First meeting with oncologist Wednesday

Hi Gaz791105 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.

While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and proposed treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

I had my surgery in February, similar to yours, I was lucky I didn’t have to have a stoma , but I can assure you you will be fine, since having my surgery my balance has been much better. 
please let us know how you get on . 

Hi, I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis and situation. My experience has been, the most important thing is to make your oncologist well aware of any existing issues and to challenge them on how that could be impacted by any treatment. Sounds obvious, but sometimes one is so overwhelmed by an appointment one doesn't do that. I always write all my questions down, and I take someone with me - helps to have two sets of ears and two brains to make sure we get all the right answers!

If your treatment plan includes chemotherapy - the chemotherapy drug that causes the most problems of peripheral neuropathy is Oxaliplatin. (Oxaliplatin is given with other drugs usually - for example when given with 5FU the combination is called FOLFOX). I had Oxaliplatin and still have peripheral neuropathy. They can dose reduce (which they did too late for me) and there are other drug options. For me, I'm on my third round of chemo, but now on a different chemo regime due to peripheral neuropathy. Your oncologist will be able to manage around your existing issues. I know incredibly hard to do, but try not to worry too much - but make sure the Oncologist totally understands your existing conditions and peripheral neuropathy. All the very best.

Thank you that really helpful.

I will do as you say and list my questions and make sure my neurological condition is taken into account before agreeing the treatment plan