Adjuvant chemo

Hi Jkee

Everyone is different - some people get thro adjuvant chemo with little to no side effects, others are debilitaed by it. So no easy answer i'm afraid.

Strength is same i believe and volume actually based on our body size/weight.

Simon's oncologist can take you both through all the different chemo options he's suitable for, and the different side effects of each.

You may find some helpful info about chemo on page 20 onwards of this Bowel Cancer UK publication:

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

Also, if you click on community members' usernames, many of us have a little bio about our diagnosis and treatment. 

Hi Jkee. As crumpetsortoast has said everyone has a different experience of chemo. Yes there are a lot of side effects but hw would be very unlucky to get all of them. The main ones are shown in the post below but please don’t panic - there are pills and potions to treat them and the nurses will keep a close eye on him.

 Chemo care ! Top Tips:-

Do you know which chemo he will be having? I had Capox/xelox which is oxaliplatin in iv form and capecitabine in tablet form. I worked part-time in an office and my oncologist was happy for me to carry on doing it if I felt up to it which I did.

Pleaee let us know how the meeting goes or ask if there’s anything else you’re worried about

Take care

Karen x

Hi Jkee, I was diagnosed in July 22 and had a laparoscopic high anterior resection in late July 22. I started a 4 round course of CAPOX in September 22 and finished in December 22. I managed really well for the first 3 rounds, mild neuropathy and nausea. I wrapped up to reduce the neuropathy and sucked fruit sherbet boiled sweets to deal with the nausea. The fourth round I did feel exhausted but managed to carry on with my daily routine and knapped when I needed to. I also managed to work throughout. as my employer agreed I work from home. If I had to go into the office, I would have not been able to work as the immune system is compromised by chemo. I was very lucky that I had minimal side effects but feel that my positive outlook helped me get through. I also have a great close family network who really looked after me . The worst part of the treatment was day 1- hospital infusion of Oxyplatin but even that was not too bad. Just made sure that I applied a heat wrap when I got home. . Chemo was a means to an end to give me the best chance of getting rid of cancer and the side effects were a small price to pay to reduce the chance of reoccurrence. I had my post treatment CT scan on 23 January and meet with my oncologist on 2 February for hopefully positive news that I am cancer free. Everyone reacts to chemo differently, there are many side effects listed but you would be really unlucky to experience them all. Good luck with your treatment. The only advise I can give is to be honest with your medical team about any side effects you suffer as there are medications they can give to alleviate them and always remember them and always look remember this treatment is given to help you fight. Take care and good luck 

Hi again Jkee.

Think i may have mislead you on strength being same. As thinking back, I believe I was told mine was a high dose due to invasions and oncologist warned he wanted to monitor closely as my body may not handle it and could be reduced.

Blame my chemo brain fog 

Sadly, I think I'm pretty close to ticking the experience of all the side effects of my chemo type (MdG/5FU) - but the thought of fighting off the cancer cells is what drives me through (at least for now!)

Thank you i think being positive has gone today bit of pain fed up but hopefully back on it tomorrow. Can I ask just had call from hospital to arrange colonoscopy for 8 March 8 weeks after his surgery is this normal he is dreaded it

Hi Jkee

Sorry to hear you're feeling fed up - i hope you can find some lovely activities that can lift your spirit again.

As for scans and scopes, I'm not sure there is a normal. Simon's case sounds the opposite to my experience but then my area has a shortage of resources.

What i would say is I'd suggest that more scans than less scans + scopes surely is a positive. It allows MDT and consultants to have best and latest info, so we don't have un-necessary treatment and what we do have is correctly targetted.

Appreciate easier said than done, but try and stay positive - it will help both you and Simon.

And remember, if you can't knock the fear, perhaps get Simon to call his specialist/consultant to ask about reason for colonoscopy or review concerns with Macmillan helpline?

And finally, we are all here for you too!