bgmat48

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  • in reply to: Starting radiations Monday 11th March with xeloda chemo #98971
    bgmat48
    Spectator

    Pyrimidine is the new drug. Can’t find much info on it. It also has Gemsatabine and cisplatin in it. My platelets count was low at chemo yesterday 64000 if they go below 50000 next week they wont do the chemo. Treatment is once a week for 3 weeks then a week off. That is for 2 months then a scan. If scan shows improvement then they go to phase 2. If not they stop the trial. After 2 + years of stable that beast has gone haywire!

    in reply to: Starting radiations Monday 11th March with xeloda chemo #98956
    bgmat48
    Spectator

    I just started a clinical trial yesterday which contains Gemzar/Cisplatine/and another chemo drug. Side affect so far has been vomiting, fatigue.  I get one treatment a week for 3 weeks then off one week.  Treatment will last for 2 months then a scan, if it does not work than they will stop.

    in reply to: Starting Gem-Cis regime after 2nd liver resection #98955
    bgmat48
    Spectator

    sorry, I meant to say Gemzar and Cisplatin will make you tired, nauseous, all side effects are not the same all people.  Ask your doctor.  I wish you all the very best.

    in reply to: Starting Gem-Cis regime after 2nd liver resection #98954
    bgmat48
    Spectator

    After my resection of my left liver lobe with clean margin in 2015,  Best wishes.

     

    in reply to: Starting radiations Monday 11th March with xeloda chemo #98911
    bgmat48
    Spectator

    Well it didn’t work, my last scan shows multiple small new spots, increased growth on existing tumors.   oncologist says the cancer cells

    become immune to the chemo.  I have been accepted in a clinical trial starting 6 August. Next week I will have multiple exams and a scan and blood tests and EKG. I already had an MRI and X-rays with nothing bad showing.

    I must admit I am a bit worried and discourage  after 4 years of battling this beast. It was under control with Gemzar/Cisplatin,  7 Tace procedures then radiation and Xeloda.

    But, I am ready  to keep fighting and hope for the  best.

    in reply to: Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI) #98910
    bgmat48
    Spectator

    No sorry, but I had Trans arterial chemo embolization which through your groin artery to your liver delivers chemo directly on the tumor.

    in reply to: Starting radiations Monday 11th March with xeloda chemo #98393
    bgmat48
    Spectator

    Friday was my last radiation and Xeloda treatment. The first 2 weeks the American Cancer Sociaty couldn’t help me with a ride so I drove myself. On the last week a friend came to visit from VA and drove me to treatment. She also cooked meals to put in the freezer for me after she was gone. I feel blessed to have a friend like her. ?

    So this week I am resting when I need to.  I am not feeling bad just very tired.

     

    in reply to: Starting radiations Monday 11th March with xeloda chemo #98320
    bgmat48
    Spectator

    I am on day 6 of radiation and have been driving myself there every day as the American Cancer Society didn’t have any volunteers available.  You get a call each day to let you know if they have a driver.  I have another 9 days of treatment. At least I have free parking.  So far, no side affects except for low energy. I spoke to their nutritionist today and she told me I should eat 1600 calories a day.  I lost 12 lbs since before Christmas mainly due to eating Lean Cuisine as I fractured my right arm, than  had a TACE procedure so my appetite went down and has stayed down.  I don’t mind losing weight but she said my body needs protein to deal with cancer.  I told her I still have reserves of fat as per the chart I should weight 172 at most so I am still 10 lbs overweight.  I am  hoping this treatment will work.

    The other 2 existing tumors have been without chemo since 31 January and am not sure how they are doing. I am hoping Xeloda affects them too.

     

     

     

    !

    in reply to: Latest scan results #98227
    bgmat48
    Spectator

    Saw the radiation oncologist today.  He gave me 2 options, regular radiation or Proton radiation. He explained about each and told me they both are efficient, the only difference being the proton one does not go past the tumors and the regular one passes through.  Because the proton requires a procedure before being applied which consist of inserting marker beads in my liver with a needle while under full sedation and having had 7 TACE and 3 years of chemo I choose the regular radiation as I am tired  mentally and physically right now.  Not sure yet if chemo will be put on hold as the radiation treatment is for 15 treatments over 15 days except for weekends. I do have to travel to MD Anderson in Houston every day. Not sure when they will start, will find out on Friday. Hoping it will get rid of the small tumors. the other 2 have been around for 3 years and treated with TACE however, one  of them still shows live cells on the edge. Radiation oncologist talked about treating those as well eventually.

    in reply to: Scan results #97625
    bgmat48
    Spectator

    My horse was a Welsh Cob who owned ? me for 20 years. His official name  was Copplestone Cracker.  He passed away at age 23 in 2014. He was beautiful, cheeky, loved and the only horse I ever had. I am thankful to have had him.

    in reply to: Hair loss, not sure what to do #97140
    bgmat48
    Spectator

    Hi,

    I have been on Gemzar for 18 months now and my hair is getting thinner and feels like fuzz but it is thinning slowly.

    It is up to you but I decided not to shave my head as it is not falling out in chunk. You may want to cut it shorter in a cute pixie cut.

    Brigitte

    bgmat48
    Spectator

    Hi Rick,

    It seems to be used less then the old version. What do you think? I did find it less user friendly. How do you do the search engine if you want to find info or post relevant to a subject?

    Brigitte

    in reply to: Scan results May 14,2018 #97061
    bgmat48
    Spectator

    I spoke to MD Anderson PA before chemo yesterday and she answered my questions which were:

    It is a rollercoaster ride as last s c an showed a small 2cm growth on one tumor but scan 3 months ago was showing both tumors shrinking.

    Why is one tumor still growing? Cancer cell always look for new way to multiply

    Will it ever go away: No

    Will it get worse someday? Yes

    Do you have a plan B if Gemcis stops working? Yes, we don’t ever give up.

    If the TACE is not successful than radiation treatment is next.

    She said I am in the 1%  of CC PATIENT who are doing good.

    My blood test are all within range so far. CC has not spread anywhere so far, I am doing okay with chemo, minor side affects only.

    So, I went home after chemo and thought about our conversation, was not sure how to feel about it, felt sorry for myself for a while then got over it, had a glass of wine and went to bed.

    It is pretty much a scan to scan waiting game. My next scan is at the end of June.

    When I read about other CC patients having such hard time 🙁  feel I have no reason to complain, since my CC was found early, it was lucky and I feel blessed and plan on keeping my sense of humor and positive attitude for as long as I am able.

    Counting my blessings, my family, my friends, my Labrador who has become my emotional support 🙂  being able to do Therapy dog visits with her to nursing homes, schools, the Woodlands Children Museum.

    Wishing you all CC patients and families all the very best, stay strong ?

     

     

     

    in reply to: New to this #96413
    bgmat48
    Spectator

    To add to my post and to be fair, each case is different so your mom might be fine if no other CC cells are in her liver.  Some cells are so tiny it is hard to see them on a scan. Best of luck with your mom. Wishing her all the very best.

    in reply to: New to this #96410
    bgmat48
    Spectator

    Hi,

    I had a tumor removed 2 1/2 years ago with clean margins, hence the doctors did not recommend chemo. First scan 3 months after surgery was clear but on the next scan 3 months later hence 6 months after surgey 2 small tumors showed up and am wondering if chemo after surgery would have prevented that.  You may want to get a second opinion.

     

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 90 total)