WELCOME MARGO!!!!!!!!

Ahoy, Margo -

I believe Lisa Rose has summed it up.

I had 5FU/Leucovorin. I just missed an opportunity to be in the Folox clinical trial. In my book, anything that will nuke those lil' cancer cell buggers is good.

As for side-effects, everyone reacts differently to the meds. One thing I know for sure is that a portocath would probably have been a good career decision for me. Unfortunately, I was in denial and preferred to let them root around for 60-90 minutes looking for a vein (and I didn't even get a sucker or sticker afterward, but I swear I DIDN'T cry!). If I had the port, it would have been much easier to get hooked-up.

Sounds like you have a good attitude which is the only prerequisite for being a semicolon! Welcome!

Be well,

; ) SpongeBob

Hi Margo,

Welcome!

I am 47 with stage 4 rectal carcinoma. I have had a port since June '02. I love it. It has not caused a bit of problem. One thing my interventional radiologist told me was that if you are skinny and have the catheter run over your clavicle it can be uncomfortable, so he put mine in below it. I don't feel it at all. I initially had it for 5-FU, but then went on oxaliplatin/5-FU and now oxaliplatin/Xeloda. I hear from the onc nurses that most people getting oxaliplatin get ports because it causes an unpleasant sensation when infused in a small catheter.

As Sponge Bob has said everyone reacts differently to medication. however, I worked during the 12 wks I was on oxaliplatin, 5-FU last winter. After 6 doses of oxaliplatin on this current round, I am feeling great. It does cause a funky feeling when I drink anything cold for a while after I get it, and causes tingling in my hands to the point I use oven mitts to get things out of my freezer.

I can't taste very well these days- especially sweet stuff . Still, I haven't lost my appetite at all.
I am on a new antinausea drug Emend. Although I almost never vomit, it stops the unpleasant queasy feeling I used to get 3-4 days after chemo.

Xeloda and 5 FU causes some irritation of my hands and feet. My cupboard has become an advertisement for Dr. Scholl's with miscellaneous bandages for preventive mantainence that I mix and match to keep my feet comfy for long walks. All these things have been pretty minor and went away quickly when I went off of chemo the last time.

Best of luck,

Kris