Trying To Be “Normal” While Going Through Cancer Treatment

[@brianmcmanus8366]

6 months of the same drug. Followed by 25 rounds of radiation. I am a dentist. Never missed ONE day of work. I really had no symptoms thank the good Lord. I was 47 at diagnosis. Currently cancer free! We need a t-shirt or something for beating this!

[@sueyates4915]

This video came appeared just in time for me. I am Stage 3 colon cancer and am starting Folfox on Tuesday next week. I am incredibly nervous so these videos are a God-send for me.

[@SurvivorJelena]

Glad to help! The unknown is scary, so I’m happy to uncover a little of the mystery and share my experience with you. Best of luck as you get started on FOLFOX next week 💙

[@nelquimno992]

Susan Yates what were ur symptoms ma'am?

[@sueyates4915]

@@nelquimno992 , fatigue and anemia were the triggers that made me go to the doctor. I now know in retrospect there were others, change in bowel movements, for example. I was just lucky my doctor kept on sending me for tests and didn’t assume it was ibs or something similar.

[@FlyMeAirplane]

Great info, thanks, I'm in FL in the summertime. The 90F and 80% humidity really kills you outside. I'm mowing the lawn now. I can do about 30 min but heart rate goes to 135 and if I push it, get a touch dizzy, then head inside to cool down prior to the next round! I'm physically fit and 60 years old on Radiation and Capecitabine (1/2 way through).

[@monicaperez2843]

I do it by percentages. My day starts at 100 percentage, and I start with the task that is highest priority. Then the task that is second priority, etc. When I reach 100 percent, those tasks left undone can wait until tomorrow. If I'm overwhelmed, I look for someone I trust to help me.

[@reneemanzoor746]

You are incredible. God bless you. My brother who is 45 just got diagnosed with rectal cancer stage 3. They suggested combination of chemo and radiation followed up by surgery. He had been asked to lose weight first. At home we are all devastated but the oncologist asked him to go exercise and continue with work and healthy diet throughout his treatment. We are all praying that he fights it and beats it.

[@kevinmorales4570]

I had my second chemotherapy today, thank you for your videos, they have been a great help to me.

[@SurvivorJelena]

So happy to help! Wishing you the best as you go through this.

[@Alpha_7227]

Thank you so much for the upload. I have worked as a teacher aide for about 5 years at the primary or elementary school. However now I work 2 days a week for a few hours in the school library to process books, reshelve books. It's great so then I am atleast in the school environment and enjoy the company of colleagues and children.

[@SurvivorJelena]

That’s great you’ve found something that works for you.

[@Alpha_7227]

@@SurvivorJelena Cheers, I have found that since working with an exercise physiologist and occupational therapist my mental health has improved immensely. These 2 allied health professionals are so undervalued and under utilised in a patient's rehabilitation and recuperation program.

[@SurvivorJelena]

@@Alpha_7227 that's great news!

[@lisahartle302]

Thank you so much Jelena for doing these videos! I have been over coming stage 3 rectal cancer for for 2+ years & have had the exact same treatment & surgeries as you. I am currently 5 months into my ostomy reversal surgery recovery. I also had fractured my hip & broke my femur thigh bone right before my surgery. I unfortunately have osteoporosis from chemo. Your videos have been a life saver for me. I'm so sorry for everything you have been through, and I'm so thankful though that you have shared your journey so those of us going through this know we are not alone. You are truly a blessing! ❤

[@edgrabousky9178]

I really enjoy your videos. I feel I’m walking in your steps. My surgery was pushed out a couple of days do to COVID filling up all our hospital beds. They have stopped all electives surgeries. But my surgeon said I’m a priority so I’ll just lose a couple of days waiting for the OR and a room to free up. It’s nice to see all the energy you have doing these videos. It gives me hope that there’s a light at the end.

[@SurvivorJelena]

There will hopefully be light at the end...but it’ll be a bumpy road to get there. That’s good that your surgery is really only pushed back a few days. Since you’re getting so close to it through, I’m sure you just want to get it over with.

[@zacharycat603]

You are incredible and inspiring, many people would be so frightened or depressed they couldn't do anything.

[@Katiebangs]

This is SOOO helpful! I start my first folfox this Wednesday. Also 34 years old and stage 3 rectal cancer. Your channel has been a huge North Star for me on this journey. Thank you.

[@SurvivorJelena]

Thank you ☺️ Wishing you the best as you go through your first round of FOLFOX. 💙

[@blueomega2853]

Another great and informative video! The topic about working and dealing with chemo I thought was interesting, work normally can be energy draining, but also with chemo.. 🤔 Must be really draining

[@SurvivorJelena]

So true about work being draining without adding chemo into the mix.

[@ohrandy]

Thanks Jelena. I just had my 7th round of chemo, and your vids have helped me deal with it. 👍🏻

[@SurvivorJelena]

I’m so happy to hear my videos have helped you out😃. I hope the chemo is doing it’s job and killing off the cancer in you 💙

[@laurielyons3946]

Appreciate all the videos! My son is doing chemo now😢

[@iclarke11]

Thank you Jelena, this video helped a lot. I was wondering, would you have felt too nauseous to visit an amuesment park? I made plans to visit a park with a friend this summer, though not sure how long the nausea lasts. I imagine the warm air in June won't aggrevate the cold sensitivity, though not sure about the nausea or fatigue.

[@SurvivorJelena]

If it was during your off-week, I would think you’d hopefully be ok. I usually get a little motion-sick now that I’m not a teenager anymore so I take a Dramamine at the beginning of the day so I can enjoy all the rides 😅 Plan on taking it a little slower than usual and make sure you stay hydrated, but you should be able to have fun.

[@Rollergirl1980]

Thank you so much for your videos

[@SurvivorJelena]

You’re welcome 💙

[@pamelajpick]

Hey Jelena, I'm trying to watch all your videos in the order in which they were made. I had a few questions... Why did you have surgery first before any other treatments? What was the pathology report after your surgery? How many nodes actually had cancer in them?

[@SurvivorJelena]

Hi Pamela. I actually did oral chemo and radiation together first, then had surgery. They got clear margins on my colon after my surgery, and 5 of the 17 lymph nodes that they removed still had cancer present in them.

[@AOmega72]

What was more painful chemo or radiation side effects

[@candipurple4405]

Did your doctor say anything about swimming ? My doctor said i should be able swim in a pool but stay away from rivers and lakes

[@SurvivorJelena]

I was going through chemo in the winter so pools were the only option for me. It makes sense that if your immune system isn’t the strongest you may want to avoid natural sources of water because you don’t know what the bacteria levels in it may be.

[@iclarke11]

I was wondering, did you experience the sun sensitivity with FOLFOX. I was told by my doctor that I will burn easily and to avoid direct sunlight. We're you able to have direct sunlight with sunscreen on without getting burned?

[@SurvivorJelena]

Good question! When I was doing the oral chemo and radiation I was told that and I bought a huge sun hat to wear when I went outside. My oncologist didn’t mention it when I did FOLFOX, but I was on it from Dec-March in Colorado so I was usually all bundled up during the short amounts of time I was outside.

[@gladysireneregalado328]

Hi What about vitamins? Did you want to take any vitamins? Were they recommended? Your videos has helped a lot. I'm about to start chemo and I'd like to be as prepared as I can be.

[@FlyMeAirplane]

Anti oxidant vitamins are a no no. The chemo is trying to oxidize/kill the cancer cells and antioxidants counter act that. B12, CoQ10, D, coffee ,,, nope.

[@SurvivorJelena]

I only took vitamin D - they didn’t recommend any for me while I was going through treatment.

[@louisbisignano4340]

Ty also😊

[@louisbisignano4340]

66 have lymphoma battling this and having difficulty 5th round coming up

[@dilian.9088]

thanks Jelena. I'm wondering if you were able to eat your vegetarian diet with the ileostomy. I am 9 weeks in and want to start upping my fibre, but am a little nervous!

[@SurvivorJelena]

Yes, I ate vegetarian the entire time I had my ileostomy. Just make sure you stay hydrated and everything very thoroughly and you will hopefully be ok.

[@dilian.9088]

@@SurvivorJelena thanks Jelena! so you ate beans and lentils? My surgeon said I can eat whatever I want, just to chew!

[@dilian.9088]

@@SurvivorJelena thank you so kindly for responding!

[@SurvivorJelena]

@@dilian.9088 Yep! Lots of beans and some lentils. Start small and chew, chew, chew!

[@24carrotgold8]

My colon tumor showed up on a CT scan following 6 mos after my reproductive organs were removed for endometrial cancer (which recurred). I am waiting for my colonoscopy so the doctors can confirm my stages and coordinate chemo. I have been eating carnivore for the past 3 mos and have lost 30 lbs. Can I continue to diet during chemo? I have another 70 lbs to lose 🥺

[@SurvivorJelena]

That’s something you’ll have to talk to your oncologist about because I’m not sure.

[@pippyandme801]

How do u take a shower during carry chemo pump?

[@SurvivorJelena]

I used a hanger to hang the pump outside the shower so it didn’t get wet.

[@Ashamed.Loser69]

How can you be so hot if you went through chemo?💫