Colon cancer removed in August, starting chemo in October. Feeling a little "cheated" as was orriginally told cancer was contained within colon but have now been told it's in a couple of lymph nodes. Felt knocked sideways by the surgery and worrying that I'll be similarly wiped out by chemo.
I had op abroad as it was emergency but treatment was great.Im back here and now worried if the chemo will be properly done here.Literally told the GP and hospital doctors that it's about my life here and having appointment next Tue regarding chemo.Do u know how many lymph nodes?
I can't see any reason why chemo wouldn't be done properly here but currently have no personal experience to base that on! Where did you have your surgery?
Cancer found in 2 out of 19 lymph nodes. I've been told that finding cancer in so few of a relatively large number of nodes is a good sign.
I hope your appointment goes well - take someone with you if you can (I don't mean if they'll let you, more if you have someone who can attend). I was able to have my husband present at the appointment and he took in some of the information that I might have otherwise forgotten or missed. The Macmillan nurse also gave me a useful booklet so hopefully you'll have a similar experience. Let me know how it goes.
I was on holiday in Poland and had it over there.Everything went smoothly and a week from colonoscopy I had the op.cancer found in 5 out of 17 nodes and was told to start chemo max till 6 weeks after op.Also had already arranged for chemo last week in Pl but was assured I can continue here so obv came back as my family and work is here.I just hope the despite having everyth done abroad the doc here will accept the documents as I know from the experience that they need they like to have the evidence from here.Not sure if I want anyone to go with me as they panic more than me
Stressful! I'm happy to send you the list of questions I asked if it helps? You should try to write everything down, if nothing else it'll give you a moment to process what's been said. If you are attending on your own, ask if you can review what's been discussed afterwards with an experienced nurse. Ask this in advance of your appointment so you can't be fobbed off on the day.
TBH oncologist covered many of my questions before I'd asked them but this is the list of questions I had:
How soon would chemo start?
How often?
How many sessions?
how long does each session take?
What are the side effects?
How is chemo administered? If iv, are tablets an alternative?
Should I have a flu jab?
And one I didn't have the nerve to ask - is chemo intended as a cure or as a delaying treatmet?
I was given some information sheets about some of this stuff eg a fact sheet about the type of chemo I'm going to have, another sheet about the more common side effects. I also received a 100+ page book printed by Macmillan entitled "Understanding Chemotherapy". I hope you'll receive all of these or similar information. I hope this helps.
