Chemo Question.

[derekpara]

I've just completed (5 Aug) a 24 week chemo course for rectal cancer which involved 8 cycles of two weeks on Capecitabine 500mg 4 tabs twice daily, then one week off. The tumour had already been removed by radiotherapy but this course was to deal with any secondary cancer.

My question is, how soon can I take alcohol ? I am a very light drinker but enjoy a G&T before my Sunday lunch and one bottle of beer a couple of times a week. I haven't touched a drop during the course but have been looking forward to a little tipple !

Many thanks.

D

[rockyracoon]

I can't answer your question, but after what you've just been through, I really, really hope that you can have a drink.

[mallyh]

sorry to hear about what you have been through xx ask the medical team about the drink xx

[woofgang]

were you told not to drink? If you were, then ask whoever told you not to.

[Sqad]

Any time this week would be fine.......small amounts to start with.
Tonight? fine.
Tomorrow?OK.
You have finished your chemo...so no problem.

[retrocop]

Hi Dave
We are the few I guess who were fortunate to have their chemo at home with Capecitabine. A great medication.I enjoy a drink most days and the course of Capecitabine did not inhibit that routine at all. I have attended the RMH for the past several years and have finished with follow ups and bloods etc. Just the annual colonoscopy. I was never told not to imbibe and in fact I asked Prof Cunninham at the start of the course of chemo and he indicated no probs.
Some interesting side effects from Capecitibine were toenails falling out and peripheral neuropathy. I felt I was walking on broken glass so I hobbled into RMH and they simply decreased the doseage but prolonged the cycle a couple of weeks.
I wish you the best of luck.I suffered from cancer of the sigmoid colon. That was cut out and no need for a stoma bag. I count myself fortunate in most respects with regard to the efficacy of the treatment. Just wish they made the tablets a little smaller.

[retrocop]

Further to my last I was offered Chemo as I was a Dukes 'B'. It was my choice but wanted a belt and braces after the resection which went well. I had to self inject Fragmin twice a day for a month as well. As I ,at that time, hated needles I made sure I had a triple Jameson on hand as I self injected. :-)

[derekpara]

Thank you all so much for your very helpful advice and good wishes. I will celebrate with a double G & T this weekend !

My rectal cancer was discovered purely by chance following the use of a blood thinner causing slight rectal bleeding. I have always been very fit and am still working in my 80s. My treatment, particularly at Guy;s Hospital in London, has been excellent. I am now looking forward (!) to a reversal of my stoma.

Best wishes to you all, particularly fellow sufferers.

Cheers.

D

[retrocop]

Mine was discovered as I suffered extreme constipation for several weeks. I bit the bullet and reluctantly visited my GP. First test was a ultra scan which was as helpful as a chocolate teapot. The techie told me that the scan would not reach the area under investigation. I was then given the poo stick test, over three days, by the GP. That came back negative as did the previous tests I provided as part of the national screening programme from Northwick Park hospital.
Last chance was the colonoscopy and bingo it finished before it started. A tumour the size of an orange blocked the camera. A coupl of minor polyps cut out and a biopsy of the tumour taken. The rest is history but caught in time. :-) Last visit to my GP about 2 weeks ago, with regard to a cardio matter,she tried to interest me in the National screening programme.As she had taken over from a retired doctor I respectfully suggested she may like to refer to my notes on her computer in future as my episode of cancer was only about 5 years back. I also told her, politely but in no uncertain terms, what I thought of shoving a lollipop stick up one's rectum as a reliable indicator of my sigmoid cancer.

[derekpara]

Interesting stuff Retro, and well done for getting through it all. As a fellow traveller you know the roller-coaster of thoughts and emotions you experience. Denial, despair, resignation, hope, relief .

Life is such a lottery, but thanks to the advancement of science the big C isn't what it was in my dad's time. Good luck to you.

Cheers.

D