Hi, I was diagnosed out of the blue a few weeks ago with cancer of unknown origin. Biopsy results confirmed advanced right sided colon cancer and I finally saw the oncologist today. I signed consent to begin folfiri and bevacizumab in the next few weeks. The list of side effects is daunting but I am hoping that I will have good days too because, despite my scans and blood results, I currently feel well. I am not really sure what to expect and am very scared about it all so if anyone has had this treatment and can give me tips or reassurance I'd be very grateful.
Hi Henniep
I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis of cancer and can understand that this is a worrying time.
My own cancer was endometrial so I hope it is ok to reply but by doing so it should bump your post and hopefully bring it to the attention of someone who has been through the same treatment.
I also had chemotherapy and remember my consents appointment well. The list of potential side effects is indeed daunting. However although I did have a few effects, on the whole they could be managed with medication. Also it is important to remember that they have to tell you every possible side effect to enable you to give informed consent. I likened it to the leaflet in a box of paracetamol- all the potential side effects but many are very rare.
Everyone's experiences of chemo can be different and there are many different types and regimes.
My chemo was on a 21 day cycle and I would spend day 1 at the hospital, home the same day and 20 days to recover. The first few days, I did feel rough but by the 2nd week I felt a lot better. By week 3 I was able to do most things I would normally want to do. I did feel that fatigue built up with each cycle though.
My advice is to go with the flow really, and see how you are affected. If you do have side effects they will give you a 24 hour number for the hospital and you can call them at anytime. You normally get given a diary where they write in your meds and there is space to make a note of how you are feeling each day. This helps when you have your consultant review with each cycle. It can also help as many people find that there symptoms follow a similar pattern with each cycle.
I was told to buy an accurate thermometer and keep a track on my temperature and if it changed I had to call the hospital as when you are on chemo you can be at more risk of sepsis/serious infections and if this does happen they like to give antibiotics straight away.
I know it is a scary time and I had all sorts of worries about having chemo but once the first one was out of the way, I was much better prepared. My experience was nothing as bad as I feared.
I hope that your chemo goes well and if there is anything you need then please do ask. We also have the Support Line available from 8am-8pm everyday, if talking things through would help.
Jane
