Connect
← Return to Xeloda for colon cancer - Scared about side effects and need support
Discussion
Xeloda for colon cancer - Scared about side effects and need support
Colorectal Cancer | Last Active: Nov 19, 2023 | Replies (84)Comment receiving replies
Happy New Year! Thanks for your good wishes. I hope it turns out to be a good one for all of us currently undergoing chemo or surgery.
Since ending my first 2 week cycle last Thursday I have been a lot more comfortable - more energy and a taste for champagne and red wine reappeared yesterday evening during New Year's Eve celebrations with friends! And today I have done 6,800 steps so far with my wife which is a record since starting chemo.
I agree that drinking lots of fluids, particularly water, is so important. If I start to flag, a drink of water soon perks me up. Fortunately, I've been free of constipation for around 10 days now and so I hope the balanced diet I'm trying to achieve will work better once the next cycle of chemo starts in a few day's time. I tend to avoid supplements and focus instead on fresh or frozen produce from our garden, particularly greens, beetroot, carrots and potatoes. I like natural unsweetened yoghurt too. But I did experiment with a Chinese takeaway two days ago - the ginger with the prawns (shrimps) and spring onions was delicious but overall it was a bit too spicy for my system and so probably won't be repeated for a while.
I hope you're tolerating Xeloda well and that you avoid any significant side effects. Best wishes. Martin
Replies to "Happy New Year! Thanks for your good wishes. I hope it turns out to be a..."
Best of luck and your cycles being finished soon.
Connect
Hello, I am so pleased that you are feeling much better and enjoyed your holiday celebration. I totally agree that eating fresh fruit and vegetables is the best way to keep a balanced diet. I have started to add more of those foods to my daily routine, but still need to do more. Walking is a great way to get exercise and reduce stress, and I'm so glad it is helping with your energy level. Due to my sciatica flare ups, I have to limit my walking and standing for the time being until I get my next steroid injection in my back, which is scheduled for early February. It is always something. That's interesting about the Chinese food being a bit too spicy. A few weeks after my colon surgery I was craving my favorite eastern Indian food, so I ordered takeout. Even though I ordered it mildly spicy, I ate a third of it and realized my system is just not ready. Hopefully, that will improve over time. I am tolerating the Xeloda for the most part, but still do get that constipation, but it is slowly improving. I will know more this coming Friday when I see my oncologist. Until then, I hope your next cycle goes well, and that you continue feeling better. I will be in touch again soon. Stay warm and safe.