husband looking for someone who is colon cancer survivor

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uni522
uni522 Member Posts: 46
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My husband has stage iv colon cancer. 3 small polyps in colon, but very large liver met (in-operable). He's had 3 chemoembolizations and is now starting 6 month, bi-weekly chemo (5fu). It's really wearing him out. He doesn't sleep well (with very strong sleep aids) and is just worn out alot. He wants to correspond with someone who was completed colon cancer (5fu) regime and compare notes. If you know anyone or can help, please let me know. This is his first shot at reaching out since diagnosed in Sep last year and I want to make it happen for him!
Thank you all so much for your posts! I read all day long at work and feel such inspiration and admiration for all of you! God Bless
~brittany

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  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
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    Brittany -

    Does your boss know you read CSN all day?!?! I'm sure s/he wouldn't mind...

    Anyway, I did 5fu and Leukovorin. I wasn't stage 4, but I did complete the regime. I'd be happy to chat with him.

    - SpongeBob
  • uni522
    uni522 Member Posts: 46
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    spongebob said:

    Brittany -

    Does your boss know you read CSN all day?!?! I'm sure s/he wouldn't mind...

    Anyway, I did 5fu and Leukovorin. I wasn't stage 4, but I did complete the regime. I'd be happy to chat with him.

    - SpongeBob

    Yes... smarty pants, my boss knows!! lol!! I didn't really mean all day, every day, just when I'm really bummed, like today. He figures it's easier than having me go into nervous breakdown mode and not come in at all!
    Thanks for the reply, I'll let him know your screenname!
  • rthornton
    rthornton Member Posts: 346 Member
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    uni522 said:

    Yes... smarty pants, my boss knows!! lol!! I didn't really mean all day, every day, just when I'm really bummed, like today. He figures it's easier than having me go into nervous breakdown mode and not come in at all!
    Thanks for the reply, I'll let him know your screenname!

    I went through eight cycles of 5FU, and went from stage four with inoperable liver mets to remission. He can send me a CSN mail if he wants to compare notes.

    Rodney
  • mikew42
    mikew42 Member Posts: 114 Member
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    Brittany,
    I had mets to liver also, but they were operable (RFA). 1 1/2 years now in remission as confirmed by CT last week. He can also send me a CSN e-mail if he would like to talk. Mike
  • debralla
    debralla Member Posts: 203 Member
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    rthornton said:

    I went through eight cycles of 5FU, and went from stage four with inoperable liver mets to remission. He can send me a CSN mail if he wants to compare notes.

    Rodney

    Hello
    I am also stage 4 with (in -operable) liver mets . I am on 5fu along with oxy/luc/avastin .I am going in tomorow for my 10 th treatment .My last cat scan (march 20th) showed that my mets have shrunk by more than half (They were large as well ) I always have a hard time sleeping the day of and the day after treatment . I was told that is due more to the nausea meds than the chemo . I am on a anti-depressant called remeron that helps me sleep and also helps me with the depression It also helped me gain some of my weight back . Did the chemoembolizations shrink the liver met any? and how did he do on that ?
    Take care and please keep us posted .
    TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS
    DEBRA
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
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    Welcome Brittany!
    I was in chat last week when you were there...What did I tell you? Post here, and you will DEFINATELY get help!
    Hugs, to BOTH of you, Kathi
  • uni522
    uni522 Member Posts: 46
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    KathiM said:

    Welcome Brittany!
    I was in chat last week when you were there...What did I tell you? Post here, and you will DEFINATELY get help!
    Hugs, to BOTH of you, Kathi

    WOW!! Thank you all SO much. I just set him up with an account and will have to activate it before he can send email, but thank you, thank you, thank you!!! God bless to all!
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
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    rthornton said:

    I went through eight cycles of 5FU, and went from stage four with inoperable liver mets to remission. He can send me a CSN mail if he wants to compare notes.

    Rodney

    Just watch out for Rodney - if you think I'm a smarty pants...
  • terril
    terril Member Posts: 296
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    I had 24 treatments of 5-FU and leucovorin. Once a week for 6 weeks and then 2 weeks off. It was rough, but hang in there. Yogurt can help with the GI tract. It is a probiotic. Terri
  • jana11
    jana11 Member Posts: 705
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    As chemo goes, I've done it all! I'd be more than happy to talk to him.... just send me a note. :)

    jana
  • jsabol
    jsabol Member Posts: 1,145 Member
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    Hi Brittany,
    Sorry to hear about your husband's current side effects, but glad for both of you that you found this site. I am now nearly 2 years post chemo (5fu and leuco, 6 month/weeklly course for stage III, no mets) and back to my old self. I was amazed at how tired and worn out I felt during chemo; some mornings it felt like work to just lie in bed and stare at the ceiling. One writer described it as "feeling Velcro'd to her bed".
    Hope your hubby finds some of the encouragement here that I did; if he posts some of his questions, he, like you, will get lots of suggestions. He can e-mail me here, too, if he'd like. Hang in there. Judy
  • pink05
    pink05 Member Posts: 550
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    Hi Brittany,

    My dad is 76 and is currently on avastin, 5-fu, leukovorin, and oxaliplatin. He does sometimes get tired during his "off" week from chemo (he has his chemo every other week). I do believe that this is due to the 5-fu. I will be praying for you and your husband. Definitely get your husband to register to this site. It is a Godsend for me and my family. Let us know how things go.

    -Lee-
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
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    Hi Brittany,

    I'm sorry to hear your husbands dx but glad you found us. You will get lots of replies I'm sure because everyone here is GREAT! I'm on the folfox regiment for Stage 3, no mets. It is oxiplatin, Levecorin, and 5fu. I have a pump for the 5fu. I get very tired right after they take me off the pump then sometimes during the next two weeks. Just have to schedule in naps since I'm still working. Like you I have the CSN page up during the day to help me get through some days. I'd be more then happy to talk to him too. I still have 6 treatments to go and they are every two weeks. The first letter in my screen name is a L. Take care and good vibes coming your husbands and your way.

    Lisa
  • fedester
    fedester Member Posts: 753 Member
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    hi brittany,
    i was on 5fu and leu for 6 months, once every week.
    i guess i was lucky really no side effects.
    i use to take compazine(sp) first so my stomach won't get upset. i used to be tired for about 2 days after. i was dx stage 2 and i am now going for 2 years ned may 24. i am here if he wants to chat.
    we are all here to help each other on this wonderful site.
    tell hubby he must have a positive attitude about fighting this dragon that goes a long way.
    all the best
    bruce
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
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    Hi Brittany -

    So I am different - I was Stage IV - and I had Xeloda / Avastin / oxaliplatin. But Xeloda is essentially oral 5FU. And I had good results and am more than willing to share them with you and your husband. Drop me a note at CSN with your email address and I would be happy to correspond.

    Betsy
  • alta29
    alta29 Member Posts: 435 Member
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    I was also very tired and still am after 9 months...some sleeping pills mught help or anti depression pills...I WAS (like to ay it that way ) stage IV , been in remission for 9 months...
    God bless you all
    Ileana
  • gillsue
    gillsue Member Posts: 1
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    alta29 said:

    I was also very tired and still am after 9 months...some sleeping pills mught help or anti depression pills...I WAS (like to ay it that way ) stage IV , been in remission for 9 months...
    God bless you all
    Ileana

    Its great to hear everyone's personal experiences on here. I am new to this site but my mum has colon cancer (was diagnosed in march 2005) with stage 3. She had part of her bowel removed and lymph nodes that were affected and has been on 5FU until feb of this year as a precaution. Unfortunately we found out last month that it has metastised and had 6mths - 3yrs to live which has shocked us all. She will be starting the oxiplatin/5FU in a couple of weeks as unfortunately she suffers myositis as a side effect of cancer and lost a lot of weight due to not being able to swallow. It is great to hear these positive stories - i will have to get my mum to read some of them. It should give her hope which i think she needs right now.

    Thanks to u all
    Susan