November 2011
Hi Leeanne
I had Stage 3 bowel cancer 3 years ago. When diagnosed, my kids were aged 10 and 8. I was worried about how they would cope seeing me undergo treatment but they coped very well. We were open with them about what was happening to me and they took it in their stride. I was really proud of them. Kids are much tougher than us sometimes.
I hope all goes well with your treatment. Try and rest as much as you can.
Wishing you the best
Stacey
... View more
October 2011
Hi Meagan
I was diagnosed 3 years ago with Stage 3 colon cancer and underwent 12 fortnightly cycles of Folfox 6 (oxaliplatin and 5FU).
I suffered some nausea initially but medication got that under control pretty quickly. I had pins and needles in my hands and feet which became more noticable with each cycle and I suffered some sensitivity to cold. I had to wear gloves when taking food out of the fridge and freezer.
Towards the end of treatment, I developed some nasty mouth ulcers but they healed up quickly once treatment stopped. My main symptom was fatigue. On day 4 and 5 of each chemo cycle, I was extremely tired so I spent those days resting and sleeping. The rest of the time, I was up and about, looking after the kids, working part-time and trying to live a normal life despite my treatment. My hair thinned slightly but was not noticable.
I found the chemo nurses wonderful. They gave me lots of support and always answered all of my questions. During my chemo week, I slept and rested whenever I could. Although always tired, I always felt better in the second week of the cycle.
Just take one week at a time and look after yourself as much as you can.
I hope everything goes well for you.
Stacey
... View more
October 2009
Hi Versaillon
I am 4 months post folfox6 chemo. I was diagnosed with Stage C bowel cancer with 3 lymph nodes involved last Nov at the age of 39.
Chemo sucks but you get through it. Just take one cycle at a time. For me, the side effects varied from cycle to cycle but the fatigue did get progressively worse. Once chemo ends, the energy levels do rise again and you start feeling like your old (pre-cancer) self.
As the partner of a cancer patient, you must remember to look after yourself as well. As the patient, I felt that my life revolved around my cancer and my cancer treatment. My husband's life however revolved around me. He had to watch me endure first surgery and then 6 months of chemo and its side effects (not easy for him). He worried about me, looked after me, managed the household and children when I was unable to, remained positive for me and propped me up on my down days. He was my support and helped me get through it. When chemo finished for me, he was exhausted too, both mentally and physically. Now four months on, my scans remain clear and we both feel that we have our lives back.
Good luck with the rest of the chemo. Hope everything goes well for you and Rob.
Stacey
... View more
April 2009
This is my first blog on this site.
I was diagnosed with colon cancer last year in November. Since then I have had my operation to remove the tumour and am currently undergoing the Folfox 6 chemotherapy regime.
I have just finished # 9 and have 3 left to go. I am so looking forward to completing chemo # 12.
I must say for me, chemo is hard but manageable. My side effects differ from cycle to cycle. Sometimes I am very nauseous, sometimes only mildly. Some cycles my face is covered in a bright red rash, other cycles not. Sometimes I am so sensitive to cold, sometimes not. The only thing that is constant is the "chemo tiredness" that hits me hard on Days 4 & 5 of each cycle. I try to sleep through these 2 days as much as possible. By Day 7, I feel like myself again but am always a little bit tired.
Chemo is now routine in my house. I try to do everything on my non chemo week and I rest all chemo week. I have 2 primary school aged children and my sister-in-law helps me out by taking them to school and picking them up on my "sleepy days" as the kids call them. My children have adapted to the situation amazingly. They take things as they come.
With only 3 treatments to go, I can see the end in sight now. For anyone else in the same situation, keep strong and positive. You can get through this.
... View more
April 2009
Hi Everyone
I had a colonoscopy 2 weeks ago and I must admit in my opinion, the 'Picoprep' is much more tolerable than the 'Fleet' preparation that I have taken previosly.
With the 'Fleet' preparation, I gagged the whole time I tried to swallow it. With the 'Picoprep', I managed to drink it down with no problems.
... View more
March 2009
Hi
I am having chemo and have found that drinking the lemon barley cordial does help immensely.
cheers
Stacey
... View more
