I've recently received a diagnosis of stage 2 colon cancer. Surgeons removed 2 thirds of my colon and now I begin 6 months of Capecitabine Chemotherapy. Has anyone been through this, any advice would be appreciated. Thank you
I was diagnosed stage 3 in October 2019. I have a lovely colostomy and named my stoma Storm (for obvious reasons). It helps me get through embarrassing moments when I say "oops, blowing up a storm today"
Anyway, in had 8 cycles. 4 cycles before op and 4 cycles after. The capecitabine was the easier of the chemo. I also had the drip of the other cocktail, Oxaliplatin. The tablets were less harsh than the drip as far as I can tell. Still, messed.with my feet a bit.
Keep your feet warm and moisturize every day, keep your hands covered when touching door handles especially metal ones, give in to fatigue and know that you will feel fine for the first 3-4 cycles. I would say brush your teeth a little more with a soft brush and try to stay as hydrated as much as possible and have those nausea tablets close by. I'm assuming your on chemo clean up x that's really good news because it means when your treatment is over you'll be sitting in the Sun watching the world go by in no time.
Don't be afraid to contact someone if you feel rough. They are wonderful people and are dedicated to help get you through it all. I'm assuming your having tablet form at home during the pandemic so keep yourself safe and away from everyone. Even the common cold can hit you like a tonne of bricks. Try to eat well too.
After about the 4th cycle, mentally, you might start to get fed up. Really depends on your cycle regime. Mine was drip one day, tablets twice a day (8 tablets) for the next 2weeks then 7 days off. Don't let it get you down. Always look forward to the last one and celebrate with something nice. Mine was sugar coated jam doughnut about 3 days later when I could taste something again or bacon hap. They were the only things I could taste .
However, if you don't get ANY side effects do not presume you don't need them. I know so many who felt fine and thought they didn't need them after all. You do. That is all x
Good luck and I know you probably hate this cause Lord i do but stay positive. Trying to see the best of the situation does help. Your allowed to say it to yourself but you can still tell everyone else to shove positivity up their bum if you feel like it cause its you going through it. It's not an empty response when you say it to yourself xx
I'm Jane, Thank you so much for your informative reply and all your tips which I will be following. I need to adopt your sense of humour,positivity and strength. I'm happy to hear you've finished all your treatment, I hope you're fully better now.This is all so sudden and new for me so I am a bit overwhelmed,I'm sure everyone feels the same when cancer enters their lives.
Your treatment is what they were going to give me but they changed it To just the oral tablets 10 a day for 2 wks then 1 wk off for a total of 6 months. I've never heard of chemo clean up but thank you for telling me the positive position I'll be in after treatment. The NHS staff have been so busy during this pandemic that I hate to disturb them with questions.I live in Central London and the hospitals are so busy with COVID Patients and my follow up has been changed to a telephone consultation.
Thanks again, and I will be positive and I'll definitely be rewarding myself with the jam doughnuts
I'm Jane, Thank you so much for your informative reply and all your tips which I will be following. I need to adopt your sense of humour,positivity and strength. I'm happy to hear you've finished all your treatment, I hope you're fully better now.This is all so sudden and new for me so I am a bit overwhelmed,I'm sure everyone feels the same when cancer enters their lives.
Your treatment is what they were going to give me but they changed it To just the oral tablets 10 a day for 2 wks then 1 wk off for a total of 6 months. I've never heard of chemo clean up but thank you for telling me the positive position I'll be in after treatment. The NHS staff have been so busy during this pandemic that I hate to disturb them with questions.I live in Central London and the hospitals are so busy with COVID Patients and my follow up has been changed to a telephone consultation.
Thanks again, and I will be positive and I'll definitely be rewarding myself with the jam doughnuts
