5fu Side Effects

On 7/21/2008 Maria C wrote:

Hi, I recently found out I had colon cancer & had the tumour cut out 9 weeks ago.  I now have the choice of taking a course of 5fu for 30 weeks by injection like you.  I don't know whether I should or not & would be very interested to see if you took it or not?  My cancer was a B grade (stage 2 I think).

Thanks Maria

Wow, , It seems like there are many of us that have the same degree of cancer. I myself that because my tumor was a certain size that it placed me on stage 2 and I chose to have the 5fu hooked to a pump in a bag that I carry with me  all the time and I go to the ITA department  on mondays to have my bag changed an d my radiation treatment is everyday and takes only 10 to 15 minutes . I chose to carry the pump and chemo around instead of having to go in everyday for and sit there for hours at a time. The treatment is not as bad as many of you all think it is.I pray that you make the right decisions so that the cancer can be controlled properly. Hope you get through your delema .

God Bless You,

Joe

On 5/25/2005 Jenann wrote:

My husband was recently diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer. He has been treated with 7 day continuous infusion of 5fu for 4 weeks. Right before the start of his 5th week, he was hospitalized with an inflamed small bowel due to the 5fu. I was told this is not a common side effect. Does anyone have information on this?

I was wondering if you are sure that was from the 5FU ? Is he also having Radiation treatment. If so as far as I know the radiation is what I was told would have the side effect and not from the 5Fu. I  am on 5fu and mytomysin which I get every four weeks and radiation from mon thru fri every week . I know it sounds like a big hassle ,but it really isnt. Hope that this helped you in any way. Praying for your husband...

God Bless You both.

Joe

Hi Joe, thanks for replying to my message.  As I was considered "young" (nice to be called young at 43!) for this type of cancer they didn't think it necessary for me to have the 5FU.  As my chances were only going to be improved by 3% & I am otherwise healthy they seemed to think it was just bad luck I got it & thought I would have just as much chance of improvement through exercise, healthy eating etc.  On this basis I decided not to have the chemo.

We're just coming into summer here (I'm in New Zealand) so I'm looking forward to getting out for lots of walks!

Hope all is going well with your treatment & I wish you all the best in the future.  Thanks for taking the time to respond to my message

Regards

Maria