Next steps after chemo: reversal, supplements
Posted: Sat May 15, 2021 11:34 am
I still have one round of Xelox left and tentatively my last day of chemo is June 11, 2021. Fingers crossed. During my chemo I had bad HFS, but by following everyone’s input from this forum, it got better and was able to resume chemo. In this last round, I had very very bad neuropathy on the left arm, where I got the infusion. Again, after researching here, and on the net, it was tolerable and symptoms passed after a week (bio freeze helps!!) I am determined not to postpone my last round (my son’s high school graduation, college drop off, etc is coming up, mom, who is already fragile after my dad’s passing is coming and unaware her youngest has colon cancer). I am trying to hang on to my last threads of hair less out of vanity but because I do not want to look sick as I have not shared this w too many people. Sooo, my focus now is planning after chemo.
- In reading this forum, I am going to put a survivorship plan. I will ask my oncologist at MSK if they have such counselor, otherwise I will put one together. At a minimum, I will create a list of doctors because i really didn’t go to any doctors thinking I was healthy, except for lupus. I am also planning to look at the follow up plan, as I am reading studies that says intensive surveillance is not necessary and others say that intensive surveillance for stage 2 improved survival, with 51% being able to have recurrence removed vs 29% who underwent simple screening. My onc seems on the side of less is more to manage patient’s anxiety. I love her, but she is also very opposed to signatera, and while I understand, I don’t agree. I can deal with my anxiety, I can’t deal with uncertainty and wait and see.
- Lots of research on colostomy reversal. I need to meet w my surgeon to go over it, and understand my situation better because I really didn’t talk to her after the one follow up apt after surgery. She is a colorectal surgeon, but I wonder if I should ask my msk oncologist to refer me to someone and get 2 perspectives. I understand the wide range of experiences and after being depressed and worried about the worst outcomes, at this point, I want to focus on everything I can control and do for a successful outcome. I am making a list, checking it twice and searching this forum. If anyone has any pointers, it would be greatly appreciated. Specifically, I am focusing on this:
1. Doing lots of exercises, physical activity before the surgery. After surgery, lots of walking and meditation. Insight Timer app is a must in case you are interested.
2. Specific diet several weeks prior to? I know what I should eat or not eat after, but not sure before. Prebiotic, probiotic, supplements?
3. Got bidet, wet wipes, Imodium, miralax, metamucil, depends, squirt bottle, ointment calmoseptine
What else am I missing?
- In reading this forum, I am going to put a survivorship plan. I will ask my oncologist at MSK if they have such counselor, otherwise I will put one together. At a minimum, I will create a list of doctors because i really didn’t go to any doctors thinking I was healthy, except for lupus. I am also planning to look at the follow up plan, as I am reading studies that says intensive surveillance is not necessary and others say that intensive surveillance for stage 2 improved survival, with 51% being able to have recurrence removed vs 29% who underwent simple screening. My onc seems on the side of less is more to manage patient’s anxiety. I love her, but she is also very opposed to signatera, and while I understand, I don’t agree. I can deal with my anxiety, I can’t deal with uncertainty and wait and see.
- Lots of research on colostomy reversal. I need to meet w my surgeon to go over it, and understand my situation better because I really didn’t talk to her after the one follow up apt after surgery. She is a colorectal surgeon, but I wonder if I should ask my msk oncologist to refer me to someone and get 2 perspectives. I understand the wide range of experiences and after being depressed and worried about the worst outcomes, at this point, I want to focus on everything I can control and do for a successful outcome. I am making a list, checking it twice and searching this forum. If anyone has any pointers, it would be greatly appreciated. Specifically, I am focusing on this:
1. Doing lots of exercises, physical activity before the surgery. After surgery, lots of walking and meditation. Insight Timer app is a must in case you are interested.
2. Specific diet several weeks prior to? I know what I should eat or not eat after, but not sure before. Prebiotic, probiotic, supplements?
3. Got bidet, wet wipes, Imodium, miralax, metamucil, depends, squirt bottle, ointment calmoseptine
What else am I missing?