Starting chemo on monday

SandMb said:

Hi Tom. Your treatment
Hi Tom. Your treatment sounds similar to mine. Rectal cancer, the 6 week regimen with radiation, then surgery and then chemo follow up with 8 treatments of 5FU and Oxaliplatin (also referred to as Folfox). The only difference is your colostomy. I had a temporary ileostomy that they reversed after I finshed the follow up chemo. If they had to do the colostomy for you it sounds like the tumor was in the lower section of your rectum and they couldn't save the rectum. I can only assume that since you didn't profile yourself. What stage was the cancer? and did they find anything in the lymph nodes from the tumor pathology?

I can only tell you what I experienced with the Folfox, everyone is different. I also tried very hard to keep myself very healthy, eat right, exercise, give my body a good environment to fight the chemo effects. During the treatment I didn't have any bad side effects. I felt a little crappy but that would subside. I did dehydrate towards the end. I just couldn't take enough by mouth. You have to be very careful of that.

My side effect hit me "after" I finished the treatment. 2 months later I got hit with peripheral neuropathy pretty severely. I am still dealing with it. This is my third month. Alot of people get it during the chemo, so you need to report that immediately if you feel anything so they can adjust your dose of Oxi. This side effect is probably one of the worst you could get, so be very aware. The feeling crappy you can get over. The neuropathy is very challenging.

I would recommend not only making sure you're eating properly but start taking supplements now, Vit B complex (make sure healthy amount of B12 in it) and Alpha Lipoic Acid. And a vit/min supplement.

And one last very critical suggestion: no alcohol. Period. No good with the chemo and especially no good when you're trying to prevent neuropathy.

Good luck. You can make it through. I'm sending you positive mojo.
Susan

Lori-S said:

Hi
Welcome to the board. Sorry you have to be here but, you've come to the right place for support, answers, experience and a few laughs thrown in too.

I have posted in my blog about my first 3 FOLFOX treatments. If you're curious just click on my name and go to the blog. Be prepared. I sprinkle a bit of humor in there and I'm not too shy about just throwing things out there for everyone to see.

Wishing you all the best.

PS: did you know that when they sew it up the butt most of the patients call it Barbie butt. Like the barbie doll who only has a crack but no butthole (can I say that here)? Hope I didn't offend you. HUGS

Annabelle41415 said:

Treatment
My rectum was also removed but they made a j-pouch (had a temporary ileostomy). Started out with radiation/xeolda then six weeks later surgery then six weeks later the Folfox (including the oxy that you will be on). The oxy is a hard drug on your system as it is cumulative and the more you get the more side effects you get. Do NOT go near or drink anything cold for the first several days. Even if you had tears well up in your eyes will feel like needles so be very careful. The neuropathy is the worst and I'm a year out and still dealing with it. I'm NED (no evidence of disease) though and thankful that my surgeon was excellent. Good luck on your treatment on Monday and let us know how you are doing.

Kim