Karen and I met with my oncologist (Chemo not Radiation) yesterday. My primary doctor (Dennis Beckworth) is out on a family / personal matter. So I met with another doctor at Katmai (Mark Levandovsky). He was very concerned that the treatment plan they have for me is much too aggressive for my stage of cancer, and my age. He is worried that some of the long term side effects of the treatment outweigh the benefits of trying to kill cancer that very well might not be there anymore. Nothing they have tested has shown any signs of metastasis. He is going to talk with Dr. Beckworth, and Dr. Halligain (Radiation Oncologist) about changing my treatment. He has 3 different approaches he would like to try. 1 – Be finished with treatment after radiation is over. 2- Take chemo pills after radiation is over. 3 -Continue with the current plan (FOLOX), but stop at any signs of side effects. He also insists that the FOLOX (a combination of 3 chemo drugs) will be no longer than 4 months.
I have been having some adverse side effects from the radiation. I have proctitis (inflamation of the rectum) and at times tenesmus (ineffective and painful straining, during a bowel movement). He did tell me that the proctitis would be very probable during radiation. It also could be chronic. (hence Levandovsky’s concerns about long term problems) I started to take Metamucil, Proctofoam (you can figure this one out!), sitz bathes (sitting in the bathtub), and Percocet. I think it has helped, but will need to give it some time to see if it is effective. It is very uncomfortable to pass a dozen or more stools per day, especially considering that my bottom is very tender and cracked from the radiation! Ouch!!
Oddly enough biking is not all that uncomfortable. I believe it is because my bike seat has a cut out in the center and my ‘tender’ parts do not touch the seat. I would say that when I am mountain biking I take it easy over the roots and bumps. I prefer to ride my road bike since there are no bumps and the pavement is nice and smooth.
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