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You are here : Cancer Blog > Colon and Rectal Cancer Blog > Gina's Cancer Blog

Vital Info

Name:
Gina (glwj59)

Member Since:
November 25, 2011

Location:
New Castle, Indiana 47362

Birthday:
July 4, 1959

Profile:
Cancer Fighter

Cancer Info

Type of Cancer:
Colon and Rectal Cancer

Diagnosis Date:
October 17, 2011

Stage of Cancer:
Stage 3

Grade of Tumor:
Grade 3

ER:
Positive

Lymph Node Involvement:
No

Surgery:
Reconstructive Surgery, Colorectal Surgery

Chemotherapy:
Methotrexate (Folex, Mexate, Amethopterin)

What I Hate Most About Cancer:
The Unknown

What I Have Learned From Cancer:
You know your body and if you feel something is wrong-follow up and dont give up

Cancer Center:
IU/Ball U Cancer Center

End of Treatment Date:
June 1, 2012

Colon and Rectal Cancer Symptoms:

Lower abdomnal pressure and pain when having bowels movements, diarreh/hard bowels movements at the same time. Began drinking nutritional drinks for food.

Surgery Description, Dates & Side Effects:

Oct. 17 colonoscpy/ Oct 19 removed 18 inches of colon, 15 lymph nodes and appendix. Six days in hospital. Lymph nodes clear cancer had spread outside the wall of colon and almost completely closed off bowels.

Chemotherapy Description, Dates & Side Effects:

6 Months starting Dec 2, 2011. 5 hours every other week. 5-FU, Oxaliplatin and leucovorin. Will bring home 5-Fu in a bag for the weekend will run through port and bag removed on Mondays

Stats

Posts: 51

Photos: 0

Events: 0

My Supporters: 29

I Support: 4

Comments: 40

Gina's Cancer Blog

emend

I spoke with my nurse today about drug emend and the side effects it has added to my already long list. The drug is to help me not be so nasua. But the additional side effects it gave me was not worth side effects it brought on. Sores down my throat, still nausa, and the mouth with no taste I atleast I had one day I could taste.
So I have elected not to take the emend.

I guess I as so used how my treatment was and when certain side effects would clear up and this took a toll on me. I still have the sores down my throat.

I became alittle depressed over this. But now feel better that I have opted out of the drug. They are gonna work on something else for the nasua. It just sucks to still have no taste and have treatment on friday. By the way it is number 7 of 12.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Love
Gina

Posted on February 22, 2012 at 1:49:51 PM by Gina (emend, 3 comments, 126 views)

I haven’t heard of Emend, but I certainly understand not wanting to deal with even more side effects. I’m sorry you’re in the thick of it right now, but you’re 7/12 down! That must be encouraging!

I know I’m a nag, but please stay hydrated. It’s crucial.

Hugs and prayers,

Danean

Posted on February 22, 2012 at 1:54:50 PM by Danean

Emend is the ‘newer’ anti-nausea pill – and costs about $45 each here in Canada. Most plans don’t cover it.
Here they give it to you the day you get chemo, and two or three following and that’s it.
I am sure they will find something more suitable for you. Hope so.

Posted on February 22, 2012 at 5:22:53 PM by Dan

Food and taste

Ok i need to vent. I have no taste at all and I am having constance drainage. Am I stuck with the no taste for rest of my time? Very sick at stomach and it seems to get worst.
I know they say it gets rougher as time goes by.

With i be stuck with this nasty taste in my mouth. I have no taste what so ever.

looking for answers

hope your day is going well

Gina

Posted on February 20, 2012 at 3:05:18 PM by Gina (Food and taste, 3 comments, 277 views)

Stacy sent you a prayer.

Unfortunately through treatment symptoms become cumulative, but, I am here to say, that when your treatment is over, taste comes back. I am not sure what is happening with your drainage, but, if you can hang in there, your taste will come back..it is tough to find things to eat and keep the nausea at bay..I recommend small frequent meals..chobani yogurt..lots of protein and easy to eat..great for the benefits of yogurt..could help sores..are you on a probiotic? Also..instant breakfast shakes..lots of protein..use frozen fruit..recommend benign tasting fruits like peaches with either yogurt or ice cream..add whey protein..can get at Walmart …for the protein..zofran..for nausea..put something in your belly ..yogurt and instant breakfast saved me…I highly recommend it..but, I am here to tell you that taste comes back after treatment..it is hard when you are going through it..it is hard to see beyond that moment, but…it will get better..hang in there girl..you will be all right. Love you!

Posted on February 20, 2012 at 3:24:11 PM by Eileen

yes i dot the chobani it is my favorite yogurt and I am drinking the proboitics. For about 8 days after treatment I can handle anything cold. It freezes my mouth from the 5fu.

Posted on February 21, 2012 at 12:41:41 AM by Gina

Peppermint is great..also the ginger..didn’t know about the 5fu. I drank more of my calories and kept a fridge full of that chobani..if you can get your hands on it there is something called magic cup that is good cold or warm..cold it is like a sherbert..warm it is like a pudding..ensure makes a pudding..I hope you are better today..so frustrating. Thinking abouty you.

Posted on February 21, 2012 at 10:38:13 AM by Eileen

Oh those nasty chemo drugs will cause you to lose your taste for sure. Do you have mouth sores as well? Your taste will come back. For some reason though, mine changed. Foods I wasn’t very fond of became my favorites. Hang in there. Oh, ask your doctor for meds for the nausea. No reason to suffer if you don’t have to. Ginger and peppermint help as well.