PRAY FOR ME PLEASE!

Chemo/Radiation

Laz,

You are in my prayers.

I had 6 weeks of chem/rad in January and February and worked full time through it.  I scheduled the daily radiation sessions early each weekday morning and went in to work right after each of them.  Radiation lasts only a few minutes - it's the set up that takes a bit more time.  Radiation is painless and quick.  The chemo was more of inconvience as I had to go to oncology every Monday a.m. to get hooked up to my pump and then get disconnected on Fridays.

As for side effects - fatigue was at the top of my list.  It was minor at first and got progressively worse.  Diahrrea, too, but it was mostly manageable - at least until the final week(s).  However, the effects of chemo/rad are cumulative and for me it was worse the last week of therapy (which is when they change the rads to concentrate more fully on the tumor) - and the 2 weeks or so recovery once therapy ended. 

The goal of my chemo/rad was to shrink the tumor and target the suspicious lymph nodes.  It worked.  My post chemo/rad endoscopic ultrasound showed no remaining tumor.  Radiation had turned the tumor into an "ulcer".  The importance of shrinking a rectal tumor (depending on the location in the rectum) is to prevent the need for a permanent colostomy.  Mine was high enough that the surgeon was confident that no ostomy should be needed - at least permanently.  He had to wait until the actual surgery to determine if a temporary one would be needed. Luckily, I did not need any.

So, keep a positive attitude.  I hope all goes well for you.

Best,

J

Good Luck

Take a deep breath it will be fine!  I did Xeloda and radiation and didn't have to miss any work. I would leave work everyday and go straight to radiation. It worked well. Good luck! 

Hoping for nothing but great results for you.

The whole thing kind of sucks, but it will be done before you know it, and hopefully you'll be back on the road to good health (and maybe flipping cancer the bird in the rearview as you drive away).  Hugs~AA

thxmiker said:

We are sending our thoughts

We are sending our thoughts and prayers for a good out come!   We all have pooped in unconvient times with colon cancer. I carry a spare set of clothes and a plastic bag, and baby wipes with me everywhere I go. 

 

Best Always,   mike

 

PS  Keep in touch with how you are doing!

Now there's a thought

I carry a spare set of clothes and a plastic bag, and baby wipes with me everywhere I go. 

I think that's great advice.  Will start doing that.

Thank you!

steveandnat said:

Don't over do it

Your body will talk to you so if you are having bad side effects try not to push it too hard. One thing you don't know what coworkers are coughing around and you immune could be weak. Pray you have a good treatment time. Jeff

One day at a time
I worked my first 4 cycles of Xelox routine. Did need to know where bathrooms were. I always carry wipes and panties just in case. Keep anti nausea and immodium drugs with you.
Always best to stay ahead of it. You will know what your body can take.
You can do it. Make sure you eat and keep proteins in your daily eating.
Rest too. Sometimes the steroids keep you going.
Hope this helps.
Will pray for you!
There are lots of supportive folks here if you have questions!
Barb

db8ne1 said:

Chemo/Radiation

Laz,

You are in my prayers.

I had 6 weeks of chem/rad in January and February and worked full time through it.  I scheduled the daily radiation sessions early each weekday morning and went in to work right after each of them.  Radiation lasts only a few minutes - it's the set up that takes a bit more time.  Radiation is painless and quick.  The chemo was more of inconvience as I had to go to oncology every Monday a.m. to get hooked up to my pump and then get disconnected on Fridays.

As for side effects - fatigue was at the top of my list.  It was minor at first and got progressively worse.  Diahrrea, too, but it was mostly manageable - at least until the final week(s).  However, the effects of chemo/rad are cumulative and for me it was worse the last week of therapy (which is when they change the rads to concentrate more fully on the tumor) - and the 2 weeks or so recovery once therapy ended. 

The goal of my chemo/rad was to shrink the tumor and target the suspicious lymph nodes.  It worked.  My post chemo/rad endoscopic ultrasound showed no remaining tumor.  Radiation had turned the tumor into an "ulcer".  The importance of shrinking a rectal tumor (depending on the location in the rectum) is to prevent the need for a permanent colostomy.  Mine was high enough that the surgeon was confident that no ostomy should be needed - at least permanently.  He had to wait until the actual surgery to determine if a temporary one would be needed. Luckily, I did not need any.

So, keep a positive attitude.  I hope all goes well for you.

Best,

J

Everything that db8ne1
Everything that db8ne1 described is exactly what I went through. I worked through my 28 chemo/radiation treatments and fatigue at the end of the day was the biggest problem.

My tumor also shrunk to an ulcer.

lp1964 said:

Thank you...

...for all the good wishes and advises. Did 2 days of it sofar, continuing next week. I know the hard part comes later.

I'll keep you posted.

Nothing but good days to you all.

Laz

Continued prayers

for you Laz. I am pleased to see your posting really am, wish some would post more for prayers or good wishes.

Prayers

My prayers are on the way.