Late stage 3 colon cancer

Christine_1956

HI,

Very new to this. In March of this year I was diagnosed with late stage 3 colon cancer that has metastised in the liver with three tumors at tge very top periphery of the liver. I have had 8 chemo treatments so far with my 9th tomorrow. They have been using oxyplatin, folfox4 and cetruximab. Oncologist says the tumours have shrunk significantly and wants to do a total of 12 treatments prior to surgery. The side effects of the chemo have been pretty horrid with infections, hospital trip with severe Influenza A, kidney infection, rashes. My question is - do others get every reaction and if so, advice on coping mechanisms so I can get through this and get to ring the bell.

bibliophile

Wow, that is a lot. I am so sorry for your news and that you have had so many complications with the treatments. I am very happy to hear that the tumors have shrunk; that is great news!! Over the past 2 years I have done oxalyplatin with capecitabine (the oral form of 5-FU) and now oxalyplatin, leucovorin, irinotecan, and IV 5-FU together. I am not EGFR receptive so I have never had cetruximab. I also tend to get bad reactions to things, so I feel your pain. This current round has been really tough to get through. Some things that have helped me: 1) Make sure to tell your team all your symptoms. They might have ideas for how to lessen them. When we are on so many drugs, everything piles on and any little piece that can go away can help. If the doctor doesn't have an idea, ask your oncology nurse. They are often founts of wisdom and often have little tricks from working with patients so often. 2) Search the boards here on the csn site for specific drugs and specific symptoms. I have found some weird, easy things that worked from other people's experiences. Always run them by your medical team, too, but I have found some good advice on archived discussions. 3) Try to balance giving your body the time to heal and getting up and moving. I find that even when I think I have the least ability to do something, when I actually get up and get moving (I have kids, I don't always have a choice 🤣) that I actually feel a little better, both mentally and physically. I have to do it more slowly and with lots more breaks and get a lot less accomplished, but still moving does make me feel better in the long run. 4) Hang in there. Look at the long term. Remember why you're doing this. After I got through my first round of chemo, I felt fantastic for a good amount of time afterwards. And hopefully this treatment will be the last for you and you can just move on with your life (fingers crossed). It has also helped me to have others to talk to on this forum, via these discussion boards, and I have also enjoyed the live chatroom, which is most active from 9-12PM Central Time. I hope that your treatment yesterday went well. Wishing you the best outcomes and fewer side effects! I'm happy to talk any time.