Kimbyy71's Journey with Adenocarcinoma, Colorectal Cancer
Survivor: Colorectal (Colon) Cancer > Adenocarcinoma
Patient Info: Finished active treatment more than 5 years ago, Diagnosed: over 17 years ago, Female, Age: 49, KRAS mutation positive: Don't Know, BRAF mutation positive: Don't Know, Stage IIIC
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Diagnosed
Oh No
I was diagnosed the day after my only child turned 1 year old. I was 32 years old with no history of cancer in my family
Colostomy
Procedure or Surgery
Due to the location of the tumor (1.5 inches into the rectum) and the size (80% of the circumference) my best chances of survival was to have a TME and permanent colostomy.
Chemotherapy
Drug or Chemo Therapy
Prior to surgery I had a PIC line with 24/7 infusion of 5-FU with leucovorin and went in every two weeks for an infusion of Oxaliplatin for 6 weeks. After surgery I had Xeloda in pill form (two weeks on, one week off) and every two weeks I went in for an infusion of Irinotecan for an additional 6 months.
External radiation
Radiation
Prior to surgery I had radiation five days a week for 6 weeks. It did cause some severe pain and sores in the rectal area.
Anniversary
Celebration
On March 17th, 2009 I celebrated 5 years of being cancer-free (NED)
Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia)
Side Effects
From the second round of chemo (Irinotecan & Xeloda) I would occasionally have to skip treatment and do home injections to raise my white blood cell count
Chemo brain
Side Effects
From pregnancy brain, to mommy brain to chemo brain, I spent almost three years brainless
Hair loss (alopecia)
Side Effects
I lost my hair during the Irinotecan / Xeloda phase, not the first round of chemo