Diagnosed in June

Hi. The wound after elape can take a long while to heal but it’s good that the nurses are happy with it. 
Sometimes the thought and reputation of chemo can be worse that the actual experience. Yes it does have a lot of side effects but you’re unlikely to get all of them and the nurses will keep a close eye on you and supply you with pills and potions to keep on top of things. Are you able to get out and about a bit to start to build some strength back up? I was able to work part-time through out my chemo - I’m no superwoman but just saying this to show that it won’t necessarily wipe you out? Try to get into a positive mindset about it and view it as the belt and braces final step of treatment

Take care

Karen x

Thanks for your reply Karen, I have been building my strength back up since the surgery by going out with my dog and trying to walk 4-5 miles a day.  I guess you just hear the bad stuff online. I really don’t want to have a picc line and I’m hoping to be able to just have an infusion each week. Did you have the picc line put in? X

Hi. Yes I did. I started off just having it normally but my veins were pretty battered by then as I’d had a few hospital stays before my chemo started (see my profile if you’ve an hour to spare!) I found my arm to be really sore after the iv and for several days after - in fact that was the worse side effect for me - so had a picc line put in and it was a godsend. That was me personally though and a lot of people manage to just have the iv and use a heat pad if it’s a bit sore afterwards x

Ps well done on the mileage with the dog walking. With xelox the iv is usually every 3 weeks. Iv day 1, 13 days capecitabine tablets, 1 week off but you could check with your colorectal nurse? x

Hi, wow, I have been on exactly the same journey as you only 3 years earlier. Diagnosed in June 2019, permanent stoma 5 weeks of chemo and radiotherapy and then an ELAPE in December 2019 and then 3 months of Xelox chemo to target the micro cancer cells in Feb 2020! 3 years on I am feeling really good and still clear so hang on in there- there is another life waiting for you. To answer your question Xelox was unpleasant but bearable and it didn't affect my wound in any way. Most of the side effects were irritations rather than dreadful pain and I didn't lose my hair or anything. I just felt tired all the time. They manage it and reduce the dosage if its getting too much for you. Good luck with it. Sounds like you are on track and do hope you can put it behind you. Let me know if you have any questions about anything, cheers Sean