christy, my daughter (age 23, stage 3 rectal) had the exact chemo that you will have. she had 6 treatments before surgery and 8 treatments post op. we found that a drip of calcium/magnesium right before starting the chemo helped her alot with the "tingles". that added another hour on to the time we spent there. the last 2 treatments, they also gave her that drip after the chemo, too. we spent all day there! we had a home infusion company that would show up at the end of the chemo session to hook my daughter up to the 5FU pump. they would then come out the next day to her college dorm (she just graduated-quite an accomplishment!) and hook up her leucovorin and change the 5FU cassette. the next day they would come to unhook her. we have aetna and they covered the home infusion, no problem. it makes life easier than going back and forth to where you have treatment.
also, she had some significant nausea after the first treatment so the doc put her on EMEND and ZOFRAN . the 2 drugs work together and helped alot. she didn't feel great the first few days after treatment but was able to function.
everyone's reaction to the chemo is different. hopefully, you will be one of the lucky ones and do really well. you certainly sound like you have lots of energy for the fight ahead!

lots of good luck to you. susan

Christy:
Yes, it was Advantage 2000 LOL! I had the same thoughts when they contacted me. And then I thougt--Cigna, "cheap bas!ard$!" But they did truly help with getting me approved-- they were surprised as they expected a fight, but I was approved no problem second go around. I guess I am one of the lucky ones-- if there is luck in all of this crap lol. As I am still utilizing services 2 years later. I also am now qualified for and participate in the A and B health policies, and pharmaceutical plan.

But as I said, Cigna has been a pain in my arse with their constant follow-up. They got off paying a bundle because I was approved so quickly by Social Security, which BTW they take any retroactive payments that you receive from SSD. Anyway, once you get through with A2000, try to give your LTD company the LEAST amount of information possible. Tell them you are not feeling well, and that they can contact your doctors... and give their names and authorize release of your records. Like I said in my other post, I was naive in the beginning, thinking that they were calling because they were ACTUALLY concerned about how I was doing on chemo and with my troubled surgeries, etc.!!!! But I'm sure you have heard it all as you have been through it with your mom. Just a reminder not to fall in the traps! :nono:

Chemo affects people in such different ways. That's why I didn't respond to your post before you went for chemo b/c I didn't want you to be scared or draw on my experience. Sorry, I'll risk it and tell you now... if you Don't want to hear it, STOP READING HERE!!!
I was very numb in the beginning. For me, I got sicker as I went through it each time. It was almost like a knee-jerk reaction. Thinking about the Cancer Center or literally hearing my nurse's voice on her voicemail would cause me to sweat and get unbelievable chills and vomit. I would be drenched in sweat. They had NO idea why I would shake throughout, with chills so bad my teeth would literally chatter. I didn't want to be negative for you, because like I said, EVERYONE has a different experience. But, my advice would be if this happens to you, DON'T HESITATE to take the "stronger" anti-emetics... compazine, Zofran, and other new ones on the market. And whatever other meds you need. Hang in there. :angel:

OK TO READ NOW

Thanks for saying the nice things about me BTW. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions... for any of us here. I'd be happy to tell you whatever. :)

Fondly,
CancerDad

Christy, I thought I would respond, I haven't been on the boards in a while, but I am kind of a Type A personality and decided that I would work through Chemo. A little history I just turned 31, I was August 05, had hemicolectomy Aug 26th and was off work for 5 weeks. I went back to work full time, and worked all the way through my chemo treatments, I was stage II and had the 6 months of chemo like you every other week 5 FU, Leucovorin, and Oxaliplatin, I went on monday for 4-5 hours had the 5 FU pump and then went back the second day for 2 hrs and again home with the pump, they sent me with all the supplies and I flushed and disconnected my port by myself every time to avoid having to be around for a third day. I also had someone else give me my Neulasta shots on the third day.

I worked the entire time I was on Chemo, I took a week off (from chemo around christmas and one other week during the 6 month process.) I got Kytril the first day as pre med for nausea IV and IV dexamethasone the second day, I also took Zofran and Dexamethasone for nausea a few days after chemo. Phenegran didn't work for me because it made me too tired to work. I guess I am probably an exception to the rule, I did get some nausea, and diarrhea but it was manageable, As for work, I work as a physical therapist and actually my job involves travel throughout 5 different states, so me personally I would have chemo monday and tuesday, and would drive to my destination Tuesday night, Then I worked 10 days straight until the next chemo, would come home for the weekend and treatment and do it all over again, Basically for the first 4 days after chemo, I wouldn't do anything but work, come home and sleep. I will say I did start to have some of the side effects of Oxaliplatin after I stopped taking it (numbness and tingling in hands and feet). But it is true everyone is different, and you have to do what is best for you and what you feel your body can handle. Good Luck