I’m in a pretty similar situation. Age 37. Stage 3. Kids age 5 and 3. 

Had my first infusion of chemo yesterday, so clearly not a source for long-term effects, but aside from being tired from not sleeping too well last night, and some of the other nagging side effects popping up occasionally (jaw pain with the first bite of food, tingling sensation in finger tips with cold water, throat irritation with cold water), it seems to be ok after the first treatment. My wife and I even took the kids to the aquarium this morning, and I was able to keep up just fine. I, of course, know that things will probably feel differently as time goes on, but I really think the mental aspect has been the toughest part so far, and life with kids has preceded pretty much as normal in the first 36 hours.

Best of luck!

I was so frightened to start chemo, as well.  I was diagnosed with stage IIIb colorectal cancer March 2018 after my surgery. My world was turned upside down. I had to sell our chickens, goats, and pigs.  No fresh milk, nor fresh eggs. Garden was a no no through chemo, so therefore no canning this year. I have one child left at home age 9 and 8 grown children. I can honestly tell you that chemo SUCKS!  I was supposed to do 3 months of the Oxaliplatin along with 6 months of F5U but I could stop both at 3 months, if I wanted.  I had a total of 3 chemo days every other week.  One week chemo - next week recover - then start all over again.  Oxaliplatin and F5U. Oxaliplatin was infused 5 hours on Monday.  No children are aloud in the infussion rooms.  So, I had to find someone to watch my child at that point.  It worked out good, due to excellent support group in my family.  F5U was given to me by our local pharmacy using my port and I had worn a balloon pump for 48 hours at home.  My disconnect day was my third day and it was the start of hell for at least 3-4 days after and gradually got better as the days go by.  It was really hard taking care of my child during that time. I had to have someone here watching her. Every person will go through chemo differently because our bodies are different.  I never vomited through the chemo - Nausea, yes.  Mental aspect has been the toughest part for me too.  Anxiety level went through the roof.  I have some memory loss "chemo brain" and the normal side-effects that come with these drugs. My balance is slightly off but I deal. I had problems with my port - it went sideways on me. I had problems almost every week.  Emergency room visit for fever. Visit to IR for possible port causing a clot (neck swelled). I had to stop chemo completely by my 6th cycle due to eye issues to my optical nerve. I fell in the 1% - so, I am dealing with that at this point.  I also have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer too but that will be a piece of cake. I have a possitive attitude towards life and I just keep going. I felt like my experience with chemo was not a normal chemo process. I was thankful I did not have to work. I could not have pulled it off. The fatigue from chemo kicked my butt. I tried so hard to do normal household chores during my bad week but I could not.  I had to wait for my good week to do chores. I learned to get everything done prior to my chemo start day.  It was a whirl wind but I did it! I am someone that does not like sit still, so this was different for me. I take one day at a time. Every morning I am thankful to have another day.  Life changed for me but not necessarily in a bad way. I wrote in a journal during chemo and it helped. I had several issues but dealt with everyone of them with a smile because I was here to experience it good or bad.  I could not worry about things that I could not control. I just dealt with it! I would read other peoples journey's through chemo and they made it through. So why not me! Found out that my journey was not so bad compared to others. I got through it because I had to - you just do it! I fought all the way because of my children and I made sure I smiled a lot because I was thankful. Don't get me wrong - I have shed a lot of tears too. I did not look to far ahead because I would worry.  Just look at the day you are in and finish that day.  The days will pass by and you will have finished your chemo. Your journey will be different but you keep up the fight. We are all in a special club and you are not alone. I found that my 9 year old dealt with this wonderfully and she learned alot. There was a lot of real life learning, cooking, and caretaking.  Although yours are younger, they will still be watching others help you. Don't be afraid to say "yes" to people bringing you food.  Easy to fix meals! Take the help, any help you can get.  Have a list of names with what they can help you with - along with there phone numbers. If grandparents are close - use them!  My mother helped alot - my relationship grew because of it.  It is hard but you will manage to get through it.  HANG IN THERE!

I just read your post tonoght and was wondering how you are doing with chemo.

I was recently diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer and have begun chemotherapy. It is very distressing to fear the unknown. That's why children fare so much better psychologically with treatment- They don't think like we do as adults....anticipating the worst.

Therefore...I recommend just focusing the strong aspects of your body and remembering that chemo won't kill you- it will only temporarily test your resources.

I am on the tough regime of 5-Fu, leuvocorin. oxaliplatin, irinotecan and Avastin. (this is together called Folfoxiri).

I have diarrhea and sleepiness for a few days...but it passes. Keep in touch!

Mystimom said:

how's it going?

I just read your post tonoght and was wondering how you are doing with chemo.

I was recently diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer and have begun chemotherapy. It is very distressing to fear the unknown. That's why children fare so much better psychologically with treatment- They don't think like we do as adults....anticipating the worst.

Therefore...I recommend just focusing the strong aspects of your body and remembering that chemo won't kill you- it will only temporarily test your resources.

I am on the tough regime of 5-Fu, leuvocorin. oxaliplatin, irinotecan and Avastin. (this is together called Folfoxiri).

I have diarrhea and sleepiness for a few days...but it passes. Keep in touch!

I was also diagnosed at Stage 4. Why all the drugs? I was on folfox, then folfiri when I became allergic to oxaliplatin. But I didn't gt them all each round. My spread was to the liver, and had surgery to remove those. I am curious as to whether I have more chance of recurrence because didn't get all each time. I never had Avistan.

 I haven't started chemo yet, and actually have a different type of cancer (AC), but I just wanted to tell you, that I suggested to the site that they set up a discussion group for all of those that have children, so we can talk about some of those issues.  Haven't heard back yet.  Mine are alot older (10, 12), which makes my life a lot easier, as far as day to day care, no need for a babysitter, etc.  There are some good books OK there for young kids that might help explain cancer to the 5 year old.  Hang in there!  My thoughts are with you.