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Colon cancer and chemotherapy

(11 Posts)
LOUISA1523 Sun 27-Apr-25 15:20:38

Chocolatelovinggran

Chemotherapy is absolutely gruelling, and the toll on the body traumatic to see for loved ones.
Hold hard to the fact that the team is working for him, and the goal is life after cancer. Good luck .

But their is no life after cancer for OPs brother ....he may not die if cancer but he will certainly die with it...the chemo is not been given with curative intent....and that must be very hard for them all to deal with .....primary cancer is one thing....secondary / metastatic cancer is a life sentence of treatment

crazyH Sun 27-Apr-25 14:53:51

So sorry to hear this - flowers

Gracie12 Sun 27-Apr-25 14:47:37

I had colon cancer many years ago...I had an operation to remove the tumour followed by chemo and radiotherapy ...thank full mine was treated successfully and I recovered completely...I have a few problems like IBS caused by the radio atrophying my muscles ...I wish you all the best and hope your brother recovers well the oncologists I had were special people and very skilled and caring ...

HelterSkelter1 Sun 27-Apr-25 14:39:54

The cancer I have has a private facebook website and helpline. I am sure there must be something similar for colon cancer. And they would answer your queries as well.

Chemotherapy is hard physically and mentally. Not all cancer teams have a 24/7 help line. I had to ring 111 or AE if I had a problem outside 9 -6 Mon to Fri. Not the best of situations.

If he has been advised to he must drink plenty of water. Has he been prescribed supplementary drinks by his GP to try and keep his weight up. Macmillan have an on line guide to weight building up during cancer.
Sympathies to you all. Facing up day to day with the effects of chemo is hard on everyone.

Chocolatelovinggran Sat 26-Apr-25 08:59:11

Chemotherapy is absolutely gruelling, and the toll on the body traumatic to see for loved ones.
Hold hard to the fact that the team is working for him, and the goal is life after cancer. Good luck .

harrigran Sat 26-Apr-25 08:03:43

I had bowel cancer and oral chemotherapy.
The drugs took a toll on my body, sore burning feet and hands, loss of taste. During the last chemotherapy session I had a Pulmonary embolism and had to stop chemotherapy.
Nine years on I am still here but every joint and muscle in my body is painful. Stomach pain and soreness is constant.
I hope your brother can find some ease.

teabagwoman Fri 25-Apr-25 19:02:10

It’s so hard watching a loved one go through chemotherapy. The McMillan nurses and the Maggies Centres provide support for relatives and practical help and advice.

Shelflife Fri 25-Apr-25 18:58:34

Oh my goodness ! I am so sorry to read your post. He has a loving family behind him and I am sure he knows that. Cancer and it's treatment is brutal! I send him and all your family good wishes and strength. 💐💐

Readandcook Fri 25-Apr-25 18:04:34

Thank you so much! He is not good at asking for support unfortunately.
He never married and no children so just my Mum, my sister and his twin brother are his supporters.
It’s so sad but have to be realistic about the future.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Fri 25-Apr-25 17:55:52

Chemotherapy is brutal. It needs to be. Your brother will have a whole oncology team behind him at the hospital where he is treated. They will have a 24 hot line for chemotherapy patients/family if there are concerns.

It really is hard to watch a loved one go through this. Weight loss can be dramatic, a gaunt look to the face.

I hope in time your brother will show that he is responding to his treatment by getting stronger, bloods stabilising etc. I send you my very best wishes for a good prognosis.

You are all in the eye of the storm right now. Remember he has a team on his side. Use them, they’ve seen everything and know how best to deal with any eventuality. Good luck.

Readandcook Fri 25-Apr-25 17:31:02

As a family we are going through hell at the moment and I need some honest answers if anyone has some knowledge in this area.
My 58 year old brother was diagnosed 18 months ago with colon cancer with liver metastatic area.
He has had the following treatment- immunotherapy and targeted therapy which actually got rid of the secondaries in the liver.
However the colon cancer is progressing and he is now on chemo- an oral tablet called Lonsurf and an IV drug every 2 weeks called Avastain.
I really am not sure about prognosis as he doesn’t share much but he looks awful and losing so much weight. His blood results are abnormal so he missed his last IV meds and looks like he could miss the next one too on Wednesday as high potassium and low sodium.
He is complaining of abdominal pain and as a family including my 85 year old Mum are worried sick.
Has anyone got any personal experience of a similar situation and these chemo drugs? I would be interested in honest good and bad experiences.