Bowel cancer

Hi Goodfellaok, and welcome. 

You will have come a long way from your initial diagnosis and now you'll have a decision to make. I was diagnosed in 2012, and had 5 weeks of chemo-radiotherapy, followed by surgery. As some lymph nodes were affected, the oncologist asked me to think about 'mop-up' chemo. At the time there was no clear evidence one way or the other on how effective it might be. But I decided that as I'd come this far, could I live with regret if I didn't take the chemo and it was too late. So I opted for the chemo. It was more or less like before, and I was able to return to work whilst on the chemo. So far I'm still all clear, which is a great feat! But I know some people who don't take that chemo or can't. It's a very personal decision. Perhaps you could ask your oncologist for any up to date evidence that might help you decide?

LInda :-)

Hi Goodfellaok yes I had adjuvant  chemo after my operation when I had vascular invasion, though not node involvement. It was recommended and long, mine was 30 weeks of low dose 5FU, and after about week 12 it was difficult but I got there in the end.

Hi Goodfellaok and congratulations on a successful operation and being cancer free. 

As Linda says chemo is a personal decision and you must be happy with the choice you make. Personally I accepted everything they offered me so I knew that if the cancer did return then I had done my utmost to prevent it and would have no regrets. The Scot trial which was completed a couple of years ago found that 3 months chemo were just as effective as 6 months for treating lymph node involvement but with much lesser side effects. You may also want to ask how close the affected nodes were to the tumour? I had 2/17 both of which were close to the tumour so while the oncologist suggested chemo, she said she wouldn’t be unduly worried if I wasn’t able to do it.

Hope you come to a decision that you’re happy with. Chemo sounds frightening with all its side effects and you may get some or you may not - it’s doable and there are pills and potions to help you through it. There’s also lots of great advice on here so let us know what you decide and we’ll help you through it.

Take care

Karen x

I had an extended hemicolectomy and had seven lymph nodes with traces. I had 12 cycles of oxaliplatin and capecitabine. Scans then revealed secondary mets in my liver. After resection and ablation those mets were gone but others have appeared. Now on the first day of cycle 4 of 5FU.

 The side effects of chemo vary considerable, for me some were/are worse than expected, others hardly noticeable. But, I’ll take whatever is offered.

Hi Karen

Thank you for the information it is most helpful x

Mark

Hi , I also had a tumour removed and 3 lymph nodes in October.  I had chemotherapy,  just 4 rounds of oxyplatin and capecetabine.  It hasn't been much fun but not as bad as some people have to put up with. Each round was 3 weeks apart. I started just before Christmas and have now just finished.  For me I wouldn't have considered not having the chemo, I just want to be sure the cancer has all gone. Everybody reacts slightly differently so nobody really knows how they will manage . It really hasn't seemed like that long, only 3 months. I haven't managed to work as I am a teacher and it would really not be possible but I know someone on similar treatment who did manage the odd day back at work here and there, so life can go on.

Only you can make the decision, obviously you know this. Good luck and know that it will all be over soon. Take care xx

Dear Goodfellaok, 

Sorry to hear your diagnosis. I had a similar operation to remove a stage 3, tumour from my large bowel last November. I was told out of the 28 lymph nodes removed 5 had cancer cells present so adjunctive chemotherapy with colpox was strongly recommended. I have had the 3rd out of 8 treatments yesterday and I won't lie it wasn't very after the first session as I was quite sick, but I am feeling OK now There is lots of advice on here and your nurses and doctors will give you advice as needed. The new antisickness pill I was given for the following treatments have really helped aswell. 

It is a very personal choice as others here have stated but I would rather go through this now and know I had done everything I needed to live the rest of my life and be aswell as I can be. I am 55 and unfortunately presently signed off sick from my workplace as a nursing sister.

All the best wishes for your future health and wellbeing 

Hi, please read my profile for the whole story, but I had 7 out of a possible 12 ‘mop up’ chemo Folfox/5FU treatments as I had cancer cells in 7 out of 25 lymph nodes. It’s not pleasant but I got through it by taking each day as it came, and with lots of support from my family & friends. I was given the choice as to whether I had chemo or not but ultimately I decided to throw everything at it and then at least I’d given it my best shot. Good luck! 

Hi again read my profile for full details but had tumor removed end July last yr n started chemo October as some cancer cells had gone into my veins. I am currently receiving 30 weekly doses of Fluralolicil or 5FU I think it is the chemo side effects are manageable but I have had a few days off work. I went back to work 2 weeks into my chemotherapy starting for my own wellbeing. Again alot of chemotherapy is your call to have it or not I chose to as it was offered.

Regards Mark

Hi Karen62

I have been offered 3 months chemo 1 week injection 2 weeks tablets in 3 cycles.  Xelox and Capox with capecitabine tablets

I  Am not sure what to do as Corona is now in full swing and if I got this while taking chemo with immune system down I would be very

worried about how my body would cope.  How would this affect your decision ?

Mark x