What to expect from Chemo

Hi Rich I was diagnosed at 60, also came as a surprse as I felt well and had no real symptoms. Final staging T3N1M0. Surgery then 4 rounds of chemo- CAPOX. The thought of chemo was much worse than the actual treatment. I was well throughout the treatment, felt a bit strange on the day of infusion and following the final round, extreme tiredness for a week. I was able to work from home, do normal chores, including walking the dog.I did feel queasy but just ate all the time, it was the only thing that stopped the sicky feeling. Good luck, my oncology team were brilliant and the chemo nurses were supportive. Hope you manage well on chemo but it is good to start with a positive outlook.

Keep us posted when you have met with your oncology team and how the treatment goes.

Hello I was same as you stage 3. 2 out of 24 lymph nodes were infected. This was October 23 . I had 4 rounds of capox starting in January. The chemo wasn't that bad. I was very tired. No sick or hair loss. At end loss of appetite.  But the chemo was doable. The oncology nurses were amazing. Well looked after and you will be too. Don't be scared you have done the operation which is massive. Follow up ct scan was clear.  Its a journey you never think you would be on. But stay positive 

1. Karen 

Hi Mel,

Thank you so much for your reply.

I read the booklet about chemo last night and it wasn't easy.

So glad it went well for you. I can only hope it goes as smoothly for me 

I intend to work during the period and hope it won't get in the way..

One question that comes to mind is whether the tingling in the fingers affects holding a mouse. Perhaps this perhaps exaggerated question reflects perfectly my fears versus the reality I will face.

My recovery from the operation was much better than I and everyone around me expected, Fingers crossed the same will happen with chemo 

Once again many thanks, your words were very important for me

Hi again 

Keep yourself warm during your chemo. When you get home light gloves when into fridge. The cold gives the tingling. 

And take rest. Don't over do it. 

Karen

I did suffer from neuropathy in my hands/feet but found using a computer mouse fine. I just kept hands/feet well mositurused and also used volterol which did help reduce discomfort. My neuropathy has completely gone from my hands but still get risidual neuropathy in my feet but just wear warm socks and again us moisturiser and occasionally volterol. We are all different but you will get through this.Also any side effects you experience, note them down and let your chemo team know. They can tweak treatments to minimise them. Good luck 

Hi Rich_Col You’ve had some great replies so far so I’ll be brief! Sometimes the reputation of chemo is worse than the experience. Yes there are a lot of side effects but there are pills and potions for most of them and sometimes trying a different pill or having the dosage can make a huge difference if you’re struggling? 

I worked at my part-time office job throughout apart from on the actual infusion day so holding a mouse is definitely doable. My worse side effect was the pain in my arm after the IV - it was like I’d been thrashed by stinging nettles and I couldn’t bear to touch it. A heat pad helped a bit but I had a pic line fitted after the second round which was a game changer. 
I’ve attached a link to a post that we did a while ago about chemo side effects - hope it’s not too scary but sometimes it helps to know what’s normal and what isn’t!

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/diagnosis/263084/chemo-top-tips-updated

Hope it goes ok and good to hear that you’ve recovered well from the op 

Take care

Karen x

Thanks Karen Kmck,

I am a positive guy, more because of previous blows I had than by nature.

Reading other people's experiences and the booklet was a bit of a blow, but I think it's digested now (with a reduced bowel  )

Can't say I look forward to chemo, but I definitely look forward to getting rid of this alien attack. As I said to a guy who was in a much worser condition in my ward: you have to look at what's at the end of the tunnel. Which I am doing.

Many thanks once again!

Thanks Kareno62,

Will take a look at the link.

The nurses at the colon unit said it would be a "light" chemo, but nothing surprises me anymore, things could go north.

I guess I have to wait to speak to the oncology team and hope the treatment works. Nothing more I can do other than keep positive and get into the treatment at the best possible fitness level.

Many thanks to you and all the others,

Richard 

I thought you meant a real mouse. 

lol