-
New Port
My husband is experiencing an extreme amount of pain from the port he had put in on Friday, more pain than I think he should be having. He is unable to change his shirt by himself, he can't put his socks and shoes on, and he walks all hunched over cradling his arm. He says when he presses on the top part of his collar bone…
-
HAPPY DAY CHERYL
Just thinkng of you today at your Celebration of Life; if I wasn't way in Cincinnati, I would be there too. Have a wonderful time and fill us in on the details later. I visited Vacouver years ago and remember a fantastic bike ride I took in the beautiful park there.
-
I have the k-ras mutation & have questions & am upset
Hi, I had posted on another thread asking questions about who had been tested for the k-ras genetic mutation. Well, I've now been tested & just found out today that I do have the mutation, after all. This means that Erbitux won't be an option for me. Unfortunately, I'm finding this out after my oncologist (who never had me…
-
This one is for the guys only (sorry ladies)
I am on 5 day plan with 5fu via an infusium pump. I have completed three weeks so far. My question is regarding sex with my wife. Doctor told me to use a condom because there will be traces of chemo in my semen. (My wife is fixed). Since I have been on 5fu everytime I ejaculate it burns. Is this normal? It kind of ruins…
-
anyone had this happen
I am almost 3 years out of stage III rectal T3N1MO. Last week I had my CT scan done and it read lungs, kidneys, abdomen no sign of residual disease. 6mm on liver suspicious suggest redo CT scan with contrast. I have not been having the injected contrast because of "borderline" kidney function I'm 62 and have had 8+ CT…
-
swollen lymph node
I'm three years out from chemo.All my scans have been clean but four days ago I noticed a swollen lymph node in my groin, about one centimeter big. It is painless and moves freely. Funny thing is about a year ago i had this same node swell up without pain and after about two weeks it went away.My ocologist didn't seem…
-
Completed 3 weeks.....
Good morning to all, My dad has completed 3 weeks of rad. and chem (Xeloda) for rectum cancer. So far he is doing well. The only promblem he is having is during the night is getting up frequently to urinated. He says he gets up 3 times a nite and is getting annoyed. Hes almost 83. I tell him to try to rest longer in the…
-
Getting Scared Again
It just seems like, I get comfortable with the way things are going and then POW! something else happens. My husband was doing really well, we went away and had a great time. Then he started Chemo - he did well tolerating it, no side effects while he was having it and even now I don't think he's having any. He did have his…
-
Update
Job update: Still looking for a new career. Had my 6 month CT Scan and bloodwork and according to my doctor's office all is good and clear. I have not received the reports yet. I am still dancing with NED :) , but right now I am not in the mood to dance or celebrate, but I am thankful to God that all is clear. I prayer for…
-
In memory of my brother, Mark
My brother, Mark passed away on September 10th after a long hard fight with this cancer. I knew it, but it did not come to me until afterwards what a good strong man he truly was. To me, he was my little brother who struggled in school and who was my inspiration for becoming an elementary school teacher. Mark celebrated…
-
kras genetic testing
Hi, How many of you are familiar with getting tested for a kras gene mutation? After emailing my liver surgeon on Friday about another issue on a recent scan and mentioning the chemo my oncologist has me on (Erbitux/Camptosar/Avastin), he asked me, "On a side note, have you been genetically tested to determine if you have…
-
NED Yippie Ki Yay!!!!!
Hello Everyone! I was stage 4 colon cancer with mets to liver. I completed my 12th and final chemo on the 13th of October. Pet and Ct scan on the 13th showed NED. I am truly, truly, amazed. Prayer is the best solution, I had many prayer chains going. Miracles do happen!!!!!!!! I am living proof and I vowed that I would not…
-
severe pain from gas
Hi wondering if anyone has had this type of issue. I am stage IV, tumors in my colon and in the perotenium muscles outside the colon. I have sever pain associated with gas that is bringing me to my knees. This goes on 20 hours per day and some days is so bad, I have had trouble getting out of bed. has anyone had this kind…
-
Finished first treatment
Ok, so my husband just finished his first chemo treatment. they admitted him to the hospital just to make sure he didn't have any major reactions from it. I and the oncologist think that he handled the chemo quite well. His only complaint was that his arm hurt from the IV. When he was finished his chemo he was scheduled to…
-
Assessing How You feel
Happy Friday Semi-Colons, I woke up this morning and was feeling quite fatigued. Each time that happens I get the willies because I relate that symptom to cancer. (for those that don't know- year and 6 months out from last chemo- currently NED) I have found as I go through this journey that symptoms abound that I think…
-
a few questions and thoughts...
Hi, A few different thoughts and questions... I just found out I have more in my lungs than I thought I did. Two scans ago prior to starting chemo end of August, the radiologist report showed just a 8 mm tumor, a 1 cm hilar node, and "several tiny subcentimeter nodes around the 8 mm tumor". Next scan, just last week a…
-
Does anyone have experience with 5-Fu, Leucovorin, and Eloxatin treatment?
Hi All, I had a colon reduction 5 weeks ago (stage II). I'm scheduled to start chemo on Monday. It will happen every 2 weeks over a period of 6 months (12 treatments). I will receive 5-Fu, Leucovorin, and Eloxatin in the hospital then walk 2 days with 5-Fu. I live by myself and wanted to know about the difficulty level of…
-
Scared Newbie
Hi everyone, Very scared about chemo...Had surgery on 10/18 to remove large mass from my colon. Mass and lymph nodes are cancerous. Going Friday for a second opion to Sloan Kittering. Very nervous and scared about chemo..Been reading to much and am getting freaked out... Any advice and help would be wonderful...Thanks
-
Surgery on Monday!!!
Hi I am 37 years old with 4th stage colon cancer also in lymth nodes, I have had 12 rounds of 5fu, I am now NED!!!! I will be having surgery to remove the rest of the tumor, It has shrunk quite a bit... Then some more chemo. My question is what can I expect pain wise with my surgery. My surgeon will try to do it…
-
New CSN Look
Hi - I was talking to a friend who is also a CSN member, and we were both commenting how we are having a harder time with the site since it has been revamped. I like most of it, but what is blocking my full approval is the fact that new RESPONSES go to the top of the list. Previously I would be able to go back exactly…
-
Radiation
HI all, A little history: My husband was dx'ed Jan 2006 withstage 1V Colon Cancer. 3 surgeries later, the first one to remove the tumor, then 3 months later another surgery to remove almost all of the colon, he ended up with a permenet illostomy, they did the hot chemo treatments to his abdomin as well. He was able to make…
-
What foods/drinks can't you STAND now because you consumed them during chemo?
Madre's post reminded me of the things I can no longer eat because of the dreaded cancer! First, I can no longer drink Ginger Ale because I made the mistake of using it for prep one time. Next, I can no longer eat tomato soup or even stomach the idea of having a can/box of it in my pantry! My last chemo rounds the one…
-
Question about follow ups
Since this is my first post, I'll give you some background. I was 66 then and had annual physicals every year, but not one of my PCP even suggested getting a colonoscophy until I had gotten enemic and started to pass some blood. I was dx on Dec 11th 2007 with cc. Had surgery on Dec 21st during which my surgeon remove all…
-
Jana 11
It is with great sadness that I share the news that Jana passed away today. She was diagnosed seven years ago at the age of 32 and up until the last few months lived life to its fullest. In fact, I saw her at the end of May, and she was as bubbly and as beautiful as ever. Jana and her husband, Pete, were both doctors and…
-
potassium
So, I was feeling pretty good after my CEA count, and I had just decided I was feeling FABULOUS. Then I got home today and there was a message from the oncology nurse, asking if I am taking potassium, because my bloodwork showed I'm a bit low on that. Turns out I am taking a potassium supplement, because my high blood…
-
Genetic markers and insurance...YEA!
After posting about redlining by insurance companies, based on family history or genetic testing results, I researched on.... This is now in the PAST!!! There is a new law, GINA (Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act) that makes not only this illegal, but also an employer firing a person based on these results!!!! YEA…
-
Mother and Son diagnosed!!
Hello, everyone. This is Valerie, dx'd 4/08, stage 3, 1 positive node. I' had surgery in May and is now on round 9 of chemo. I went to the Dr. with my son this morning and to our amazement, the prognosis was colon cancer. He just turned 31 in Aug. We don't know the staging yet, but he's pretty devestated. Any advice for a…
-
Hereditary Disease- Please inform family members
I just wanted to see how many found out that there was a significant amount of kin that had colon cancer in your family that you never knew about until you were diagnosed. I found out after my diagnosis that my grandfather had it at 74, but died from a heart attack at 76, and my G G grandmother died from "bowel blockage"…
-
Can't start FOLFOX until ins company approves!
My father has had "stable" liver mets for the last 3 years. Unresectble. Has been on FOLFIRI + Avastin 3 years. Most recent CAT scan on Oct 1 said new lung nodules (6cm mass) This is totally new...his lungs have been clean and he has scans every 3 months last 3 years. Doctor said he will need to be switched to FOLFOX to…
-
need help quick about chemoradiation
Hi, i am just wondering if all of you who got chemoradiation got continous 5FU 24/7 with radiation. I have one week down and my pump is getting disconnected on Fridays for the weekend. I have never heard of this and the NCCN guidelines say it should be 24/7, so i am concerned about this. Everyone else i have talked to has…