After the Chemo sessions end.......

FormerMember over 4 years ago

3 replies
171 subscribers
748 views

Hi everyone

I was admitted to hospital 29th March 2020, perforated bowel, had an emergency operation following morning, ascending colon bit removed, no stoma, just resection and join.

In for 3 weeks recovering, then released home, all at the beginning of lock down.

My colorectal cancer was a mutation so I could receive certain chemotherapy targeted at it.

12 sessions later, and on November 4th 2020 given the news that my post 12-session CT scan was clear, nothing was visible, absolutely miraculous news!

Now, 4 months on, going for a CT scan to check it all. Feeling fine in myself, weight I lost has returned to me, my hair is growing again and I feel fine, which is all very positive.

My question: if November scan was not able to show anything, does this mean the cancer has gone away, or is it still there but dormant?

Thanks

court over 4 years ago

Can I just say what a fantastic response to chemo . You must be in one of the top responder groups .

If you click on my user name you can read my own mum’s story and she too had a great response. What we were told there is a small group of documented cases on complete remission but not many . Some microsatellite disease could potentially still be there . That was the case for mum and whilst it was difficult to hear that the other side of the equation good scanning and quick intervention with surgery etc allowed for her to nip it in the Bud . This has allowed her to retain a good quality of life .

Given covid is receding and hopefully as normal services resume other options might also open up . My mum did actually have more chemo and again it disappeared then we consulted with a liver surgeon .

You could be one of the people who have had a complete response and that I really do hope is the case for you .

Either way given your response I think your oncologist will be very happy with the results .

Take care ,

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

FormerMember over 4 years ago

Hi Astridian, glad to hear such a positive story. I also had a resection without need for stoma, on Jan 11 this year. I am about to start chemo (capecitabine only) for 6 months. I was wondering what medication you were placed on? Was it a single med or a combination? I am attempting to gather lots of feedback from others who have received the same medication. I am female aged 46.

Best wishes

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Hi Rose2020

Cetuximab, Irinotecan, Fluorouracil, Folinic Acid - fortnightly sessions - intervening weeks blood tests ready for the MDT to review and decide if bood for next session or not I managed to go all the way through

6 treatment sessions, then CT scan, then another 6 and final CT scan

Depends on your cancer and if a mutated strain, as to what is appropriate for you

Side effects: just a rash on my back, chest and head, came about 8 days after each treatment session, then died down, less and less of a rash as the sessions continued, and also small clots on both lungs - daily injections to dissolve them away worked

Felt tired for 2-3 days after each treatment session, and after about session 10, I started to lose my taste, which returned fully about a month after the last session in October, so able to enjoy Christmas Pudding!!.

Final scan 4th November didn't show anything at all, next scan in 3 weeks, after that 6 monthly blood tests, next scan in 2 years time, need to monitor myself and report any changes to the wonderful support team at the hospital!

All in all, scary to begin with, bright light at the end of the tunnel

I am male, aged 70

Warm wishes, chin up, be positive, and talk to family and friends!!