12th and final treatment of Folfox 5FU completed today

SophDan2
SophDan2 Member Posts: 150 Member

Just wanted to share with those that feel like their treatments will never end or the end seems so far away. 6 months ago, that is how I felt, but today I have completed my 12th and final treatment of Folfox 5FU. My oncologist and I had great communication throughout the entire process. We reduced the Oxy for #s 10 & 11, and we decided not to administer the Oxy for #12, as the slight neuropathy feelings werre still tingling on Wednesday (the day I was hooked up). I haved stated all along, that I do no want to have life long neuropathy, and I believe we succeeded, however, time will tell.

Throughout the process, my hair thinned a bit, but fortunately I had pretty thick hair to start. I did experience severe reactions to cold for at leat 6 to 8 days from the day of hook-up to the port. The neuropathy didn't become a concern until #7 treatment.

Overall, I feel very positive that the cancer was cut out, along with 25 lymph nodes (6 were cancerous). Sooooo, the Folfox was just make sure that if there were any undetectable cancer cells left after surgery, the chemo would get them. That is how I am looking at the situation, so in March I will have follow up testing to hopefully hear the words "your clean".

I have found this site and discussion board to be of great help and support and I want to say thank you to all!

 

Barry

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Comments

  • Lily Flower
    Lily Flower Member Posts: 260 Member
    Congratulations Barry! I'm

    Congratulations Barry! I'm half way into 8 treatments (6 months). That's exactly how I feel about the treatments never going to end. I just can't wait till I complete all mine. 

  • aoccc2015
    aoccc2015 Member Posts: 37
    Yeah i did the exact same as

    Yeah i did the exact same as you to start and did the full 12 at first..the numbness still is sticking around a year later but I really don't notice it unless i press fingers and it is a small price to pay. I worked in a freezer so yeah it was fun lol but ill do it again if I have to. I hope it is all gone for you, watch the ab area if you see anything don't let them push it off as scar tissue or anything else.

  • NewHere
    NewHere Member Posts: 1,427 Member
    Congrats

    That final de-hookup is a great feeling.  

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    Woo hoo!

    A great step in the right directoin. This deserves our speical little man. 

    image

    Continue feeling positive abou the outcome. It will take you a long, long way. 

    Keep up the good work. 

    Tru

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Wonderful

    It's a great feeling to have the end of that part of the process.  Congratulations and enjoy not having to make that a part of your daily life.  You will be able to enjoy the holidays without it.  Wishing you the best going forward and clean scans ahead.

    Kim

  • Slow-runner
    Slow-runner Member Posts: 55 Member
    Nice

    Congrats! Enjoy your freedom, Stay well.

  • ReeRee2
    ReeRee2 Member Posts: 39
    Congrats!

    i am on treatment 2 and really dreaded going to get hooked up. Thank you for posting

  • Makord
    Makord Member Posts: 37
    Bravo!!! Keep it up!!! Happy

    Bravo!!! Keep it up!!! Happy for you!

  • Cindy225
    Cindy225 Member Posts: 172 Member
    Yay!

    Awesome feeling!  

  • CyniD
    CyniD Member Posts: 13
    Awesome

    So happy for you. May grace and peace follow you through the coming months. 

  • debugy2k
    debugy2k Member Posts: 85 Member
    Great news!! Congrats!!!

    Great news!! Congrats!!!

    image

  • EissetB
    EissetB Member Posts: 133
    Congratulations!!

    Your journey and mine are just about the same. I also had just completed my 12th. The only different on ours was that I had 7 out of 15 lympnodes, the reactions and the reduced #s of Oxy was my biggest gift then. I'd experienced neuropathy on the tips of my fingers and toes. But now I am off the chemo I am feeling so much better, and starting to get my appetite back to normal. My oncologist told me I am NED since the day I got out from the operating room. And yes, my oncologist and surgeon were concern there might be some cc floated or escaped during surgery so chemo was the best thing to destroy them. I am so HAPPY for both us!! And of course to all who are NED and to those still going through the medication, have faith for you'll get well before you know it. God bless us all <3

    Eisset

  • Lily Flower
    Lily Flower Member Posts: 260 Member
    EissetB... Congratulations to

    EissetB... Congratulations to you as well! 

    Barry, I just want to add what a great timing for you to have it completed right before the upcoming holidays. It will be so nice to enjoy the holidays without having any side effects from the chemo. Thanksgiving falls in my recovery week and I can actually enjoy the thanksgiving meal. The next day I'll be going for my 5th treatment. Black Friday indeed. Lol 

  • SophDan2
    SophDan2 Member Posts: 150 Member

    Congratulations Barry! I'm

    Congratulations Barry! I'm half way into 8 treatments (6 months). That's exactly how I feel about the treatments never going to end. I just can't wait till I complete all mine. 

    Hang in there

    Hang in there Lily, you are closer to the end than the beginning. You really need to watch the effects of the Oxy from this point on more closely. I did not have the Oxy for the last treatment, and I'm glad that I made that deision.

    Good luck!

  • Ruthmomto4
    Ruthmomto4 Member Posts: 708 Member
    Congratulations!

    i am very happy for you!! The road does seem long ahead of us only on 4 of 12 this week. Enjoy the freedom!!

  • SophDan2
    SophDan2 Member Posts: 150 Member
    aoccc2015 said:

    Yeah i did the exact same as

    Yeah i did the exact same as you to start and did the full 12 at first..the numbness still is sticking around a year later but I really don't notice it unless i press fingers and it is a small price to pay. I worked in a freezer so yeah it was fun lol but ill do it again if I have to. I hope it is all gone for you, watch the ab area if you see anything don't let them push it off as scar tissue or anything else.

    I agree

    I'm seeing the surgeon that operated on me this coming wednesday. I have a stitch that must have let loose shortly after surgery, but when I do anything that involves abdominal muscles I feel a burn. So they have to re-stitch it, so the muscle does not continue to tear and burn.

    Small price to pay.

  • SophDan2
    SophDan2 Member Posts: 150 Member
    Trubrit said:

    Woo hoo!

    A great step in the right directoin. This deserves our speical little man. 

    image

    Continue feeling positive abou the outcome. It will take you a long, long way. 

    Keep up the good work. 

    Tru

    Thanks Tru

    Thanks Tru!

  • SophDan2
    SophDan2 Member Posts: 150 Member

    Wonderful

    It's a great feeling to have the end of that part of the process.  Congratulations and enjoy not having to make that a part of your daily life.  You will be able to enjoy the holidays without it.  Wishing you the best going forward and clean scans ahead.

    Kim

    Thanks Kim

    From your mouth, to God's ear!

  • SophDan2
    SophDan2 Member Posts: 150 Member
    ReeRee2 said:

    Congrats!

    i am on treatment 2 and really dreaded going to get hooked up. Thank you for posting

    You'll be fine

    Don't worry ReeRee, you'll get through it. If you live in a cold climaste, as I do, make sure to stay warm during the winter months.

    Good luck an stay positive!

  • Mikenh
    Mikenh Member Posts: 777
    edited November 2017 #21
    Hey Barry,

    Hey Barry,

    I remember when you started here: low-key and just getting on with the stuff that has to be done. Great to see you continue making progress.