CAPOX to start in approx 2 weeks

Good Luck with the Chemo Mark, 

Stay positive and I am sure you will find a world of advice and support here when you are ready

Lowe'

Hi Mark

Glad you've had your  telephone consultation with oncologist.  

As you may have picked up from my previous posts on here about DPYD gene testing.  Not all hospitals are offering it at the moment but in normal times you could have paid to have the test done privately, but due to Covid it might not be possible to have it done quickly.  Pre Covid the test cost about £100.

Most people only have mild side affects from the chemos used to treat bowel cancer, and some people have none, but it will be good when this test is available throughout all NHS hospitals so that clinicians are aware of those few patients who have a DPD deficiency.

It is frightening starting chemo, but if you follow instructions and avoid touching anything cold, and if you do get worrying side affects you must report them straight away.  I hope you will be fine.

Take care

VickiLynne

Hey Mark, I appreciate there's a mix of wanting to get started and "do something" about the cancer, but being anxious about the chemo!  I started my chemo last Dec and finished late Feb.  If it helps, my chemo was very manageable .  Besides for some really painful constipation i  the 1st cycle (which I learnt to me she quickly), a sore arm after infusion and being a bit tired, it really was pretty much like normal.  I worked all the way through and life was pretty much normal.

Happy to offer any advice when you start.  

Best of luck!

Bruce

All the best Mark . Hope it goes smoothly and here’s to significant shrinkage !

take care ,

 Court 

Sorry for the delay in my reply, been in a little more pain than usual and oramorph has made me fairly dozy so have been asleep more than usual.

Bruce I have just read your profile and it sounds that your plan of action is very similar to mine.  Goodluck with your surgery and hope you don't have to wait long for it.

Greatfull to you all for your support and word's of wisdom - appreciate it very much.

Mark

Sorry to hear that Mark ! Hope the meds are effective with the pain control . Onwards to chemo and getting onto of the situation .

Hope you feel a bit better today ,

Court 

Thanks Court.  Pain relief has just been up'ped.  Hoping to be relatively pain free(ish) once my dose increase kicks in! 

It's looks like my chemo is goin to be done at a self-contained Covid-safe 'Green site' once it gets implemented (approx June 15th).  Hence I guess why my oncologist couldn't be more specific when my chemo was to start.  

Onwards & upwards

Mark

:-)

That sounds safer . We are fortunate that our local cancer centre is a stand alone site so has been able to keep going . I hope you feel some relief from the dose increase and hopefully when chemo gets to work your pain levels settle somewhat . 
Not long now till you get started . 

All the very best ,

Court 

Hi Court

Indeed! Would you know if there is a group in here that kind of follows folk that are starting chemo at roughly the same time?  Sort of a "class of June 2020" or similar??

Keep safe & well

Mark

Hi Mark ,

There is a group for Chemotherapy ! If you search under “Groups” and go to cancer experiences . It is simply listed under “ chemotherapy " . It should  be getting busy again now that Treatment is getting back to normal . 
When my mum first started treatment there was about four of us who were able to support each other and it made such a difference to be with people who understand.

Take care ,

Court