Chemotherapy first timer

HuwUK
HuwUK Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I am worried about starting Chemo next Monday following surgery to remove colon cancer 8 weeks ago. The Reasons?
(1) my weight dropped to 112 pounds after surgery (I am 5'6" tall) and has not recovered one jot
(2) I have Emphysema (FEV1 33%) and am just pulling out of a 3-week flare-up after a course of Prednisolone and antibiotic.

I know the Chemo will lower my immunity to infection, so is the risk of another flare-up of the Emphysema balanced out by the beneficial effects of the Chemo? I have read that the five-year survival rate for someone my age (73) with stage 3 cancer is only improved by 5 to 6%.

I would welcome your input on this. My Chemo, by the way, is apparently not too aggresive (once a week for 6 months)

Comments

  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #2
    Hi HuwUK,

    Have you talked to your onc about your concerns? They might hold off on your chemo. You know you can also put it on hold? I had to complete some things before chemo so waited 1 month. I just started last week. I'm stage 3 and on the folfox treatments which are every two weeks for 6 months. The chemo does kick your immune system in the butt so I understand your worries after being sick. Call the onc today and ask since that is what you pay them for. Good luck and good vibes your way.

    Lisa
  • tkd3g
    tkd3g Member Posts: 767
    #3
    Yes, talk with your doctors. You are in charge, so go with your gut.

    Please, don't listen to the statistics. I am a stage 3 rectal cancer survivor, and plan on staying that way!!

    Chemo is no fun, but can be done! They have wonderful drugs to help with all of your side effects. Speak with your doctor.

    Let us know.

    Barb
  • pink05
    pink05 Member Posts: 550
    #4
    It's hard not to listen to statistics. My dad went to two oncs and got two totally different opinions. The first onc said that the treatment would only help 5-6% because of my dad's age (76). He wanted to put my dad on a low dose because of his age. But the second onc gave us a much different statistic. He said that chemo helps more than 5-6%, especially if my dad chose to go with the more aggressive chemo. I agree with everyone else. Address your concerns with your onc and if you aren't happy with what he/she is telling you, go for a second, or even third opinion until you feel comfortable with what you hear. Having a good onc in my opinion is very very important in fighting this disease. We weren't sure which chemo my dad should have, or if he should even have it at all, but many of his doctors told him he could try it and then abandon it if it was too difficult for him.

    Your in my prayers,

    Lee
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #5
    pink05 said:

    It's hard not to listen to statistics. My dad went to two oncs and got two totally different opinions. The first onc said that the treatment would only help 5-6% because of my dad's age (76). He wanted to put my dad on a low dose because of his age. But the second onc gave us a much different statistic. He said that chemo helps more than 5-6%, especially if my dad chose to go with the more aggressive chemo. I agree with everyone else. Address your concerns with your onc and if you aren't happy with what he/she is telling you, go for a second, or even third opinion until you feel comfortable with what you hear. Having a good onc in my opinion is very very important in fighting this disease. We weren't sure which chemo my dad should have, or if he should even have it at all, but many of his doctors told him he could try it and then abandon it if it was too difficult for him.

    Your in my prayers,

    Lee

    Hi and welcome. Weight loss is pretty much normal for us all. Surgery for colon cancer is a pretty main event, I lost a ton of weight and found that it took ages to put it back on especially while doing chemo. I am back to my normal weight now but that took nearly 8 months from the time of surgery until after the following 6 months of chemo. It seemed that no matter how much I ate the weight never seemed to increase. Of course the chemo and its related nausea effects did not help. It depends on how soon you are able to cope with eating reasonably normally. You have had a major trauma to your body...give it some time to adjust.
    It is worth noting also that many of us found that it is better to eat in small amounts more regularly than the normal, 3 meals a day.
    Cheers, Ross and Jen
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #6
    Ahoy, HuwUK -

    Hmmm... emphysema and chemo. You know one of the possible side effects from chemo is a fibrous build-up in the lungs. Might be worth discussing with your oncologist (I can't recall the exact mechanism or the name of the complication. A colleague who is a pilot in the US Air Force asked me about it a few years ago and I researched it for him back then)

    Barb makes an excellent point, YOU are in charge of your medical care - not your doctor; he or she is your trusted advisor, but not your boss. If you don't like something or if it just doesn't feel right, you're under no obligation to do it. Ask your advisor about the pros and cons of chemo. Discuss the cost/benefit ratio. Hold your doc accountable for providing you information you feel you need to make an informed decision.

    Be well!

    - SpongeBob
  • HuwUK
    HuwUK Member Posts: 2
    #7
    Many thanks for all your inputs. A lot to mull over, but I feel more prepared for my discussion with my Oncologist tomorrow. Will let you know the outcome.
    Huw

Discussion Boards