My Story of Going Through Oral Chemotherapy
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- Опубликовано: 5 июл 2024
- Half of the first step in my Colorectal Cancer treatment was the oral chemotherapy called Capecitabine (Xeloda). I talk about getting started taking the pills, what I learned in the training class, what side effects I dealt with, and some tips that helped me through it.
See if you can tell at what point in the video I had to take a break to go pick Maelle up from school and when I came back it was a little darker out so I had to change my lighting 😀💡
If you missed my previous video on how radiation was, here is the link for you to find out about the other side effects that I experienced at the same time as the ones from this video: • My Story of Going Thro...
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⭐Hair is oVertone extreme purple and espresso brown. Use my referral code cutt.ly/KecIyLz and we both get $10 off an order.
Sounds like I’m having every the same protocol as you with my rectal cancer. I appreciate you so much for making these videos.
Your on camera presence is amazing. Just amazing how you put your story together and let your light shine so brightly. 🌞
Thank you so much 🤗
Diagnosed a few weeks ago with stage 4 colon cancer that has spread to my liver. I start Chemo in two days and am scared to death to start this journey. Off to watch more of your videos thanks for sharing your journey with us and I hope you are doing ok :)
So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Wishing you the best as you start treatment 💙
Be strong you will beat it for staying strong and positive.. I am at the middle of radiation for anal cancer .. good luck and stay connected 🙏
@@mariiiiiam hey girl! Thank you for commenting I am now on round 5 and am doing ok other that the normal weakness and extreme tiredness. How are you feeling? Do you have a good support system that's helping you through this? Keep in contact with me I would love to be part of your support system.
I am a 6 year stage 4 Colorectal Cancer patient survivor. You can beat this!
@@ulealexander6965 this gives me hope thank you!
Thanks so much for your videos. I’ve finished FOLFOX and will be starting Xeloda and radiation next week. It’s so helpful to know what to expect from others have gone through this.
You’re welcome! Happy to give you a little insight on what to expect 💙
You are so courageous . God Bless you and thank you for sharing.
you have an amazing gift at story telling...without a doubt, you sharing your experience has helped a lot of people
Thank you so much 💙 I sincerely hope my videos have helped others dealing with a CRC diagnosis.
Thank you for your excellent and very informative video, which has been of great help to me. Wishing you well.
I’m glad to hear my video was helpful to you. Wishing you the best too.
My father recently completed his second cycle of chemotherapy using IV-5FU, but he unexpectedly experienced neurotoxicities (mental confusion). His oncologist is switching it to capecitabine as a result, he will be starting next week. I am confident that this time, everything will turn out well. Right now, your videos are a huge help to me. After learning that he had cancer, everything is terrifying, so I seek comfort in following your journey. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome. I hope your father handles the pills better 🤞🏼💙
Thank you so much for this video ♥️ You are AMAZING!!!!!
You’re welcome 💙
Thanks so much for your cancer journey video. The info that you have provided has been invaluable!!! I was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer on May 26, 2022. After getting through all of the scans, blood work, doctor visits, etc., I finally started my treatment (5 days for 5 weeks oral chemo and radiation to be followed by port installation and more chemo) in earnest on July 11 by taking my first dose of generic Xeloda (3 tabs, 500 mg each) yesterday morning. I ate half of a banana bread muffin, took the 3 tabs with lots of water then ate the rest of the muffin. I experienced no ill effects and took the second dose 12 hours later - around 7:00 pm with a lightly buttered bagel (half/pills/water/half). During the day, I ate a small amount of leftover roast, rice and butter beans, again, with no I’ll effects. I will say that I feel a little fatigued but think that this could very well be from the cancer itself rather than the chemo pills. Time will tell and I’m just getting started. I did use your gargle recipe to try and stay ahead of any mouth issues. I began my radiation treatments yesterday as well and will comment about that experience on your radiation video. More to come about my oral chemo experience as the days/weeks progress.. Again, thanks so much for taking the time to produce all of your videos. I’ve told all of my doctors and nurses about them. Take care.
I hope the rest of your treatment goes as smoothly as these first days 🤞🏼💙 Thank you so much for sharing my channel with your doctors and nurses. It makes me so happy when people think my content is good enough to share it with their medical team 😊
Good luck to your journey.. I am also at the middle of radiation for 5 weeks .. I finished my chemo pills for a month.. the side effects are nausea lose of appetite and fatigue.. the radiation has its own side effects but looking forward to get well soon.. all the best to your journey and stay strong ❤️🙏
Thanks Mariam - what I thought was to be 5 weeks of radiation and oral chemo treatment for rectal cancer turned into 6 weeks but that’s behind me now ( no pun intended) and I receive my second of 8 courses of “ heavy duty” chemo this coming Tuesday. I’m happy to say that the side effects from radiation and oral chemo were quite mild in my case. I received proton therapy radiation which I was told would be less damaging to surrounding healthy tissue and I think that was the case based on the experiences of others. As to the side effects from the chemo cocktail I received on Tuesday., a week ago, the only thing that I have experienced is slight fatigue and constipation (Exlax helped with that). I’m sure that will change as treatment progresses but I remain cautiously optimistic. I received a heavy dose of anti nausea meds in my cocktail and my nurse cautioned me to be sure and follow the prescribed dosage instructions for the pills that were sent home with me (Ondansetron and Prochlorperazine). I absolutely did and did not have any serious issues with nausea after the first course of chemo. I will say that dealing with the pump for 2 days is a hassle but it’s only for the remainder of this year so no big deal. Good luck with your wellness journey as well. Take care.
Does anyone have any updates on how their treatments went ?
Hi Janell - in response to your inquiry, I had successful surgery on 3/8 to remove the rectal cancer and get a ileostomy. I’m scheduled to have a scope procedure done on 5/10 to insure that the stitching in my intestines has healed and the ileostomy can be reversed. If all goes well with that, I expect to have the reversal surgery completed sometime in May since my surgeon said it would be done 8 to 12 weeks after the initial surgery. I am quite anxious about the possibility of living with the effects of LAR Syndrome which is common with surgery of this type. Good luck to you.
I really hope your still here and doing wonderful I am starting my oral chemo and radiation soon not excited but enjoyed your video thanks
I am still here and cancer-free. Best wishes to you as you stat treatment.
@@SurvivorJelena wonderful to hear 🙏😇🥂 and thank you! I’m holding for the best at only 31yo I got a lot ahead of me
@@SurvivorJelena dear how you doing today?
Thank you so much for this video dear. You gave me hope for my brother 🙏🙏 🙏
You're welcome. Hope is so powerful!
Josh Try good question! In order for the chemo to stop the growth of the bad cancer cells it also stops the growth of good cells. This is why we need more research into better treatments! Immunotherapy uses your own immune system to fight off the cancer, but they don’t work effectively for all people, and most are still in the trial phase.
Thank you so much for posting this video. My mother may have to take this medicine. There is a lot of fear around making the decision to take this medication. Thank you tremendously.
You’re welcome 💙
this medicine same as chemo iv?
I was on Xeloda during radiation as well. I didn't get any of the common side-effects that you mentioned. I got angina (a very rare side-effect). I got an emergency inhaler and I got referred to a cardiac oncologist to verify the cause of the angina (medication or an undiagnosed pre-existing condition). My heart was fine. The angina came from a mild overdose of the medication. My Xeloda treatment was briefly paused and my dosage was reduced. I had no further problems.
I’m glad everything turned out ok for you after that scare.
Thank you so much for this video. My mom will start her oral chemo tomorrow.
Sending good vibes to your mom, hoping she handles it ok. 💙
what was the ratio of ingredients for the mouthwash to prevent cold sores? Water, baking soda, salt - how much of each?
You're seem to be in high spirit. Most people lose their wits after cancer and treatments. I'm pretty messed up myself. I had 60 radiation treatments, 6 weeks of chemo through IV, and 4 surgeries done on my neck. Now they want to put me on chemo pills. I'm trying to get on disability. I'm too debilitated to work. I've been through a lot of pain in the last 2 years while still working and supporting my family. Needless to say I lost my wits somewhere along the way
My mental state deteriorated 3 years after my diagnosis. I’m doing better now. Don’t be afraid to seek out help for your mental health.
That is a very difficult road. I'm sorry.
Mindfulness/meditation, practice, healing sounds, mind reprogramming, talk therapy, writing, 20-30 sun a day, movement, for mental health
My husband has stage 3 colon had surgery about a month ago. will need 3 months of chemo treatment once every 3 weeks and two weeks of pills at home with one week off. Just wondering how long did I go back to normal after chemo.
About a month after I really started to see an improvement. Best wishes to your husband.
Same with my son. Surgery happened in Jan 2023 and on preventive chemo. Capecitabine regime 2 weeks on and 1 week off. Very nervous but God will do the best.
Had colorectal cancer too in 2016! I did 5 weeks of Xeloda and radiation. Breezed through it. Sadly 7 years later the cancer is back. So doing more radiation. And later I guess I'll consider Xeloda again. Definitely a better option than IV chemo! I got very few side effects.
Dang, 7 years after and it came back. I hope you can kick it to the curb again.
@@SurvivorJelena Unlikely. Getting palliative care now.
My mom is going through chemotherapy right now and she’s tired allll the time and eats very little did you have similar symptoms?
I definitely got pretty tired and didn’t have as strong of an appetite when I was going through chemo. Your body goes through a lot so it’s understandable that you’re more tired. If she has some anti-nausea meds she should be sure to take those. When I had a low appetite (but wasn’t nauseous) I found that taking them helped me get a bit of my appetite back.
I live in Ahmedabad, a small city in India. I am currently studying And the situation is not good .
My father has metastatic adenocarcinoma small intestines cancer
Just gave him his first chemo He has been told to take this pill for 14 days capecitabine
I'm so sorry to hear about your father. It's so hard to hear a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer. Capecitabine is exactly what I took...I took it twice a day for 28 days.
How is he now??
Hi Jelena, I just started IV and xeloda aka CAPox
Im stage 3 T1-2 N1 M0
My oncologist suggested watch and wait if complete clinical is achieved.
Because the tumor sits low in the rectum, and he wants to try to avoid APR surgery. Why did you have surgery after chemo? Was there still cancer present after chemo?
Yes, there was still visible cancer so it needed cut out.
@@SurvivorJelena Im so glad you have been able to beat this and serve as an inspiration for us. God bless you
Hello....
My mother have this rectal cancer on 3rd stage I just want to know is there any side effect of hair loss from oral chemotherapy?
There is a potential for a little hair loss, but I didn’t experience any.
Having difficulty finding any info about anal cancer. Do you have any resources? Tyvm
Did you undergo surgery after radiation ? Thanks and God bless
Yes, I had LAR surgery 3 months after I completed radiation.
What helped you with the foot syndrome. Mine really hurts. Can't walk hardly
Acupuncture, compression socks, and a hand-held electric massager helped some. Talk with your oncologist too, there is medication that could help, and they may need to adjust your chemo if you have more rounds left.
@@SurvivorJelena thank you 😊 will do. Have a blessed day
Maam pls reply can i do job from 12 to 6 with my oral chemotherapy? Which are the side effect u face during your oral chemotherapy?? My oral chemotherapy name is capectabine
Many people have done it. It’s hard to say for me because I was also going through radiation at the same time. I took the same oral chemo. I talk about all the side effects in the video. Your hands and feet may hurt some so if you stand all day that may get uncomfortable by the final week.
My father get tongue recurrence tumor advance stage size 5cm floor invloing also is there doctor say treatment was palliative radtion and oral chemotherapy
My father has completed his second chemotherapy he is feeling well than before, he has rectal cancer and his stage is 4 doctor said only chemotherapy is the solution and doctor advised for 4 chemos
Will the capecitabine tablets create any problem like edema to my father in future..?
Please reply 🙏
I didn’t experience edema on Xeloda and it isn’t listed as a common side effect. His hands and feet could become red, sensitive, and have skin peeling though. Talk with his doctor about what side effects he could experience and the doctor should give you a list of everything.
Watch doctor berg RUclips channel... Fasting is the key.. There are natural ways too.
Baking sofa salt and water how much of each
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup of warm water
What food did u eat and avoid during this treatment... It will be helpful
I didn’t really change my diet while I was going through treatment. The only time anything changed was right after surgery when I didn’t have much of an appetite I would drink protein shakes to help with healing and to get in calories.
@@SurvivorJelena did u loose u hair.
No. I didn’t start losing any hair until I started the IV chemo FOLFOX, and even then it just thinned, I didn’t lose it all.
@@SurvivorJelena thanks. Hope my mom won't loose it too... She' had LAR surgery now on xeloda plus radio . Last 5 days left then... She'll receive chemotherapy iv
Have you heard a DPD defiency?..have you had that test?
I have heard of that. I didn't have a test, but I handled both chemotherapies well so the doctors didn't have a reason to see if I had it.
Your insurance did not cover your perscription?
They covered most of it, but I still had to pay some.
I just started my Xeloda today...
I hope the Xeloda and radiation aren’t too rough on you. Best wishes as you begin treatment 💙
Hy i want ask something
my father going through 2 cycle chemo and oral capabine
Sunitha Devi how is he doing? Sending my best to him. 💙
@@SurvivorJelena thanks for wish he is doing well I hope he will fight like a soldier
@@sunithalajagathu1793 how is he now?
What is your oral chemo? What are the side effects? Did you lose hair ?
I talk about all of that in the video
@@SurvivorJelena I a fever normal? Do I need to be concerned?
@@amazinglovejn316 I didn’t get a fever. If it’s over 101°F you should call your oncologist’s office.
@@SurvivorJelena I don't know if it's from after Ontruzant or Capecitabine but it never go up to 101. But no fever today and doing fine as of bow. And I noticed my boobs/lump got smaller in just 3 days.
Can oral chemotherapy and IV chemotherapy same side efect
They have different side effects because it’s 2 different types of drugs.
@@SurvivorJelena please tell me. About your side efect
How are you now
I’m still NED (have no evidence of disease) and have been for over 5.5 years now. Doing pretty well.
@@SurvivorJelena may God bless you. It gives hope to my mother who had same thing u had.. But we did her surgery first and she's having xeloda and radiation for now.. Can you please tell me what food did u eat during your therapy
Thank you for all your efforts sharing your experiences!! The matter of fact method you use is helpful.
You're so cute!
😊