Radiation + Oral Chemo Med
Hi everyone, I have some questions about the 2nd phase of my cancer journey. I have stage 3 rectal cancer. I just finished my 6th round of chemo infusions and are done (thank god 🙏🏻). I have had all my scans and have no further spread of cancer to any nearby or distant lymph nodes or organs (thank god again 🙏🏻). I did start to have a lot of digestive system issues starting near the end my chemo infusions mostly round 5 and 6 and the endless and sleepless nights really had me thinking I may not survive many more of rounds of the chemo side effects.
However, my Oncologist continues to want to be aggressive with the next phase which is radiation while adding an oral chemo medication called Capecitabine as well. The treatment will be 5 days a week for 5 to 6 weeks. Surgery has been mentioned but I have my first meeting with the Colorectal Surgeon in two weeks. I'm getting really nervous and scared but I continue to hang on and do what I can to keep moving forward to see a new day.
Here are my questions:
Why would both be required or suggested to be given? (Especially for my situation, read above.)
Has anyone here had to be on Capecitabine?
For those who had to do both, what was your experience like?