My first Chemo treatment

FormerMember over 5 years ago

2 replies
124 subscribers
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I am 30 days post sub-total colectomy surgery, (Stage 2) this follows my right Hemicolectomy in 2017.

I am doing really well thanks to my excellent surgeon and his team.

I met with the oncologist this week and I am due to start my chemotherapy treatment for the first time in a couple of weeks from now.

I will have 1 session intravenously then tablets for 2 weeks.

Can anyone give me any advice on what to expect? Or is this different with each person?

Im a tad nervous to say the least.

Also does anyone on here inject Vitamin B-12 to help with B-12 deficiency post surgery ?

Thank you

Kareno62 over 5 years ago

Hi and congratulations on getting that tumour in the bin. Yes chemo is not nice and everyone reacts differently to it but it is doable and the nurses will monitor you closely for any side effects and provide you with various pills and potions to combat these. I struggled with low white cell count but this was helped by lowering the doseage which is quite common practice.

I'm afraid I can’t help you with the B12 question but I’ve attached a link to a post from a few months regarding what to expect from xelox/capox chemo

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer/f/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/178919/starting-oxaliplatin-and-capecitibine-chemo-next-week?Page=0#1328331

I hope your meeting with the oncologist goes well - please let us know how you get on

Take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

FormerMember over 5 years ago in reply to Kareno62

Hi Karen

Thanks so much for your guidance.

I am waiting to hear from my oncologist in respect of my start date for treatment. I had cancer in 2 from 20 nodes taken so they need to be kicked into touch!!!

I asked the B-12 question because without doubt it has helped me.

Post surgery and for the 7 days following I did not inject and my toilet visits were 6-10 times per day. I then restarted my daily B-12 injections and hey presto down to twice a day with no change in diet. I then went back to see my surgeon and told him about my B-12 and was told ah you shouldn’t need them anymore, so i stopped. Then next 3-5 days I was back to 7 or more toilet visits per day, so I recommenced my B12 injections and hey presto back to 2-3 times a day maximum.

I am so totally convinced with my B12 success that I want to share with as many bowel cancer patients as possible.

I would love to know if anyone else has experienced similar.

Thanks

Graham