Just joined, wanted to get some firsthand feedback

First off welcome to the board you never wanted to join but glad you found us.  The expelling of large amounts of blood is concerning and I'm wondering if you could let us know when your last colonoscopy was done.  I'm glad that things seem to be going well on maintenance treatment but you need to know where the bleeding is coming from.  Sometimes it could be a hemmorhoid that keeps opening up but that needs to be done by a scope to fine out why.  Please talk to your doctor about this and hope that you can get a better answer to rest your mind.  If you need further information, please let us know as we are a very active and caring group that can help you get through this.

Kim

  At first when I was diagnosed it bled like a stuck pig.  A week or so later we took the little ones to an amusement park and I felt off as if I was filling up inside, you know the feeling. I had to flush twice to rid the evidence of bleeding.  That was scary.  I called the ER in a panic thinking this was the end. Turned out the tumor was a bleeder.  Once I started the treatments the bleeding stopped and haven't bled since then.  It's been nearly a year and I just finished the mop up chemo a few weeks ago.  If you're having bleeding episodes at a year out after treatment I would think something isn't right.  You really need to get your doctor up to speed on this asap.  We're here for you if you need further help or just to chit chat.   We are a unique group, one that won't judge or dismiss you, that's for sure.

EverDownward said:

Ah, yep, I'm receiving

Ah, yep, I'm receiving Avastin for treatment at the oncology center and taking Xeloda at home. The nurses did tell me it could lead to bleeding, but I thought that meant I would be more susceptible to bleeding from, like, skin wounds, scratches, etc. I didn't expect it could affect the tumor in such a way.

When I was on heavy chemo, there was no blood in my stool. So maybe it really is just the avastin. I'll have to call my oncologist Monday and talk about it.

Thanks Kim, and darcher. I'm hoping the problem has already been identified in the Avastin and it's not something serious. If my oncologist thinks further action needs to be taken I'm sure we'll plan something out.

I've heard of that causing problems with bleeding before.  Hopefully it will subside.  It's good that you keep the doctor informed especially when you aren't sure about something they haven't explained well enough.

Ki8m