1. < Colorectal Cancer

Recovering from right hemicolectomy, starting chemo

Posted by annmac74 @annmac74, Feb 15, 2021

Hi I'm new to this group. Had a right hemicolectomy 9 weeks ago recovering very well. 14 lymph gland out with 1 with cells so now have to have chemo which I start next week in tablet form. My cancer was found when I was getting checked for something else came as such a shock and since then just been a roller coaster of test result treatment I'm sure very familiar to you all. I'm really dreading the chemo and possible side effects, it can't think it will be August before I'm done. I have been very positive but now feeling a bit down knowing this is my life now always worrying about what's going to happen next. Also although I have healed well I have a pain in my groin comes and goes but as all right bowel gone what could be causing pain. See what I mean every niggle us a worry. Have enjoyed reading your posts glad to have someone to chat too.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Colorectal Cancer Support Group.

Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 7, 2021
In reply to @annmac74 "Hi smudge 6720 well that's me just started today. The volume of tablets is quite daunting..." + (show)
@annmac74

Hi smudge 6720 well that's me just started today. The volume of tablets is quite daunting but one day at a time. I only have the capecatabone. What stage was your cancer and what surgery did you have. Thanks for your info I'm loving the forum it's great to hear other people's stories and tips. 😃

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Hi @annmac74, how are you doing on the oral capecitabine?

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smudger6720 | @smudger6720 | Mar 8, 2021
In reply to @annmac74 "Hi smudge 6720 well that's me just started today. The volume of tablets is quite daunting..." + (show)
@annmac74

Hi smudge 6720 well that's me just started today. The volume of tablets is quite daunting but one day at a time. I only have the capecatabone. What stage was your cancer and what surgery did you have. Thanks for your info I'm loving the forum it's great to hear other people's stories and tips. 😃

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I was stage 3 it had spread to some lymph nodes and I had a left hemi colectomy finished with chemo , now part of the monitoring procedure

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kismak1918 | @kismak1918 | Apr 25, 2021

I was diagnosed with colon cancer last month, had right colectomy 5 weeks ago & am starting chemo infusions with FolFox next week. Cancer was removed from colon but one out of 11 lymph nodes presented with cancer cells. Treatments will run every 2 weeks - one day in the treatment center and then they send me home with a pump for an additional 2 days. 3 to 6 months time frame. It seems very aggressive to me and the cancer they removed from my colon was about the size of a dime. The surgeon said I was lucky it was caught early however since it has spread to my lymph nodes it doesn't seem like it was caught early enough. I am apprehensive about the onset of treatment as I've enjoyed extraordinarily good health all my life. It is encouraging to know that at least some of you have not experienced the horrific side effects that they have warned me to expect and that may never fully go away. I'm to expect neuropathy, mouth sores, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue and susceptibility to infection. Can anyone tell me about their experiences with the pump and extended treatments beyond the typical 3 month period?

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 25, 2021
In reply to @kismak1918 "I was diagnosed with colon cancer last month, had right colectomy 5 weeks ago & am..." + (show)
@kismak1918

I was diagnosed with colon cancer last month, had right colectomy 5 weeks ago & am starting chemo infusions with FolFox next week. Cancer was removed from colon but one out of 11 lymph nodes presented with cancer cells. Treatments will run every 2 weeks - one day in the treatment center and then they send me home with a pump for an additional 2 days. 3 to 6 months time frame. It seems very aggressive to me and the cancer they removed from my colon was about the size of a dime. The surgeon said I was lucky it was caught early however since it has spread to my lymph nodes it doesn't seem like it was caught early enough. I am apprehensive about the onset of treatment as I've enjoyed extraordinarily good health all my life. It is encouraging to know that at least some of you have not experienced the horrific side effects that they have warned me to expect and that may never fully go away. I'm to expect neuropathy, mouth sores, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue and susceptibility to infection. Can anyone tell me about their experiences with the pump and extended treatments beyond the typical 3 month period?

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Hi kismak1918, welcome to the Colorectal Cancer group. While you tumor that was removed was small, it spread to your lymph nodes. They want to use a thorough chemo regimen to kill the cancer cells that may be on the move through the lymph system and beyond.

My dad had the same chemo as you're about to have. The pump at home took some adjusting, mostly just remembering it was attached. My dad's worse symptom was the neuropathy because he also had type 2 diabetes. They watched that side effect closely so that it didn't get to a point that was irreversible. He had to use caution when touching hot or cold. The other side effects for him didn't happen or were mild and manageable. He regained his energy once treatment was completed. The neuropathy didn't completely go away, but got better.

But that's only the experience of one person. Everyone is different. Allow me to invite other members like @tressa @Paula_MAC2007 @musicflowers4u @flahertygang @virgo1952 @sundance6 and @craighatescancer to share their experiences with chemo (FolFox and other regimens).

In the meantime, you may also be interested in reading this discussion that @dianemarcia started:
- Colorectal cancer stage 3c: Need positive feedback https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/need-positive-feedback/

I'm glad you're in good health otherwise. This will help you throughout treatment. How was your recovery from surgery? What are you looking forward to after chemo?

REPLY
1 reply
Sundance(RB) | @sundance6 | Apr 25, 2021
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi kismak1918, welcome to the Colorectal Cancer group. While you tumor that was removed was small,..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi kismak1918, welcome to the Colorectal Cancer group. While you tumor that was removed was small, it spread to your lymph nodes. They want to use a thorough chemo regimen to kill the cancer cells that may be on the move through the lymph system and beyond.

My dad had the same chemo as you're about to have. The pump at home took some adjusting, mostly just remembering it was attached. My dad's worse symptom was the neuropathy because he also had type 2 diabetes. They watched that side effect closely so that it didn't get to a point that was irreversible. He had to use caution when touching hot or cold. The other side effects for him didn't happen or were mild and manageable. He regained his energy once treatment was completed. The neuropathy didn't completely go away, but got better.

But that's only the experience of one person. Everyone is different. Allow me to invite other members like @tressa @Paula_MAC2007 @musicflowers4u @flahertygang @virgo1952 @sundance6 and @craighatescancer to share their experiences with chemo (FolFox and other regimens).

In the meantime, you may also be interested in reading this discussion that @dianemarcia started:
- Colorectal cancer stage 3c: Need positive feedback https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/need-positive-feedback/

I'm glad you're in good health otherwise. This will help you throughout treatment. How was your recovery from surgery? What are you looking forward to after chemo?

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Kissmak 1918, This is Sundance! Colleen invited me into this discussion. I was diagnosed with STAGE IV COLON CANCER 22 years ago this month, so my Opinion may be somewhat outdated! As short as a long story can be, they removed 12" of my Sigmoid colon with a tumor the size of an Orange!( Which had obviously spread, Luckily most of the cancer cells were in my Lymph System rather than attacking my vital organs which they were able to save)
After two months of healing they put me on a regime of 5FU, and I believe Locovoron(?)! Within 5 days of the first of a week injection I was suffering an Extreme Reaction. Within 10 days I was given two hours to live. I was on Life Support for 14 days.
I came out of the Coma and have been alive ever since! THE CANCER HAS NEVER REAPPEARED!
Final word, I spent the next year traveling in my Motor home and fly-fishing every Trout stream in the Rockies and most of the rest of North America, while continuing to work, call on customers and run my business!
My point here is that so much of what we have wrong with us, is to do to the way we live our life!
OR I MAYBE, I WAS JUST LUCKY!
MY THOUGHTS, MY PRAYERS, AND MY BLESSINGS GO OUT TO YOU!
BLESS YOU AND MAKE A STAND AGAINST THE DISEASE.
FROM THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT!
SUNDANCE(RB)

REPLY
1 reply
lillyann | @lillyann | Jun 3, 2021
In reply to @sundance6 "Kissmak 1918, This is Sundance! Colleen invited me into this discussion. I was diagnosed with STAGE..." + (show)
@sundance6

Kissmak 1918, This is Sundance! Colleen invited me into this discussion. I was diagnosed with STAGE IV COLON CANCER 22 years ago this month, so my Opinion may be somewhat outdated! As short as a long story can be, they removed 12" of my Sigmoid colon with a tumor the size of an Orange!( Which had obviously spread, Luckily most of the cancer cells were in my Lymph System rather than attacking my vital organs which they were able to save)
After two months of healing they put me on a regime of 5FU, and I believe Locovoron(?)! Within 5 days of the first of a week injection I was suffering an Extreme Reaction. Within 10 days I was given two hours to live. I was on Life Support for 14 days.
I came out of the Coma and have been alive ever since! THE CANCER HAS NEVER REAPPEARED!
Final word, I spent the next year traveling in my Motor home and fly-fishing every Trout stream in the Rockies and most of the rest of North America, while continuing to work, call on customers and run my business!
My point here is that so much of what we have wrong with us, is to do to the way we live our life!
OR I MAYBE, I WAS JUST LUCKY!
MY THOUGHTS, MY PRAYERS, AND MY BLESSINGS GO OUT TO YOU!
BLESS YOU AND MAKE A STAND AGAINST THE DISEASE.
FROM THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT!
SUNDANCE(RB)

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You are an inspiration!

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