teacher2017 wrote:DonutHead wrote:Sorry, everyone...I am new to this so will surely make mistakes. Earlier I wrote the oncologist suggested FOLFOX for intravenous infusion. I was wrong. It’s actually an infusion of Oxaliplatin alone over the course of 12 cycles (6 months) and not the other two drugs that make up FOLFOX. The XELODA regimine remains the same. Sorry for the error and any confusion I amy have caused.
DH
Why Xeloda ? What's the difference? I really think that would work for me. I meet tomorrow with the onc. Let's see what they suggest. Seems like FOLFOX is standard treatment for stage 3.
teacher2017 wrote:DonutHead wrote:Sorry, everyone...I am new to this so will surely make mistakes. Earlier I wrote the oncologist suggested FOLFOX for intravenous infusion. I was wrong. It’s actually an infusion of Oxaliplatin alone over the course of 12 cycles (6 months) and not the other two drugs that make up FOLFOX. The XELODA regimine remains the same. Sorry for the error and any confusion I amy have caused.
DH
Why Xeloda ? What's the difference? I really think that would work for me. I meet tomorrow with the onc. Let's see what they suggest. Seems like FOLFOX is standard treatment for stage 3.
Beckster wrote:teacher2017 wrote:DonutHead wrote:Sorry, everyone...I am new to this so will surely make mistakes. Earlier I wrote the oncologist suggested FOLFOX for intravenous infusion. I was wrong. It’s actually an infusion of Oxaliplatin alone over the course of 12 cycles (6 months) and not the other two drugs that make up FOLFOX. The XELODA regimine remains the same. Sorry for the error and any confusion I amy have caused.
DH
Why Xeloda ? What's the difference? I really think that would work for me. I meet tomorrow with the onc. Let's see what they suggest. Seems like FOLFOX is standard treatment for stage 3.
I think that we discussed this in a previous conversation. Folfox and Xelox are the treatment for stage III and some stage II colon cancers. I had Xelox for stage IIA because I wanted to take the pill form of 5/FU instead of the infusion. Whatever one you choose, you will not loose your hair and should be able to return to work on a modified schedule.
Folfox- Oxaliplatin and IV 5/FU every other week. 12 cycles total 6 months
Xelox or CapeOx- Oxaliplatin and pill form of 5/FU every 3 weeks for a total of 8 cycles over 6 months.
Aqx99 wrote:teacher2017 wrote:DonutHead wrote:Sorry, everyone...I am new to this so will surely make mistakes. Earlier I wrote the oncologist suggested FOLFOX for intravenous infusion. I was wrong. It’s actually an infusion of Oxaliplatin alone over the course of 12 cycles (6 months) and not the other two drugs that make up FOLFOX. The XELODA regimine remains the same. Sorry for the error and any confusion I amy have caused.
DH
Why Xeloda ? What's the difference? I really think that would work for me. I meet tomorrow with the onc. Let's see what they suggest. Seems like FOLFOX is standard treatment for stage 3.
According to the NCCN guidelines booklet that I posted here before, either treatment can be used for stage 3. I think doctors take into account the lifestyle of the patient, as well as other factors when deciding which treatment to recommend. I am on CapeOx (capecitabine is the generic of Xeloda) because I am still working full-time through my treatment. It is much easier for me to get an infusion once every 3 weeks and take pills for 2 weeks, than have to get infusions every 2 weeks and be hooked up to a pump for 2 days after. My oncologist actually suggested switching me over to FOLFOX after I started getting hand-foot symptoms during my second cycle. Instead we lowered the dose of capecitabine to see if that would help. I have not had any issues since the dose was lowered.
DonutHead wrote:Fantastic news! You will do well, no doubt....you must! With your insight and that from others, I think I will get the port afterall. I see the benefits and want to avoid any pains or complications of IV applications. That's why i came on here, to learn from the experts....so thankyou! Let's do this!
DH
teacher2017 wrote:Ok here's the update from the oncologist- I liked her. She was pushing for a port and treatment very two weeks for six months. She wants it straight into my bloodstream and said pills may not be obsorbed enough since so many lymphs were involved. I think I may break down and get the port. She said that if I just did it every two weeks then I wouldn't need pills at all. So it's folfox. I don't have a choice. It needs to be done. She said without chemo there is a 30% chance of reoccurrence. With chemo it drops to 5% - 10%. I'm not playing games. I'm killing this shit. Period.
DH- my emotions are everywhere too. I am going to meet with a social worker soon. I need to get my head together. We will be chemo buddies. Text me anytime.
teacher2017 wrote:Ok here's the update from the oncologist- I liked her. She was pushing for a port and treatment very two weeks for six months. She wants it straight into my bloodstream and said pills may not be obsorbed enough since so many lymphs were involved. I think I may break down and get the port. She said that if I just did it every two weeks then I wouldn't need pills at all. So it's folfox. I don't have a choice. It needs to be done. She said without chemo there is a 30% chance of reoccurrence. With chemo it drops to 5% - 10%. I'm not playing games. I'm killing this shit. Period.
DH- my emotions are everywhere too. I am going to meet with a social worker soon. I need to get my head together. We will be chemo buddies. Text me anytime.
Aqx99 wrote:teacher2017 wrote:Ok here's the update from the oncologist- I liked her. She was pushing for a port and treatment very two weeks for six months. She wants it straight into my bloodstream and said pills may not be obsorbed enough since so many lymphs were involved. I think I may break down and get the port. She said that if I just did it every two weeks then I wouldn't need pills at all. So it's folfox. I don't have a choice. It needs to be done. She said without chemo there is a 30% chance of reoccurrence. With chemo it drops to 5% - 10%. I'm not playing games. I'm killing this shit. Period.
DH- my emotions are everywhere too. I am going to meet with a social worker soon. I need to get my head together. We will be chemo buddies. Text me anytime.
I absolutely recommend getting the port. I'm only going to do a maximum of 6 cycles and got the port. It is so much easier knowing that they will get it the first time, every time. No fishing around to find the vein. You won't even feel the needle going in because they give you lidocaine cream to put on at home before you come it. Also, it is placed where your jugular vein enters the heart, so your heart acts as the pump that sends the chemo out to your body faster than having to return to the heart from your arm first. I got the port on a Friday and they used it the following Monday. I wasn't able to use the lidocaine cream on it because it was still bandaged, but it still hurt less than a regular needle stick in the arm. Ever since I have used the cream and I don't feel anything when they stick the needle in.
I'd be happy to describe my experience getting the port, if you want. Just let me know.
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