Colon Cancer Support Group
Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. Many colorectal cancers are thought to arise from mushroom-like growths that are usually benign, but some may develop into cancer over time. The majority of the time, the diagnosis of localized colon cancer is through colonoscopy.
I've noticed while reading many of your posts that many seem to have developed Hand and Foot during chemo. I've heard of this because my sister is suffering from thymus cancer - can you believe both of us at the same time, my poor parents in their eighties dealing with this. She is on oral chemo and developed this syndrome. I'd thought it was a relatively rare side effect, but I guess not. How is yours being treated? She unfortunately is terminal and they are considering ending the chemo because of this side effect.
I had some numbness, tingling and a severe cramp like sensation in my lower right leg/ankle area that they did a sonogram on to see if there were any blood clots. No clots and it was suspected that the severe pain was from the reaction to the 5-FU and leucovorin combination. My veins were all shot and they had to put in a port-a-cath.
Surgery was March of 02 and Chemo ended in January of 03. I am still apparently cancer free after two tumors removed from my colon along with a complete hysterectomy.
Keeping you in my thoughts for a good outcome.
:-) Patricia
I was not glad to hear you had/have that pain in your ankle and leg, but you are the only person I have heard that has it that way and area. I do too, even though it is getting much better.
I am still fighting the neuropathy, but it too is getting better since I am taking what the Naturopath put me on. A lot of supplements!
I was tested for blood clots too, since I had them taking the Chemo. Most of my life I have taken Calcium, Magnesium and other Vitamins, But when I started Chemo my Onc said take nothing but one vitamin a day.
I think that may be why I did not have a problem with anything cold. I did insist he give me the cal/mag infusion with each treatment.
I know this works for some and not others?
Bloodiroses, Yes I take the Alpha Lipoic Acid tid. (I know this has helped a lot of people) But it might cause problems while on Chemo.
Rhoni, what a story. I hope your parents are holding up OK. This has to be hard, especially with your sister is terminal. (how sad)
Yes some people are not bother with the hand and foot syndrome while others really are.
I am not sure I understand ending the Chemo because of this side effect? The Exloda is the cause of this side effect.
This drug is like the 5FU only in pill form. Is there a chance she can go on the 5FU?
I know one other woman that was on 5FU and wanted the Exloda, so she changed. However the doctors said they had never seen the hand and foot side effects so bad. (Her hands were even bleeding)
They did put her back on the 5FU and in a few weeks her hands and feet were better.
There are other Chemos also, but there may be issues I don't know about.
All I can do is wish you both the best and you are in my thoughts.
graci
I really hate what happened to you with the Oxi, but at least your Onc took notice and stopped it!
I have a theroy of why in the world do they give us things that are so toxic and effect our bodies and internal organs that can really hurt us. Our bodies have zero immune system to fight anything and it makes no sense to make it worse with certain Chemos.
I found the 5FU I took pre-surgery very hard on me, but somehow stayed with it?
Post surgery (mop-up)
My Techs would go tell him that my heart rate was 130 beats per minute. He would still say treat her. (Had I been the Techs, I would have refused!) We have that right if we feel danger for a patient.
I know the difference between heart-burn and painful heavy preassure on my chest. He kept telling me it was heart-burn?
I said I wanted off the Oxi and he told me it cannot be done that way?
I could just take no more!
graci