I had surgery for stage 3 bowel cancer last year. Started chemo 

I had surgery last April for stage 3 bowel cancer followed by 4 cycles of chemo. My assigned Mcmillan nurse was by far the best and most reliable source of information, reassuring me that chemo treatments for this form of cancer have progressed so much and no longer have such severe side effects. Certainly for me and  other parients I got to know, this was very much the case.. I was given drugs to help with any  sickness or diarrhoea and I had no Problems .

I found that the steroids had a bigger effect on me in that I was permanently hungry so piled on all the weight I'd lost pre op.Also, some days I felt bit hyper but taking the steroids as early in the day as possible helped me to sleep better at night. occasionally I had to take  a zipiclone and that helped. I did feel more tired with each cycle but was still able to function normally with lots of wee rests.

I did have a wee bit of pins and needles in hands and feet. Keeping warm was the key here.

One positive and unexpected side effect,  some colour has returned to my grey hair so I now looks like I've had expensive low lights. my nurse has informed me it won't last.

So I'd say to your husband  from my experience the chemo was totally manageable . The infusion days are quite long so take a good book and some snacks as hospital  sandwiches are  not the best. Get settled  in the very comfy chair and just relax. You will be well looked after 

Hi Auntymay.

That's good to hear.

How are you doing now ? I hope you are recovering well.

He is a fit man on the whole. Had a terps op on his prostate earlier this year that was successful . He recovered well considering he tried to do too much too soon. He knows this time he has to behave himself & not push himself too much.  He starts on Monday so hopefully he'll be like you & the side effects won't be too bad .

Thank you for the advice, I'll make him some sandwiches, he has a healthy appetite.

Yes I'm doing very well thank you. Glad your husband is getting started. Once he's had the first cycle he will know what he is dealing with and that makes it easier. Wishing you both the best on the next stage of the journey to good health

I am in the same position as your husband. Had high anterior resection six weeks ago and  7 lymph nodes contained cancer cells. I start combined chemo (iv and tablets) next Tuesday. 4 rounds. I really hope that the side effects are manageable and he copes well.

Hi Fit-cyclist.

He's had his first infusion & now on the   tablets for the next 14 days. Regarding the side effects, he has very uncomfortable peripheral neuropathy in his hands & a strange tongue thing when he starts eating which goes away as he eats. Apart from that the only other symptom is overwhelming tiredness. He's had very little nausea & is eating well. 

I hope all goes well for you on Tuesday .

God bless.

Thank you Fananne  i really hope your husband is managing his symptoms well. Keep positive. We can beat this.

For what it's worth, I know what you mean re: the peripheral neuropathy and the tongue sensation when eating. I got both of these while on FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy - largely caused by oxaliplatin - and, whilst the tongue thing has long since gone (I finished treatment in February, and only ever got this in the early days of the cycle), the neuropathy can hang around for a while. It's getting slowly better and is very mild for me now. I've been taking Vitamin B and Lion's Mane and staying as active as possible - all of which I like to think has helped (and the fatigue, for me, was gone enough for me to be able to return to work 2-3 months after chemotherapy finished). I've been warned that the neuropathy can take months (even years) to disappear completely, but it's very very rare for it to be permanent. It can seem like it's forever. but it's important to realise that it almost certainly won't be. Stay mobile, and keep on keeping on!

Hi Luke1971.

He is on oxaliplatin. Thanks for the post.He was starting to think he was weird . He keeps a diary every day now. All our best wishes to you . God bless 

It's a vile drug, but effective! Any questions, please just ask. He's not weird and he's not alone, i promise you. Best wishes to you too. Here if you need.