Re: Newly diagnosed with colon cancer stage 2

[Guest guest]

I would look real hard at chemo. As expected, without chemo there is a

higher survival rate for stage 2 than stage 3. The latest studies show stage 3A

with chemo has a higher survival rate than stage 2. While chemo is not normally

recommended for stage 2 logic would dictate it should be considered in light

of the latest research.

[Guest guest]

I know I had wrote with my stage 2 I did not have chemo or radiation. I have

changed from the original colon specialist and now go to the Wilmont Cancer

Center. The oncologist there definitly does both chemo and radiation after

surgery for stage 2. I have not seen the oncologist since my last surgery end of

August that turned out not cancer. I will see him next month and at this point I

don't think he will do the chemo. I have seen the colon cancer specialist that

did the surgery and wanted to put off the oncologist until after the holidays.

We just lost one member of the family last week to renal cell cancer and don't

think my family needs any more worries right now.

Hil

Re: Newly diagnosed with colon cancer stage 2

I would look real hard at chemo. As expected, without chemo there is a

higher survival rate for stage 2 than stage 3. The latest studies show stage

3A

with chemo has a higher survival rate than stage 2. While chemo is not

normally

recommended for stage 2 logic would dictate it should be considered in light

of the latest research.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/16/2005 10:53:17 AM Eastern Standard Time,

skipper_07666@... writes:

Thank you Hil for your input. (and all of you who

have been so good to welcome me to the group) I'm new

to this messaging too, so I try to answer each

individually and hope I don't miss someone. Or does

my reply go to everyone?

Sincerely,

Marie

Marie...your reply goes to everyone, but that's good, b/c we all care!!

Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

Caregiver to Glenn

[Guest guest]

Hello Ingrid,

Thank you for the welcome to the group. The surgeon

said he removed the tumor and 8 inches of bowel.

Tumor had perforated the bowel, but the surrounding

lymph glands were clear. He also removed a tennis

ball size cyst from the ovary that no one was aware of

and that proved benign. Both the surgeon and

internist and cardiologist strongly recommend the

oncologist. I do want to be around a while for my

family. My husband's father and mother died of

cancer. After all these years and all we've been

through, my husband and I are very close and I want to

be here for him. I will let you know how it went

after the oncologist visit. Thank you again for

everything.

Marie

> >

> > Hello everyone, I am new at this but I am hoping

> to benefit from your

> > experience. Had major surgery two weeks ago and

> have an appt. to

> meet

> > with oncologist re chemo. Would anyone like to

> share their

> experience

> > re chemo and stage 2? Thanks.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thank you Hil for your input. (and all of you who

have been so good to welcome me to the group) I'm new

to this messaging too, so I try to answer each

individually and hope I don't miss someone. Or does

my reply go to everyone?

Sincerely,

Marie

--- Hil wrote:

> I had surgery for stage 2 7/1/2003. No chemo or

> radiation. At the present moment to my knowledge I

> am still cancer free. I know some Dr's do want the

> chemo following surgery to be sure and some don't

> think it necessary. I still get checked and scanned

> every six months now. Did have another colon resect

> 8/22/05 but it was for scar tissue and the mass that

> was showing in pet scans was also scar tissue this

> time.

>

> Hil

> Newly diagnosed

> with colon cancer stage 2

>

>

> Hello everyone, I am new at this but I am hoping

> to benefit from your

> experience. Had major surgery two weeks ago and

> have an appt. to meet

> with oncologist re chemo. Would anyone like to

> share their experience

> re chemo and stage 2? Thanks.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Marie

Welcome here - I am rather new myself. The fact that you are only Stage 2 is

VERY encouraging - sorry you had to have a second surgery, I know it is

aggravating. But of course you want to attack everything possible that

shouldn't be there. It is especially good news that there were no lymph nodes

involved - makes your prognosis so much higher. I feel exactly like you - I am

only 41 - I want to be around for not only my husband - but these two young

children whom we decided to have later in life (also have 21, 20 and 17 year

olds) so want to totally be on the defensive here with this disease. Did you

have any symptoms on your ovarian cyst? Did the Gyn miss it in regular exams.

I am starting to get a little demanding with my doctors these days. Also ask

Gyn for CAT 125 I think it is called.

Let me know how you are doing. What part of the country are you in?

Pat

Pittsburgh, PA

" A. M. Werling " wrote:

Hello Ingrid,

Thank you for the welcome to the group. The surgeon

said he removed the tumor and 8 inches of bowel.

Tumor had perforated the bowel, but the surrounding

lymph glands were clear. He also removed a tennis

ball size cyst from the ovary that no one was aware of

and that proved benign. Both the surgeon and

internist and cardiologist strongly recommend the

oncologist. I do want to be around a while for my

family. My husband's father and mother died of

cancer. After all these years and all we've been

through, my husband and I are very close and I want to

be here for him. I will let you know how it went

after the oncologist visit. Thank you again for

everything.

Marie

> >

> > Hello everyone, I am new at this but I am hoping

> to benefit from your

> > experience. Had major surgery two weeks ago and

> have an appt. to

> meet

> > with oncologist re chemo. Would anyone like to

> share their

> experience

> > re chemo and stage 2? Thanks.

> >

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Pat,

Thank you for your welcome and reply. I probably

didn't write it right. There was only one

surgery--initially to remove the tumor in the bowel,

but while open the surgeon discovered the ovarian

cyst. I had a cat scan before surgery; no one said

anything about the cyst. But I was opened up from

three inches above the navel down to the pubic line.

I had a hysterectomy years ago that left a small piece

of one ovary so that I could deal with early

memopause. So the small piece that was left had to

have a cyst! I had no symptoms. So I'm glad the

surgeon opened me up as much as he did; it did save me

a second surgery. I am what the doctors call a

" young " 65. They say I came through the surgery

really well and because I am so " fit " they feel I

could do the chemo. If I were not so " fit " they might

not consider chemo. I'm really not that fit. I don't

exercise. The only exercise is that my husband and I

like to dance and we dance every weekend during the

summer. Everywhere we go people welcome us as the

dancers. We are quite a novelty for younger people

who don't dance close or together. We have 3 grown

children and 4 grandchildren. We've been married 42

years, been through good and bad, have many good

memories, but now we just want to grow old together.

If chemo will assure that, I will do it.

I am so sorry that this had to happen to you at such a

young age. Was colon cancer in your family? The

surgeon said I should have my children over 40

checked. What stage were you diagnosed and how are

you doing?

Best wishes,

Marie

Teaneck, NJ

--- MP Ford wrote:

> Hi Marie

>

> Welcome here - I am rather new myself. The fact

> that you are only Stage 2 is VERY encouraging -

> sorry you had to have a second surgery, I know it is

> aggravating. But of course you want to attack

> everything possible that shouldn't be there. It is

> especially good news that there were no lymph nodes

> involved - makes your prognosis so much higher. I

> feel exactly like you - I am only 41 - I want to be

> around for not only my husband - but these two young

> children whom we decided to have later in life (also

> have 21, 20 and 17 year olds) so want to totally be

> on the defensive here with this disease. Did you

> have any symptoms on your ovarian cyst? Did the Gyn

> miss it in regular exams. I am starting to get a

> little demanding with my doctors these days. Also

> ask Gyn for CAT 125 I think it is called.

>

> Let me know how you are doing. What part of the

> country are you in?

>

> Pat

> Pittsburgh, PA

>

> " A. M. Werling " wrote:

> Hello Ingrid,

> Thank you for the welcome to the group. The surgeon

> said he removed the tumor and 8 inches of bowel.

> Tumor had perforated the bowel, but the surrounding

> lymph glands were clear. He also removed a tennis

> ball size cyst from the ovary that no one was aware

> of

> and that proved benign. Both the surgeon and

> internist and cardiologist strongly recommend the

> oncologist. I do want to be around a while for my

> family. My husband's father and mother died of

> cancer. After all these years and all we've been

> through, my husband and I are very close and I want

> to

> be here for him. I will let you know how it went

> after the oncologist visit. Thank you again for

> everything.

> Marie

>

>

> > >

> > > Hello everyone, I am new at this but I am hoping

> > to benefit from your

> > > experience. Had major surgery two weeks ago and

> > have an appt. to

> > meet

> > > with oncologist re chemo. Would anyone like to

> > share their

> > experience

> > > re chemo and stage 2? Thanks.

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Yes messages go to everyone who chooses to get emails , some might choose

the digest. I prefer to get the emails.Cheers jolene

Re: Newly diagnosed with colon cancer stage

2

Thank you Hil for your input. (and all of you who

have been so good to welcome me to the group) I'm new

to this messaging too, so I try to answer each

individually and hope I don't miss someone. Or does

my reply go to everyone?

Sincerely,

Marie

_____

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/17/2005 7:34:59 PM Eastern Standard Time,

dlelsea@... writes:

Marie,

Do lots of research. My wife is the one with cancer and before we

saw the onc, I had questions galore from all the research I did. Its

hard to ask the right questions if you dont know about your cancer,

and from the doctors I know they dont want to tell you too much. I

am much smarter now and when the doctor says something I dont

understand or disagree with, I question it. Stay strong, and stay

involved.

D

Very good advice from Doug to you Marie!!! Get a notebook and write

all questions down and DEMAND answers...of some kind!! You have a right to

know anything and everything in order to battle this BEAST!! You need to be a

SURVIVOR!!!

Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

Caregiver to Glenn

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone,

I am just back from the oncologist and my head is

swimming. I am so thankful to Narice for the

information he gave re chemo drugs. Onc. is strongly

recommending I participate in a clinical trial " A

Phase III Clinical Trial Comparing Infusional

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), Leucovorin and Oxaliplatin

(mFOLFOX6) He says they have had good results with

patients in the later stages, but they want to test on

people like me in stage 2 and I would be a " great

candidate " . The side effect would be perforated

colon. The clinical drug deals with metastis. Then

the chemo regimin was described--2 days with a pump

attached which is removed the 3rd day. The 4th day I

get a shot to build white blood count. Treatment

every other week for 6 months. If I agree to the

clinical trial, I wouldn't know if I were getting it

or not.

Has anyone experience with this?

My cancer is stage 2--perforated the wall of the

colon, but the surrounding lymph glands are clear. I

was told I a 60% without chemo, and another 10-20%

with added chemo. I don't need a perforated colon.

What are your feelings out there.

The oncologist did spend time with us, and he said

he'd treat me either way, but he really was pushing

the clinical trial.

I'm really glad I found your group. I wouldn't know

where else I could bounce fears and questions off.

Marie

--- Grandmommyandme@... wrote:

>

>

> In a message dated 12/17/2005 7:34:59 PM Eastern

> Standard Time,

> dlelsea@... writes:

>

> Marie,

> Do lots of research. My wife is the one with cancer

> and before we

> saw the onc, I had questions galore from all the

> research I did. Its

> hard to ask the right questions if you dont know

> about your cancer,

> and from the doctors I know they dont want to tell

> you too much. I

> am much smarter now and when the doctor says

> something I dont

> understand or disagree with, I question it. Stay

> strong, and stay

> involved.

>

> D

>

>

>

> Very good advice from Doug to you Marie!!! Get

> a notebook and write

> all questions down and DEMAND answers...of some

> kind!! You have a right to

> know anything and everything in order to battle this

> BEAST!! You need to be a

> SURVIVOR!!!

>

> Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

> Caregiver to Glenn

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Interesting Marie.. I would make sure I was getting some kind of chemo,

if not the experimental. they can't really tell you what your getting until

they sign you up. I would consider it carefully. You are in the US aren't

you? Usually when you take part in trials they pay you and you don't pay

for the meds.. That is really not deciding factor here though, it is whether

you will be getting some sort of chemo. Well wish you the best whatever you

decide. Jolene

Re: Re: Newly diagnosed with colon cancer

stage 2

Hello everyone,

I am just back from the oncologist and my head is

swimming. I am so thankful to Narice for the

information he gave re chemo drugs. Onc. is strongly

recommending I participate in a clinical trial " A

Phase III Clinical Trial Comparing Infusional

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), Leucovorin and Oxaliplatin

(mFOLFOX6) He says they have had good results with

patients in the later stages, but they want to test on

people like me in stage 2 and I would be a " great

candidate " . The side effect would be perforated

colon. The clinical drug deals with metastis. Then

the chemo regimin was described--2 days with a pump

attached which is removed the 3rd day. The 4th day I

get a shot to build white blood count. Treatment

every other week for 6 months. If I agree to the

clinical trial, I wouldn't know if I were getting it

or not.

Has anyone experience with this?

My cancer is stage 2--perforated the wall of the

colon, but the surrounding lymph glands are clear. I

was told I a 60% without chemo, and another 10-20%

with added chemo. I don't need a perforated colon.

What are your feelings out there.

The oncologist did spend time with us, and he said

he'd treat me either way, but he really was pushing

the clinical trial.

I'm really glad I found your group. I wouldn't know

where else I could bounce fears and questions off.

Marie

--- Grandmommyandme@... wrote:

>

>

> In a message dated 12/17/2005 7:34:59 PM Eastern

> Standard Time,

> dlelsea@... writes:

>

> Marie,

> Do lots of research. My wife is the one with cancer

> and before we

> saw the onc, I had questions galore from all the

> research I did. Its

> hard to ask the right questions if you dont know

> about your cancer,

> and from the doctors I know they dont want to tell

> you too much. I

> am much smarter now and when the doctor says

> something I dont

> understand or disagree with, I question it. Stay

> strong, and stay

> involved.

>

> D

>

>

>

> Very good advice from Doug to you Marie!!! Get

> a notebook and write

> all questions down and DEMAND answers...of some

> kind!! You have a right to

> know anything and everything in order to battle this

> BEAST!! You need to be a

> SURVIVOR!!!

>

> Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

> Caregiver to Glenn

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I believe that is the treatment given to Stage III and Stage IV cancer patients.

I think it is a clinical trial not because of the chemo regimen but

deciding/proving whether it also would benefit Stage II patients. Based on

studies to date, there has not proven to be a lot of benefit in giving chemo to

Stage II. There are some " high risk " Stage II patients that are given chemo.

My concern would not be in getting Folfox, but in being in the placebo group.

MA

Re: Re: Newly diagnosed with colon cancer

stage 2

Hello everyone,

I am just back from the oncologist and my head is

swimming. I am so thankful to Narice for the

information he gave re chemo drugs. Onc. is strongly

recommending I participate in a clinical trial " A

Phase III Clinical Trial Comparing Infusional

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), Leucovorin and Oxaliplatin

(mFOLFOX6) He says they have had good results with

patients in the later stages, but they want to test on

people like me in stage 2 and I would be a " great

candidate " . The side effect would be perforated

colon. The clinical drug deals with metastis. Then

the chemo regimin was described--2 days with a pump

attached which is removed the 3rd day. The 4th day I

get a shot to build white blood count. Treatment

every other week for 6 months. If I agree to the

clinical trial, I wouldn't know if I were getting it

or not.

Has anyone experience with this?

My cancer is stage 2--perforated the wall of the

colon, but the surrounding lymph glands are clear. I

was told I a 60% without chemo, and another 10-20%

with added chemo. I don't need a perforated colon.

What are your feelings out there.

The oncologist did spend time with us, and he said

he'd treat me either way, but he really was pushing

the clinical trial.

I'm really glad I found your group. I wouldn't know

where else I could bounce fears and questions off.

Marie

--- Grandmommyandme@... wrote:

>

>

> In a message dated 12/17/2005 7:34:59 PM Eastern

> Standard Time,

> dlelsea@... writes:

>

> Marie,

> Do lots of research. My wife is the one with cancer

> and before we

> saw the onc, I had questions galore from all the

> research I did. Its

> hard to ask the right questions if you dont know

> about your cancer,

> and from the doctors I know they dont want to tell

> you too much. I

> am much smarter now and when the doctor says

> something I dont

> understand or disagree with, I question it. Stay

> strong, and stay

> involved.

>

> D

>

>

>

> Very good advice from Doug to you Marie!!! Get

> a notebook and write

> all questions down and DEMAND answers...of some

> kind!! You have a right to

> know anything and everything in order to battle this

> BEAST!! You need to be a

> SURVIVOR!!!

>

> Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

> Caregiver to Glenn

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

, Is what I am getting from your post that if you got the

clinical trial you would not know for sure if you were getting chemo

or not??? I would recomend getting the chemo but am concerned that

you may or may not get it if you took part in the trial. Love, Ingrid

>

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 12/17/2005 7:34:59 PM Eastern

> > Standard Time,

> > dlelsea@h... writes:

> >

> > Marie,

> > Do lots of research. My wife is the one with cancer

> > and before we

> > saw the onc, I had questions galore from all the

> > research I did. Its

> > hard to ask the right questions if you dont know

> > about your cancer,

> > and from the doctors I know they dont want to tell

> > you too much. I

> > am much smarter now and when the doctor says

> > something I dont

> > understand or disagree with, I question it. Stay

> > strong, and stay

> > involved.

> >

> > D

> >

> >

> >

> > Very good advice from Doug to you Marie!!! Get

> > a notebook and write

> > all questions down and DEMAND answers...of some

> > kind!! You have a right to

> > know anything and everything in order to battle this

> > BEAST!! You need to be a

> > SURVIVOR!!!

> >

> > Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

> > Caregiver to Glenn

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > removed]

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Marie:

I can't make the decision for you but I want you to know that I am stage 4

and have been on Avastin (Bevacizumab) plus Folfox for 5 months (one month to

go). I have had only the normal side effects which are frequent nose bleeds

and high blood pressure (now controlled with meds). As for wound healing, I

had surgery to remove part of my liver, colon and other organs and developed

an abscess on the liver after surgery. I therefore had healing problems from

the surgery and they delayed beginning chemo for almost 3 months. They also

did not add Avastin until the second infusion to be sure I was healed.

'When was your surgery and have you been scanned yet? It will show how you

are healing.

Best of luck.

In a message dated 12/19/2005 10:32:43 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,

skipper_07666@... writes:

Hello everyone,

I wasn't clear in explaining about the clinical trial.

Whether I agree to participate or not, I would get

5-FU, Leucovorin and Oxaliplatin for six months. If I

am in the clinical study, they would add Bevacizumab

which is currently being used for stage 4. I would

not know if I were getting the Bevacizumab or not.

The side affects to Bevacizumab say there is risk

related to wound healing " There have been reports of

patients on bevacizumab who had delaed healing of

their surgical wounds. A few patients have had a

breakdown of tissue at the site where their bowel was

reattached after removal of the tumor. A few patients

have also had a hole form in their stomach or bowel

wall. " There are 9 other side effects re heart, lung

and liver problems.

Under benefits, they say, " You may not necessarily

receive any direct benefit from your participation in

this study. While doctors hope that adding

bevacizumab to chemotherapy will be more useful in

treating colon cancer compared to chemotherapy alone,

there is no proof of this yet. "

The oncologist said bevacizumab is currently being

used for stage 4, but they want to see if it would be

of benefit for stage 2 and 3 colon cancer.

I have to decide by the first week in January what to

do regarding taking the trial drug in addition to the

regular chemo, so again, any input from the group is

appreciated.

--- " M. Womack " wrote:

> I believe that is the treatment given to Stage III

> and Stage IV cancer patients. I think it is a

> clinical trial not because of the chemo regimen but

> deciding/proving whether it also would benefit Stage

> II patients. Based on studies to date, there has

> not proven to be a lot of benefit in giving chemo to

> Stage II. There are some " high risk " Stage II

> patients that are given chemo.

>

> My concern would not be in getting Folfox, but in

> being in the placebo group.

>

> MA

> Re: Re: Newly

> diagnosed with colon cancer stage 2

>

>

> Hello everyone,

> I am just back from the oncologist and my head is

> swimming. I am so thankful to Narice for the

> information he gave re chemo drugs. Onc. is

> strongly

> recommending I participate in a clinical trial " A

> Phase III Clinical Trial Comparing Infusional

> 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), Leucovorin and Oxaliplatin

> (mFOLFOX6) He says they have had good results

> with

> patients in the later stages, but they want to

> test on

> people like me in stage 2 and I would be a " great

> candidate " . The side effect would be perforated

> colon. The clinical drug deals with metastis.

> Then

> the chemo regimin was described--2 days with a

> pump

> attached which is removed the 3rd day. The 4th

> day I

> get a shot to build white blood count. Treatment

> every other week for 6 months. If I agree to the

> clinical trial, I wouldn't know if I were getting

> it

> or not.

>

> Has anyone experience with this?

>

> My cancer is stage 2--perforated the wall of the

> colon, but the surrounding lymph glands are clear.

> I

> was told I a 60% without chemo, and another 10-20%

> with added chemo. I don't need a perforated

> colon.

> What are your feelings out there.

>

> The oncologist did spend time with us, and he said

> he'd treat me either way, but he really was

> pushing

> the clinical trial.

>

> I'm really glad I found your group. I wouldn't

> know

> where else I could bounce fears and questions off.

>

> Marie

>

> --- Grandmommyandme@... wrote:

>

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 12/17/2005 7:34:59 PM Eastern

> > Standard Time,

> > dlelsea@... writes:

> >

> > Marie,

> > Do lots of research. My wife is the one with

> cancer

> > and before we

> > saw the onc, I had questions galore from all the

> > research I did. Its

> > hard to ask the right questions if you dont know

> > about your cancer,

> > and from the doctors I know they dont want to

> tell

> > you too much. I

> > am much smarter now and when the doctor says

> > something I dont

> > understand or disagree with, I question it.

> Stay

> > strong, and stay

> > involved.

> >

> > D

> >

> >

> >

> > Very good advice from Doug to you Marie!!!

> Get

> > a notebook and write

> > all questions down and DEMAND answers...of some

> > kind!! You have a right to

> > know anything and everything in order to battle

> this

> > BEAST!! You need to be a

> > SURVIVOR!!!

> >

> > Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

> > Caregiver to Glenn

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone,

I wasn't clear in explaining about the clinical trial.

Whether I agree to participate or not, I would get

5-FU, Leucovorin and Oxaliplatin for six months. If I

am in the clinical study, they would add Bevacizumab

which is currently being used for stage 4. I would

not know if I were getting the Bevacizumab or not.

The side affects to Bevacizumab say there is risk

related to wound healing " There have been reports of

patients on bevacizumab who had delaed healing of

their surgical wounds. A few patients have had a

breakdown of tissue at the site where their bowel was

reattached after removal of the tumor. A few patients

have also had a hole form in their stomach or bowel

wall. " There are 9 other side effects re heart, lung

and liver problems.

Under benefits, they say, " You may not necessarily

receive any direct benefit from your participation in

this study. While doctors hope that adding

bevacizumab to chemotherapy will be more useful in

treating colon cancer compared to chemotherapy alone,

there is no proof of this yet. "

The oncologist said bevacizumab is currently being

used for stage 4, but they want to see if it would be

of benefit for stage 2 and 3 colon cancer.

I have to decide by the first week in January what to

do regarding taking the trial drug in addition to the

regular chemo, so again, any input from the group is

appreciated.

--- " M. Womack " wrote:

> I believe that is the treatment given to Stage III

> and Stage IV cancer patients. I think it is a

> clinical trial not because of the chemo regimen but

> deciding/proving whether it also would benefit Stage

> II patients. Based on studies to date, there has

> not proven to be a lot of benefit in giving chemo to

> Stage II. There are some " high risk " Stage II

> patients that are given chemo.

>

> My concern would not be in getting Folfox, but in

> being in the placebo group.

>

> MA

> Re: Re: Newly

> diagnosed with colon cancer stage 2

>

>

> Hello everyone,

> I am just back from the oncologist and my head is

> swimming. I am so thankful to Narice for the

> information he gave re chemo drugs. Onc. is

> strongly

> recommending I participate in a clinical trial " A

> Phase III Clinical Trial Comparing Infusional

> 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), Leucovorin and Oxaliplatin

> (mFOLFOX6) He says they have had good results

> with

> patients in the later stages, but they want to

> test on

> people like me in stage 2 and I would be a " great

> candidate " . The side effect would be perforated

> colon. The clinical drug deals with metastis.

> Then

> the chemo regimin was described--2 days with a

> pump

> attached which is removed the 3rd day. The 4th

> day I

> get a shot to build white blood count. Treatment

> every other week for 6 months. If I agree to the

> clinical trial, I wouldn't know if I were getting

> it

> or not.

>

> Has anyone experience with this?

>

> My cancer is stage 2--perforated the wall of the

> colon, but the surrounding lymph glands are clear.

> I

> was told I a 60% without chemo, and another 10-20%

> with added chemo. I don't need a perforated

> colon.

> What are your feelings out there.

>

> The oncologist did spend time with us, and he said

> he'd treat me either way, but he really was

> pushing

> the clinical trial.

>

> I'm really glad I found your group. I wouldn't

> know

> where else I could bounce fears and questions off.

>

> Marie

>

> --- Grandmommyandme@... wrote:

>

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 12/17/2005 7:34:59 PM Eastern

> > Standard Time,

> > dlelsea@... writes:

> >

> > Marie,

> > Do lots of research. My wife is the one with

> cancer

> > and before we

> > saw the onc, I had questions galore from all the

> > research I did. Its

> > hard to ask the right questions if you dont know

> > about your cancer,

> > and from the doctors I know they dont want to

> tell

> > you too much. I

> > am much smarter now and when the doctor says

> > something I dont

> > understand or disagree with, I question it.

> Stay

> > strong, and stay

> > involved.

> >

> > D

> >

> >

> >

> > Very good advice from Doug to you Marie!!!

> Get

> > a notebook and write

> > all questions down and DEMAND answers...of some

> > kind!! You have a right to

> > know anything and everything in order to battle

> this

> > BEAST!! You need to be a

> > SURVIVOR!!!

> >

> > Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

> > Caregiver to Glenn

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > removed]

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

I agree somewhat with Narice about saving the big guns till you need

them. But then again what if the Avastin prevents any mets from

occurring now? It is a hard decision. I was stage II back in 2003.

I had no lymph node involvement but did have a blood vessel

involved. My dr. started me on just 5FU for 6 months. Within 6 mos.

after treatment I had liver mets and a second cancer- stage IV. I

went into a trial with erbitux. Erbitux did wonders as long as I was

on it for my liver. I finished the trial and the liver mets came

back and my other tumor is still there. I can not use Avastin

because the other tumor bleeds making it too risky. I understand

what Narice is saying as I am running out of drugs to use now. I

have irinotecan and xeloda left. I will be doing the irinotecan next

month. Looking back I wish we had been more agressive in the stage

II first treatment but we thought everything was gone. It is a hard

decision. There are alot of knowledgeable people here. They can

really help you see all the pros and cons. Good luck.

jane

>

>

>

>

> Ah so you'd have the standard treatment and Avastin, hmm this is a

tough one

> because Avastin was definitely the most effective treatment for my

husband.

> When he was on it he had a colonoscopy (about this time last year)

and found

> out that the 13 cm colon tumor was GONE If his liver had not been

full of

> tumors there was even a slight chance Avastin might have cured him

and he was

> STAGE 4!!!

>

> The only reason I can see for NOT doing the study is the future.

Let's say

> for the moment you take all the chemo they can give you and WORSE

case

> scenario years from now it comes back. Of course we hope and pray

it doesn't and the

> odds are it won't but in making this decision it is wise to look

at the

> possibility.

>

> Now recurrence is worse than an initial diagnosis so you need

bigger and

> better guns to fight it. Well, currently those bigger and better

guns are

> Erbitux and Avastin. so if you use Avastin now you may not be able

to use it later.

>

> Let's look at something we all know more about. You get a simple

sore

> throat. you go to the doctor and you learn it is Strep. He can give

you simple

> Amoxicillin or a new and powerful antibiotic known to kill the

deadliest

> bacterial infections, which will the doctor give you?

>

> Well, most doctors will give you the Amoxicillin. The reason being

that they

> can give you something stronger but if they give you the stronger

stuff for

> this what happens if you build up tolerance and get an even worse

infection

> later? They will have to find something even stronger and that may

or may not

> exist.

>

> So it is with the Avastin trial your body could build up tolerance

and you

> might not have it as a weapon later on should you need it. I would

definitely

> ask your doctor about this possibility.

> Avastin and Erbitux have only been approved for under 2 years and

they are

> the big guns. You want to make sure you will have a ready arsenal

to fight

> with should you need it.

>

> Hope this makes sense

>

> Narice

>

>

[Guest guest]

That is sorta what I was thinking as well. Jolene

Re: Re: Newly diagnosed with colon cancer

stage 2

The way I understand it now, is you will get Folfox which is the standard

treatment for Stage III. If you participate in the trial, you may get

Avastin. I really believe the only CHANCE you have of getting Avastin at

this stage in your diagnosis is to go with the trial and hope you are

getting it.

The way it is sounding I would say you have nothing to lose and a lot to

gain.

_____

[Guest guest]

, Now that you explained it better, it is a tough decision

for you to have to make. I would do a lot of research on this if it

was me. I will pray for you to make the right choice. Love, Ingrid

> >

> > >

> > >

> > > In a message dated 12/17/2005 7:34:59 PM Eastern

> > > Standard Time,

> > > dlelsea@h... writes:

> > >

> > > Marie,

> > > Do lots of research. My wife is the one with

> > cancer

> > > and before we

> > > saw the onc, I had questions galore from all the

> > > research I did. Its

> > > hard to ask the right questions if you dont know

> > > about your cancer,

> > > and from the doctors I know they dont want to

> > tell

> > > you too much. I

> > > am much smarter now and when the doctor says

> > > something I dont

> > > understand or disagree with, I question it.

> > Stay

> > > strong, and stay

> > > involved.

> > >

> > > D

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Very good advice from Doug to you Marie!!!

> > Get

> > > a notebook and write

> > > all questions down and DEMAND answers...of some

> > > kind!! You have a right to

> > > know anything and everything in order to battle

> > this

> > > BEAST!! You need to be a

> > > SURVIVOR!!!

> > >

> > > Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

> > > Caregiver to Glenn

> > >

> > >

> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > > removed]

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Narice, That makes so much sense. I was wondering about that myself

too. It is something to consider. Love, Ingrid

> >

> > >

> > >

> > > In a message dated 12/17/2005 7:34:59 PM Eastern

> > > Standard Time,

> > > dlelsea@h... writes:

> > >

> > > Marie,

> > > Do lots of research. My wife is the one with

> > cancer

> > > and before we

> > > saw the onc, I had questions galore from all the

> > > research I did. Its

> > > hard to ask the right questions if you dont know

> > > about your cancer,

> > > and from the doctors I know they dont want to

> > tell

> > > you too much. I

> > > am much smarter now and when the doctor says

> > > something I dont

> > > understand or disagree with, I question it.

> > Stay

> > > strong, and stay

> > > involved.

> > >

> > > D

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Very good advice from Doug to you Marie!!!

> > Get

> > > a notebook and write

> > > all questions down and DEMAND answers...of some

> > > kind!! You have a right to

> > > know anything and everything in order to battle

> > this

> > > BEAST!! You need to be a

> > > SURVIVOR!!!

> > >

> > > Lots of hugs and prayers, Donelle

> > > Caregiver to Glenn

> > >

> > >

> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > > removed]

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Marie, how did your appointment go with the oncologist? Keep in touch.

~Deb from KS

" A. M. Werling " wrote:

Hello Narice,

I can't thank you enough for the information you sent.

I tried to obtain this info and all sources said I

would get this from the oncologist when I see him. I

wanted to be prepared before hand. I will be in touch

Monday after the appointment. Thank you again for

your prompt help.

Sincerely,

Marie

--- flipper759@... wrote:

>

> Hi it would help to know your name.

> Stage 2 is very treatable You have had surgery so

> they will probably give

> that time to heal. You will then probably be on a

> combination chemo called

> FOLFOX which stands for 5FU, Leucovorin and

> Oxaliplatin.

> You may feel pretty lousy on chemo day with a

> slight fever aches and chills.

> This is from the Oxaliplatin. If you bundle up

> under the covers and take

> some Tylenol it will pass by late afternoon or early

> evening.

> Another side effect is a tingly almost shock like

> feeling if you touch cold

> objects or are out in the cold. Sometimes people who

> are on Oxaliplatin for a

> long time have a tingling in their hands and feet

> that lasts a few months

> after treatment.

>

> If you start in January my guess is you should be

> done around June.

> In between you will have regular blood tests and CT

> scans to be sure the

> chemo is working and the cancer is GONE for good. I

> copied and pasted the basic

> things you'd want to know about this chemo

>

> Let us know how your visit goes

> Best Wishes

> Narice

>

>

> General information

>

> Fluorouracil is one of the most commonly used drugs

> to treat cancer. It is

> used in the treatment of many types of cancer

> including, breast, head and

> neck, anal, stomach, colon and some skin cancers.

>

> 5FU is part of a group of chemotherapy drugs known

> as the anti-metabolites.

> Anti-metabolites are similar to normal body

> molecules but they are slightly

> different in structure. These differences mean

> that anti-metabolites stop

> cells working properly instead of helping them.

> Anti-metabolites often stop

> cells making and repairing DNA. Cancer cells need

> to make and repair DNA in

> order to grow and multiply. Anti-metabolites also

> stop normal cells working

> properly. This is why you get side effects.

>

> You can have 5FU as an injection or infusion into a

> vein. There is also an

> ointment that your doctor may give you for skin

> cancer.

>

> The side effects associated with fluorouracil (5FU)

> are listed below. Use

> the links (underlined) to find out more about each

> side effect. For more

> information on side effects where there is no link

> please see our chemotherapy

> side effects section or click on 'search' at the top

> of the page.

>

>

> Common Side Effects

>

> Many people have one or more of the following side

> effects

>

>

> Fatigue - patients say this is the most disruptive

> side effect of all.

> Tiredness often carries on after treatment has

> ended. Most people find their

> energy levels are back to normal from 6 months to a

> year after their treatment

> finishes.

> Feeling or being sick (usually mild)

> Mouth sores and ulcers

> Diarrhoea

> Temporary drop in bone marrow function causing

>

> - Drop in white blood cell count. This increases

> the risk of severe

> infection. Infections can sometimes be life

> threatening. You should urgently

> contact a doctor if you think you have an

> infection. This can feel like you have

> 'flu (headache, feeling very cold and shivery,

> fever, aching joints and

> muscles). Or you may have a cough, sore throat or

> pain when passing urine.

>

> - Fall in red cell count (anaemia), which may make

> you feel tired and look

> pale or be short of breath. You may need a blood

> transfusion or treatment to

> bring up your red cell count.

>

> - Drop in platelets in the blood causing bleeding or

> bruising. You may have

> lots of tiny red spots or bruises on your arms or

> legs. You may have

> nosebleeds or bleeding gums.

>

>

> Contact your hospital if you have any of these bone

> marrow side effects.

>

>

> Tiredness

> This drug may have a harmful effect on a baby

> developing in the womb. It is

> not advisable to become pregnant or father a child

> while on chemotherapy.

> You should talk to your doctor about contraception

> before having the

> treatment.

> Occasional Side Effects

>

> Some people have the following side effects

>

>

> Hair thinning

> Brittle, chipped and ridged nails

> Sensitivity of the skin to sunlight - you should not

> sit in the sun if

> having 5-FU. Cover up or use a sun block.

> Rashes which may be itchy

> Watery eyes from increased production of tears

>

> Gritty eyes and blurred vision

> Loss of appetite

> Brown marking on the skin following the line of the

> vein where 5FU has been

> injected

> With continous infusion of 5FU an occasional side

> effect is soreness and

> redness of the palms of the hands and soles of the

> feet (sometimes called hand

> and foot syndrome or palmar-plantar syndrome).

> Rare Side Effects

>

> A very small number of people experience these side

> effects

>

>

> Total hair loss

> Darkened skin

> Angina or heart attack

> Confusion or unsteadiness

> Remember

>

>

>

> Not everyone will get these side effects. You may

> have none or several. A

> side effect may get worse through your course of

> treatment, or more side

> effects may develop as the course goes on. This

> depends on

>

> - How many times you've had the drug before

> - Your general health

> - How much of the drug you have (the dose)

> - The way you take the drug (tablets or drip)

> - Other drugs you are having

>

> Some side effects are upsetting or inconvenient,

> but not damaging to your

> health

> Some side effects are serious medical conditions

> and need treating. Where

> we have urged you to contact your doctor, this is

> because

>

> - Your side effect may need treating

> - You drug dose may need reducing to try to prevent

> the side effect

>

> Tell your doctor about any other medicines you are

> taking, including

> vitamins, herbal supplements and other over the

> counter remedies - drugs can react

> together

> Talk to your doctor or nurse about all your side

> effects so they can help

> you manage them

> People you can talk to about your side effects

>

> Your chemotherapy nurse, clinic or ward nurse will

> have given you a contact

> number. You can ring if you have any questions or

> problems.

=== message truncated ===

__________________________________________________