Scared of Chemo

First and foremost, remember that chemo is only 6 months. It is going to suck, and your body will take time to recover. But when it is at its worst, remember, there is an end, at which point you go back to "normal". Do you know which chemo you will be on? I started on folfox, then had a reaction to oxaliplatin, and switched to folfiri. Before you worry about reaction, first, I am allergic to EVRYTHING, so not surprised, plus, I had a gap for liver surgery (I was diagnosed at stage 4) and I guess reactions are more common in that case. For both, fatigue is bad. Not going to sugarcoat. Not the same as having kids, but I am single, and able to manage, but I don't do much, and having young kids is different. I started working from home after I recovered from the surgeries. I have had a bit of indigestion, but no loss of appetite. Quite the opposite, the steroid they give, plus all else, and I have gained weight. I got the takehome pump, the two days after that is taken off, so days 4 and 5 of the cycle are the most drastic fatigue. Holiday, so can't write more now, but will answer any questions you have. People can help you understand more when you know which drugs you will be taking. 

The only thing I would advise is to get your oncologist to discuss the odds of recurrence with or without the chemo, as well as the side effects to expect.  The necessity of being there for your children would likely be a great motivator to optimize your odds for disease free survival.  Some people breeze through chemo, while others have a hard time getting of bed.  If you proceed with chemo, it would likely be a good idea to have a support system in place in case things are not easy.  Once you know the chemo regime you are considering, searching that term in these posts can provide valuable real life insight that may not be available from other sources.  Sorry you are facing these issues.

After my initial surgery I opted to stay home for the 6 months of chemo-FOLFOX with Avastin.  I had the usual side effects with cold sensitivity and fatigue.  the three days wearing the pump I had the most fatigue.  When my cancer recurred (I was Stage IV to start) I opted to keep working during post-operative chemo.  It was tiring on some days and my boss let me work at home more, but I did it.  I was on Xeloda, oxyiplatin and Avastin that time.  Without the pump I had much less fatigue.  One thing I did do was get a housekeepr and I've kept her for the last 11 years.  I had my husband do the heavy lifting-large water bottles, taking the trash out, etc. but did much myself.  We all have some side effects and some have it easier than others. 

I agree with others have a plan in place for help, especially the first few days after infusion when the fatigue is at it's worst.  One thing I will note, I have continued to work since my diagnosis 11 years ago and I feel that has helped me to keep moving forward.  I hope your side effects are minimal and that you remain NED.  Traci

lisarjxo said:

Chemo

Hi honey, I too have colon ca with one damn positive lymph node. I am getting my third folfox treatment tomorrow. I am a nurse and my kids are little older.I will be straight up honest. Everybody is different but I find chemo horrid.I have to try to go back to work bc my sick time is used up and bills continue.I find chemo makes me very tired yet I can’t sleep. I do suffer from nausea.here is the list of anti nausea meds you need zofran,compazine,decadron,reglan and maybe MarinoL. I take it all.Anything to get through it. Ohhh also don’t forget hurricane solution to swish your mouth.It is a shame we have to go through this.It will save us. Please text me anytime, be well

 

It has been shown that ginger capsules (1 g twice a day) enhances the efficacy of the other anti-nausea drugs.  For me, Atarax (Hydroxyzine HCl) was another important tool in my arsenal, as was ativan.

Chemo is scary - I think moreso in anticipation than in reality (tho I don't know that I'd do it again.)  Good luck, and remember that you decide for yourself the value of the chemo.  Also let your dr and chemo nurses know about ALL side effects, no matter how trivial.  Your doses may be adjusted or they may have other suggestions.

Sorry you have to begin chemo, but hope it goes well for you. I was diagnosed  with stage 4  rectal cancer in  2015 and began  chemo with Folfox plus Avastin.  As others have mentioned, fatigue is pretty much a given, so it would be good if you had someone around to help with the children.   I was lucky in that I'm older and retired so didn't have to worry about work or  children.  I didn't  have   many side effects  other than the fatigue, and a drop in my white  blood cell count that delayed treatment a couple of times before I began getting shots to raise the  cell count. I was able to complete  8 rounds of Folfox, but several   members here have had to  drop the Ox part of Folfox (oxaliplatin)  after  a few rounds because of  neuropathy. I have  a little neuropathy in my feet still, but  it's not  really bad and seems to come and go.  I was advised when I started to not let my hands and feet get cold (I slept in socks even in summer), to avoid eating or drinking anything cold, and to wear gloves when I reached in the refrigerator. One thing I learned in dealing with the fatigue is to not fight it, work with it and listen to your body- let your body rest when it needs to, but don't become a  couch potato- stay as active as you can (that's probably not a problem with two small children around). Everyone reacts differently   to chemo- I hope you are one  of those who has minimal side effects.  I've been on   several different chemo regimens and am still  on maintenance chemo  (Erbitux and irinotecan every other week) without it having  an adverse effect on my quality of life. If you do have  any side effects make sure to let your oncologist know- thay can often give you pre-meds to alleviate  the problems. It might help to keep a journal   of how you're feeling once you begin chemo- it's easy to fotget to mention something you meant to tell the doctor, especially if you  get in a hurry or  have other things on your mind. Best of luck with your treatment. Check back in  and let us know how it's going for you.

lizard44/Grace

I was diagnosed with Stage 3C colon cancer in April of 2017. I went through surgery, had a port placed and went through 6 months of Folfox 5FU chemo (every 2 weeks for 48 hours). If you have the same treatment the one drug to watch is the Oxaliplatin, as it is the one that has the more intense side effects such as extreme sensitivity to cold, neuropathy and nausea. I was given a steroid for the first 3 days after my hookup for treatment. Unlike others on this thread, I chose not to take the anti nausea drugs and went with marijuana edibles, which have no side effects, allowed me to eat, sleep and not feel nauseous. I only needed them 5 times out of my 12 treatments. I tried to work in the beginning, but was stressed about my health and work, so I went on long term disability until my treatments ended. You don't mention what you do for work, hopefully they offer disability. My 2 kids are older (18 and 19), but they each dealt with my situation in their own way and are fine.

Te good news:

You are young, you have every reason to think that you will beat this, and you will. Keep yourself well fed (very important), even though you won't feel like eating (everything will taste metallic), as it will allow your body to come roaring back as the chemo wears off (replenishing white & red blood cells, platelets etc....)

I am so glad that you found your way to this forum; everyone responds and deals with their treatment in different ways, and you will too. Keep a positive attitude, because before you know it, this will all be in your rear view mirror.

I have made friends on this forum!

Sorry to hear of your diagnosi. I was 39 when diagnosed in 2006 and have survived cancer three times now. Having a close knit group of people to rely on is key. I don't know your circumstance but my wife was truly my lifeline. She took care of me and made sure I didn't give up even when that's all I wanted to do. Chemo was terrible for me each time but everyone's experience is difference and I pray you will have an easy time with it. 

I was very hard-headed (according to my wife) and continued working through all my chemo except for treatment day. I even wore my pump to work, during fire calls, and while mowing the lawn. All this helped me to feel as normal as possible during my treatments. 

All of us are different but my faith really guided me through these past 12 years also. 

We are all here to offer encouragement and advice whenever you need it. 

your young age is definately in your favor.  I was 77 when cancer discovered.  Currently 86, and NED for last 8 years.  If I could do it, you are a cinch!!! Best of luck with it all!!