New Diagnosis

Hi Betsy. I am getting a similar treatment to yours. Actually, I am writing from a hospital bed right now, getting chemo infusion number two. Every two weeks I am admitted to the hospital for a two day infusion of 5FU, Luecovorin, Oxaliplatin, and Avastin. Plus, the supply me with a growth hormone that prevents me from sleeeping at all on the first night, and a blood thinner for my port, and anti-nausea medication via IV.

I am stage four colon cancer but my colon is now gone. They took it out, but I have five liver mets and 7 out of 25 lymmph nodes tested positive after surgery. My regimen is aggressive, but my oncologist is encouraged by my age (35) and thinks I'll handle it well. So far, so good. I have experienced few dramatic side effects: insomnia due to the steroid administered before chemo, some loss of appetite, one day of horrible diahhrea, some acid reflux and recenlty a slightly nauseaous feeling but nothing came up. I understand that the effects accumulate and may get worse during treatment. Just something to look forward to, I guess.

As for surgery, my entire colon was resected. I've met NO ONE else who has had this! I have discovered, and this may well apply to partial colon resectees, that in the recovery process the small intestines will pass bile salts through to the anus, and the feeling of passing this feels like passing hot coals, or razor blades, or maybe broken glass. No one warned me about this before my surgery. I have found that fiber supplements (i.e.Metamucil) are a great, great help in this regard. I take fiber supplements with every meal now, and my new digestive system works much better! Of course, you don't want to start doing that until the doctor says you can abondon the low residue diet that you are limited to just after surgery.

Best of luck and please let me know if you've any other questions.

What kind of dog do you have?

Helllloooo, Betsy! Life is such an adventure, isn't it? I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer (right, ascending colon) in January, had my hemicolectomy Jan.13 and began chemo Feb. 15. I have had 9 treatments so far, with three to go. I get Avastin, a calcium/magnesium drip (which mitigates the reaction to cold caused by the oxaliplatin), then my mix of Leucovorin, Decadron, Oxaliplatin, then another drip of calciuim/magnesium and finally a 5-FU push and pump. The infusion pump keeps the 5-FU going for another 46 hours, then I have to have a shot of Neulasta on Fridays after treatment in order to keep my white count up.

Side effects are manageable, although that reaction to cold got BAD before my oncologist added the calcium/magnesium drip. I couldn't even walk down the aisle at the grocery store where there was frozen food without MAJOR tingling and numbness and FORGET drinking anything that is the least chilled! I couldn't pick up a metal spoon or wire coat hangar without a lot of neuropahty, but I must say that this side effect is VERY minimal now. Just use a glove when you reach into the fridge and warm up your milk a bit (20-30 seconds in the microwave) before you drink it or put it on your cereal.

I did also have insominia two nights during treatment week, but I have Ambien now and that helps me get SOME sleep. Acid reflux is controllable by Pepcid - if I wake up "urppy," I just grab a Pepcid right then, and I'm ok. Immodium takes care of most of the diarrhea, although that IS an ongoing problem and can cause dehydration if you're not careful. Nausea has been minimal and well controlled by Phenergan. I also get "chemo headaches" about three days each treatment cycle on the week after treatment, but I take Tylenol and rest a lot, so it's not awful.

As for the appetite - I lost about 15 pounds in the hospital during and after surgery, which made me pretty scrawny. I didn't feel like eating much for a month or so, but then my appetite returned, and I've gained 10 pounds back and look a lot healthier. The one thing I used to LOVE that isn't working out for me now is ICE-CREAM!! The oxaliplatin makes it impossible to eat ice-cream for a week or so after treatment, but even then, the texture and taste of something that cold is affected somehow - it all tastes grainy - and so it just isn't the SAME! I CAN, however, take small sips of MILKSHAKES after the oxaliplatin effects have worn off (within a week of treatment). *yum*

I'd LOVE to hear back from you or any other of the "semi-colons" out there. Let me know how you're doing! I think you'll find that the chemo for colon cancer isn't all that bad and we can get through this with flying colors!
Bbuffing@earthlink.net
Bonny

HisJoy said:

Helllloooo, Betsy! Life is such an adventure, isn't it? I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer (right, ascending colon) in January, had my hemicolectomy Jan.13 and began chemo Feb. 15. I have had 9 treatments so far, with three to go. I get Avastin, a calcium/magnesium drip (which mitigates the reaction to cold caused by the oxaliplatin), then my mix of Leucovorin, Decadron, Oxaliplatin, then another drip of calciuim/magnesium and finally a 5-FU push and pump. The infusion pump keeps the 5-FU going for another 46 hours, then I have to have a shot of Neulasta on Fridays after treatment in order to keep my white count up.

Side effects are manageable, although that reaction to cold got BAD before my oncologist added the calcium/magnesium drip. I couldn't even walk down the aisle at the grocery store where there was frozen food without MAJOR tingling and numbness and FORGET drinking anything that is the least chilled! I couldn't pick up a metal spoon or wire coat hangar without a lot of neuropahty, but I must say that this side effect is VERY minimal now. Just use a glove when you reach into the fridge and warm up your milk a bit (20-30 seconds in the microwave) before you drink it or put it on your cereal.

I did also have insominia two nights during treatment week, but I have Ambien now and that helps me get SOME sleep. Acid reflux is controllable by Pepcid - if I wake up "urppy," I just grab a Pepcid right then, and I'm ok. Immodium takes care of most of the diarrhea, although that IS an ongoing problem and can cause dehydration if you're not careful. Nausea has been minimal and well controlled by Phenergan. I also get "chemo headaches" about three days each treatment cycle on the week after treatment, but I take Tylenol and rest a lot, so it's not awful.

As for the appetite - I lost about 15 pounds in the hospital during and after surgery, which made me pretty scrawny. I didn't feel like eating much for a month or so, but then my appetite returned, and I've gained 10 pounds back and look a lot healthier. The one thing I used to LOVE that isn't working out for me now is ICE-CREAM!! The oxaliplatin makes it impossible to eat ice-cream for a week or so after treatment, but even then, the texture and taste of something that cold is affected somehow - it all tastes grainy - and so it just isn't the SAME! I CAN, however, take small sips of MILKSHAKES after the oxaliplatin effects have worn off (within a week of treatment). *yum*

I'd LOVE to hear back from you or any other of the "semi-colons" out there. Let me know how you're doing! I think you'll find that the chemo for colon cancer isn't all that bad and we can get through this with flying colors!
Bbuffing@earthlink.net
Bonny

Bonnie,

Thanks for the explanation of side effects from Oxaliplatin. As I am wrapping up my second treatment now, I have not yet suffered the sensitivity to cold. I live in Atlanta, where it gets hot and we like cold drinks. I particularly dread not being able to drink cold drinks, but like I said, so far so good. You are the second person I have seen recommend calcium/magnesium to counter, or prevent, that side effect. I must mention this to my oncologist.

Generally, your treatment and side effects sound much like mine aside from my not experiencing this cold sensitivity. But I'm not a semi-colon, I'm a no-colon.

Thanks,
Rodney

Hi and welcome. I had all your chemo, except the avastin. I am interested though, because I didn't get avastin when I had a single lung met because my docs said it wasn't necessary for me... hmmmmm. BUT... I have been NED (no evidence of disease) for 14 months.

After my surgery my appetite went WAY down!! I think after colectomy - there is inflammation and your body can't handle lots of food. I simply ate Lots of little meals. My family would frequently come to visit and cook up lots of food with healthy fats.

Good and bad, it took about 2 years total, my weight is up. After I completed my last chemo round of xeloda and oxaliplatin, my weight increased within 2 wks to my heaviest. All my docs said I finally looked healthy, I just felt chubby. I have been trying to exercise lots and loose some pounds, the healthy way.

I had to keep snacks in my pockets and try to eat all the time. I had diarrhea, so I couldn't eat nuts or high fiber foods - difficult for me.

Stay well. Hope all the stories help you. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!!!!! jana