fiancee with colon cancer
Comments
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Hi Gigi!
You were able to make a topic, great! I wanted to welcome you, and all you have to do is join in with our topics (hitting "reply") or to creat a new thread, click "Post New Discussion Topic" and it will lead you into a new thread to chat about it.
We'd love to hear some more about you, let us know more, and you're here in open arms with us, we're a great family to have here, and are here with whatever you need to talk about
Hugsss!
~Donna0 -
Hi ShayenneShayenne said:Hi Gigi!
You were able to make a topic, great! I wanted to welcome you, and all you have to do is join in with our topics (hitting "reply") or to creat a new thread, click "Post New Discussion Topic" and it will lead you into a new thread to chat about it.
We'd love to hear some more about you, let us know more, and you're here in open arms with us, we're a great family to have here, and are here with whatever you need to talk about
Hugsss!
~Donna
Thank you for your warm welcome! My finace' has stage 2 colon cancer. A tumor was removed along with 3/4 of his colon on November 2nd. He is doing well and about to start chemo on Monday, Dec. 21st. We went to the office to start chemo last week, however, his blood count was too low and it had to be postponed. I didn't know whether to cry or be relieved. We have no family close by, and few aquaitances in this area. We are not young people, in our late 50's, and I just moved to this area this past summer to be with him. I thank God every day I made the right decision! Thank you for the opportunity to share this with you.0 -
You'llgigiann said:Hi Shayenne
Thank you for your warm welcome! My finace' has stage 2 colon cancer. A tumor was removed along with 3/4 of his colon on November 2nd. He is doing well and about to start chemo on Monday, Dec. 21st. We went to the office to start chemo last week, however, his blood count was too low and it had to be postponed. I didn't know whether to cry or be relieved. We have no family close by, and few aquaitances in this area. We are not young people, in our late 50's, and I just moved to this area this past summer to be with him. I thank God every day I made the right decision! Thank you for the opportunity to share this with you.
Find people of all ages here, everyone is welcome, and we're here for you and your fiance. I'll be having my 17th or 18th treatment of Folfiri with Avastin on Tues, the 22nd, I postponed it this week, so I could be strong enough to do the play I'm in this weekend. What chemo regimen will he be doing? I am Stage 4 cc with multiple mets to my liver, and glad he'll be doing the chemo soon, it will help in the fight, and who says you're old in your 50's? heck! you're both still puppies!
Where are you from? and where did you move too. I'm glad you chose to be with him, we love our caregivers very much, and without you, we wouldn't be able to go on, he's lucky to have you, and glad you're both there for each other. When's the big day? I wish you well in your future together, you always have a friend here, we're all brothers and sisters in cancer, whether you have it or not, I'm glad to meet you, and any questions you need to ask, just ask... we talk about anything, from poop to sex! no holding back LOL...
I hope his blood is ok this week for him to start, remember to just ask anything
Hugsss!
~Donna0 -
Ohhhh K, I'll ask!Shayenne said:You'll
Find people of all ages here, everyone is welcome, and we're here for you and your fiance. I'll be having my 17th or 18th treatment of Folfiri with Avastin on Tues, the 22nd, I postponed it this week, so I could be strong enough to do the play I'm in this weekend. What chemo regimen will he be doing? I am Stage 4 cc with multiple mets to my liver, and glad he'll be doing the chemo soon, it will help in the fight, and who says you're old in your 50's? heck! you're both still puppies!
Where are you from? and where did you move too. I'm glad you chose to be with him, we love our caregivers very much, and without you, we wouldn't be able to go on, he's lucky to have you, and glad you're both there for each other. When's the big day? I wish you well in your future together, you always have a friend here, we're all brothers and sisters in cancer, whether you have it or not, I'm glad to meet you, and any questions you need to ask, just ask... we talk about anything, from poop to sex! no holding back LOL...
I hope his blood is ok this week for him to start, remember to just ask anything
Hugsss!
~Donna
We had been wondering about being able to have sex during his tx's. I would appreciate anyone's advice on this!
I am from western MA and moved to southern CT. not a far distance, although my kids and grandkids live in Colorado and Texas.
I feel foolish because I can't remember what his treatment cocktail is. It seems like a million yrs. ago since we met with the Onc. Besides, I believe we were in shock! I know he has a port and I will definitely write it down when I ask again on Monday.
You are very kind, Shayenne!(or do I call you Donna)? May God continue to bless you and give you strength! I appreciate this so much!0 -
I was
2006 DX with Stage II Colon Cancer (42 yrs) with no lymph node involvement or signs of spreading to other areas according to my pathology report on the tumor.
Welcome to most supportive family you will ever find on the internet. We are here 24/7, 365 days a year and never close or take sick or annual leave and we provide guidance and support no matter the question or reason.
My Oncologist told me that the normal before 2006 was not providing chemo to Stage II patients, only surgery, but around 2005/2006 timeframe the industry standard change due to a Moasic Study and a chemo regime of FLOFOX was offered every other week for a total of 12 treatments. This was offered to me as an insurance policy, if I wanted, to make sure there were NO microscopic cancer cells floating around, so after alot of thinking and talking with family and friends I took the proactive apporach.
The chemo drugs include 5FU (pump), lecorovorin (sp) and Oxyipliant (sp). I also received premeds for nausea and steriods for any allergic reactions and then IV drips of magnesium and calicum which helps with some of the side effects of the Oxy drug.
Before receiving chemo, they would take blood to check my white & red counts as well as my immune system and pallet counts to make sure I was in the "safe" range to receive the scheduled chemo. If not, it would get postponed for another week. They also have shots to boost your red and white cell counts if needed.
Please keep us posted on how he is doing and don't ever hesitate to ask a question. We are family.0 -
Wellnudgie said:I was
2006 DX with Stage II Colon Cancer (42 yrs) with no lymph node involvement or signs of spreading to other areas according to my pathology report on the tumor.
Welcome to most supportive family you will ever find on the internet. We are here 24/7, 365 days a year and never close or take sick or annual leave and we provide guidance and support no matter the question or reason.
My Oncologist told me that the normal before 2006 was not providing chemo to Stage II patients, only surgery, but around 2005/2006 timeframe the industry standard change due to a Moasic Study and a chemo regime of FLOFOX was offered every other week for a total of 12 treatments. This was offered to me as an insurance policy, if I wanted, to make sure there were NO microscopic cancer cells floating around, so after alot of thinking and talking with family and friends I took the proactive apporach.
The chemo drugs include 5FU (pump), lecorovorin (sp) and Oxyipliant (sp). I also received premeds for nausea and steriods for any allergic reactions and then IV drips of magnesium and calicum which helps with some of the side effects of the Oxy drug.
Before receiving chemo, they would take blood to check my white & red counts as well as my immune system and pallet counts to make sure I was in the "safe" range to receive the scheduled chemo. If not, it would get postponed for another week. They also have shots to boost your red and white cell counts if needed.
Please keep us posted on how he is doing and don't ever hesitate to ask a question. We are family.
My onc told me not to have sex during chemo treatments, she even said to use condoms, so the chemo wouldn't get on hubby's skin. I actually feel that the chemo did something to me, where it hurts now to have sex, it feels like I'm a virgin all over again, and after 4 kids, I am no virgin lol...but I even bled alittle after it, and someone, I think Diane? said it's where I was knocked into early menopause from the chemo, where my uterus has shrunk, but I'm not sure about the man, if he feels pain from sex at all, that be something one of the worldy, open, sweet men here can probably answer better then me
And don't feel foolish not remembering his cocktail! Heck, we can't remember everything. My hubby said he gets chemo brain just like me, and I'm on the one on chemo LOL!
You can call me Donna if you want, Shayenne was just a nick I thought of years ago... it's 2 of my daughters names put together.. Shana and Cheyenne= Shayenne
Thanks for the prayers, you're a kind woman as well, and you will meet alot of kind people as well...I'm the same as you, I don't know many people in my area, I have maybe just a few friends left, seems quite a few "scattered" when they found out I had cancer, as well as their kids not wanting to hang with my kids anymore.
Hugsss!
~Donna0 -
similar storynudgie said:I was
2006 DX with Stage II Colon Cancer (42 yrs) with no lymph node involvement or signs of spreading to other areas according to my pathology report on the tumor.
Welcome to most supportive family you will ever find on the internet. We are here 24/7, 365 days a year and never close or take sick or annual leave and we provide guidance and support no matter the question or reason.
My Oncologist told me that the normal before 2006 was not providing chemo to Stage II patients, only surgery, but around 2005/2006 timeframe the industry standard change due to a Moasic Study and a chemo regime of FLOFOX was offered every other week for a total of 12 treatments. This was offered to me as an insurance policy, if I wanted, to make sure there were NO microscopic cancer cells floating around, so after alot of thinking and talking with family and friends I took the proactive apporach.
The chemo drugs include 5FU (pump), lecorovorin (sp) and Oxyipliant (sp). I also received premeds for nausea and steriods for any allergic reactions and then IV drips of magnesium and calicum which helps with some of the side effects of the Oxy drug.
Before receiving chemo, they would take blood to check my white & red counts as well as my immune system and pallet counts to make sure I was in the "safe" range to receive the scheduled chemo. If not, it would get postponed for another week. They also have shots to boost your red and white cell counts if needed.
Please keep us posted on how he is doing and don't ever hesitate to ask a question. We are family.
Hi Nudgie! Thank you for your response. My fiance's dx is similar to yours and we are opting for the tx for the same reasons. He did have most of his colon removed due to a genetic pre-disposition to rapid tumor growth. I just don't know what the meds are going to be, but I will have full info on Monday when the chemo starts (hopefully). I plan on asking a lot of questions because right now I feel a little lost. Just having this discussion board and knowing I can ask questions and receive honest answers is as huge help to me. I thank you so much!
P. S. Did you have the Neulesta (or similar) inj as well? How did it make you feel and how are you feeling now? God Bless!0 -
Hello Gigiann
Welcome, and we do love our caregivers. Don't worry about forgetting even as a caregiver. My husband has had chemo brain along with me! I am a stage IIIB, I will be doing #5 out of 12 treatments of folfox. The information about folfox has already been posted so I won't do it again, but I will tell you that this wonderful group of people has more information than most medical facilities. There is an awesome pool of resources here so don't be afraid to ask.
The only information that I could find about sex (information was for women with cancer)is that not to have sex or have protected sex during and 2 days following treatment. Hopefully you will hear from our guys about this for more information about men with cancer. You might want to ask the nurse when you go in for treatment. Don't be afraid-they have heard it before!!!
Take care
Jan0 -
Hello
Welcome to the board. I am also a caregiver. My hubby has Stage IV with mets to liver and lungs. Take a pen and paper with you for the first chemo so you can write down all the drugs he is receiving, there will probably be several names, then come back and we will fill you in on our experiences with these drugs. I did that and it was a tremendours help. When your fiance experiences one of the side effects you will be able to say, yep, that is a normal side effect. It takes the anxiety level way down for the both of you. Ask away, like Donna said, poop to sex, nothing is to minor or major to talk about. Now sit down, take a deep breath, relax and take one day at a time, one treatment at a time, the rollercoaster ride is just starting for you but remember, we are here for you. - Tina0 -
Hi Jan!thready said:Hello Gigiann
Welcome, and we do love our caregivers. Don't worry about forgetting even as a caregiver. My husband has had chemo brain along with me! I am a stage IIIB, I will be doing #5 out of 12 treatments of folfox. The information about folfox has already been posted so I won't do it again, but I will tell you that this wonderful group of people has more information than most medical facilities. There is an awesome pool of resources here so don't be afraid to ask.
The only information that I could find about sex (information was for women with cancer)is that not to have sex or have protected sex during and 2 days following treatment. Hopefully you will hear from our guys about this for more information about men with cancer. You might want to ask the nurse when you go in for treatment. Don't be afraid-they have heard it before!!!
Take care
Jan
Thank you for the information! I believe I may have read something similar to that on the internet. I will definitely ask on Monday. I would be glad to hear from the men, too. I understand about the "chemo brain". We havent't even started and I am already feeling confused and a bit overwhelmed.
Jan, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and I wish you much success with your treatments!0 -
Hello Tina!geotina said:Hello
Welcome to the board. I am also a caregiver. My hubby has Stage IV with mets to liver and lungs. Take a pen and paper with you for the first chemo so you can write down all the drugs he is receiving, there will probably be several names, then come back and we will fill you in on our experiences with these drugs. I did that and it was a tremendours help. When your fiance experiences one of the side effects you will be able to say, yep, that is a normal side effect. It takes the anxiety level way down for the both of you. Ask away, like Donna said, poop to sex, nothing is to minor or major to talk about. Now sit down, take a deep breath, relax and take one day at a time, one treatment at a time, the rollercoaster ride is just starting for you but remember, we are here for you. - Tina
Thank you for the welcome! And thank you for the great advice of which I will certainly follow. It's comforting to know I can pop on here and ask questions and there is someone on the other end that can help and advise me! I thought the intial diagnosis and surgery was a rollar coaster, but I have a feeling this will be much more challenging. I will do my best and knowing you are all here will help!
Thanks again and my very best to your hubby!0 -
Welcome!
Sorry you have to be here :-( You've found a very supportive group of people though. My situation sounds very similar to yours! My husband (42 y.o.) is being treated for stage 2A colon cancer. He had his resection on 11/9/09 and started chemo 12/14/09. His first treatment went really well and the only side effect he's had so far is being really sleepy. I assume your fiance will be getting Folfox since he's had a port installed. Our oncologist gave us the option of no chemo, an NIH study (which would have most likely been just observation according to my husband's pathology report), Xeloda (an oral chemo), and Folfox (an infusion). I'm assuming your fiance was given similar options as well. We wanted to do all that we could to ensure he was totally cancer-free and opted for the most effective (and a very difficult) chemo option. So far, so good, though - I hope your fiance's treatment goes smoothly too!
Welcome and please make yourself at home! You're among friends,
Tashina0 -
Hello Tashina!TLG320 said:Welcome!
Sorry you have to be here :-( You've found a very supportive group of people though. My situation sounds very similar to yours! My husband (42 y.o.) is being treated for stage 2A colon cancer. He had his resection on 11/9/09 and started chemo 12/14/09. His first treatment went really well and the only side effect he's had so far is being really sleepy. I assume your fiance will be getting Folfox since he's had a port installed. Our oncologist gave us the option of no chemo, an NIH study (which would have most likely been just observation according to my husband's pathology report), Xeloda (an oral chemo), and Folfox (an infusion). I'm assuming your fiance was given similar options as well. We wanted to do all that we could to ensure he was totally cancer-free and opted for the most effective (and a very difficult) chemo option. So far, so good, though - I hope your fiance's treatment goes smoothly too!
Welcome and please make yourself at home! You're among friends,
Tashina
Thank you for your message! Yes, our situation does sound similar. I hope your husband continues to respond well to the treatment! The anticipation of my fiance starting chemo on Monday is particularly unnerving since he was suppose to have started it last week. His count was down so it was postponed. His onc did not give him an option of a pill, however. It may be because he tested positive for a particular gene that promotes the growth of tumor cells. As the surgeon explained it so eloquently, "your garden grows weeds at a faster rate", hence the need to remove 3/4 of the colon vs 2/3 as originally planned!
Thank you again for the warm welcome. I appreciate it very much! Best wishes to your husband and you!0 -
hello and welcomegigiann said:Hello Tashina!
Thank you for your message! Yes, our situation does sound similar. I hope your husband continues to respond well to the treatment! The anticipation of my fiance starting chemo on Monday is particularly unnerving since he was suppose to have started it last week. His count was down so it was postponed. His onc did not give him an option of a pill, however. It may be because he tested positive for a particular gene that promotes the growth of tumor cells. As the surgeon explained it so eloquently, "your garden grows weeds at a faster rate", hence the need to remove 3/4 of the colon vs 2/3 as originally planned!
Thank you again for the warm welcome. I appreciate it very much! Best wishes to your husband and you!
new myself but this is a great place to vent or get advise. I had colon cancer lg tumor on my colon. It and the tumor removed along with 34 lymp nodes 19 haveing cancer 3 months into chemo xeloda by mouth couldn't take infussion blood sugar went to 700 but am doing well and am finding out there is life after cancer. It makes you rethink life and look at things differently you love the ones you use to hate and if they don't love you back oh well it is thier loss not yours. It is great to wake up every morning and know you are alive . Chemo sucks no matter what form you are on but remember God will carry you both through and there will be times when you think you can't take anymore but you can.The one thing cancer does is show you how strong you are and that you can take more than you ever thought possibile. Good luck and trust in the Lord.My pryers are with both of you.0 -
A real trooperlcarper2 said:hello and welcome
new myself but this is a great place to vent or get advise. I had colon cancer lg tumor on my colon. It and the tumor removed along with 34 lymp nodes 19 haveing cancer 3 months into chemo xeloda by mouth couldn't take infussion blood sugar went to 700 but am doing well and am finding out there is life after cancer. It makes you rethink life and look at things differently you love the ones you use to hate and if they don't love you back oh well it is thier loss not yours. It is great to wake up every morning and know you are alive . Chemo sucks no matter what form you are on but remember God will carry you both through and there will be times when you think you can't take anymore but you can.The one thing cancer does is show you how strong you are and that you can take more than you ever thought possibile. Good luck and trust in the Lord.My pryers are with both of you.
to be going thru the chemo txs with your fiancee. I hope that because he's stage II the side effects won't be terible for him with the chemo. My husband was stage III and had minimal side effects and I kept thinking it was maybe because he was stage III and not stage IV. Cause some folks on here have a whole lot of icky side effects. Don't know if that has a thing to do with it but it gave me hope. Yep, to everything has posted above me....write questions down to ask the dr., write answers and have him spell the meds for you-they sound so easy till you try to remember them and tell someone else.
Sex was not a problem for my husband while undergoing treatments. Drs. never said yeah or nay to us. He is now clear of cancer, NED. He finished the last treatment in June of this year. I hope you guys have an easy time of this, but know that if you have questions someone on here can usually help out.
Our dr. did tell us to get Immodium for diarrhea(he had that)and he also prescribed drugs for pain and also for nausea(didn't use either one of those). But we had the prescription filled-just in case. Once he begins the chemo his blood counts will probably go down but they can give him a shot of Neulasta to help with his counts. So hopefully this will be his only delay due to low blood count.
Sandy0 -
My Experience may not be yours but,
I echo everyone elses response. You came to the right place. I'm a 39 yr old male, married, was dx with 2b and I like long walks on the beach. Seemed like an appropriate ending to that sentence.
I just finished my 4th FloFox treatment. It's going pretty well. I was in the same situation, my onc was on the fence of whether to go with chemo or not. Bottom line he thought it would benefit 5% of people in my situation. His question to me was if you don't do it and you end up in the 5% will you regret not doing it. It's not easy but I look at my wife and 2 yr old and I'll do whatever it takes.
As far as Sex is concerned, one of my nurses pulled me a side at my first treatment and just told me to use condoms. I was/am anemic, and I probably have been for a while. Since I've been treated for anemia I generally have a lot of more energy, and I think I'm more amorous then presurgery. It does differ day to day based on where I am in the chemo cycle.0 -
WelcomeSteve Z said:My Experience may not be yours but,
I echo everyone elses response. You came to the right place. I'm a 39 yr old male, married, was dx with 2b and I like long walks on the beach. Seemed like an appropriate ending to that sentence.
I just finished my 4th FloFox treatment. It's going pretty well. I was in the same situation, my onc was on the fence of whether to go with chemo or not. Bottom line he thought it would benefit 5% of people in my situation. His question to me was if you don't do it and you end up in the 5% will you regret not doing it. It's not easy but I look at my wife and 2 yr old and I'll do whatever it takes.
As far as Sex is concerned, one of my nurses pulled me a side at my first treatment and just told me to use condoms. I was/am anemic, and I probably have been for a while. Since I've been treated for anemia I generally have a lot of more energy, and I think I'm more amorous then presurgery. It does differ day to day based on where I am in the chemo cycle.
You have come to the right place if support is what you seek. I am pretty new myself and am so touched by the caring and support of this group. Whatever you need, questions answered, experiences shared, encouragement, a place to vent, comfort when things are scary, they will be here. Anyday; anytime. Good luck to your fiance. Glad that he has you in his corner.
Blessings,
Joanne0 -
Welcome Gigiann...Neulasta
Neulasta is a white cell booster. I had to get one my last treatment(#4.) It stung as I got shot, but tolerable. Possible side effects they mentioned were large bone pain (leg, hips, etc.) as it's drawing from your marrow. I haven't really experienced any of that. Slight headache, some knee pain (but thats been around even before treatments.) Sorry you've made to this board, but welcome! There's plenty of people to help out here.
-DJ0 -
Hi DJ!P_I_T_A said:Welcome Gigiann...Neulasta
Neulasta is a white cell booster. I had to get one my last treatment(#4.) It stung as I got shot, but tolerable. Possible side effects they mentioned were large bone pain (leg, hips, etc.) as it's drawing from your marrow. I haven't really experienced any of that. Slight headache, some knee pain (but thats been around even before treatments.) Sorry you've made to this board, but welcome! There's plenty of people to help out here.
-DJ
Thank you for sharing your experience with Neulasta. I have a friend who gets it and all she can tell me is how much she hates it. She did recommend that my finacee take Benadryl before and after the injection. Have you ever heard of this? Maybe it's only purpose is to knock him out afterwards?! She said for some reason it helps her.
Thank you for your warm welcome! In the short time I have been here, I have received helpful information and a lot of support that is so appreciated.
Take care, DJ and God Bless!0
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