Folfox

Vickilg

Hi there... Last year I did Xeloda with no real side effects. My rectal cancer came back after a year and the oncologist is going to put me on a Folfox which they say is more agressive. I meet with him next week but was wondering if it is always Monday-Friday that you get the treatment or is it 2 days on and then 12 days off? I have read both and was wondering what is normal. Are the side effects of Folfox very bad? Will I lose my hair? Will I be able to work? Does the port hurt? I heard that you cannot take a bath while getting treatment so if it is a Monday - Friday, I won't be able to take a bath until Saturday?

geotina

Welcome:
Welcome to our board. I'm sorry about the recurrence. Where is your recurrence?

My hubby was on Folfox for cancer in the transverse colon with mets to the liver and lungs. His protocol was he received his chemo and then took the pump home with him for a continuous 48 hour infusion through the port. It administered about a tablespoon of 5FU per hour. After the 48 hours, pump disconnected. The pump is stored in a fanny pack they give you. He received this every two weeks for six months. This is pretty standard. Side effcts vary. Generally, you do not lose your hair. Yes, George and others continued to work during treatment only missing work the day of infusion and having to take off a few hours to go get the pump disconnected. He had no trouble going to work with the pump, just wore an overshirt. George never complained about the port hurting. When George had the pump on he did not shower, just washed up.

Folfox side effects generally seem to be slight metal taste, sensitivity to cold things both taste and touch, neuropathy of hands and feet (numbing feeling).

The protocol for rectal cancer is different if you are getting radiation at the same time. The drugs are the same, just administered differently, so knowing where your recurence is makes the difference.


Take care - Tina

plh4gail

You're going to do great!
Hi Vickilg....last Tuesday I had my #6 of 12 Folfox. I find with each treatment a little more symptoms. But, I also find them tolerable. No I dont like them, I hate them but I know I will tough it out (if possible).The first week is worse than the second, symptoms seem to wear off a little. There is fatigue, so I rest. Nausea, but you will have meds. Fingers tingle and cramp, keep them warm and wear gloves it helps, sometimes I run warm water over them. Sharp sensation in your throat with ice drinks, so drink room temp and warm. My teeth have pressure which is annoying, but they're not lose. My hair thinned, but it's still there, so I now have shoulder length and I love it!...... I have my chemo every two weeks on Tuesday, take the 5fu pump home for 48 hours. When I have the pump I shower carefully. I put a nail in the wall that I hang it on and bought a new shower that I can clean from the chest down and still get to one arm, then clean up the other armpit and arm in the sink for a day. LOL...I am not working, and havent since August but I have been through Radiation and chemo 5 weeks over summer, surgery in Oct and again in Nov, then started the 12 rounds of Folfox. I work as an RN in the ER and didn't feel it to my patients or my best interest to work now. Possibly I would if my work was different??.....The port feels ok, not a pain, just like there is something there that is not normal ...with the pump you will get used to keeping it next to you and grabbing it when you get up or out of bed, etc. Sleeping is ok, just watch that side.....

You're going to do great....and we will be here for your questions!

Love and hugs, Gail

Vickilg

Thank you...
Hi there... the cancer returned in the rectal area and spread one spot to the liver. I won't have radiation this time. The rectal area was a very small pimple size so it was actually removed during a colonoscopy. The surgeon decided it best to remove the entire rectum to avoid any more returns. The met to the liver was one spot that they cut out during the same surgery 4 weeks ago.

I am hoping I will be able to do the 2 days on and 12 days off. It sounds much more manageable than th 5 days every week.

Thank you so much for responding. It means so much to me.

Steve Z

Vickilg said:

Thank you...
Hi there... the cancer returned in the rectal area and spread one spot to the liver. I won't have radiation this time. The rectal area was a very small pimple size so it was actually removed during a colonoscopy. The surgeon decided it best to remove the entire rectum to avoid any more returns. The met to the liver was one spot that they cut out during the same surgery 4 weeks ago.

I am hoping I will be able to do the 2 days on and 12 days off. It sounds much more manageable than th 5 days every week.

Thank you so much for responding. It means so much to me.

Cling Wrap
I taped cling wrap over my port with medical tape when I was showering with the pump. That kept it dry for the most part. Then I hung the pump on a hook outside of the shower. Sleep when you need to sleep and communicate any side effects to your Onc and you'll do great.

Vickilg

Thank you!
Thank you so much for all of the advice and words of wisdom. I appreciate it so much! A big hug to you all. Have a wonderful night!