What helps you get through long 7-hour chemo infusions for colon cancer?

Many community members have shared helpful strategies for making long infusion sessions more manageable, like bringing entertainment such as books, tablets, or music, packing comfortable items like blankets and pillows, and staying hydrated with small sips of water or mild beverages that settle well. It's wonderful that you're reaching out to connect with others who understand this journey - the community here has so much collective wisdom about navigating treatment days and would love to share what has worked for them.

My chemo is 4 at the infusion center with multiple chemo meds and then a pump to wear for 46 at home. The oxalipatin is the one I dislike the most.

Yes thanks. I made it through the first treatment. I have to wear a pump for 2 days and then come back to get it disconnected. Turns out I have an unheal wound from where the staples was that’s got to heal before taking one of the medication because it delays your healing and can make it worse if taken. Lord I pray for healing all over.

I think the chemo is worse than the cancer but I pray it’s helping both of us, all of us

When I first started treatment for stage four colon cancer, I was taking oxiliplatin with the 46 hour pump, but the side effects were intense so my oncologist switched me to capecitabine pills and I get an infusion of cetuximab every other week. I’ve been taking this combination for four years.

Oh thank you for sharing it’s greatly appreciated to hear other’s stories. I pray that we all can continue to have a healthy recovery 🙏🌸

Yes I to have to get infusion every 2 weeks for 48 hours at a time for 6 sessions. As the mass is the length of my pelvic bone and I wouldn't withstand the removal at this time so hopefully these treatments will shrink this monster enough to were it can be extracted without taking me with it .Everybody make a wish !!!😊 We got this !

7 hrs is typical. Food and drink are going to be what you can handle. Nothing will taste the same and you'll have to experiment. Nuasia will also be a thing. Just don't force yourself to eat

The longest I've had to do was 4 1/2 hours. Besides water with lemon and honey in it, I would drink ginger ale, half water to settle with my stomach. My largest issue was making sure that ate enough food as I lost 110 pounds in the first two months ( 254 to 144) have found that vitamin and protein in infused banana strawberry smoothies are the easiest thing for me to eat/drink form system and so providing nutrients and protein. I have severe medical condition, requiring hospitalizations if I did not do this and I don't like being in the hospital so try it if you wish sending you all my best ~Christopher.

2 hours for infusion can vary depending on the chemo drug. I get Oxaliplatin q3 weeks and it's infused over 2 hours. I also take an oral chemo drug, Ceptaciben (spelling) 2 caplets in AM and 1 at night. Thank heaven the side effects are almost non existent, I did vomit once after the last IV chemo but that was it, nausea is minimal, I thank God the side effects are minimal, not sure I could tolerate as I live alone. Did read hair falling out from the two I am on is not common. After the IV dose found my tumor, which is mostly external on the rectum/sphincter, couldn't be on a worst spot. I can no longer sit or lay flat, I live my life on the bed on my left side.