Has anyone else had this happen.

JoyceCanada
JoyceCanada Member Posts: 134
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Went to-day to see my radiation oncologist. After some discussion (I've had diarrhea and naussea) he decided to give me a 2 week "vacation" from treatrment. I have completed 20 combination Chemo 5FU/radiation. The plan is for me to have 28 treatments.

Comments

  • rejoyous
    rejoyous Member Posts: 259
    #2
    This has not happened to me but I have certainly heard of it happening to others. Treatment can take such a toll, it's important sometimes just to let the body reconsolidate before throwing more stuff at it. Good luck.

    --Ellie
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #3
    Yup, I had a rest half way thru with my CRC chemo/rad treatments, then half way thru again with my breast ca chemo treatments, and again between my chemo and rads now!
    I agree with Ellie, this stuff takes alot out of you, the point of this is to HELP you, not do irreversable HARM!
    HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, Kathi
  • JoyceCanada
    JoyceCanada Member Posts: 134
    #4
    KathiM said:

    Yup, I had a rest half way thru with my CRC chemo/rad treatments, then half way thru again with my breast ca chemo treatments, and again between my chemo and rads now!
    I agree with Ellie, this stuff takes alot out of you, the point of this is to HELP you, not do irreversable HARM!
    HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, HUGS, Kathi

    Kathi: Thanks for the encouragement. I was feeling that somehow I had "failed" by not being able to do the whole 28 chemo/radiation in a series. Everyone says "you have got to be strong" and whenever I get a bit of a set-back in treatment I beat myelf up mentally thinking it is because of something I'm not doing.

    I really do need a little rest - stomach cramps fatigue, naussea and diarrhea ongoing for over 4 weeks does take it's toll both physically and mentally. I will sit back and enjoy the little break......THEN BACK ON THE HORSE :-)
  • goldfinch
    goldfinch Member Posts: 735
    #5
    Yes, this happened to me. My "vacation" may have even been longer. I had a hard time with the chemo/radiation combo. But it worked on the tumor. By the time I finished it and had the surgery, the surgeom said there was only a scar there. Unfortunately it was still in the lymph nodes and later spread to the lungs, but the combo worked well on the actual tumor.
    Mary
    Mary
  • JoyceCanada
    JoyceCanada Member Posts: 134
    #6
    goldfinch said:

    Yes, this happened to me. My "vacation" may have even been longer. I had a hard time with the chemo/radiation combo. But it worked on the tumor. By the time I finished it and had the surgery, the surgeom said there was only a scar there. Unfortunately it was still in the lymph nodes and later spread to the lungs, but the combo worked well on the actual tumor.
    Mary
    Mary

    Hi Mary: I'm stage III x 2 lymph node rectal. The radiation oncologist seems to think that the more "gentle" approach would be in my best interest. So far there is no indication of spread to any other organs.

    I'm feeling much better to-day all I need is sleep, sleep, sleep!!!!
  • drmrgirl47
    drmrgirl47 Member Posts: 129
    #7
    Hi,
    I also had little more than a month break vacation. I had many problems with the chemo and radiation and was hospitalized for over 2 weeks back in 2004. I was stage 3, 3 nodes affected. So far, NED. Thank God. Vacations are good just sit back and enjoy for now. Good luck and peace.
  • mwomack
    mwomack Member Posts: 78
    #8
    My husband is on week 5 of 7 of full pelvic radiation for a recurrence to the presacral space. He is struggling with constipation still, and the rad. onc. thinks that is pretty strange. We look for things to get a little tough for the next two weeks as starting next week they will "cone" in to the presacral space.

    We were wondering if things got tough if they would cancel or postpone the remaining treatments.

    He has struggled from nausea more than anything. I don't know if that is from the Xeloda or the radiation. The radiation techs say it is Xeloda, but the rad. onc. told him to be sure a take a Zofran 2 hours before he comes for treatment. He has taken them quite frequently but they sure have helped.

    Just this week the techs and nurses have really been preaching about him using the cream (Cetaphil) as there is some redness or skin breakdown happening. He doesn't feel it, and it really doesn't look like much to me so he asked them where. They said the medical term is the spot right above his crack.

    Good luck, and I hope you get right back on track.

    MA

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