Stage 4 Colon ca - Chemo Side Effects

View all Colon Cancer Discussions Post A New Discussion

5 Posts | Page(s): 1

My Dad has stage 4 colon cancer and has been on fu5 with avastin for 10 months. He has small tumors on lungs, liver and spine. He is having an episode that started last night where he loses all his strength - can hardly move and is a little confused at times. Has anyone else had any experiences like this? We went to the ER last night - but tests were ok. He had an episode like this 2 months ago - turned out to be MRSA/UTI.

Quote | Reply

Weadocm

My father has been on that same regimen for several months now. He has not had these episodes. You could talk to your oncologist or his/her nurse and relay this to them. There may be a daily med you can take to avoid these in the future. 5FU and leucavorin with avastin made my fathers dozens of liver lesions shrink or disappear so they could do surgery where we never thought it would be possible. It also made the primary colon tumor shrink that they had to search for it during surgery. It is a good combination - at least it was for my dad -stay positive, think good thoughts, visualize those tumors disappearing...and then go for surgery. my dad is now free of growing cancer - a state no one thought possible. Thank God for everyday you have together. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Quote | Reply

Karenatl

Thanks. My Dad has been on the chemo 10 months and will have to stay on it for the rest of his life. It will not shrink his tumors - but has at least stopped them from growing anymore at this time. The chemo seems to be wearing my Dad out - or maybe it is just the cancer advancing. We are really not sure what to expect with the advancing cancer and his oncologist does not really tell us.

Quote | Reply

Weadocm

do all the research you can to find drugs to lessen the effects...whether that is demoral during treatments or meds after...best of luck...call your closest university cancer center and talk to their library...patient resource center...they are usually very helpful! peace

Quote | Reply

Karenatl

It looks like this is not actually side effects to the chemo - but another infection. They are not sure what or where yet. He may be admitted to the hospital today - which would probably be a good thing. The antibiotics will have to be given through IV. I actually consider this better news than the alternatives. We can deal with an infection. His immune system must be very weak now - this is the 2nd major infection in 2 months.

Quote | Reply

5 Posts | Page(s): 1