Can't believe how scary this whole thing is

[Shieldmaiden]

Not really sure what I want with this post, just clearing my mind a little I guess. Got my 4th infusion of Oxaliplatin on Friday, still completely knocked out by nausea, and sooo, soo tired. Capecitabine 2000 mg x 2 for the next two weeks. Looking forward to be done with chemo, and at the same time so scared. Been experiencing a slight surge in CEA during chemo, onc thinks it's chemo induced. Hopefully she's right, but it scares me.. Bloodwork in five weeks, really not looking foreward to it

[Green Tea]

Not really sure what I want with this post, just clearing my mind a little I guess. Got my 4th infusion of Oxaliplatin on Friday, still completely knocked out by nausea, and sooo, soo tired. Capecitabine 2000 mg x 2 for the next two weeks. Looking forward to be done with chemo, and at the same time so scared. Been experiencing a slight surge in CEA during chemo, onc thinks it's chemo induced. Hopefully she's right, but it scares me.. Bloodwork in five weeks, really not looking foreward to it

Välkommen -
Velkommen -

Yes, it's certainly scary, but there's a lot of hope ...

What I would suggest is for you to look at past posts of some Stage III patients who managed to get through the whole 5 year surveillance period and reach total remission. I think that this would make your journey less scary

lpas:
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=93007

testing765
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=92247

Lycka till,

[Shieldmaiden]

Välkommen -
Velkommen -

Yes, it's certainly scary, but there's a lot of hope ...

What I would suggest is for you to look at past posts of some Stage III patients who managed to get through the whole 5 year surveillance period and reach total remission. I think that this would make your journey less scary

lpas:
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=93007

testing765
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=92247

Lycka till,

Tusen takk/thank you so much, Green Tea. I will check out these posts, desperate for hope

[roadrunner]

Yeah, it’s scary, and it’s ok to feel that way at first. But you will learn to learn to surf these new waves. The best news in your case is that from a quick look at your profile, your prognosis is very good. I can’t recall the exact %, but a very substantial majority of those in your position go on to be cured. No current metastasis, negative margins, and normal CEA all bode well. If it helps, even a recurrence would not be unmanageable—there are many Stage 4 long-term survivors on here and out there, and you’re Stage 3, a far better situation. My advice is to try to treat this as a challenge you will overcome. That’s not always easy, especially during chemo. Not quite sure how the CAPOX regime works, but you’ve made it through a lot already, and that should give confidence that you’ll do fine with the rest. At the beginning of anyone’s cancer journey, there’s a sense of shock and loss of control. That’s totally natural. The reality is very different. You will find your feet, and with any luck this will soon be something to look back on as a challenge met, a hurdle cleared, at worst.

This is, by the way, a good place to ask questions and get info. There are lots of experienced, helpful folks who post here. Good luck, Shieldmaiden!

[waw4]

For encouragement, I will say was diagnosed stage 3b 14 years ago and have not had a recurrence so there is certainly hope for you too, even though the routine follow-up checks can be high-stress days.

A significant part of all this can be managing fear & apprehension, which I understand can be a frequent challenge against which you have to help defend your psyche. One way is not to accept your fears or the belief you will get bad news before you actually receive it—e.g. don’t capitulate to your fears if as of yet no actual evidence of them. Something like "don't count your scary chickens before they hatch"! -Bill

[Pagola44]

We have a similar diagnosis

I am also terrified for reoccurance

Happy to talk about it (pm me if you like)

[Shieldmaiden]

Yeah, it’s scary, and it’s ok to feel that way at first. But you will learn to learn to surf these new waves. The best news in your case is that from a quick look at your profile, your prognosis is very good. I can’t recall the exact %, but a very substantial majority of those in your position go on to be cured. No current metastasis, negative margins, and normal CEA all bode well. If it helps, even a recurrence would not be unmanageable—there are many Stage 4 long-term survivors on here and out there, and you’re Stage 3, a far better situation. My advice is to try to treat this as a challenge you will overcome. That’s not always easy, especially during chemo. Not quite sure how the CAPOX regime works, but you’ve made it through a lot already, and that should give confidence that you’ll do fine with the rest. At the beginning of anyone’s cancer journey, there’s a sense of shock and loss of control. That’s totally natural. The reality is very different. You will find your feet, and with any luck this will soon be something to look back on as a challenge met, a hurdle cleared, at worst.

This is, by the way, a good place to ask questions and get info. There are lots of experienced, helpful folks who post here. Good luck, Shieldmaiden!

For encouragement, I will say was diagnosed stage 3b 14 years ago and have not had a recurrence so there is certainly hope for you too, even though the routine follow-up checks can be high-stress days.

A significant part of all this can be managing fear & apprehension, which I understand can be a frequent challenge against which you have to help defend your psyche. One way is not to accept your fears or the belief you will get bad news before you actually receive it—e.g. don’t capitulate to your fears if as of yet no actual evidence of them. Something like "don't count your scary chickens before they hatch"! -Bill

roadrunner and waw4, thank you so much for encouragement and information - it means a lot.

CAPOX has been increasingly difficult with every cycle - nausea, muscle cramps, breathing issues and fatigue from the Oxaliplatin. Capecitabine mostly gives me fatigue and stomach issues, really can't wait to get through this final cycle.

I'll try to stay away from the chickens for now - a little easier said than done, though

[Pagola44]

BTW I am 1 year post diagnosis and i'm all good for now

except i do have a 'feeling' in my chest which is making me paranoid

let's keep each other updated on our progress

[Shieldmaiden]

BTW I am 1 year post diagnosis and i'm all good for now

except i do have a 'feeling' in my chest which is making me paranoid

let's keep each other updated on our progress

I'm hoping you will continue to stay good with no recurrence! You were diagnosed last summer?

[Pagola44]

BTW I am 1 year post diagnosis and i'm all good for now

except i do have a 'feeling' in my chest which is making me paranoid

let's keep each other updated on our progress

I'm hoping you will continue to stay good with no recurrence! You were diagnosed last summer?

Yes, last June/July last year , we have a similar diagnosis
Did my chemo and been all clear since but

I have really bad anxiety so every little ache and pain I freak out

Right now I'm freaking out over chest pain but hopefully it's nothing

Hope your chemo treatment goes well!

[Shieldmaiden]

Yes, last June/July last year , we have a similar diagnosis
Did my chemo and been all clear since but

I have really bad anxiety so every little ache and pain I freak out

Right now I'm freaking out over chest pain but hopefully it's nothing

Hope your chemo treatment goes well!

Sorry to hear about your anxiety, it must make this even more difficult to endure. Glad to hear you've been clean for a year, crossing my fingers it will stay that way, and that your chest pain's got nothing to do with this.

10 days left of my last chemo cycle, hoping it will be the very last..

[taexali]

Best of luck to you.

Taexali
(17 years since DX)

[Shieldmaiden]

Best of luck to you.

Taexali
(17 years since DX)

Thank you so much, taexali. Your signature gives me a little hope

[Jacques]

For Stage III's: NED for how long now?
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10574&p=77441#p77441

https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=66032#p511125
.
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=65899#p510535

[aquarian_asian]

stay confident..Look at my signature, you will understand the history along with all positive journey
Remove 'terrified of recurrence' in your signature. Your body heals on what your mind says .
cheers.