Getting Started On Treatment What Can I Expect.

Thanks for all the great advice so far ( effect on family 06-10-08).

I have an appointment for the 11th of July to start treatments for stage 3 colon cancer. I was told  would have four to five weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. followed by a month off (to cook, please say that I wont start to glow :) ) then surgery followed by another surgery to remove the temp colostomy bag folowed by 4 months of more chemotherapy.

How fatigued will I get? Will I get sick? will I be able to work still?

I will be getting my initial treatment from the VA center in Long Beach, Ca.  Anyone out there been treated at that facility? Any pointers on how to get through the treatment?

Robert W,

Bless you!  That's quite a schedule you have ahead.  But you can do it.  Chemo made me fatigued, but I did not have radiation so can't comment on that.  I do know that the surgeries are no picnic.  Good luck to you.

Lynn

Hi,

I had 6 weeks of chemo and radiation on my rectal tumor.  My tumor actually completely disappeared, which my radiologist did not expect to happen at all. That would be wonderful if it could happen to you also, but the idea is to at least shrink it some to prepare for an easier surgery.  Blessings to you for that!  Anyhow, in commenting about the radiation... about halfway through the treatments, I would get really, really tired and definitely need to take naps each afternoon.  That continued for a while after I finished the radiation, as well.  The fatigue was much better 2 months later, but now I've had liver surgery and so I'm very tired again after that.  The worrisome thing for you with having radiation to your pelvic area is that you will likely get diarhea, which may be tough if you're trying to work.  It actually only happened to me towards the very end of my treatments.  I know a couple of other people, however, who had it pretty severely.  Keep immodium on hand- I actually kept it in my purse & in my car & did use it a couple of times while on the way home when I felt the diarhea coming on.  It worked for me.  A friend of mine, however, did not get relief from Immodium & was given a prescription of some kind of "tincture".  It can be managed, but for working (depending upon what you do for work) could be compromised towards the end of your radiation treatments.  Best wishes to you!!

Lisa