Update on bowel cancer

Less than one minute read time.
Hi all, Hope everyone is ok. Read all the blogs every day, don't often reply as there are others who always have the right words, but still keep up to date and thinking of you all and your journeys. Saw my oncologist today after my bowel resection and stoma op. I am having a scan and then 6 months chemo, xeloda, 2 weeks on and 1 week off. Post op I have a trapped nerve (they think) in my bum wound and they have just put me on gabapentin, read the side effects and they are quite scary!!! took the first one tonight and it made me really tired straight away. Has anyone else been on this? How are others who have this 6 months chemo following surgery. Any advice would be welcome. Jo x
Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Jo - don't have the same type of cancer as you, so can't comment on your treatments etc. However, I have been taking Gabapentin tablets for a couple of years now - prior to being diagnosed with lung cancer. They were prescribed for me because a consultant thought they would help with pain I was experiencing due to having cervical spondylosis (arthritis of the spine). To be honest, I cannot remember how they made me feel at the start, but I do remember that they helped me a great deal with the pain I was getting at the time, with love        kate xxxxxxxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    I've got bowel cancer but am having chemo first as there are liver and lung mets. I've had 2 cycles of chemo oxaliplatin infusion and 2  weeks on one off of xeloda. I feel a bit rough for a day or two after the oxali but the xeloda have very minimal side effects for me so far. Just a bit of nausea which I manage with anti emetics or sea sickness bands. I'm surprised how well I feel but I suppose it may get worse.Hope it is as easy for you.

    I'm very scared of the bowel op, I wont need to have a stoma. Where is the wound? I thought it would be abdominal, that's what I was led to believe. Perhaps mine is in a different part of the bowel from yours.

    Good luck with the chemo and the pain.

    Love Jen XXX

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi kate and Jen,

    Kate,I feel better knowing the gabapentin will work for the nerve pain and talking to someone who has had it.Hope you are ok and thanks for replying.

    Jen, if you don't need a stoma, your op wil be fine. My cancer was low down and they remove your rectum and the lower part of your bowel. When the surgeon said 'I will need to remove your bottom' I thought I would have a few stitches there but they go from my bum to my lower back!!! the abdominal ones are from 2 inches above my belly button to below my ceasarian scar. These were fine and healed really quickly, so I am sure you will be fine.

    I got an infection in the bum stitches and then a hematoma (blood clot) which they think has trapped the nerve.Overall I am feeling good and very positive. Good luck with your treatment.

    Love Jo x