Poleaxed by Capox chemo

Hi 

We were told the same in terms of the three groupings and my mum landed firmly in the last group . Managed 6 out of 8 but a few hospital admissions . On hearing she might require to take the further two she suggested I pop in and take them as she was done. She did actually go on to have a further six after a six month break but a reduced dose that seemed to be more manageable and the difference between the two was significant in terms of her quality of life .

That is a good response you have had to treatment though . How significant is your liver spread ? Is there any benefit in consulting with a liver surgeon ? We certainly found that very helpful and my mum finds surgery recovery much easier than chemo .

If you click on my user name you can read my mum story . I don’t know how much of your liver is involved so maybe not appropriate but my mum’s oncologist was not supportive at the time but it was worth it for us to ask . 

I think some people work very well with chemo but my mum found it harder .

Take care ,

Court 

I should also say do you know any info about your cell type to see if Immunotherapy is a possible option further down the road .

Court  

Thank you.

With hospital admissions during the chemo it sounds as if your mum had it worse than me. At the moment I feel just like your mum and if I had to have cycles 7&8 someone else would have to do it for me!

I will try not to be intimidated and make myself ask the surgery question again. The colorectal consultant said it wasn’t operable on the first consultation.

Knowing that there have been several developments recently I have asked whether any other treatments are available but the answer has been negative. But I will be more specific and ask about my cell type.

Eight years is great, no-one has offered me more than one; we’ll see how it goes.

Oh, I was interested to learn that your mum had not shown symptoms prior to her bowel screening and diagnosis. My cancer either slipped through my bowel screening test in November 2019 or had not yet arrived. I have been quite distressed because I wasn’t aware of anything earlier than I did.

Sweetsweep

Hi,

Just to say I’ve edited my earlier reply twice and it’s gone from two words to several paragraphs!

Sweetsweep

Ha . Don’t worry about that . I have changed phones this afternoon and am all over the place posting !

My mum had no idea anything was wrong and to go from that to inoperable was such a dismantling shock but chemo despite being harsh did the job .

I know what you mean about getting info . Initially we heard all we wanted to hear but with time spent on the forum and gaining a little courage we asked for a review with the specialist liver surgeons to hear what they said as her oncologist favoured chemo but not surgery ! Turned out there was a window of opportunity. There is also Radio frequency ablation . Also comes with a criteria but worth asking about . 
It takes time to get your head round all of this . But toe by toe you will get there .

My mum Had been pushing wheelbarrows around and was a picture  of health with no symptoms . Such a shock.

Take care ,

Court 

Hi, 

This is my first ever post. I have now had 4 cycles of chemo. I'm currently on oxilaplatin and capeciteabine. I finish my last day tomorrow. The chemo knocks me for 6. I have slept a lot this time more than ever. I cope with the treatment knowing it is buying me precious more time with my family. The last cycle of chemo bought me15 months of watch and wait. Not bad when they gave me 6-8 weeks to live in July 2018. Feel like I'm fighting everyday and sometimes it is exhausting. Seeing the faces of my husband and 2 young children give me the strength to keep fighting. I'm preying that this cycle has worked too. Scans on 20th. Good luck. X 

Hi 

Welcome , that’s incredible! You have a lot to share here . I hope it’s the first of many posts . What an encouragement and I wish you all the very best with your scans .

court 

Congratulations and welcome. That is a great post and everything crossed that your scan shows similar (or even better) results on the 20th.

Please keep us posted

Take care

Karen x

Hi Ellen,

Thank you for your reply. I’m so glad to hear that you have managed several courses of chemo and that you have gained so much time from them. It is very encouraging. 

My oncology and colorectal teams have been firm that they can only offer me an extra year. I understand that they have to manage my expectations, but I do find that every conversation with them leaves me feeling drained of hope.

It was the thought of having time with my family that convinced me to have the chemo. We are looking forward to seeing our grown up children and spending loads of time with our grandson as often as possible. I will have my covid vaccination today, hooray!

Let’s hope that both our chemos have been well worth it and our cancers submit for a very long time.

I hope you will post again.

Sweetsweep