Day 1 for IMRT with Xeloda

Discussion Board Forums General Discussion Day 1 for IMRT with Xeloda

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  • #73124
    h-tze
    Member

    Thanks Lainy and Purcy, ill keep that in mind about those pre-med this time. we will go to see the Dr. tomorrow morning about her stomach problem, hope the Dr. can fix that problem and she can start eating again soon…

    1 question is can this holiday before the next 3 cycles be a bit longer (its only 5 days in between)?? I really want her to get the stomach problem fixed before she start another set.

    #73123
    pcl1029
    Member

    Hi,

    I think after a week of chemotherapy break,she will feel better. The next 3 cycles of Xeloda+oxaliplatin starting on August will not be as bad as the chemoradiation she went before.
    Of course, to finish the entire treatment plan including the next 3 cycles of Xeloda+oxaliplatin will at least ,if recurrence occur, you will know that you had try this treatment before and move on to other new agents instead.
    Usually the oncologist will prescribe pre-meds like Emend ! A 3 day supply of anti nausea/ vomiting agent along with dexamethasone to less the N/V feeling before,during and afterwards of each cycle of treatment.

    It is also Try to get doctor to prescribe antidepressant to help the mood and sleeping( Xanax or lorazepam will do the job well)
    You do the right thing to calm her down. Good luck with the next treatment cycle.

    God bless.

    #73122
    lainy
    Spectator

    Dear Hugh, I am so very sorry to read this latest post. If she does not feel better after today I would call the ONC tomorrow and not wait for the next appointment. Make sure at the next appointment to tell the ONC how she is not mentally doing so well. Gosh I wish there was something I could do for you both. The best right now is to send you my Prayers and thoughts. Please stay in touch.

    #73121
    h-tze
    Member

    Hi everyone, just a little update about my wife.
    She finally finished her 1 set of treatment: 25 shots of IMRT and two 14 days Xeloda.

    Her stomach pain seems to be a big problem now… she cannot eat much, and she throw up right after, her pain seems to be non stop for whole day.

    she start losing faith and self confidence, she don’t want to meet people, and scare to look at people into their eyes, she admit that she don’t want people knows she got the sickness… she even cry to me and saying she don’t want to do the next set of chemo.

    Somehow I did have a thought of letting her to choose, but l calm her down and ask her to wait till the next Dr. meeting then we will decide by then

    #73120
    h-tze
    Member

    Hi Lainy, Thanks for your concern, im good, although I loss some weight and really tired, but still I think it worth it… new apt is good.. just need to spend almost 1 week for clean up and fixing things be4 I move in, the previous tenant really don’t know whats called cleaning… the kitchen is really a mess… those grease on the cupboard and exhaust fan are dripping oil… the washroom is like walking in to dark room.. so I have to change those lighting as well… becoz the owner is my relative that’s why I got a special discount rent and I willing to those cleaning and fixing. My wife is really happy with what I’ve done, and that’s what matter.

    Hi Susie, yes my wife start having the problem Monday, so today I ask the Dr. she said the dosage did gain a bid this week and that’s why she got the problem, she ask my wife to take Gaviscon and Pantoloc 40mg, and my wife really did felt much better tonight.

    #73119
    wallsm1
    Spectator

    My piece of advice for anyone undergoing radiation is to ask your Dr about something for acid reflux and ulcer prevention like a proton pump inhibitor!!
    I went on one the last few wks of treatment and wish I started it on day one.

    Take care!!
    Susie

    #73118
    lainy
    Spectator

    Hello Hugh and thanks for the update. Sounds like your wife is doing best as can be expected but I am worried about you. My goodness you have a lot on your plate right now. How does the new apartment feel? Glad to hear your wife is doing OK and that they have most of her effects under control. What is good is that the DOC seems to have a good plan. So let’s hope his plans and the new apartment make her feel better soon. Please do keep us posted and hope you enjoy your new apartment.

    #73117
    h-tze
    Member

    hi everyone.. i’m back.. its been a real tired week for me as I need to move apartment all by myself, plus I need to take my wife to hospital for RT everyday. Really got no idea why we got some many things for 2 person, it took me 1 week to unpack everything.

    Well, day 19 for IMRT (5 days a week) and day 16 for Xeloda (14days on and 9 day off due to blood report delay) She seems ok with the treatment.

    RT: skin problem gone after using radiagel, pain problem is ok after she took Arcoxia, but she start having stomach pain the last 3 days, but after she ate something she felt better, but still should call the doctor tomorrow and ask.

    Chemo: Fatigue.. need to sleep in the afternoon for 2 hours at least. Nausea… but didn’t throw up after she took that ondansetron.

    she did a blood test after 14days of chemo, the result seems pretty good, PLT drop from 235 to 156 but still ok to keep going with Chemo…

    Dr. also expect she can go on with the adjuvant therapy after finish this set with 1 week holiday. Which planned on Aug 5. shes planning to use Oxaliplatin (Eloxatin) plus Xeloda, 3week for a set and total of 3 sets.

    #73116
    lainy
    Spectator

    Hugh, you are so right. While some vitamins are good they are not going to cure CC. You really have to listen to your gut and Google as they usually won’t steer you wrong. How is your wife feeling now?

    #73115
    h-tze
    Member

    Yes since the 1st day my wife diagnosis, I already got the same feeling about money is not the point anymore.. but just to point out that there are people out there give no mercy, they will try to rip u off no matter what… some even will sell fake drugs or Vitamin saying it will cure cancer…

    #73114
    pcl1029
    Member

    Hi,
    Money is not the point and never should be in the calculation of treating cancer; but I do understand where you come from and why you mentioned about it.
    If I may, as in my own case , millions or more will not buy me one more day on earth if is not by the Grace of God to allow it happens.
    I always know the extension of my life is not depending on what I did,do or will do to the community,such as this one butonly by the Grace God dispenses to me.
    God bless,

    #73113
    h-tze
    Member

    sorry for the late reply.. thanks Lainy and PCL for your advice.

    we went to see the doctor on the 2nd July for check up and mainly due to lack of “ondansetron”, the time we pick up the Xeloda Dr. gave her 6 tablets just in case, but then on the 30th June, she run out. and the 1st July is HK holiday and she really needs it, so I went to a local drug store and found 1 box of 10 tablets by gsk. anyone knows how much will that be??? (answer at the end)

    Also she felt some pain around the surgery area, which she don’t have be4 the treatment, and end up the Dr. said that’s from the Liver, but that normal from the IMRT???

    So this time the Dr. gave her 30 Tablets Apo-Dimenhydrinate and 10 tablets of Ondansetronfor the nausea, 60 tablets combizym for the lost of appetite, then 14 tablets Arcoxia for the pain, and with the consultation fee total $165 USD.

    Seems like she felt much better for the passed 2 days….

    now 1 box of GSK Ondansetron 10 tablets from local drug store… $205 USD!!!!

    I feel like Im a stupid now… :(

    #73112
    pcl1029
    Member

    Hi,
    I really think you do not need to concern too much about the discomfort you wife has now; fatigue,lost of appetite, nausea and some pain and fever is expected.
    Make sure her fever is alomst the same every time you take her temperature, and large spite >101or 102 should inform the doctor for consult, give Acetaminophen will help both pain and temperatureand hydration is important too.
    God bless.

    #73111
    lainy
    Spectator

    H Tze, sorry that your wife is having a hard time with her side effects from the treatments. I hope the move helps to bring her some comfort. As for her not eating, you might try not giving her big meals but rather have her ‘graze’ all day. Nothing big. A piece of fruit twice a day, soup as often as she wants it. Even just plain buttered rice. Nothing fried or fatty. You might ask the ONC about a nutrition drink that could take the place of a meal. We have a good one here, Carnation Instant Breakfast, and it has all the nutrients one needs for a whole day and can be had in place of each meal. I am hoping for her to be able to get through this next week, she sounds like a pretty strong lady! Good luck on the move and thanks for the update.

    #73110
    h-tze
    Member

    hi everyone..

    sorry for late update, been busy with taking my wife to hospital everyday for the IMRT and start packing for moving… yes we moving next week to another apartment (that’s becoz of Chinese thing called “Fung Shui”) and hope that will help my wife recovery

    well Day 6 today, no need the IMRT just Xeloda for today and tomorrow.

    She felt nausea and headache from day 1 after taking the Xeloda.. so start from day 3 she took Zolman and that help a bid.

    She usually have that IMRT around 5-6pm and seems like everytime she get on the car after that she fall asleep. other than that she felt pain again at where she did surgery. But the Dr. said that’s normal and ask us to keep on going until the next Friday for reassessment.

    She sure loss appetite since the surgery, and now even worst. she only can eat 1/3 of what she can be4 surgery, and her weight drop to 100lbs, ive already force her to drink “Supportan” between meals so that her weight can hold above 100lbs.

    I really worry that can she make it through this 5 weeks treatment.

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