I am becoming an old hand at this. The oncologist and I had a discussion because I want to end the chemo, he argue for it as we had agreed to six rounds, and I have completed five. In addition I realized this is a short week and I won't get in to see the specialist this week, however the week after Thanksgiving would be fine. It would also be the second week after chemo and later in the week I start to recover. So I went for Round 6.
However, there is a drug they give that helps with anti-nausea and is a strong steroid. The effect is I feel good for about three days. Thursday, Day 4 is when the effect wears off and I feel very tired, little stamina and my stomach is mildly upset, this lasts for about a week, then slowly lifts.
So tonight I am up late as I cannot go to sleep. The drug makes me feel good, I am hungry and have enjoyed half a left over Turkey sandwich from our early Thanksgiving bird, and may even enjoy a second. My mind is alert and I simply do not feel tired. I lay on the bed and listened to a number of Leon Redbone tracks then read his biography on Wikipedia. I read the news, looked up Monday night football and checked the weather. I turned the light out, rolled over and was wide awake. I'm downstairs at the computer taking advantage of the energy.
That is what my chemo is like, and has been through all 5 rounds. However, the Dr. did lower the dosage by 15% on the two remaining drugs I take so hopefully the side effects won't be as severe this time, nor last as long.
Showing posts with label colon cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colon cancer. Show all posts
Monday, November 24, 2014
Friday, May 6, 2011
Moving along
Wednesday morning I had a stress echo-cardiogram. Passed with the heart judged normal. I was kind of proud that they had to take the test to the full conclusion to get my heart rate up to above 129. The cardiologist said he saw no signs of wall thickening that would indicate blockage and if there was any blockage it is insignificant. Good news.
Thursday AM say the radiologist. He is the electricity guy, today the oncologist who is the plumber. The radiologist was a character but gave me an excellent explanation of what will take place. Instead of a pinpoint beam of radiation it will be more of a widespread beam. The radiation kills cancer cells by using their strength against them. Because cancer cells replicate faster then normal cells they do not carry a food reserve to withstand stress. The radiation breaks their DNA strand and they have no reserves so they die. However, normal cells which replicate slower carry reserves and while some may die, some will heal and go on.
I will undergo radiation treatment five days a week for five weeks. I will also receive chemo at the same time. The combination is meant to shrink the tumor and to kill any cancer cells that may have invade surrounding tissue.
I will also encounter some side effects in about the third week of treatment. The side effects will consist of sunburn on the outer skin, some irritation of the small bowel, bladder and the anal area. I will feel the urge to go more often and will feel some pain and skin irritation, however they have medication to relieve the pain.
At the end of the radiation/chemo treatment I will wait about four to six weeks, the surgeon said not that long, so we have a difference, but the reason for the wait is to let the area heal so the surgeon isn't cutting into an already bloody, inflamed area. After six weeks scar tissue starts to build up making the surgery more difficult.
So at this point I have been greatly impressed with the physicians, the clinics and the medical staff. My attitude is good, in fact most days I forget I have cancer. Today we see the oncologist and I'll add that information later in the day.
Thursday AM say the radiologist. He is the electricity guy, today the oncologist who is the plumber. The radiologist was a character but gave me an excellent explanation of what will take place. Instead of a pinpoint beam of radiation it will be more of a widespread beam. The radiation kills cancer cells by using their strength against them. Because cancer cells replicate faster then normal cells they do not carry a food reserve to withstand stress. The radiation breaks their DNA strand and they have no reserves so they die. However, normal cells which replicate slower carry reserves and while some may die, some will heal and go on.
I will undergo radiation treatment five days a week for five weeks. I will also receive chemo at the same time. The combination is meant to shrink the tumor and to kill any cancer cells that may have invade surrounding tissue.
I will also encounter some side effects in about the third week of treatment. The side effects will consist of sunburn on the outer skin, some irritation of the small bowel, bladder and the anal area. I will feel the urge to go more often and will feel some pain and skin irritation, however they have medication to relieve the pain.
At the end of the radiation/chemo treatment I will wait about four to six weeks, the surgeon said not that long, so we have a difference, but the reason for the wait is to let the area heal so the surgeon isn't cutting into an already bloody, inflamed area. After six weeks scar tissue starts to build up making the surgery more difficult.
So at this point I have been greatly impressed with the physicians, the clinics and the medical staff. My attitude is good, in fact most days I forget I have cancer. Today we see the oncologist and I'll add that information later in the day.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
An old nemisis returns
Last December I was at my wits end. I had gone through about four of the worst months I have ever experienced. Ever since my bowel resection four years ago my intestinal tract has been disagreeable, but from August to December it was down right ugly. I did not seem to be able to have a BM without my system being upset. If I went it was usually an episode of repeated visits to the porcelain shrine accompanied by some action, some inability to go, cramping, bloating and pain that extended from my stomach region to my anus. Severe pain, and quite frequent during the day.
Without realizing it I was giving up and becoming very depressed. I never entertained the thought of harming myself, but I did feel that if this was going to be the quality of my life going forward I didn't want it.
Finally at the recommendation of my family doctor I saw a GI specialist. When I described the symptoms he said they were classic symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. We began treatment with some anti-depressants and anti-spasmodic medications. Very rapidly the pain left and the frequency of my going diminished some. I seemed to be more tolerant of foods that previously had upset me. Progress was made and I was elated.
In addition the anti-depressants kicked in and my mood brightened to the extent my wife noticed and commented on my improved attitude.
I have bled from the rectum of and on for a number of years. I attributed it to hemorrhoids which are a common occurrence after bowel surgery. The GI thought of hemorrhoids also, however if we were unable to stop the occasional bleeding he wanted to do a colonoscopy. After three months of meds and improvement the bleeding continued and we did a colonoscopy. The GI did not expect to find anything but did not want to move on to other meds without making sure there was no inflammation or tumor.
Monday, March 18 was the colonoscopy. Sure enough Dr. Hightower, the GI found a tumor located very low in my colon right near the incision of the previous resection. It was too large to move. So after four years cancer is back in my life.
The visit with the surgeon was positive and relatively matter of fact. I will undergo six weeks of chemo/radiation followed by surgery. The CT scan seems to indicate the tumor is all contained in the colon so I am hopeful for another successful outcome.
Without realizing it I was giving up and becoming very depressed. I never entertained the thought of harming myself, but I did feel that if this was going to be the quality of my life going forward I didn't want it.
Finally at the recommendation of my family doctor I saw a GI specialist. When I described the symptoms he said they were classic symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. We began treatment with some anti-depressants and anti-spasmodic medications. Very rapidly the pain left and the frequency of my going diminished some. I seemed to be more tolerant of foods that previously had upset me. Progress was made and I was elated.
In addition the anti-depressants kicked in and my mood brightened to the extent my wife noticed and commented on my improved attitude.
I have bled from the rectum of and on for a number of years. I attributed it to hemorrhoids which are a common occurrence after bowel surgery. The GI thought of hemorrhoids also, however if we were unable to stop the occasional bleeding he wanted to do a colonoscopy. After three months of meds and improvement the bleeding continued and we did a colonoscopy. The GI did not expect to find anything but did not want to move on to other meds without making sure there was no inflammation or tumor.
Monday, March 18 was the colonoscopy. Sure enough Dr. Hightower, the GI found a tumor located very low in my colon right near the incision of the previous resection. It was too large to move. So after four years cancer is back in my life.
The visit with the surgeon was positive and relatively matter of fact. I will undergo six weeks of chemo/radiation followed by surgery. The CT scan seems to indicate the tumor is all contained in the colon so I am hopeful for another successful outcome.
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