Post op and about to start chemo

Hi Kymmi and a warm welcome to the board. Your cancer may well have been early stage but the 1 lymph node means it is categorised as stage 3 - I’ve attached a link to a booklet below which explains staging 

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/YourPathway_BowelCancerUK.pdf

I had a low anterior resection with temporary stoma and was stage 3 with 2/17 lymph nodes affected. Yes chemo can be a bit daunting but you’ll be closely managed by the nurses and there are pills and potions for any side effects so please don’t suffer in silence. I had Capox/xelox but if you type folfox in the search box at the top of the screen then it will bring up previous posts. We started a thread about top chemo tips which you might like to have a read of - it’s highly unlikely that you’ll get every side effect going but sometimes it’s nice just to be aware of what’s normal.

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/221768/chemo-care-top-tips--

If you click on my name you’ll see that I’m currently 5+ years cancer free - the next few months will be tough but worth it no know that you’ve done everything possible to stay cancer free

Take care

Karen x

Hi Kymmi and a warm welcome to the board from me too. Karen has given a brilliant answer but thought I’d pop in with my 2p worth.

I had a low anterior resection with temporary stoma in Jan 2021. Histology showed Stage 3 as 1 of 12 lymph node removed was involved. I had FOLFOX – scheduled for 6 sessions over 12 weeks but only completed 5 on oncologists advice due to severe proctitis. (I didn’t have/wasn’t offered radiotherapy).

If you click on the icon next to my name you can read my bio with updates how I found the treatment. If you want any further info ask away or pm me if you’d prefer. The chemo was tough at times but nothing like as bad as I’d expected. It does seem daunting when you’re first told you need chemo especially when they tell you all the possible side effects, which I guess they have to do to cover themselves. But you’re unlikely to suffer from all of them and possibly none of them.

It’s almost a year now since I finished my chemo and had my ileostomy reversed 10 weeks ago. I’m due some routine tests over next few weeks and am feeling pretty good.

Take Care & Best Wishes,

Net x

Hi Kymmi,

Welcome to the group. The important thing is that you are not alone and whilst everyone is different there are many on here that have gone through and are going through something similar to yourself.

I had a lower anterior resection for bowel cancer in Nov 2021 and a ‘temporary’ ileostomy that wasn’t expected. Subsequent histology found 11 out of 30 lymph nodes positive, so a stage 3 diagnosis. All the cancer was removed in the operation.

I began the first of 12 cycles of FOLFOX ‘adjuvant’ chemo on 12 January 2022.

I have just completed cycle 9. I will not pretend it has been easy, but you have to remain positive, and think why you are going through the treatment.

It’s not possible to say what side-effects you will get, if any. Mine have definitely got worse as treatment has progressed, but have been bearable. Fatigue has been the worst and some days I have been sleeping for 12 hours!

Treatment has not stopped me going out for meals and to the pub occasionally with friends as long as I pace myself.

I am looking forward to a few days away once the treatment is over in early July.

The key is to take it one day at a time, take small steps, pace yourself and stay positive.

Thank you for this it’s nice to connect with people who have similar experiences to myself I just need to keep positive and keep in contact with people like yourself instead of hiding away 

and I get the stage 3 thing a bit better now which helps I just not been in a place where I felt up to researching 

take care and thank you xxx

So greatful

to your reply and especially that you had the FOlfox that I am due to have I have my picc line appointment 6th June so guessing it will be starting soon after . One day at a time and I will keep rehing out as I’m rubbish at it and hide away and try deal with it on my Own xxx thank you  

Thank you I will have a read of bios as I think this will be helpful it’s just nice to know I am Not alone in this and need to keep talking to others who have been through this and not just hide away . Thanks for the useful info . 

take care. X