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.

myself also… Dialogue right side is external tune is on the left. They're going to remove everything mid June operation sounds rather unpleasant (going to get what they call a Barbie butt… ugh)... It's just very tough because everything I do is sitting down online. I think terrarium since I can't garden side, I'm an artist color, Dallas, and I work on a computer, not being able to sit makes it all... a bit difficult love and hugs… Keep on keeping on🙂❣️❣️❣️

I had Oxaliplatin infusions with the pump for the next 46 hours. Every 2 weeks for 4 months. I had neuropathy before the cancer diagnosis. Oxaliplatin sure made the neuropathy worse,besides the other standard side effects. Lips were so sensitive to anything above room temp. About 3 weeks after the last session I was at the periodontist getting an implant stud drilled in. The pain was excruciating even though the periodontist gave me so many extra injections of novocaine. There's not even any nerves near where he was drilling. Took about 2 months after the last infusion for the hyper-sensitivity to go away. Just my experience. Best of luck to you!

How do you deal with the pump at home in the bed at night ?

For me, the pump was in a little fanny pack that I kept at the left front side of my hip. Slept on my back or right side for those 2 nights of wearing it. Was only a minor inconvenience, especially compared to the dizziness and nerve sensitivity of the drugs administered.

My first infusion was three hours, last one was two hours. What is name of the chemo? My IV is Oxaliplatin, once a 3 weeks, second is oral, Capsetibene (spelling/ two weeks in, one week off, so far side effects have been minimal to almost non existent, after IV chemo vague feeling of being unwell and after second IV, one bout of vomiting and that was it.

@michael m, I am only one IV that's the Oxaliplatin and so far side effects have been minimal for which I am thankful.

@Cathy B the pump was never an issue for me at night. It was just a little pack around my waist and I barely noticed it at night. I'd just "slide" the pack side to side or to my belly. I could sleep on either side, or my back, with no issue.

I keep my pump beside my bed on a dinner tray. I sleep on my left side and my port is on my right chest

My infusions lasted 5 hours then I had the pump for 27hours. I would take the fanny pack with pump in it off and put it on the other side of a little pillow beside me. No big deal. No food sounded good but I ate a lot of chips and drank protein drinks. Dr said eat any carbs I wanted to try to get some weight back on. Nausea wasnt bad but had some pills I took at the first sign. Imodium for diarrhea! Bad part was cold sensitivity!! Everything had to be room temp. Even brushing my teeth. I just poured up some jugs of water and let them come to room temperature. I use these to brush my teeth and wash my hands. Also beware of any cold hitting your face such as air-conditioning in the car! Made my face go numb. I know this is a lot, but you can get through it with God‘s help!

Hello everyone. Ms.C, I pray for your healing. I'm a stage 3 CRC survivor. My tumor was removed, and 6 months of chemotherapy followed. I am cancer free, according to my test results, thank God. The chemotherapy sessions, 4 hours in the chair, and 2 days with my Droid. ( I named my pump R2-D2. ) I have found that my phone has become my personal entertainment center. From online books, music, and gaming, it takes up most of the time during treatment. Food and a warm blanket also helps. I'm still feeling the effects of the chemotherapy. The loss of feeling in my fingers and feet is a real bitcjh. Eventually, it will get better Stay strong.

My infusion for rectal cancer was 5 1/2 hrs. I would watch my recorded shows, read or sleep. The further I got into the treatment the more I slept. The only problem was is having to go to the bathroom often because of all the fluids. Those hours seem to go by fast though. I ate anything that sounded good. My oncologist said eat any carbs I wanted to keep my strength up and try not to lose so much weight. For some reason chips were what sounded good so I ate a lot of those! Stay strong!!