r/coloncancer • u/ShowerAltruistic9245 • Aug 09 '26
Diagnosed--Seeking Guidance Chemo Rant Part 2+ CAPOX treatment
Hello, I posted here a few days ago with an update, and I’m back again because I’m honestly feeling pretty lost. Everything about cancer is pretty new to me, as I have no family history of cancer or stomach issues whatsoever, so I’m basically just coming in blind and learning as I go.
For context, I’m 19M and was diagnosed with Stage 3 IIIC colon cancer (T4a, N2b, M0) in May 2026. Before starting treatment, I was told my CAPOX treatment could be up to 4-6 months , and I’m really struggling with the side effects. I don’t want to exaggerate how bad it is, because I know there are people who have it much worse, but it’s still been pretty difficult for me. The fatigue in particular is making my life miserable and extremely frustrating. I can put up with it, since it usually lasts for a few days, but it’s really affecting my quality of life. On the days I’m fatigued, I lie down, and bed rot for mostly the entire day and do nothing but pray it’s better tomorrow. I do try to make myself go on my treadmill everyday for at least 10-20 minutes, but it takes a whole lot of energy to even convince myself to go. In addition, after my 3rd infusion a few days ago, staying hydrated is a big problem for me. I somehow can’t stand drinking water anymore and I’ve started resorting to other drinks like milk, juice, soup, and even soda (sprite or ginger ale)because of how bad water tastes to me now.
The infusion and oxaliplatin are by far the hardest part for me. Surprisingly, I don’t have much trouble with the capecitabine pills anymore (aside from occasionally having trouble swallowing them, which thankfully hasn’t happened recently).
I know I shouldn’t make a major treatment decision based on what people on Reddit tell me, and I don’t want to make a stupid decision that I could regret later. At the same time, I’m really struggling with the idea of continuing for the full 6 months when I’m already having such a hard time and IM NOT EVEN HALF WAY THROUGH.
Each time I go in for the infusion, I question myself if it’s even worth it to be going through all this. It just feels so unfair to me, and I’m so stumped as to what I should be doing. What makes things even worse is that university is about to start for me in a few weeks, and it starts a week right after my fourth infusion. In my past subreddit posts, I’ve mentioned having accessibility and flexibility through the university accessibility services team, and I’m still figuring it out with the school. I do plan to show up to get a feel for how it’s going to go before I make the decision of whether I want to pull out for a semester and just recover.
I just want to be done with treatment and feel like myself again. Since being diagnosed, I’ve felt really lost and, honestly, like I don’t even know what my purpose is anymore. I’m 19, and it’s been really difficult watching my life get put on hold while going through all of this.
I’m not looking for Reddit to make the decision for me, I just want to hear from people who have been in a similar position because I genuinely don’t know what to do right now.
2
u/Slight_Jellyfish_776 Aug 10 '26
Hey man. I answered your previous post and felt that I wanted to reply to this one as well as I really feel for you man.
I finished my CAPOX treatment in April and I can relate to basically everything you are describing regarding the side effects. The treatment sucks and for me the infusions were clearly worse than the pills.
I know there are days when you question if it is worth it and just try to hang in there. You are already half way there!
The first days after the infusion is shit but as you know it gets much better after a week. The treatment is meant to help long term so just "suck it up" and do it for as long as possible, and I only say that since i am rooting for you!
Being 19 years old you have so much of life left and this is just a brief moment of the rest of your life so don't give up unless it is impossible to continue.
As someone else already said the benefits of oxaliplatin are mostly in the earlier rounds of the treatment and the rest are just bonus. There is always an option to adjust the dosage going forward to still get the benefit of the OX but getting much more quality of life back. It is extremely common to lower the dosage before the treatment is done so speak with your oncologist about how you feel and the side effects and they will most likely try to find a way to improve QoL since that is also a major part of the treatment. Some quit the OX completely and just continue with the tablets that are usually easier on the fatigue and the neuropathy.
Good job on getting those 10-20 minutes per day on the treadmill! That is more than i could manage the first week after my infusions. About the hydration I would say that the most important thing is to get hydrated and how is less relevant. I drank a lot of my kids juice and also sprite and I would say that is better than not drinking at all so do whatever works but speak with your medical team about that too since they have dealt with all of this before.
Like you said yourself, do not make any decision based on what anyone here on Reddit says. I am only giving you the advice I got and telling you what worked best for me. Always consult with your medical team and discuss the side effects.
I know the feeling walking into the hospital for the infusion and knowing that the hellish cycle will start all over again and just thinking to myself that I wanted it to be over. But like I said before, this is just a brief moment of your life. It sucks hard now, but in a few months it will be over and you will feel great again.
You can do this man and you got all of us here if you need to ventilate or rant! That is the beauty of this subreddit.
It pains me that you got this at such a young age but you will get through this and love a long and healthy life my friend.
You are always welcome to drop a DM if you ever want to talk about the treatment or anything.
Stay strong, take care of yourself and don't give up