Chemo

tko683
tko683 Member Posts: 264 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer in June of this year. He had his first FOLFOX/avastin treatment with not many side effects other than fatigue and nausea. We wonder if this means the chemo is not working. He has been told by his surgeon that he needs chemo to shrink the tumor before they can do surgery. Has anyone else had chemo first and if so how long did it take before you were able to have surgery. Looking for hear from anyone with experience dealing with this disease. Thanks!

Comments

  • buckeye2
    buckeye2 Member Posts: 428 Member
    #2
    I read somewhere which I
    I read somewhere which I don't remember where that tolerating chemo well us not an indication that the chemo is not working. My husband has had about five rounds of chemo and we are hoping there is surgery in his future. I hope your husband continues to feel well and that the chemo is doing the job. Lisa
  • daBeachBum
    daBeachBum Member Posts: 164
    #3
    I wouldn't worry too much
    I wouldn't worry too much about this. As far as chemo regimens go, FOLFOX with Avastin is one of the more benign. I am on it too and other than being dog tired for a few days afterwards, I usually don't have other side effects either - and it has shrunk my tumors and kept me kickin' this year :-). Chemo effects tend to be cumulative, so he may be dragging more as he gets more treatments.

    He won't have a clearer idea until he gets his first post treatment scans. Rather than be bummed out at the lack of side effects I suggest you both celebrate it and go do something fun!

    Strength and love!

    Ray
  • kersha
    kersha Member Posts: 63
    #4
    When my husband had his
    When my husband had his first treatment he felt fine it was not until about the third treatment that he started to have side effects like neuropathy and sensitivity to the cold. However by the sixth treatment his tumors shrank by 50%. So do not worry the chemo has already started working.
  • tko683
    tko683 Member Posts: 264 Member
    #5
    kersha said:

    When my husband had his
    When my husband had his first treatment he felt fine it was not until about the third treatment that he started to have side effects like neuropathy and sensitivity to the cold. However by the sixth treatment his tumors shrank by 50%. So do not worry the chemo has already started working.

    Thanks everyone!
    That is what I was hoping to hear. I keep telling him that it just means he is tolerating it well but he would feel better hearing that from someone who has real experience. Thanks,and I hope you husband continues to do well. Teri
  • tko683
    tko683 Member Posts: 264 Member
    #6
    daBeachBum said:

    I wouldn't worry too much
    I wouldn't worry too much about this. As far as chemo regimens go, FOLFOX with Avastin is one of the more benign. I am on it too and other than being dog tired for a few days afterwards, I usually don't have other side effects either - and it has shrunk my tumors and kept me kickin' this year :-). Chemo effects tend to be cumulative, so he may be dragging more as he gets more treatments.

    He won't have a clearer idea until he gets his first post treatment scans. Rather than be bummed out at the lack of side effects I suggest you both celebrate it and go do something fun!

    Strength and love!

    Ray

    Thanks Ray
    Yes, we are anxious about the first scan which won't be for 2 months but I will take your advice and celebrate! Hope you continue to do well and tolerate the chemo. Take good care, Teri
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #7
    Oh dear
    If that was the case, boy would I be in trouble!!! However, the chemo worked wonders. Like your husband my side effects were few. I never suffered the nausea, but then again, I did do my truffles and brownies (with marijuana butter)on occasion so I can't tell you if I would have suffered from it at all and by the third chemo, I was coming home, cleaning house and being normal, the exception was due to the Oxi, I couldn't drink cold things or be around the cold. I also had the neuropathy, but I didn't lose weight, (I gained, darn it) I never threw up, I wasn't exhausted, I was by most standards almost the same old me.
    The chemo indeed shrunk my tumors, made surgery possible and is the reason I'm still here.
    Some of us are just lucky and we don't suffer the side effects that so many others do and I'm glad your husband is one of those.
    Winter Marie

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