Cancelled Capox treatment

Hi Maudie99. How annoying to get there all ready and then have your treatment cancelled.  My chemo was fortnightly and my white cell count was too low 1 week so they sent me home and told me to come back in a fortnight. I still had the same number of sessions eventually and my dosage was reduced by 20% to try and bring my count back up.

I found that the side effects seemed to last longer the more sessions that I had so I wouldn’t worry too much about them wearing off. You may still have a scan as planned - I think I had one bout halfway through? 
If you’re really worried then perhaps you could ring the chemo unit and confirm that the next appointment will definately go ahead? I suppose it’s difficult for them having lost 2 working days over Easter but still with the same number of patients to treat but I don’t know how they decide who to delay? 
Try to remember that you are currently cancer free - the tumour and affected lymph nodes have been removed - and this follow up chemo is the belt and braces - a bit like digging up a dandelion, getting the root out and a few clocks in the surrounding soil but then giving the ground a few blasts of weed killer just in case.

Don't forget you can also ring the nurses on here for reassurance on 0808 808 00 00 if you want  a professional opinion on it or to just chat about your worries

Take care

Karen x

Hi Kareno62

Thank you for your lovely positive message.  Unfortunately I am not currently cancer free as I have 8 positive lymph nodes which is why I am worried and why they put me on Capox in the first place.  All the information they give me about Capox says that you have the treatment every 21 days.  I think I will have to rely on prayer.

Hi Maudie99. Those 8 lymph nodes were removed during surgery and discovered when the tumour and surrounding area were tested by the path lab. I had 17 lymph nodes removed and 2 were positive both of which were quite near to the tumour but I had chemo as belt and braces. 

Thank you again Kareno62.  This is my second lot of cancer both apparently unconnected.  Just feeling really down at the moment.  Wondering why to bother with 8 courses of horrible chemo with nasty side effects.  I have just been diagnosed with 2 dvt's which is a side effect and now have to inject myself twice a day for 3 months just to add to the joy!  May be better off without the chemo but I will speak to my oncologist when I can.  Thanks again for your positivity.

Hi Maudie99

Exactly the same thing happened to me this time last year. I was very upset and understand exactly how your feel. My fourth and final Capox was cancelled the afternoon before - because of the Bank Holiday. It turned out it was because the hospital pharmacy sets an early deadline for pre-treatment blood test results. My blood test results were 2 hours too late (despite them being done at the usual time) and the pharmacy wouldn’t make up the IV. So my last treatment was postponed for a week. The chemo nurses said it happens every Bank Holiday!!  I was not tolerating the chemo well and couldn’t wait got get it finished. However, the extra week off meant the last cycle was relatively easy because I was a bit stronger and my next scan showed that my tumour had disappeared completely and lymph nodes were now  clear. I didn’t need an op and was put on Watch and Wait, all good so far. So please try not to worry. The delay didn’t stop the complete clinical response to my tumour. I wish the same for you xx

Thank you Veggie lady.  I am pleased that your treatment has worked and I wish you well.  I have a phone meeting with my oncologist tomorrow so hope that I will soon be back to normal treatment.  Thank you so much for your positivity. xx