chemo side effects

Class Begins Now...
Hi RP

Welcome to the site!

There are many chemo drugs out there, so we're going to need some more info about which specifics chemo drugs that you will be doing.

And alot of the drugs and treatments will vary by what Stage they mark your cancer for as well.

Some of the names you will hear are 5fu by pump, Xeloda by pill, Oxaliplatin by IV, Camptosar or CPT-11 by IV. Avastin is another agent by IV.

We can address these more when you have some more information - all of us have done these with varying combinations, known as cocktails...you might hear Folfiri or Folfox, these are cocktails with other additives.

So, you can get back to us when you find out about which one is being proposed for you.

While we wait for that, let's talk about whether you want to go through with the treatments or not. Each person must weigh the risks vs benefits and come to their own conclusion on what they and their doctors think is the best approach.

The vast majority of the community as done chemo and there have been many successful stories, including myself. I was given a death sentence, but through chemo and many major surgeries, I still live and breath and patrol these waters:)

There are alternative treatments to chemo, like Traditional Chinese Medicine, or holistic approaches as well, but I don't have enough information on these to speak on authority about those.

I elected the chemical route and it's a hard row to hoe, but again I've been in the fight for SIX years and am still above the ground...and plan to stay that way too!

More folks will be along to post their thoughts and experiences - it's a very diverse community.

What I can tell you that is that your MIND and ATTITUDE are the absolute #1 key ingredients in your battle...your mind has to be right - to fight! There will be pitfalls and shortcomings along the journey, but that's why we are all here - to help you and support you and answer any questions that you have based on our experience and the research that we've done.

Many folks feel that chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries give us the best hope for a successful outcome or a longer life - and it can still be a quality life.

Chemo regiments vary, but the standard is 6-months...but it can go longer, just depends on the person. Our bodies are all made differently and we all respond differently to the chemo and meds, just as each of us differ in taking an aspirin.

The main thing to keep in mind - there is no absolute right or wrong answer - only what works for you - and what you and your doctor feel is the right approach. You must believe in what you are doing or are being told, because the body will follow what the mind tells it to.

It's understandable not wanting to go through the treatments - for those that are new to this, CHEMO is a scary 4-letter word and instills fear of dying and pain.

It's not a picnic by any means - it's a whipping for sure, but it can be done and done with good results - many, many Stage IV folks here who were given the last rites, so don't believe all that you read or hear. The people on this board are "living testimonies" that Cancer can be beaten, and/or you can live a long life even with Cancer.

New drugs and treatments and surgeries are coming over the hill all the time - so the key is to keep buying time until something works - just don't give in - don't give up!

Tie a knot in it and just hang on for the ride of your life - when you come through on the other side, you will have discovered a whole new dimension to your personality, that you never knew existed. You'll experience the Highest of Highs and sometimes the Lowest of Lows, but that is the rollercoaster we've all ridden and it comes with the territory.

You'll appreciate all the simple things in life again and be grateful for the good days - you will immediately recognize them.

Mind and Attitude - let's start there!

Get back with us with some more info and we'll try to help you some more. Until then, I'm wishing you all the luck in the world and I know that you too can do it!

-Craig

Sundanceh said:

Class Begins Now...
Hi RP

Welcome to the site!

There are many chemo drugs out there, so we're going to need some more info about which specifics chemo drugs that you will be doing.

And alot of the drugs and treatments will vary by what Stage they mark your cancer for as well.

Some of the names you will hear are 5fu by pump, Xeloda by pill, Oxaliplatin by IV, Camptosar or CPT-11 by IV. Avastin is another agent by IV.

We can address these more when you have some more information - all of us have done these with varying combinations, known as cocktails...you might hear Folfiri or Folfox, these are cocktails with other additives.

So, you can get back to us when you find out about which one is being proposed for you.

While we wait for that, let's talk about whether you want to go through with the treatments or not. Each person must weigh the risks vs benefits and come to their own conclusion on what they and their doctors think is the best approach.

The vast majority of the community as done chemo and there have been many successful stories, including myself. I was given a death sentence, but through chemo and many major surgeries, I still live and breath and patrol these waters:)

There are alternative treatments to chemo, like Traditional Chinese Medicine, or holistic approaches as well, but I don't have enough information on these to speak on authority about those.

I elected the chemical route and it's a hard row to hoe, but again I've been in the fight for SIX years and am still above the ground...and plan to stay that way too!

More folks will be along to post their thoughts and experiences - it's a very diverse community.

What I can tell you that is that your MIND and ATTITUDE are the absolute #1 key ingredients in your battle...your mind has to be right - to fight! There will be pitfalls and shortcomings along the journey, but that's why we are all here - to help you and support you and answer any questions that you have based on our experience and the research that we've done.

Many folks feel that chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries give us the best hope for a successful outcome or a longer life - and it can still be a quality life.

Chemo regiments vary, but the standard is 6-months...but it can go longer, just depends on the person. Our bodies are all made differently and we all respond differently to the chemo and meds, just as each of us differ in taking an aspirin.

The main thing to keep in mind - there is no absolute right or wrong answer - only what works for you - and what you and your doctor feel is the right approach. You must believe in what you are doing or are being told, because the body will follow what the mind tells it to.

It's understandable not wanting to go through the treatments - for those that are new to this, CHEMO is a scary 4-letter word and instills fear of dying and pain.

It's not a picnic by any means - it's a whipping for sure, but it can be done and done with good results - many, many Stage IV folks here who were given the last rites, so don't believe all that you read or hear. The people on this board are "living testimonies" that Cancer can be beaten, and/or you can live a long life even with Cancer.

New drugs and treatments and surgeries are coming over the hill all the time - so the key is to keep buying time until something works - just don't give in - don't give up!

Tie a knot in it and just hang on for the ride of your life - when you come through on the other side, you will have discovered a whole new dimension to your personality, that you never knew existed. You'll experience the Highest of Highs and sometimes the Lowest of Lows, but that is the rollercoaster we've all ridden and it comes with the territory.

You'll appreciate all the simple things in life again and be grateful for the good days - you will immediately recognize them.

Mind and Attitude - let's start there!

Get back with us with some more info and we'll try to help you some more. Until then, I'm wishing you all the luck in the world and I know that you too can do it!

-Craig

Know how you feel
August I was was told I that my tumor was completely gone and nothing in my nodes. but that I should do 6 months or 12 treatments of chemo. Couldn't understand why I would want to make myself sick if I really didn't have cancer. But then after talking to my dr. and others I realize if you do thing and the cancer comes back then you don't get a do over. I have meet two different people who didn't take the chemo and the cancer came back both cases stage IV liver cancer. My side effect weren't as bad as some, tiredness, sleep alot, numbs in my feet and hands and I mind the cold alot. Six months is not alot of time to give up if it even takes your chance of the cancer not coming back. As my sister pointed out to me if no treament is done and I am one of the two percent who don't make it I have lost.

Hi
well I just found this forum...and I'm waaaay further along in this game. Good for you for checking it out so early and looking for answers. I had a large tumor removed from my colon...9/11/06...all my docs thought they'd gotten everything so no follow-up treatment was warranted. A year and a half later...after a routine PET scan I was all of a sudden Stage !V with lesions in my liver and lung. I can't help but think if I'd done chemo right away the SMALL lesion that was on my liver all along (that was missed by the radiologist) wouldn't have had a chance! It is a very scary proposition...but you won't know how you'll handle it until you do it. I always thought chemo meant throwing up and going bald...how lame is that? I really had NO idea what to expect. You are so far ahead of me in that regard just asking questions of these good folks. Just reading these posts you'll see that everyone reacts differently and depending on the specific "cocktail" you receive it may not be too rough at all. Good luck...

Effects
Hi
I am new too. I have taken 9 treatments of Eloxatin and 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin(5-FU/LV). It has been the worst 6 months of my life. I wondered too and still wonder but I did not have a viable alternative. I am still here after all. I wish you the the best..
Serr