New here...Just saying high

Tunadog
Tunadog Member Posts: 235 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I was diagnosed with Rectal Cancer around a year and a half ago. Had Radiation/Chemotherapy then surgery for a tumor near my anus. While they were in there (6 hours) they found cancer spread around my pelvic wall and couldn't get everything. I then had six months of oxaliplatin and xeloda. I finished that in July.

i am getting over the Peripheral Neuropathy almost gone in my hands and working on the feet.

I've had a recurrence and will be starting a new round of treatment Avastin and Xeloda.

Just saying high!

Any comments/questions would be appreciated 

 

Comments

  • AirborneMP
    AirborneMP Member Posts: 19
    #2
    I have rectal cancer also

     

    In Aug 2016 I was diagnosed by two cancer centers as have stage 3 rectal cancer. I did chemo and radiation then had the tumor removed in January 2017. I got a temporary ileostomy which is preventing me from getting nutrients. I forgot I’m a male 48 yrs. old. I have a reconnect surgery set up on 17 April but now my CEA blood level is 17 so the Oncologist is wanting to postpone in order for me to do 6 months on chemo. I have a CT Scan set up today. I’m thinking about refusing treatment to have the reconnect. Do you think I’m making a bad choice if the cancer has spread? I keep praying the CEA is elevated because of anything but cancer.  

     

     

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #3
    AirborneMP said:

    I have rectal cancer also

     

    In Aug 2016 I was diagnosed by two cancer centers as have stage 3 rectal cancer. I did chemo and radiation then had the tumor removed in January 2017. I got a temporary ileostomy which is preventing me from getting nutrients. I forgot I’m a male 48 yrs. old. I have a reconnect surgery set up on 17 April but now my CEA blood level is 17 so the Oncologist is wanting to postpone in order for me to do 6 months on chemo. I have a CT Scan set up today. I’m thinking about refusing treatment to have the reconnect. Do you think I’m making a bad choice if the cancer has spread? I keep praying the CEA is elevated because of anything but cancer.  

     

     

    Just my opinion

    I would say follow the Doctor's suggestion and go ahead with the chemo.  

    It would be awful if you found out after getting the reconnect that all was not going as well as you wanted, and had to have the surgery all over again. 

    I'm sure its a hard decision, and I hope you go with what feels best for you and your personal situation. 

    TRU

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    edited March 2017 #4
    Welcome to the forum...

    to both Tunadog and AirborneMP.

    Not a forum people are wanting to join, but now you're here, make the most of it. 

    TRU

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #5
    AirborneMP said:

    I have rectal cancer also

     

    In Aug 2016 I was diagnosed by two cancer centers as have stage 3 rectal cancer. I did chemo and radiation then had the tumor removed in January 2017. I got a temporary ileostomy which is preventing me from getting nutrients. I forgot I’m a male 48 yrs. old. I have a reconnect surgery set up on 17 April but now my CEA blood level is 17 so the Oncologist is wanting to postpone in order for me to do 6 months on chemo. I have a CT Scan set up today. I’m thinking about refusing treatment to have the reconnect. Do you think I’m making a bad choice if the cancer has spread? I keep praying the CEA is elevated because of anything but cancer.  

     

     

    I agree with Tru. Get

    I agree with Tru. Get yourself better, then worry about the reconnect. I'm one who isn't getting the reversal. I hated it for the first year and now I'm glad to have a semi normal life free from the IBS I had forever. My surgeon said it would likely get worse after a reconnection so I'm not doing it. Changing a bag every 5 or 6 days is better than having to use the bathroom everywhere I go and often having to vhange plans because my bowels are acting up or sitting miserable in a vehicle waiting to get somewhere with a bathroom. They say whether you get it reconnected soon after or wait for years it turns out the same so no point in hurrying.

    Jan

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #6
    Tunadog, good for you for

    Tunadog, good for you for making it through 6 months! I didn't last 4 months. And I still have some neuropathy in my feet. It was over two years ago.

    Jan

  • Tunadog
    Tunadog Member Posts: 235 Member
    #7
    I have a colostomy...

    We we're planning on a reconnect but had to go straight to the Colostomy.

    It is not fun but I have had zero problems with it. You get pretty good at emptying and changing it.

     I go in my spa 4-5 days a week.

    I will be starting Avastin and Xeloda in a week or so. The Xeloda doesn't seem to bother my except mild fatigue.

    Can anyone give me some personal advice on what you experienced with Avastin?

    Thanks

     

  • Bellen
    Bellen Member Posts: 281 Member
    #8
    Avastin side effects

    Hello Tunadog - I have avastin prior to my folfiri chemo. I am on chemo #14.  I looked up my avastin or bevacizuman med info sheet.  It says used for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer, and is being studied for the treatment of many different cancers. I have 3 steroid pills and a nausea pill prior to avastin for 10 min, then I have the other chemos in folfiri. My sheet says more common side effects are high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, headache, feeling tired, weak, diarrhea, mouth sores, loss of appetite, allergic reaction (which I sm sure you would be monitored for). Less common are fever, chills, cough, low WBC, nosebleed, dizziness, confusion, abd pain, constipation, muscle ache/pain, vomit, cough blood, protein in urine.  

    Because I also have the leucovorin, irinotecan, 5Fu pump 2 days, it is hard for me to tell what part is causing all of my side effects.  I believe the main thing I get from the avastin is nose bleeding, bleeding and sore gums/mouth, some bloody phlegm (think from nose bleed draining) but as I said, as I also have 3 other parts to my treatment, really don't know what part of my treatment is causing or aggravating side effects I have.  I bought a nasal moisturizer called Secaris which has helped a lot with the nose bleeding and scabbing in the nasal area, but still have bleeding issues. Please let us know how you are doing.  Good luck.

  • Joan M
    Joan M Member Posts: 409 Member
    edited April 2017 #9
    Avastin side effects minimal, xeloda not too bad

    I have been on the avastin and xeloda since July 2016.  I havent noticed any side effects from Avastin, except probably the increased blood pressure - but mine is still in the normal range. 

    The main problem I have is from the xeloda it causes dry skin, especially on the feet and hands. I use a moisturizing cream and then either coconut or mango oil every day. My nails are very brittle - I use nail and cuticle oil on all my nails every day.  I had alot of problems with upset stomach for the first few months, but that has calmed down. (Guess I got used to it.) 

    Feel free to message me if you have any other questions.

    Joan

  • Tunadog
    Tunadog Member Posts: 235 Member
    #10
    Thanks Folks!

     I got my Xeloda delivered today. I suspect we'll start with the Avastin + Xeloda next week.

  • PamRav
    PamRav Member Posts: 348 Member
    edited April 2017 #11
    Same road

    I think I maybe headed for those same drugs in the near future.  Keep us posted on how you do with them.  

    Knowing the posdibilities of what to expect helps me greatly. 

  • honestabe
    honestabe Member Posts: 3
    edited April 2017 #12
    Prolapsed Stoma

    Colon cancer 3 years ago. Chemo etc. Had ileostomy with prolapsed stoma. Reconnection failed, now have colostomy for life. Had it for 2 months and has already prolapsed to 4 inches. I have no problem wearing the bag. Saved me and has advantages. By the way, just now joined. Would like to hear positive responses.

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