Jana 11 and camptosar/avastin

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neeliec
neeliec Member Posts: 106
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello Jana,
How is it going with your treatment? I took the first round Wed and did ok on Wed but Th -Sat I was wiped out (play on words) from my frequent trips to the RR. Not having a colon made matters worse for I find myself fighting dehydration like crazy, and as you said, popping immodium right and left. Does it stay the same or get worse? I am encouraged knowing that you went to work. As a teacher, I hardly sit-- I think I'll be having to because I am very weak. I'm ready to give this thing up! Ever wonder what would happen without the treatment?
Sorry to be negative-- I just don't like to be down-- and feel bad for complaining for in the great scheme of things-- It could be worse.
I hope it's going well for you.neelieC

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  • finner
    finner Member Posts: 230 Member
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    I think we should allow ourselves to be down sometimes. we are not some sort of super humans. I have recently discovered about myself that /i will not allow myself to be sick, you know, have a common cold,or 'flu, because I have a fear that if I take to the bed at all, I might just stay there! Anybody else feel like this? Also to protect others, like my mother and close people, I maintain an air of ridiculous health levels, like I never felt better in my life and you know a lot of the time it works and I do actually feel better. The mind works in mysterious ways.
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
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    finner said:

    I think we should allow ourselves to be down sometimes. we are not some sort of super humans. I have recently discovered about myself that /i will not allow myself to be sick, you know, have a common cold,or 'flu, because I have a fear that if I take to the bed at all, I might just stay there! Anybody else feel like this? Also to protect others, like my mother and close people, I maintain an air of ridiculous health levels, like I never felt better in my life and you know a lot of the time it works and I do actually feel better. The mind works in mysterious ways.

    Complain all you like neelie! No, we are not superhuman. Hey, us fellas fall into a heap too sometimes. So much for our so-called macho image...me...agh! I was as soppy and complaining as anyone here when I was doin chemo. There is no shame in feeling bad and telling us about it. There is nothing silly about maintaining health levels either. I cleaned up my act re; hygiene after my dx knowing full well the ease at which infections etc. can take hold while on chemo.I don't think my hands have ever been so clean!
    Keep the fight going neelie,
    huggs, kanga n Jen
  • chynabear
    chynabear Member Posts: 481 Member
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    kangatoo said:

    Complain all you like neelie! No, we are not superhuman. Hey, us fellas fall into a heap too sometimes. So much for our so-called macho image...me...agh! I was as soppy and complaining as anyone here when I was doin chemo. There is no shame in feeling bad and telling us about it. There is nothing silly about maintaining health levels either. I cleaned up my act re; hygiene after my dx knowing full well the ease at which infections etc. can take hold while on chemo.I don't think my hands have ever been so clean!
    Keep the fight going neelie,
    huggs, kanga n Jen

    Neelie, As already said, we are not superhuman. We are still very capable of feeling down sometimes. Just because we have/had cancer doesn't mean that we always have to be "positive". But, guess what? You are doing the right thing by letting it out and venting instead of holding it inside and pretending that everything is great.

    Finner, I have felt the same way. I've been working hard at changing my diet and trying to juice every day and then my daughter got a cold early last week and I ended up with it by the end of the week. I was so discouraged because I've been working so hard to build my immune system up and here I am with the common cold. I have allowed myself to rest a bit, but I've been trying hard to keep my household running and doing my normal instead of allowing myself to just rest.

    Anyway, Neelie, please come here as often as you need to vent. We've been there done that and understand what you are going through and know that you can't be bright and cheery all of the time, nor should you be.

    I hope you get to feeling better.

    Patricia
  • jana11
    jana11 Member Posts: 705
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    Hey there girlfriend!! I am doing OK, but I agree, tired. The CPT 11 and Erbitux definately wiped me out. I get chemo on Sat and then don't work until Tues - but I feel tired. I actually didn't get any diarrhea until today - just a touch that imodium took care of.

    I am a little apprehensive to start the avastin, listening to your side effects.

    I started taking some chinese herbs a friend gave me, maybe they are helping my energy level.

    I hope you are feeling better.... time helps. Hang in there. I have been thinking of you. I am glad you posted.

    Keep in touch. jana
  • neeliec
    neeliec Member Posts: 106
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    jana11 said:

    Hey there girlfriend!! I am doing OK, but I agree, tired. The CPT 11 and Erbitux definately wiped me out. I get chemo on Sat and then don't work until Tues - but I feel tired. I actually didn't get any diarrhea until today - just a touch that imodium took care of.

    I am a little apprehensive to start the avastin, listening to your side effects.

    I started taking some chinese herbs a friend gave me, maybe they are helping my energy level.

    I hope you are feeling better.... time helps. Hang in there. I have been thinking of you. I am glad you posted.

    Keep in touch. jana

    Hey,back..< Jana,
    I'm glad you posted... I have not started Avastin, just the CPT11 or Camptosar.It's worse for me-- the diarreah, that is, because of not having a colon. It did not start right away for me either. Immodium helped a bit! But wow!!! it was tough!! Today is my first "normal" day- - just to start all over tomorrow!!!
    What Chinese herbs do you take?
    take care, friend!
    neelieC