why x-ray with MRI

Hi,
I got the results from my blood tests and the CT scan that I had this past week. I talked to my doctor from UCSF and since they were no worse than the last ones in March, she thought we should wait another two months and retest. So, no chemo starting in May for now. The radiologist at UCSF will read the CT scan and hopefully, will see no new growth. My blood test CA-19 did come down a little from 6400 to 4975 but the CEA went up .4 points to 5.7.
I have an appointment with Dr. Demanes at UCLA on the 4th of May to see what he has to say about brachytheraphy or any other options besides chemo. So, for now, it looks like the big “C” might be “sleeping” and the doctor does not want to disturb it.
I am still feeling fine, particularly in the mornings and by the evening. I might have a backache or feel something going on in the stomach or liver, which might be gas. I will discuss this with her at my next appointment.
Let’s keep praying and hoping for a cure.
Best wishes,
Theresa

Theresa,

I was on Gemzar / Cisplatin for 4 or 5 treatments (lost track) and am now on Oxaliplatin with Xeloda pills. I did very well on the Gemzar / Cis but I have heard others that did not. I was told Gemzar can do havoc on your white blood count more than the others and did experience a short time of that, but didn’t have much other side effects.

Now the Oxaliplatin has more severe side effects. In particular the cold-intolerance when drinking cold liquids and hands and feet are more sensitive to cold (making sharp needle-like pains in your throat, hands and feet when coming in contact with cold). Always wearing something on your feet to keep them warm, and gloves when getting something out of the freezer or sometimes the refrigerator, and not drinking cold liquids at all (only room temp or warmer).

I haven’t experienced any difficulties with the Xeloda pills, although the effects can be accumulative and I have only gone through 2 treatments. Dehydration (from diarrhea) and the hand and foot syndrome can occur where your hands and feet dry out and can blister, peel and turn extremely red/purple. I don’t know if it’s the Xeloda or Oxal. that also causes neuropathy (numbing and/or tingling) of the hands and feet. Since I am taking both at the same time, I’m not sure sometimes which does which.

What I do know is that everyone experiences the meds differently. I’ve seen some in the infusion center that seem to not be handling the meds well or talk about more nausea. I didn’t have that either, so it all depends on your body and what it can tolerate.

The reason for the different drugs are so that your body, or really the cancer, doesn’t get immune to the meds it’s being hit with. If one doesn’t work, they may switch it up to hit it with something different that may basically do the same thing….shrink tumors, destroy it’s cell makeup so it won’t multiply again, etc.

I thought my onc told me that Gemzar/Cisplatin was their first choice because they had the most success with that. Different medical people are also going to have different opinions. Ask all you can about why they want to do one or the other and whatever questions you may have.

Linda Z.

Kathyb,
I haven’t seen a post from you for a few days so hope that means you are feeling great.
I had my blood test last Thursday and a CT scan Tuesdays and all the results have been sent to the doctors. The doctor from UCSF is suppose to call me tomorrow and let me know what she thinks of the results and if we should start chemo now or wait awhile longer. I have an appointment with Dr. Demanes from UCLA to talk about branchytheraphy or any other treatment that might be useful for me. I asked about having a MRI this time instead of a CT scan, thinking that it might show up more (I don’t know the difference). But I had another CT scan for the doctor wanted to compare it to the one I had six weeks ago. The doctor had mentioned gemzar and cisplatin as the next choice but I am wondering if the oral chemo would have the same results and less side effects. Does anyone know how good the results have been and what kind of side effects it has?
Best wishes
Theresa

Hi, to all,
As you know I was expecting to find out today if brachytherapy was something that I might be able to do. The doctor was too busy to make our phone appointment this morning and they told me he would call later today or Monday as he would be out of the office Friday. I am not very good at waiting, so about 4:00, I called, again and who do they put me through to, but Dr. Demanes himself. He apologized about this morning and said he had my scans but had not gone over them, but would like to have another doctor there to see them, too. He will set up an appointment for Tuesday afternoon and said he had not forgotten me, but had been so busy. I told my chemo oncologist about having contact with Dr. Demanes and he was pleased that that might be an option for me. Gemzar and Cisplatin will be the combination I will be having when I have to start chemo, again. I would rather have Xeloda since I wouldn’t have to have a port, but I don’t know that much about it . My next appointment is May 3, after I have had another blood test and a CT scan and have heard from Dr. Demanes.
Marion, we all want to see that “Cure” for this cancer and glad that the Foundation has you and the others working for us.
Best wishes to all of you.
Theresa