Been reading for a while and finally posting. First about me. I was diagnosed in May of this year, one month after my 37th birthday. Primary tumor is in the transverse colon but also have lung nodules and enlarged lymph nodes in the abdomen/pelvis and neck. The neck lymph nodes were biopsied and positive for disease. The intent of my treatment plan is not curative and I'm to be on chemotherapy for life. I completed six rounds of FOLFOX over the summer, did a scan and it was mixed results. Lymph nodes shrank and the primary tumor is stable but disease has progressed into the liver. I started FOLFIRI with Avastin today and will have a scan again in three months.
Some questions for those folks in my same or similar situation.
1. How long were you on first line treatment before moving on?
2. Any why the change (e.g., toxicities, intolerance of side effects, stopped working)? I'm fortunate to not experience physical side effects other than cold sensitivity from the Oxaliplatin which resolved itself in three or so days and hair thinning. I had problems with white blood cell counts but was getting shots of first Neupogen then Neulasta and afterwards, no issues.
3. In terms of effectiveness, which was better? Perhaps you can share how long you were on each?
4. What can I expect in terms of side effects with FOLFIRI/Avastin? The nurses say they call it "I ran to the can". Haha. Plus the same stuff with FOLFOX like nausea, fatigue, etc. But the new ones are high blood pressure which is closely monitored and hair loss.
Thanks everyone for your help, not just for input into these questions, but all the info that I've read on this board. Super helpful. Also, if you have a joke or two to lighten my mood and make me laugh, I love that kinda stuff. I'm full of steroids from the infusion today and will be up all night!