Chemotherapy after Colon Cancer

Hi SnShn This chemo is called Capox or xelox if you want to search for previous posts using the box at the top of the screen. It is one that a lot of us have had post op. There are a lot of side effects but you would be very unlucky to get all of them! The nurses keep a close eye on you and there are pills and potions to combat most of the side effects and, if 1 tablet doesn’t work, then a different one will often do the trick.

The link below is one that we started with a few top tips which you might find helpful?

 Chemo care ! Top Tips:- 

Take care

Karen x

Hi,

I had small bowel cancer 10 years ago adjuvant chemo. All I had was throat spasms but soon sorted that with warm drinks during treatment. Also had to wear gloves going into fridge and touching cold things. 

You will be ok. I’m still here. Click on my profile for my story. 

Have a read of my bio if you would like to see how I got on

All the best.you will soon be ticking off the days on that chemo calendar

kath

Hi SnShn. I am 60 years old. I was diagnosed with colon cancer in July 2022 and had surgery and chemo which I completed just before Christmas, 4 rounds of CAPOX. It was extremely doable . I managed to carry on with my normal life routine , including a full time job, albeit working from home, I manage a call centre so can be effective remotely. On the 4th round, I did feel extremely fatigued but just slept through this. I have always been an active person ,post surgery I did rest and found this difficult but I am glad I did rest. I am a very positive person and I have found this has helped me get through this bump in my life's journey. The main side effects from chemo were cold sensitivity , both hands/feet but this wore off, just made sure I was wrapped up when outside, gloves to get things from fridge/freezer . Good luck with your chemo, you can do this xx

Hi S nShn I have had  short intensive 5 day radiotherapy then after 3 weeks recovering from that which was quite bad I then did 4 rounds of 3 weeks each on the capox exactly the same as you describe am now awaiting date for surgery I had occasional diareah and a few times nausea but the tablets I was given to take home sorted that very quickly.  I also had coldness couldn't touch fridge had to wear hat and gloves outside for about 8/10 days after each infusion  other than that nothing really bad . Certainly not as bad as I was expecting.  Of course it may be different for you but whilst I did occasionally get very tired overall it was not as awful as I had expected. Good luck I would say I opted for the operation and stoma thinking that would be the end of it but seeing your situation makes me wonder about that. Cheers David 

Oh my you all made me cry. I have just found your replies in the folder instead of my Inbox so first time doing this or any online communication apart from e-mails..  Bless you all.  I felt on my own with this and my research only gave me more stress. 

Far more stressed about Chemo as I have read only trauma results on Bowel Cancer UK.  I could not find anyone that has been able to continue the treatment Chemo and function on it which is all I want to do even if housebound.   I have known illhealth so not mind it but accounts I read scared me.

Does my reply list to all those that replied to me?  My chemo is called Adjuvent that they offered after surgery.  The operation itself was amazing mostly keyhole and one open wound.  I recovered at home for 6 weeks with the little walks around garden and was careful as they said so I did not lift or stretch etc and all was ok.  I just did all they said, so I hope you are as happy with the operation as I was.  They did consult me on a stoma but did not fit one in the end.

I will be on this site now so will be able to read accounts of treatment  or give any details asked and I am so grateful for you all even though these circumstances are difficult for you all.

Thank You

 SnShn Aww bless you. It’s good to hear that you sound to be doing well. Yes anyone that’s answered your initial post will get notification that there’s been ‘movement’ on the post and it will also bump it back up the board. I suppose a lot of people post about the problems that they have during chemo but just to redress the balance I shall be a smarty pants and say I worked part-time in an office throughout mine and only had 1 day off when my arm was sore!
Glad you’ve found your way back to us and we’ll be here with virtual cake and cuppas to support you through it

Take care

Karen x

Thank you Karen. I do feel well but its just the waking and stress about Chemo end of January.  It will be 10 weeks since my operation so lots of time to worry about it.   I m so glad you are a smarty pants and was able to work and shows me that it may not be debilitating for everyone. Although I am glad I not working now but well done. 

I will also study the tips for Chemo so I have answers

This all takes some of the anxiety away so pleased I was informed how to find you all

x

My husband had CAPOX Oxaliplatin and Capecitabine. Sailed through the first 3 sessions. Midway through the 4th it had to be stopped because he became quite ill. After a break his bloods liver and kidney functions went back to normal. He was put on 5FU but after one session he took a chest infection was admitted to hospital because he was going through chemo but after tests and a couple of units of blood because of low platelets he was sent home with antibiotics. The following week he got a blood test before his next chemo session which showed up he had dehydration was admitted back into hospital to have fluids intravenously. As it worked out chemo has damaged his kidneys so chemo stopped again. He also has to use a urinary catheter to drain his kidneys. Don't let that put you off though because everyone is different. 

Sorry to hear about your husband.  I have read all the side effects of Chemo and can be very worrying especially as they have damaged him.  I hope he can eventually recover from this damage.  I will have to watch out for these type of side effects due to past illness.

I will have to do it as I was told similar about the cells possibly escaping.