: :o

Thanks again!

I was diagnosed 6 years ago today. and I have forgotten most of what treatments were like. There is a life ahead of you, and try not to treat every nuance, that happens, such as a pain in your side, a sore in your mouth, or constipation, as a recurrence, go to GP and find out ! Good luck with you're new fortune on life ! 8) 8) 8) 8)
Bro Nut
Do your scans, and blood work, and perhaps things will be better, and your journey, is close to it's end .
7/11 diagnosed Stage 2 colon and rectal cancer
chemo/rad
lar/temp ilio
Reversal & port removal
21 round of chemo Folfox 9tx, 5fu 12 tx
Last treatment July 2012

Beckster
Posts: 438
Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2017 3:01 pm
Location: New Jersey

Re: Today is my last day of Chemo!

Postby Beckster » Fri Jun 09, 2017 7:31 pm

mozart13 wrote:Congrats Bekster,
It is not eassy to go through chemo, I just finished my 4th folfox, and find it tough, hate it, even though my oncologist said that I have excellent response to Oxilaplatin.

You definetlly earned party, you've donne every thing by the book, enjoy it, those tests are reassurance, dont drive yourself nuts by thinking too much about it. What is the plan, after all the torture, recovery, hobby, work?
You are still young, try to pre-occupy your mind with something different , away from current trend, if possiblle!
Congrats again, wish you well!


Thanks! This is my 3rd year of retirement from my full time job as an educator; however, I work on a part time basis as a consultant and literacy professor. My husband made me stay home for 6 months to make sure that I had as less stress and energy to get through all 8 cycles. It worked...I did not miss a cycle and my bloodwork was always pristine (that is what my onc would say :lol: ). I am going to relax for the summer and in the fall, I will be going back to teaching at the university and consultanting in school districts.
57/F
DX:(CC) 10/19/16
11/4/16- Lap right hemi(cecum)
CEA- Pre Op (1.9), Pre Chemo (2.5)
Type: Adenocarcinoma
Tumor size:3.5 cm x 2.5 x 0.7 cm
Grade: G3
TNM: T3N0M0/IIA
LN: 0/24
LVI present
Surgical margins: clear
MSS
12/27/2016 - Capeox, anaphylactic
1/2/17 to 6/9/17- Xeloda
6/17,12/17,6/18,12/18,6/19,12/19,12/20,12/21 CT Scan NED :D
CEA- 6/17- 3.6, 9/17- 2.8 12/17-2.8, 3/18-3.1, 6/18-3.0, 9/18 2.8, 12/18 2.5 3/19 3.1 6/19 3.1 9/19 2.6 12/19 2.8 6/20 3.0 12/20 2.7 6/21 2.9,[color=#000000]12/21 2.7[/color]
Clear Colonoscopy 10/17, 11/19,11/21 :D

User avatar
MikeManess
Posts: 90
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2016 3:56 pm
Location: Forney, Texas

Re: Today is my last day of Chemo!

Postby MikeManess » Fri Jun 09, 2017 11:33 pm

Major congrats on making it through chemo! Now starts the next phase - hoping and praying. Hang in there!
3/11/16 Colonoscopy - 9 benign polyps, 1 large cancerous tumor in right ascending colon
4/19/16 Right colectomy
6/3/16 Two liver spots detected, added Avastin to Folfox
12/20/16 Liver surgery. Pathology shows no active cancer cells
6/7/17 Final chemo
12/5/17 Port removed
05/23/18 Liver tumor discovered in scans
04/04/19 Radiation treatment
08/15/19 Additional radiation treatment
08/21/19 NED again

JudiB
Posts: 71
Joined: Sun Mar 05, 2017 5:30 am

Re: Today is my last day of Chemo!

Postby JudiB » Sat Jun 10, 2017 1:19 am

Congratulations! The end of your chemo... certainly warrants a celebration! Can't wait for the end of mine. ..just done number 8 so 4 to go!
Enjoy the freedom!
Xxxx
May 2004 Breast cancer lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy, Tamoxifen 5 years, then Femara 2 years.

Jan 2017 resection around colo-rectal junction
T2bN1 M0
March 2017 Chemo Folfox started. Oxaliplatin for 4 treatments, then just 5 FU and Leucovorin for remaining 8 treatments.
June 2017 clear scan
Last chemo August 2017
August 2017 clear scan
February 2018 clear scan

michelle c
Posts: 1929
Joined: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:58 am

Re: Today is my last day of Chemo!

Postby michelle c » Sat Jun 10, 2017 3:57 am

Be positive and listen to your oncologist...you have a great prognosis. I was stage III and had annual scans because my oncologist/surgeon was concerned about the radiation causing cancer with three monthly bloods.
May 25 2009 Dx with CC (sigmoid colon) 2 days after my 44th b'day
CEA prior to surgery 4.7
Jun 3 2009 LAR - Stage III 3/10 lymph nodes
Jul 6 - Dec 10 2009 - 12 cycles FOLFIRI
Genetic testing - inconclusive for Lynch
Jul 2012 port removed & hernia repair

Beckster
Posts: 438
Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2017 3:01 pm
Location: New Jersey

Re: Today is my last day of Chemo!

Postby Beckster » Sat Jun 10, 2017 5:37 am

Thanks everyone for your continued support and guidance!!! :D :D
57/F
DX:(CC) 10/19/16
11/4/16- Lap right hemi(cecum)
CEA- Pre Op (1.9), Pre Chemo (2.5)
Type: Adenocarcinoma
Tumor size:3.5 cm x 2.5 x 0.7 cm
Grade: G3
TNM: T3N0M0/IIA
LN: 0/24
LVI present
Surgical margins: clear
MSS
12/27/2016 - Capeox, anaphylactic
1/2/17 to 6/9/17- Xeloda
6/17,12/17,6/18,12/18,6/19,12/19,12/20,12/21 CT Scan NED :D
CEA- 6/17- 3.6, 9/17- 2.8 12/17-2.8, 3/18-3.1, 6/18-3.0, 9/18 2.8, 12/18 2.5 3/19 3.1 6/19 3.1 9/19 2.6 12/19 2.8 6/20 3.0 12/20 2.7 6/21 2.9,[color=#000000]12/21 2.7[/color]
Clear Colonoscopy 10/17, 11/19,11/21 :D

peanut_8
Posts: 2340
Joined: Sun May 25, 2014 1:31 pm

Re: Today is my last day of Chemo!

Postby peanut_8 » Sat Jun 10, 2017 9:43 am

Congratulations Becky!!! That is wonderful news.
female, diagnosed Jan 14, RC stage 2a, age 56
MSS
April 14, 28 chemo/rad with Xeloda
June 14 adjuvant Xeloda 6 rounds
currently NED

Beckster
Posts: 438
Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2017 3:01 pm
Location: New Jersey

Re: Today is my last day of Chemo!

Postby Beckster » Sat Jun 10, 2017 11:18 am

peanut_8 wrote:Congratulations Becky!!! That is wonderful news.


Thanks peanut_8! I appreciate your help during the past 6 months!

Becky
57/F
DX:(CC) 10/19/16
11/4/16- Lap right hemi(cecum)
CEA- Pre Op (1.9), Pre Chemo (2.5)
Type: Adenocarcinoma
Tumor size:3.5 cm x 2.5 x 0.7 cm
Grade: G3
TNM: T3N0M0/IIA
LN: 0/24
LVI present
Surgical margins: clear
MSS
12/27/2016 - Capeox, anaphylactic
1/2/17 to 6/9/17- Xeloda
6/17,12/17,6/18,12/18,6/19,12/19,12/20,12/21 CT Scan NED :D
CEA- 6/17- 3.6, 9/17- 2.8 12/17-2.8, 3/18-3.1, 6/18-3.0, 9/18 2.8, 12/18 2.5 3/19 3.1 6/19 3.1 9/19 2.6 12/19 2.8 6/20 3.0 12/20 2.7 6/21 2.9,[color=#000000]12/21 2.7[/color]
Clear Colonoscopy 10/17, 11/19,11/21 :D

User avatar
Jacques
Posts: 678
Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2014 10:38 am
Location: Occitanie

Re: Today is my last day of Chemo!

Postby Jacques » Mon Jun 12, 2017 12:12 am

.Long Term Effects of Chemotherapy on Your Body
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=54613&p='432997#p432997

Post Treatment Questions to Ask
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=55492&p=440268#p440191

Note: The MD Anderson (New Jersey) website states:
...As part of your transition into this new phase of care, you will be scheduled for an End of Active Treatment appointment. This appointment with our Survivorship Care Team will include a:

  • Short visit with an oncology nurse practitioner.
  • Written, detailed summary of the patient’s cancer treatment for your personal medical records.
  • Survivorship Care Plan — a personalized plan to help you stay on track for follow-up appointments, cancer screenings, and any imaging and laboratory work you may need.

Have you had your "End of Active Treatment" appointment yet? If so, what was the outcome?

Beckster
Posts: 438
Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2017 3:01 pm
Location: New Jersey

Re: Today is my last day of Chemo!

Postby Beckster » Mon Jun 12, 2017 4:54 am

Jacques wrote:.Long Term Effects of Chemotherapy on Your Body
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=54613&p='432997#p432997

Post Treatment Questions to Ask
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=55492&p=440268#p440191

Note: The MD Anderson (New Jersey) website states:
...As part of your transition into this new phase of care, you will be scheduled for an End of Active Treatment appointment. This appointment with our Survivorship Care Team will include a:

  • Short visit with an oncology nurse practitioner.
  • Written, detailed summary of the patient’s cancer treatment for your personal medical records.
  • Survivorship Care Plan — a personalized plan to help you stay on track for follow-up appointments, cancer screenings, and any imaging and laboratory work you may need.

Have you had your "End of Active Treatment" appointment yet? If so, what was the outcome?


Thanks for the info....No, he did not say anything about the Survivorship Care Team. All I know right now is that he said CT every 6 months for 2-3 years and bloodwork every 3 months.
Maybe he is waiting for my appt the end of June. I have a CT and bloodwork scheduled next week. If he doesn't say anything, I am going to ask.
57/F
DX:(CC) 10/19/16
11/4/16- Lap right hemi(cecum)
CEA- Pre Op (1.9), Pre Chemo (2.5)
Type: Adenocarcinoma
Tumor size:3.5 cm x 2.5 x 0.7 cm
Grade: G3
TNM: T3N0M0/IIA
LN: 0/24
LVI present
Surgical margins: clear
MSS
12/27/2016 - Capeox, anaphylactic
1/2/17 to 6/9/17- Xeloda
6/17,12/17,6/18,12/18,6/19,12/19,12/20,12/21 CT Scan NED :D
CEA- 6/17- 3.6, 9/17- 2.8 12/17-2.8, 3/18-3.1, 6/18-3.0, 9/18 2.8, 12/18 2.5 3/19 3.1 6/19 3.1 9/19 2.6 12/19 2.8 6/20 3.0 12/20 2.7 6/21 2.9,[color=#000000]12/21 2.7[/color]
Clear Colonoscopy 10/17, 11/19,11/21 :D

User avatar
Jacques
Posts: 678
Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2014 10:38 am
Location: Occitanie

Re: Today is my last day of Chemo!

Postby Jacques » Mon Jun 12, 2017 9:30 am

Beckster wrote:... Thanks for the info....No, he did not say anything about the Survivorship Care Team. All I know right now is that he said CT every 6 months for 2-3 years and bloodwork every 3 months.
Maybe he is waiting for my appt the end of June. I have a CT and bloodwork scheduled next week. If he doesn't say anything, I am going to ask.

The bloodwork next week is important because it represents the baseline for your 5:year surveillance program. For this reason, it makes sense to have a comprehensive blood test, including all of the major blood panels, plus certain key additional tests, even if you have to pay for some of these tests yourself.

Member rp1954 has written about this many times. Here are some examples of his posts on the value of having good, comprehensive baseline data to work with:
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=55285&p=438646#p438646

http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=52840&p=416346#p416346

http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=50038&p=380871#p380871


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