Hi Tom

welcome to this forum but sorry its under these circumstances.  Hopefully when you see your oncologist and have a plan that will make it clearer and give you a goal to focus on.... that being the end of chemo with an awesome result :)

I also had colon cancer, found in large bowel and today started my fourth round of chemo.  My cancer was surgically removed before the chemo started, you don't say if you've had surgery first, although I am not really experienced on all the processes.

So I am on Oxiplatin and Capecetabine.... still can't spell it properly.  Main affects have been throat, hands and feet but it seems I am quite sensitive to the Oxiplatin this stuff does not like the cold at all.... ensure you have warm gloves, scarfs and socks :), no nausea anti sickness tablets seem to work.  Second treatment had a very upset tummy but got that under control. So far although not nice its all been managable.... however we all differnt so our bodies can react differently.  I am still working whilst having my treatment but some days i.e intravenous day only a couple of hours..... fatigue is kicking in now probably the drug accumulaation.  However your treatment may be different.....

I hope all goes well and do come back and share your news, rant and rave or just chat in general.

Go safe and keep the faith

JB

Hi Jb. Thanks for the welcome. You have certainly had your fair share of it all! I wont be getting operated on untill after I have had Chemo, apparantly the tumour is too large and grown through the colon wall into the abdomen. Today I have been given my appointment to see the Oncologist and Surgeon on a week Monday. At least I will know what the plan will be then. The not knowing is frustrating. But at least it is now starting .

Tom,

Good luck with your first visit to the oncologist.

I suggest you write down any questions you have beforehand and copy down the answers you get. After my first visit I found myself sat in my car afterwards and my mind had gone blank for a while. I didn't even remember writing down his answers, but there they were in my own hand-writing. A doctor friend tells me that this is quite normal.

Best wishes
Dave 

Hi Tom

great news that you will soon be getting a plan, it helps you focus and set goals going forward.  I am confident you will get through this just fine, great advice too from Dave .... take someone with and/or take notes as you do come out forgetting things, include questions you may have too.  Look forward to hearing an update, we all here for you and understand this time is the hardest when you waiting but next week is not too far so have fun on the weekend if you up to it :)

Take care of you

JB

Hi again, my wife will be going with me as she will also have questions as to what she can do to help. It is a journey for her as well as me. We have already started noting questions. I just worry about my ability to work during the treatment. Of course we still have bills to pay! I have had a meeting with the senior management and they appear to be supportive but I also dont want to be a dead weight either. I suppose I will have to cross that bridge when I come to it.

:D Hello there and im a newbie today ad  i am starting my 3rd cycle of chemo tomorrow and its not been bad at all  i get shattered and   some pain in my hands and feet but pain killers help and after 4 days it goes yet i do have  tingling in fingers so dont worry  about chemo  they give  you anti sickness meds plus back ups for that so dont panic  i take a portable dvd player and watch cheesey films  while its  being done .Chemo is different  for everyone and  takes 6 hours in my case  but ive seen others on shorter time frames so  wear comfy clothes with short sleeves and take some snacks and  a few drinks with you and may God bless you xx