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Brother diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer
Colorectal Cancer | Last Active: Jul 25 2:14pm | Replies (47)Comment receiving replies
Well, after 3rd round of chemo, my brother said this one hit hard. Up and down all night with stomach cramps, gas, on toilet most of the night and this time throwing up from nausea😢. If I understand the process, each time may or does get worse side effects. He is scheduled for 12 total. I know I have read somewhere on here that often times patients need a break before finishing their scheduled infusions. Anyone have suggestions for comfort? He got the pump off yesterday, is scheduled for his first CT scan a week from today on May 31st. The last two rounds showed by day two after pump removed, felt significantly better.
Replies to "Well, after 3rd round of chemo, my brother said this one hit hard. Up and down..."
If nausea is severe, injected meds are the most effective in combatting them.
So sorry to hear about your brother’s side effects with his chemo treatments. I had fortnightly infusions of Folfiri + Avastin for stage 4 appendix cancer (with the 46 hour take home pump). Insomnia was initially a side effect of the anti nausea medication but my body soon got used to it so insomnia wasn’t a problem. The steroids got on top of nausea. My main side effect (apart from fatigue) was diarrhea. Your brother should ask his Doctor for recommendations for medication to stop it. I got on top of mine quickly. Side effects will keep popping up (eg sores in my mouth, bloody scabs in my nose, purple brittle nails etc) and he’ll be able to manage them as they pop up. Eating is a hassle. I couldn’t eat anything but bananas and grapes when I was on the bottle but as soon as it came off I ate what I could and as healthily as I could including salmon, chicken, vegetables, yoghurt etc.
The main thing is to hydrate hydrate hydrate however he likes to do it. Walking is so important too physically and mentally.
I was lucky and neuropathy was not a side effect. It is something you should check with your brother’s team whether he’s likely to get it so he can be prepared mentally for it.
Wishing you all the very best. I’ve been NED (no evidence of disease) coming up for 2 years after 12 months of major surgeries and chemo + immunotherapy. It’s worth the fight 🤺🏋🏻♀️🙏
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When I did chemo (FOLFOX6), the side effects of the oxaliplatin grew intolerable - caused some vertigo/dizziness/falling and cardiac issues. So I got a break to have the cardiac/vertigo issues checked out and afterwards they dropped the oxaliplatin and I finished the 12 cycles with 5-FU only.
They can adjust the chemo regimen and allow a short rest as needed.
My regiment had 10ml of a steroid at the beginning of the infusion - that can cause insomnia in some and I had them drop that to 5ml. The purpose is to help ease nausea so that may not be an option. for him.
As for the cramping/gas issues - I had some anti nausea meds given, but never got severe enough nausea to take them more than a few times - the lack of nausea might be related to dropping the oxaliplatin.
I think it's important to make sure his care team knows of his difficulties/symptoms in detail so they can make adjustments.
Hope that helps.