Hiya Sam H.: I too have was dx'd with Stage III rectal cancer,

[Guest guest]

Sam,

I just finished my chemo and radiation therapy. I have had a total

colectomy, with an ileostomy for life, (my rectum was also taken).

I received 16 treatments of the combo of 5Fu, Leucovorin and CPT11 or

Camptosar. This was followed with one cycle or two solid weeks of a

combo of Camptosar by IV and then oral pills consisting of Xeloda

(5FU in pill form), Kytril for nausea, and Celebrex for inflamation.

I was only able to complete the first of two cycles of the Xeloda,

the side effects were too severe, possibly increased by the fact that

I began my radiation at the same time. Also, I responded with severe

abdominal and intestinal cramping and possible development of ulcers,

so now my radiation was changed from 28 to 25 treatments. But...I'm

done, I just finished the 25th radiation today. Hooray! Up until I

started the radiation I was walking 4-5 miles daily, but the

radiation or the new chemo, did me in. Half-way thru the day I'm

finished energy-wise. Along with a continuation of severe abdominal

pain, intermittent, following any eating, even thinking of food. I

also had many of the common side-effects, was hit weekly with Procrit

(epogen), Nupogen, (for WBC production), for lowered counts, my WBC's

kept floundering in the 1's. Now my counts are great, (since

stopping chemo), but I've still got severe abdominal pain on

occasion, worse in the evenings, it's kinda like pre-diahrea, with no

outlet but the bag.

But, I'm happy to say it will all get better from here on. I too

worry about reoccurrence. I'm 54 going on 55 this year. I was left

with a disfunctional bladder from the surgery, and must self-catheter

still. (who knows when that will end)

It's time to detox the drugs, exercise at the gym again, and assure

my spouse and friends, that " This too has passed " ! Positiveness,

always looking forward to the next thing you want to accomplish,

being faithful to your own feelings, not denying them. The word used

most often in my circle of friends, is " honoring " or " validating "

your doubts, fears, and feelings. Sure, we're always going to wonder

what evil lurks between the layers of tissue inside us.

I was told by the Radiological Oncologist that a follow-up CT/PET

combo won't be done to see if I'm clear of cancer until three months

out. The inflammation caused by the therapy (intestines etc;) would

give a false reading on the PET. Anytime you have areas of active

healing the uptake of the radioactive sugar injected for the PET scan

will collect faster than for normal cells, giving a false positive

for malignant cells.

Well enough said. I would welcome any comments you have?

or Cliff if you read this, I just want to add a big " Howdy, How

the Hell are ya, I haven't monitored the site for a while and miss

your awesome info and positive reinforcements!

Bye Ya'all,

Dr.