Start Chemo tomorrow

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Tamera
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2013 2:31 pm

Start Chemo tomorrow

Postby Tamera » Tue Aug 20, 2013 1:53 am

They have me on 5FU, leucovorin (Folinic Acid) and Oxaliplantin. Every two weeks for the next six months.

My tumor markers were nearly normal. Im hoping thats a good sign.

Im so not looking forward to this.

Tam
5/20/13. Emerg bowel obstruction surgery - removed 18" of colon, perf intestines, appendix, 2" tumor. Dx colon cancer st3, no lymph nodes, two tumor deposits were found.
8/20/13 start chemo. 5fu, oxaliplantin and leucovorin
5/2014. Hige ovarian tumor, total abd hysterectomy; six more months FOLFIRI
11/2015. Two liver lesions. Feb 2016 exploratory lap
3/9. HIPEC. Results to be determined

kiwiinoz
Posts: 1170
Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2013 11:44 pm

Re: Start Chemo tomorrow

Postby kiwiinoz » Tue Aug 20, 2013 2:23 am

Tam

Keep yourself hydrated and try to take potassium supplements to keep your electrolytes at good levels.

I am doing #11 next weeks so have still got 2 more treatments to go.

Not as bad as what you would think and it is and the only thing I find tough is having the bag on for 48 hours during infusion. Guess that is more a visual issue and more to do with my ego.

It is doable, tough for sure but in my situation it was definitely something I was willing to go through for the possibility of a cure, or the extension of a disease free period.

Kiwi
Stage IV Rectal Cancer (39 Year old male at dx)
pT3N0M1 (wish that was M0)
Diagnosed 05 Dec 2012
LAR 05 Jan 2013
VATS 27 Feb 2013
FOLOFX April 2013 - Sep 2013
Clear Scan 03 Dec 2013 - August 2020
Port Out 26 March 2015

Oneeyeddog
Posts: 101
Joined: Sat Apr 06, 2013 11:06 am

Re: Start Chemo tomorrow

Postby Oneeyeddog » Tue Aug 20, 2013 3:53 am

Hi Tam,

I'm doing the same chemo. In the hospital now waiting for my oxaliplatin (round 7 of 12). It affects everyone in different ways, but mine has not been as bad as I expected. Few niggling side effects and defintely fatigue but not too bad.

As Kiwi says, stay hydrated. Def the most important thing. I have found exercise helps me with the fatigue, even if just getting out for a walk. Don't worry too much about diet (just eat whatever you can manage) and be nice to yourself, treat yourself with something nice -- you'll deserve it.

Wish you all the best of luck.

Luke
Colon cancer Stage 3c (dx April 2013) at age 36
Resection and temp ileostomy (4/17)
12 rounds of FOLFOX (May-Oct 2013)
NED (August 2014)
http://www.theoneeyeddog.com

hddad228
Posts: 29
Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2013 9:47 pm
Facebook Username: jeff thomas
Location: ocean springs, mississippi

Re: Start Chemo tomorrow

Postby hddad228 » Tue Aug 20, 2013 1:01 pm

i am coming off of week 2, still trying to make sense of everyting, first two days after infusion for me are the worst, totaly out of it, then feel hung over for two days, but it gets better by the end of the week, now trying to see what nausea meds i can do with and without on my off weeks to make the best of them, just like you, not looking forward to any more, but what ya gonna do, and yes keep the water going, i did not during my first round and it was bad, gonna try the exercise thing next, even if i dont feel up to it, gotta belive anything you can do to get that stuff out has got to help, good luck
Diognosed april 2103
Colon resection may 2013
Clear PET SCAN JULY 2913
CHEMO PORT July 2013
FolFox started 07/29
5Fu pump started 7/29

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kellywin
Posts: 492
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 4:46 pm
Location: Northern CA

Re: Start Chemo tomorrow

Postby kellywin » Tue Aug 20, 2013 1:38 pm

I was on Xelox (Xeloda pills + Oxaliplatin) so mine is a little different, but I want to say, take the nausea pills even if you don't think you need to. Stay on top of it, if you don't you'll keep chasing it. I never got totally nauseated, but just queasy feeling, the first round was the worst, I think in part because I didn't stick with taking the pills. The remainder were better, it may or may not have been the fact that I kept up on the nausea pills, but I've heard from a lot of others that this is really important.
Kelly, mom 14 yo girl
Dx 11/15/12 Rectal Cancer @ age 40
Stage IIIC
5.5 weeks Xeloda & Radiation - complete 2/5/13
Colectomy 3/12/13, 7 of 14 nodes positive - no ileo
4/24/13-8/20/13 - 5 rounds Xelox, 1 Xeloda only

hkbsmile
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2013 4:07 pm

Re: Start Chemo tomorrow

Postby hkbsmile » Tue Aug 20, 2013 2:19 pm

I'm starting the same chemo drugs on Monday, minus the 5FU because my oncologist said it is not effective for patients with Lynch syndrome. 8 treatments over 16 weeks. Tam, exercise helped me with fatigue during previous chemo...sometimes it was just a walk around the block. I also drink a minimum of 1550 ml of fluids (primarily water) per day, as others have stated hydration is key.
Best of luck to you!
Necrotizing faciitis & Dx rectal cancer 2-2013/38 yo
Surgery to close leg wound from NF 3-2013
6 weeks chemo/radiation April-May 2013
APR surgery, permanent colostomy 7-2013
Stage lIb T2N0M0, Lynch syndrome PMS2
Chemo starts 8/26/13

manders
Posts: 53
Joined: Sat Jul 13, 2013 7:32 pm
Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Start Chemo tomorrow

Postby manders » Tue Aug 20, 2013 3:34 pm

Hi Tam,

I have no words of advice since I haven't started chemo yet but I wanted to wish you the best with your treatment.
Mom to 2 (2008 and 2018)
Diagnosed at 34, 7/9/2013
Sigmoid colon resection 7/24/2013; Stage 3b; T3 N2a; 4/14 lymph nodes
Folfox 8/28/2013 - 2/7/2014

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elise
Posts: 1519
Joined: Fri Apr 27, 2012 5:09 pm
Location: Ontario (Canada)

Re: Start Chemo tomorrow

Postby elise » Tue Aug 20, 2013 4:40 pm

Good luck and kick cancer's a**!

Elise
2012
Feb - Stage 2 (T3 N0 M0) CC @ 30
Mar - R hemicolectomy, 18 LN
May-Nov 6 - Chemo (8 Xeloda)
2013
Feb - NED
2014
Feb - NED
May - Stage 4 - 1 liver met @ 32
Jun - Liver resection
Oct - CLEAN SCAN
Aug-Jan - FOLFOX 5 rounds, 5FU X 6
2015
Ap, Oct - NED
2016
Mar - NED

Tamera
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2013 2:31 pm

Re: Start Chemo tomorrow

Postby Tamera » Tue Aug 20, 2013 5:26 pm

Thanks everyone for the support, encouragement and advice!

Im actually sitting in the chair, halfway done. Ill post up later with my reactions...

Tam
5/20/13. Emerg bowel obstruction surgery - removed 18" of colon, perf intestines, appendix, 2" tumor. Dx colon cancer st3, no lymph nodes, two tumor deposits were found.
8/20/13 start chemo. 5fu, oxaliplantin and leucovorin
5/2014. Hige ovarian tumor, total abd hysterectomy; six more months FOLFIRI
11/2015. Two liver lesions. Feb 2016 exploratory lap
3/9. HIPEC. Results to be determined

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Bev G
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Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:19 pm
Facebook Username: Bev Golde
Location: Quechee, VT

Re: Start Chemo tomorrow

Postby Bev G » Tue Aug 20, 2013 8:50 pm

Tam,

Thinking of you as your start your chemo tomorrow. Wishing you all the best. No one will tell you chemo is a picnic, and I didn't do all that well with it, I won't lie. However, for me, getting in there the first day was the worst. I suspect it won't be as bad as you imagine. I was obsessed with just how I would get in to the chemo room (I mean physically get in there) Then my brother said to me: One foot in front of the other (soooooo obvious!) BUTT, that's what I needed to hear. And that's how I've gotten through the whole 3.5 + years so far. One foot in from of the other, whether I'm going to chemo, the OR, PET/CT (Thursday) or whatever....Just one foot in from of the other, come what may :wink:

Best wishes to you, and many hugs.

Bev
58 yo Type1 DM 48 years
12/09 Stage IV 2/22 nodes + liver met, colon resec
3 tx FOLFIRI, liver resec 4/10
9/10 6 mos off chemo, Neg PET&CTC CEA nl
2/11 finished total 10 rounds chemo

9/13 ^17th clean PET/CT NED for now

Tamera
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2013 2:31 pm

Re: Start Chemo tomorrow

Postby Tamera » Tue Aug 20, 2013 9:27 pm

Wellllll....one down eleven to go!

Im doing okay. I asked the nurse how quickly the side effects happen, and she said tomorrow at the soonest- she kinda forgot about the cold water thing.

Soooo...I was sipping on cold water- and my throat started feeling tight. They immediately pushed some benedryl into me, better safe than sorry. Boy-howdy did it leave me lightheaded, nearly passed out. But it seemed to work.

Im home now, with my pump on. Im feeling a bit drained and tired. I pee'd 5 times in two hours during the infusion, and two more times at home. My body is not used to this much water. Lets hope it learns soon.

We went for a walk around our property and watched the dog herd the goats into the pen, that always makes me smile :) My husband bought me a gift when I got out the hospital to make me smile- hopefully next infusion Ill be driving my lil 46 Dodge Truck (it needs brake cylinders right now) to and from appointments :lol:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/- ... directlink

Tam
5/20/13. Emerg bowel obstruction surgery - removed 18" of colon, perf intestines, appendix, 2" tumor. Dx colon cancer st3, no lymph nodes, two tumor deposits were found.
8/20/13 start chemo. 5fu, oxaliplantin and leucovorin
5/2014. Hige ovarian tumor, total abd hysterectomy; six more months FOLFIRI
11/2015. Two liver lesions. Feb 2016 exploratory lap
3/9. HIPEC. Results to be determined

Tamera
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2013 2:31 pm

Re: Start Chemo tomorrow

Postby Tamera » Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:52 pm

I have a question for you folks.

Ive been told by my Oncologist, as well as many of you, that its wise to take the anti nausea before you need them, but when?

They gave me Anti nausea meds in my port prior to my chemo. I know thats probably why Im not nauseated.

Should I take them before bed? And which one is better, the Zopfran or prochlorperazine?

Thanks in advance!

Tam
5/20/13. Emerg bowel obstruction surgery - removed 18" of colon, perf intestines, appendix, 2" tumor. Dx colon cancer st3, no lymph nodes, two tumor deposits were found.
8/20/13 start chemo. 5fu, oxaliplantin and leucovorin
5/2014. Hige ovarian tumor, total abd hysterectomy; six more months FOLFIRI
11/2015. Two liver lesions. Feb 2016 exploratory lap
3/9. HIPEC. Results to be determined

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Patience
Posts: 834
Joined: Fri Dec 09, 2011 10:26 am

Re: Start Chemo tomorrow

Postby Patience » Wed Aug 21, 2013 1:19 am

My husband starts taking the Prochlorperazine (Compazine) that same day as his chemo, a few hours after getting his treatment. He tries to keep on a schedule with it, so that the nausea is held at bay. If the Compazine does not fully do the trick, he'll then add Zofran (good because it is easy to take [dissolves] when feeling nauseated).

His newest addition is Phenergan suppositories, since the oral nausea meds make him feel nauseated. It gets so complicated!
"Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you.
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you."

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O Stoma Mia
Posts: 1709
Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2013 6:29 am
Location: On vacation. Off-line for now.

Re: Start Chemo tomorrow

Postby O Stoma Mia » Wed Aug 21, 2013 1:44 am

Tamera wrote:I have a question for you folks... that its wise to take the anti nausea before you need them, but when?


Tam - My chemotherapy involved two medications prescribed for nausea/vomiting: Dexamethasone and Zofran --


Dexamethasone 4mg
Usual Adult Dose for Nausea/Vomiting - Chemotherapy Induced
http://www.drugs.com/dosage/dexamethasone.html#Usual_Adult_Dose_for_Nausea_Vomiting___Chemotherapy_Induced

Zofran 8 mg
Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting Associated With Moderately Emetogenic Cancer Chemotherapy
http://www.drugs.com/dosage/zofran.html


I didn't take any of them, however, because I didn't feel the need for them, but I probably should have ....

Tamera
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2013 2:31 pm

Re: Start Chemo tomorrow

Postby Tamera » Thu Aug 22, 2013 10:38 am

I ended up taking them at night before bed, then every 8 hrs.

Just wasnt sure when to begin, I wanted to stay ahead of the nausea.

Tam
5/20/13. Emerg bowel obstruction surgery - removed 18" of colon, perf intestines, appendix, 2" tumor. Dx colon cancer st3, no lymph nodes, two tumor deposits were found.
8/20/13 start chemo. 5fu, oxaliplantin and leucovorin
5/2014. Hige ovarian tumor, total abd hysterectomy; six more months FOLFIRI
11/2015. Two liver lesions. Feb 2016 exploratory lap
3/9. HIPEC. Results to be determined


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