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

I was never put back on the xeloda or radiation. I got very sick from doing that which is why I went to Moffitt Cancer center to get another opinion and when I went there the surgeon said I’ll give you a consent form and you can think about it and I said I don’t have to think about it I’m signing the consent form. It was the best decision . The doctors up at Moffitt did the surgery and removed the cancer. I had an ileostomy and had a temporary colostomy for 10 months and I did six months of chemo with a colostomy bag. All I can say is that when I think about all of that it’s like a dream and I can’t believe that I went through all of that, however, that was eight years ago and so far I’m OK if you have any other questions feel free to contact me I’ll try to help you anyway I can and I hope you’re successful😊

Hello @philly318 I saw some of your posts and wanted to check to see if you are in Philadelphia? I am from there and had lived there most of my life, but now am in the southwest (in the U.S.). When you were on chemo, was it just the Xeloda (Capecitabine) pills or the IV, or both? It's always helpful to compare notes and share experiences with others who are in the same boat. I wish you well on your road to recovery, and Yes, the treatment side effects can be a royal pain in many ways. Take care!

Hi There, thanks for the update, and I am very happy that your second cycle is somewhat better. I will be thinking of you this evening when you meet with your doctor, and hope that your news is favorable. It seems you are really navigating the whole process quite well, and I know that we both will succeed in getting the maximum benefit from all of these cycles. Keep up the good work and I do hope you and your wife enjoy a lovely break away from all of the treatment. It's always therapeutic to mix as much fun as possible with the daily challenges. Safe travels. Will keep you posted as I continue through the rest of this cycle.

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.

Hello, I am so sorry you experienced such a rough time during your treatment. I do hope you continue to do well, and will never have to go through that again. I am currently just taking the Capecetabine 500mg tablets (3 tablets 2/day), 14 days on and 1 week off. I am now in my second cycle. I was doing okay during the first week of cycle one, but by the 2nd week, started having constipation. I had to take a stool softener and some prune juice, and then it was all fine. I hope not to go through that again, as it was very uncomfortable, but nothing like what you experienced. It could very well have been the IV, as I hear that is often the cause of many problems. Everyone is different, and having cancer in general is not something any of us want to deal with. I will pray that going forward you do not have to get anymore treatment, and continue to recover. Thank you for sharing your experience and for the advice. I sure will make sure I stay hydrated. All the best.

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, I was not sure who this message was intended for, martin77 or me (leed22). How are you doing? I personally am okay and am starting back on the Xeloda after my first week off. Hope it goes well and that all of us will get through this without too much more difficulty. Take care.

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.

I have also found that the older we get although I don’t consider myself old the more we talk about constipation diarrhea and bowel movements lol and it’s not just with people who have had cancer that I have this discussion it’s with friends and acquaintances I think there’s something wrong with this 😂 You would think that they’d be something more important going on in our lives however maybe not. Have a great evening

Ho ho. Yes it is funny how strangers from opposite sides of the world can find that discussing bowel movements, stool softeners and laxatives is something that can bring them closer together!