Stage IV/PET Scan/NED

joj56 said:

Sounds like me!
Hi Rebecca,

Congrats on the NED! Way to go.
I just recently came across this discussion board a few weeks ago. Newly diagnosed as of 7/25/08 with stage IV cc- mets to the ovaries. Drs. thought I had ovarian cancer, but surprise they said it was colon.
I am sure you have posted something before, but was wondering how you tolerated the folfox6 treatment.
I am just learning the lingo and figured out NED stands for No evidence of Disease.
After my surgery (hysterectomy) the drs. said they got all they could see with 13 out of 28 postive nodes. I just had a PET scan two weeks ago which showed negative which I thought was a good thing, but my onc doesn't seem quite as excited. I had a CT scan today (had my first one prior to surgery) and start chemo Wed.
To tell you the truth, I am kinda scared about it, but want to get going with it.
I feel deep down I will do o.k. just wanted to hear what yours and others folfox experience was like.
Again, congrats on the NED and I will be keeping everyone here in my prayers.
Jeri

Sounds like me
Jeri, I remember how scared I was after my diagnosis and before treatment. It's okay to be scared--you've been hit with alot, but you can do it. The FOLFOX was manageable; it's different for everyone. I had a problem with nausea, but after I started taking Zofran and Ativan, it was not nearly as bad. I had tingling in my hands and feet when exposed to cold (wear gloves, even when getting things out of the fridge) and I couldn't drink anything cold because it felt like there was something stuck in my throat when I would try to swallow cold things. I drank room temp water and don't be shy if you're out--ask for drinks without ice.

I also had diarrhea, but my oncologist prescribed Lomotil and it was a real help. I also started having massage therapy through Cancer Care Services and it really helped with my moods and the side effects. Sloan-Kettering did a study which proved that massage therapy helped reduce some of the chemo side effects--I highly recommend it.

Just remember to take care of yourself and let others help. Your job is fighting this disease, so put yourself first. I also avoided crowds and carried hand sanitizer everywhere to try to avoid colds, etc. since my immunities were suppressed.

You can beat this! Good luck--you are in my prayers. Please let me know how you are doing. This board is a great source of information, support, and strength. Keep fighting! It seems like a hill right now, but count down every treatment and soon you will be past the middle and then you'll be finished!

Rebecca

krystiesq said:

Did you have any other mets
Did you have any other mets when you were dx?

Mets
The only mets I had when I was dx'd were to my ovaries. One was the size of a canteloupe and the other a grapefruit.

Rebecca