29 yr F, SIGMOID MASS found about to face surgery-advice?

REB

Also, you can shower with the port, but not with the 5-FU pump. The only thing they told me was not to rotate the arm on the side the port is on. This can cause it to rotate.

Be careful with the pump. I kept mine on me at all times. I didn't want to pull the needle out. They usually taped mine up really good (For you guys, make sure you shave your chest. I didn't the first time and they ripped out a bunch of hair with the tape. After that, I shaved my chest the night before the treatment).

It did hurt when I pressed my chest (with the port) against a hard surface. Sometimes my seatbelt would irritate the port.

I get to keep the port in for a year.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor and Temporary Colostomy
Started Chemotherapy 11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
Last Chemo treatment 04-09-08, Colostomy Reversal 04-28-08 Age:41

mistyw

well i believe i spoke too soon. the overwhelming nausea came about early last night and it lasted until the wee hours this morning (no sleep to say the least- and i will definitley ask about the prescription bendryl thanks!) i took some of the prescription nausea medicine i was given, but it didn't seem to help. maybe i took it too late or maybe it was because i couldn't keep it down for more than 30-45 minutes. not sure really, but this afternoon i believe i'm feeling a little better. i stayed in bed until noon and i just have very little energy and no appetitie. i was planning on going in to work at some point today but i'm not sure if i feel up to it yet. i expected my worst days to be after i was unhooked, but gosh if i experience a night worse than last night...that will really be awful. last night is the worst i have felt since having mono back in college!
_________________
Stage II Colon Cancer
Diagnosed March 28, 2008
Underwent Sigmoid Colectomy April 3
Starting Folfox chemo May 2008
Age 29, No history in Family

REB

Stay hydrated.

The Benadryl(sp?) was giving to me during my chemo treatment. I would joke they just like keeping us asleep so they wouldn't have to listen to us complain.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor and Temporary Colostomy
Started Chemotherapy 11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
Last Chemo treatment 04-09-08, Colostomy Reversal 04-28-08 Age:41

REB · Last edited by REB on Thu May 22, 2008 7:47 am; edited 1 time in total

One more thing, I found sweets didn't taste good. It was like I couldn't taste the sugar.

Between the cold issue and things tasting bad, at times I found it hard to eat and drink while doing chemo.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor and Temporary Colostomy
Started Chemotherapy 11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
Last Chemo treatment 04-09-08, Colostomy Reversal 04-28-08 Age:41

DulcimerGal

MistyW - how are things going now?

Did you get the nausea under control?
Hang in there!

DulcimerGal
_________________
Rectal Cancer diagnosed Valentines Day 2008
Finished 6 weeks of radiation and chemo 4/23/08
Surgery to remove tumor - June 18th 2008
Colostomy Reversal August 20th 2008
Five rounds of Xeloda (chemo) to ZAP anything left!

mistyw

Not exactly but that thank you for asking. I did take Zofran last time but I still spent most of the first night vomiting. And the nausea continued for days. A friend of mine advised me to ask for Emend this go around so i plan on talking to my doc about it. Has anyone ever tried Emend? I've heard it's pricey, but hopefully my insurance will cover it.
_________________
Stage II Colon Cancer
Diagnosed March 28, 2008
Underwent Sigmoid Colectomy April 3
Starting Folfox chemo May 2008
Age 29, No history in Family

REB

I believe Zofran cuts the stomach aid but does nothing for nausea.

Nausea was really bad for me on the first treatment, but it got better as time went on. They did switch my anti-nausea medicine (I forget the name) but I hardly needed it towards the end. I only threw-up during that first treatment.

Now they did give me an anti-nausea drug while they were givi8ng me chemo. It usually lasted two or three days. As crazy as it sounds, I found eating helped.

Make sure you stay hydrated. I Know its hard when you are nauseated, but its very important.

Talk to you doctor about it. They can adjust your chemo and medication.

I hope you feel better. I know what you are going through. I did it to. It does get better.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor and Temporary Colostomy
Started Chemotherapy 11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
Last Chemo treatment 04-09-08, Colostomy Reversal 04-28-08 Age:41

DulcimerGal

Hey MistyW

keep us updated on the Emend....if your Doc let's you try it of course.

I am probably going to start chemo around 4-6 weeks after my surgery - so it is great to read what you and REB have experienced. Helps to know what is coming....

I am so hoping I can keep working once they put me on chemo.....

Keep fighting...
cheers
DulcimerGal
_________________
Rectal Cancer diagnosed Valentines Day 2008
Finished 6 weeks of radiation and chemo 4/23/08
Surgery to remove tumor - June 18th 2008
Colostomy Reversal August 20th 2008
Five rounds of Xeloda (chemo) to ZAP anything left!

mistyw

I was given the Emend prescription yesterday. My cancer center did not have it in IV form, since it was just realesed two weeks ago. They are ordering the drip form of Emend for me. The emend prescription comes in a trifold, with 3 pills, one you take each day. I took mine around 3 pm yesterday and then followed up with an ativan then a phenegran before I went to bed. I never felt nauseas AT ALL! First time ever! I was proud. Now I will say even with insurance I still paid $75 for those 3 pills but it was worth it. I even came into work today. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I won't have some sudden sick relapse later this evening. I'm trying to stay positive since so far this is the bext I have felt beginning a chemo. If anyone out there is still spending night vomiting and all, please try the Emend. It is fabulous.

Oh the doctor also reduced my overall dosage of chemo by 20% after hearing all my side effcts. I'm happy and thankful for that. My body was really shutting down those first two treatments.
_________________
Stage II Colon Cancer
Diagnosed March 28, 2008
Underwent Sigmoid Colectomy April 3
Starting Folfox chemo May 2008
Age 29, No history in Family

REB

After my first treatment made me so sick, they also lowered my dosage. Then they gradually brought it back up.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor and Temporary Colostomy
Started Chemotherapy 11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
Last Chemo treatment 04-09-08, Colostomy Reversal 04-28-08 Age:41

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