Most people with bowel cancer seem to be having xeloda and capecitabine. I've just had 4 cycles of that which did not work very well and I guess I will be given a different regime. Does anyone have experience of anything else and can tell me about it? i know everyone's experiences of chemo are different but any info would be good.
FormerMember
I don't have the same cancer as you but here is a link to the cancer backup website which you may find useful - good luck with everything! Jools x
I had 30 doses of 5FU which is the intravenous form of Capecitabine. That is 7 cycles I think. It seems (as far as I know ) to have worked. I did have surgery first, and the nodes were clear, but I had a few cells near a vein.
I am on my third cycle of xeloda and had my first 25 shot radiotherapy with my second cycle. I asked the registrar how it was going and all he said was that "they had some good pictures" I am not sure if he meant they were nice and clear or showed some change. The consultant ran off the last time I saw him so didn't have a chance to ask him but I will get him next time! I am having treatment before surgery because my tumour is only 4cms from my anus which meand that if they remove the affected bowel now then I will have a permanent colostomy. They are trying to shrink the bastard to leave enough viable bowle to join it back up.My first chemo was two weeks followed by a week off then three weks followed by a week off and now I have got two weeks and two weeks off when I assume they will restart the radiotherapy.
