Chemoembolization scheduled for Thursday
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Not good news, Brigitte. I heard that MD Anderson cut a significant amount of staff. Perhaps that explains their non-responsivenesss.
In any case keep bugging them.
Hugs
MarionIt seems that the quality of care for patients at MD Anderson by support staff has declined. After the second TACE I was supposed to get a call from the IR department 1 week after the procedure to check on how I was feeling then 2 weeks after was supposed to get a second call. Both calls were on my appointment schedule but never happened. I e-mailed customer service asking if the IR department didn’t have my correct phone number? Which was my way to notify them that I seemed to have been forgotten. I then saw a scheduled call on my appointment schedule for Thursday which again didn’t happen. They called me on Friday, didn’t apologize or explain.
The way I understand it, the TACE procedure already involves an anticancer drug. Brigitte’s next scan will show the effectivenes of this procedure. It takes several weeks and beyond to fully have the picture and until then no additional treatment will be offered. As Brigitte mentioned the gemzar is a cautionary measure.
Positivity….I believe you are thinking of replacing a chemotherapy agent with another once full benefit has been reached or patients can’t tolerate the treatment. That’s different. In Brigitte’s case the drugs delivered to the liver must fully activate to see the results. And, that takes time.
Marion
I don’t understand what you meant by Xeloda is given if the chemo does not work. Xeloda is also chemo and another option oncologists suggest over gemzar/cis. Perhaps you meant if the other chemo of Gemzar does not work then they use another chemo agent of Xeloda.
How long do you have to be on chemo? Did they suggest a break?
Dogs are a great support!!
Well, sitting in chemo. First one in over a month. I did ask the doctor about Xeloda and it said they only use it if the chemo does not work. He is the doctor that sees me once a month, not my primary oncologist. I must admit I think he his demeanor is a bit nonchalant when I see him. Thank goodness he checks with my oncologist before making any decisions. Hopefully the TACE will do the job.
Hope you are all doing okay.
By the way, I am back being patient and spoiling my dog. She is my sunshine in a somewhat cloudy time.Brigitte…your dog is taking the brunt but she will continue to love you. Give yourself a brake, dear Brigitte, you have been through alot and also need to recover from the latest intervention. Wonder why your oncologist choose Gemzar over Xeloda as maintance therapy? Perhaps you could ask him.
Perhaps today lends it self to some snuggle time with your beloved dog.
Hugs
MarionAfter reading about TACE procedure, I understand why I am so fatigued, it could last a month or more. The success rate of that procedure seems very good so hopefully it will get rid of the 2 tumors. If some of it remains the doctor said they would do it again. My regular oncologist is keeping me on Gemzar chemo (starting it again next week), it seems as a precaution. Not sure about that as while on Gemzar one tumor kept growing, although slowly. My next scan is in August so will find out then if TACE killed the bad guys or not. It is hard what to think but they are the experts so need to trust them.
In the meantime, i have been getting annoyed easily since I got out of hospital (ask my dog)! I yell at her more than normal. I need to stop that!Brigitte,
I’m very happy that it’s over and you can put it behind you. I hope the pain goes away quickly and once you see the results in August, it will make it all worthwhile.
Take care,
CatherineBrigitte…..you did it (again)!!!! Fingers are crossed for total response and the possibility of quitting chemo. So sorry to hear of the pain, but it should diminish day by day.
As Gavin said, rest up and look forward to August and receiving fantastic news.Hugs
MarionGlad to hear that it all went smoothly Brigitte except for the pains afterwards, grrrr to that! Fingers are crossed here as well for your recovery and the results in August, and also the chemo too. Definitely time for you to kick back a bit and put your feet up for a bit!
Hugs,
Gavin
I had my second chemo embolization on Thursday 1 June. It went well and the doctor was very optimistic about the procedure. They finished the 2 tumors. The second one only had 1 blood vessel feeding it unlike the first one which had 4! They kept me overnight as I was in pain. Had pain killers but didn’t sleep as well as I wanted as they usually come into your room every 3 hours to take your blood pressure, temp and oxygen level. So, now have to wait until August scan to see the results.
They have me back on chemo on 13 June every 2 weeks as a precaution. I am very tired but overall not feeling too bad. So taking it easy for a few days. The staff was nice, very professional and kind.
Fingers crossed all will be well.Brigitte….I don’t recall when your status changed, but have you noticed the current description in your signature box as Senior Member.
Nothing has been easy with your treatments, but ultimately you have faired well. I like the fact you are kept overnight for observation. Yes, it’s cumbersome to board the dog and having to ask someone to take care of your fish. You are well cared for and the dog (don’t know about the fish) will be thrilled to have you back the following day.
TACE has shown to be quite successful with numerous patients and I expect the same for you.
Crossing my fingers for a “perfect” outcome
Hugs
MarionThank you for your support . I am scheduled for part 2 Thursday 1 June. They want me to stay overnight this time just to keep an eye on me. So I arranged for my dog to board at the kennel she usually goes to for play time and swimming. Will ask my neighbor to feed Max, my Betta fish. I also have the company I rent my washer and dryer from coming that Friday to pick up their machines as I decided to buy my own. But the apartment management will let them in if I am not home yet.
I will be glad when it is done. Hopefully they will be able to go through the artery in my wrist again and will finish the job this time. I hope it works but won’t find out until the next scan in August. They have me scheduled for chemo again on 13 June. I guess they will keep me on chemo as a safety precaution maybe to prevent other cancer cells from popping up. Not sure what the success rate of this procedure is. Don’t know if there is reports on the effectiveness on TACE.
Sorry if seem to be rambling on, but lately I have been up and down.Brigitte,
Congratulations on getting through the first round of the chemo-embolization. I’ve never done it myself but it’s good to hear first hand from someone who has, because you never know when it might come up.
It’s interesting that they did this through your wrist artery. Back in 2002, I had a cardiac catheritization and normally those were always done through the groin. However, my cardiologist who was just someone pulled into the ER on my consult, had been trained to use the wrist if the artery there was open enough. He left our area soon after and no one did it that ay again here for years until recently. Now, suddenly, one cardiology group is almost all trained to do it through the wrist.
When I had the cardiac catheratization done through my wrist, I did not have to lie still in bed afterward, could sit up and eat and walk around. It’s definitely the way to go if you have someone trained to use the wrist artery. Glad to hear that some are starting to use it for these other procedures.
Congratulations……have a good two weeks until your next procedure and then I hope you get to grab the brass ring and enjoy life.
)))Julie
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