S1Ep2 Chemo and CRC
03/08/24 • 18 min
Welcome to the second episode of Care Partner's Compass: Navigating CRC.
In today's episode, we'll look at my wife Kristine's first line chemo (FOLFOXIRI) for colorectal cancer as I trace some of the earlier steps of her stage 4 colorectal cancer journey and what it is like for a stage 4 care partner. Chemo is important in stage 4, as it gives the best chance to get to a procedure with curative intent. Second (and third, fourth, etc.) opinions are also incredibly important.
Full transcription can be found on the website.
Host, producer/editor, and composer: Elsa Lankford
Helpful links related to this episode:
- colontown.org - While it took me a few months to find Colontown, I have found it very helpful as a place to learn and share science and medical-based information on CRC. It is also helpful to be able to chat with others who have similar experiences - for patients and care partners.
- https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/ - Fight CRC is a very helpful organization with many resources for CRC patients, care partners, and patient advocates
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer.html - American Cancer Society
- (01:38) - Typical chemo day
- (03:32) - Bloodwork check-in
- (04:14) - Dancing during chemo
- (04:52) - Icing for Oxaliplatin
- (08:19) - Removing the chemo (5FU)
- (10:54) - Chemo as a way to hopefully get to surgery
- (12:15) - Trying to understand if chemo is working
- (14:55) - Importance of having surgeons on board/second opinions
- (16:26) - Chemo side effects
Welcome to the second episode of Care Partner's Compass: Navigating CRC.
In today's episode, we'll look at my wife Kristine's first line chemo (FOLFOXIRI) for colorectal cancer as I trace some of the earlier steps of her stage 4 colorectal cancer journey and what it is like for a stage 4 care partner. Chemo is important in stage 4, as it gives the best chance to get to a procedure with curative intent. Second (and third, fourth, etc.) opinions are also incredibly important.
Full transcription can be found on the website.
Host, producer/editor, and composer: Elsa Lankford
Helpful links related to this episode:
- colontown.org - While it took me a few months to find Colontown, I have found it very helpful as a place to learn and share science and medical-based information on CRC. It is also helpful to be able to chat with others who have similar experiences - for patients and care partners.
- https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/ - Fight CRC is a very helpful organization with many resources for CRC patients, care partners, and patient advocates
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer.html - American Cancer Society
- (01:38) - Typical chemo day
- (03:32) - Bloodwork check-in
- (04:14) - Dancing during chemo
- (04:52) - Icing for Oxaliplatin
- (08:19) - Removing the chemo (5FU)
- (10:54) - Chemo as a way to hopefully get to surgery
- (12:15) - Trying to understand if chemo is working
- (14:55) - Importance of having surgeons on board/second opinions
- (16:26) - Chemo side effects
Previous Episode
S1Ep1 The Diagnosis
Welcome to the first episode of Care Partner's Compass: Navigating CRC.
In today's episode, we'll look back at the beginning of the my wife Kristine's stage 4 colorectal cancer journey, the diagnosis.
I am joined by CRC patient advocate and friend Annie Delores, whose information can be found here or through the podcast's website.
Full transcription can be found on the website.
Host, producer/editor, and composer: Elsa Lankford
Guest: Annie Delores
Special thanks to Tina for her feedback and friendship.
Helpful links related to this episode:
- NCCN guidelines for Colon Cancer
- NCCN guidelines for Rectal Cancer
- WHO fact sheet on Colorectal Cancer
- (00:43) - Intro to Special Guest - CRC Patient Advocate Annie Delores
- (01:07) - Before Kristine's diagnosis
- (02:57) - Kristine's health background
- (04:41) - Beginning tests and scan
- (05:36) - Colonoscopy
- (06:59) - Stage 4 cancer - don't always start with surgery
- (08:36) - What seemed impossible
- (10:14) - Meeting with the oncologist
- (12:05) - Formulating the plan
- (13:32) - NCCN Guidelines
- (15:02) - Tumor board
- (15:41) - Goal: Liver surgery
- (17:16) - Difficult stats
- (19:39) - Why telling this story is important
Next Episode
S1Ep3 Biomarkers and CRC
Welcome to the third episode of Care Partner's Compass: Navigating CRC on biomarkers.
I am joined again by CRC patient advocate and friend Annie Delores, whose information can be found here or through the podcast's website.
In today's episode, we talk about the basics and importance of biomarkers and colorectal cancer.
Full transcription can be found on the website.
Host, producer/editor, and composer: Elsa Lankford
Guest: Annie Delores
And all the thanks and hugs in the world to Kristine. I can never tell you often enough how incredible you are.
Please remember to share, subscribe, like, and rate the podcast.
Helpful links related to this episode:
- Biomarker page from Fight CRC
- Colorectal Cancer Alliance's biomarker info site
- Colontown University's "What are Biomarkers"
- (01:30) - Very basics of biomarkers
- (02:43) - HER2 (ERBB2) mutation
- (03:12) - Background on CRC
- (04:09) - Main CRC biomarkers
- (05:36) - Where to find the biomarkers
- (06:45) - MSI - Microsatellite Instability
- (08:09) - BRAF mutation
- (08:41) - First line clinical trials based on biomarkers
- (10:09) - KRAS and Stage 4
- (10:56) - Targeted treatments
- (12:17) - It can take time to understand biomarkers
- (14:05) - NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) reports
- (14:41) - Inherited mutations
- (15:12) - Biomarker testing as a standard
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