New to all this, Any tips? Stage IIIC colon cancer

catherine58 said:

Press on!
Hello Carrie

I was diagnosed Stage IIIB last year, also with a tumour in my ascending colon (I was 48 at the time). I had nine rounds of Folfox and got off pretty lightly - I had the reaction to cold that you describe, but that only lasted for about 48 hrs each cycle. I was given an infusion of Granisetron for the nausea (I think it's called something else in the US) plus some anti-emetic pills and that worked very well (I only threw up once and didn't really feel that nauseous - I never lost my appetite). I took very few steroids (about a quarter of the dose originally prescribed) as I reacted badly to them (felt very wired, couldn't sleep and worried about getting fat). I can't remember having cramps but I had mild pins and needles which did get a bit worse with every cycle, but were really more of an annoyance than anything else (they continued for a few months after chemo but now I barely notice them). I lost all sense of taste and had a permanently sore mouth, but learnt how to deal with it (soft toothbrush, salt rinses, mouth washes etc). My hair thinned during the first few cycles but then stopped - I returned my wig to the shop unworn. I did get very tired, but I'm a single mother with two children (8 and 12 when I was diagnosed) so had to keep going. I felt pretty wiped out on chemo days and for 48 hours afterwards, but even then managed to get meals on the table. For the rest of the time I functioned pretty much as normal. Perhaps the side effects did get a bit worse with each cycle, but nothing that dramatic. I drank a lot of water, juiced, had various alternative therapies (e.g. reflexology, acupuncture), walked every day (even with a chemo pump attached!) and took a wide range supplements (I know that's controversial during chemo) which I still take today.

It's now just over a year since I finished chemo and a few weeks ago I would have told you that I was feeling better than I have for years (right now I'm recovering from an exhausting summer and a bad cold - first illness I've had since surgery - but hope to get back to that state again soon!).

Press on - there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Catherine

You are inspirational.
Hi Catherine,
Sounds as though our C is similar.This is my second round as it was diagnosed 5 years ago,but after removal of 12 inches of colon I was given the all clear?Now 5 years on its back with a vengence as stage 111b.Had monster surgery ,in hospital for 12 days on July 23rd.Now its Chemo time!Have just experienced my first round,which was 3 days of a nightmare,now I have 10 days to regroup.Please advise on food & suppliments which you have found helpful? Im a wife,mother & grandmother,surounded by love but feel like a dead leaf?
Have bought a Posh Beckam wig as Im hoping to go through in style but need some vitamin tips,please.Alexandra