← Return to Xeloda for colon cancer - Scared about side effects and need support

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@leed2022

Hello, how have you been doing since our last post to each other? I just finished my week off and started back on Xeloda this morning for my 2nd round. I hope that things will go better this time, but at least I am more prepared in case I get the first sign of a problem. I also start back to work today, but at least I work from home, so that in itself is a great blessing. If I am correct, this coming Thursday you will finish your second week for this cycle and then have another week off, yes? I do hope things have been better for you this time around. Let me know the latest when you get a chance, and I will do the same. Wishing you the very best.

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Replies to "Hello, how have you been doing since our last post to each other? I just finished..."

I went through four rounds of xelox infusions combined with cepecidabine. I functioned very well during the first two rounds up until the last day of treatment. Within 3 days of completion, I became extremely dehydrated, brought on by severe Diarrehea. As a result, I was hospitalized for 3 weeks. I was going to stop treatment but discussed it with my oncologist and we decided to give it another try with a reduced chemo dosage. This time I had the same reaction and was hospitalized again with severe dehydration. It's been 7 months since I completed treatment. So far, all is good and I'm on the road to recovery. My advice is to closely monitor your vital signs each day and STAY HYDRATED. You will get through it. If you get diarrehea, take immodium immediately to stay ahead of it.
Wishing you all the best.

Hello. A steady improvement, thanks, since the low point of a week ago but yes looking forward very much to ending this second cycle on Thursday and having another week off, during which my wife and I will have a few days away on the south coast. (We're lucky in having north, east and south coasts all within 2 hours of where we live.) It was the Oxaliplatin infusion that knocked me for 6 this time (sorry, this is an English cricket term in case you don't know!) due, I think, to the cannula not fitting as well as the first time. I seem to be coping with Xeloda reasonably well, except perhaps during the first week whilst the Oxaliplatin is still in the system. Managing bowel movements remains the order of the day but certainly better than the first cycle. 4,000 steps achieved yesterday but only 2,100 so far today.
I hope you find your second cycle goes better than the first. Well done on getting back to work - that's fantastic news.
I'm seeing my oncologist this evening and will report on my 'journey' the outcome of this.
It's so useful to compare experiences. Keep in touch.