devoncat
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You might want to ask about getting oxilaplatin to the mix…not a nice chemo with lots of side effects. Xeloda is the other often used chemo for cc. For some reason, Gemzar and Cisplatin are used together and Xeloda and oxilaplatin are used together. I havent found any studies to suggest that they cant be switched around. So oxilaplatin may be on the cards for you.
I am from a country with socialised medicine and I can say that I have never been denied anything because of cost, but because not all treatments apply to your tumors location, size, and other factors. For instance, RFA was finally turned down because of my tumors placement to important veins. Photodyamic Light Therapy denied because it works best when the tumor is in the liver, not outside of it. Cyberknife because my tumor was too big. Internal radiation because there were no good studies that showed it was better than external radiation. My point is that there are a host of reasons why people dont qualify for different treatments, and most often it is not because of money but because cc is very difficult to treat.
I did “better” on xeloda and oxilaplatin, though I felt better on gemzar/cisplatin. Chemo can greatly effect the quality of your life. If your doctor thinks that cisplatin didnt help, then it would be terrible to add that damage to the body when you need every ounce of strength.
The chemo regime your husband was on sounds like it was based on a FOLFOX regime. The “fol” part of this infusion was re-engineered to create xeloda pills. However, some people dont respond well to the infusion, but get results from the pills. So that could be a possibility too.
Kris
Donna,
I had fluid on my lung recently and the relief of having it drained was great. If they can do this soon, it might help Jim feel better. Sending good thoughts.Kris
Finally making some sense this. These xanthones are related to mangosteen. Perhaps this should be mentioned in alternative treatments?
Kris
Get out of here Houston Mom! I am so happy for you. I dont even want to know what it was like you you got the news. May it long continue. How long will they keep you on Tarceva?
Kris
Great news and YES you can shrink it enough for your options on surgery to change. If the doctors arent observing you for that, it is time to change doctors. Best of luck.
Kris
Very interesting Gavin…but I am really going to have to google so many things in this article. It is way over my head….such as What is a caged xanthone? I will have a good time becoming informed.
Kris
Thanks for the info. I too am on an acid blocker. I will be starting xeloda again soon so I will ask my doctor about it. Not fair that a cancer that causes so many acid problems has its treatment affected by its remedy.
Kris
You might want to ask Helen Morement (I hope I spelled that right). She has a cc foundation in England called AMMF. She probably knows where the cutting edge treatments and best practices are. You could also check the Gem/cis study to see where the research was done.
Kris
Kristin,
My oh my what an “exciting” month you have had. Glad you are back home though. I know that the thrill of being home is the best medicine. Dont worry to much about what is next, your body needs time to heal. Besides your doctor should be worrying instead of you…that is why we pay them the big bucks.I had many people scratch their heads over me. I actually had an ultrasound guy give up and get his supervisor since nothing was in the right place anymore.
Enjoy your clean hair and own pillow next to your sweet Kevin. Please let us know how it goes.
Kris
Whipple does sound like something yummy to eat. Good luck on the operation and I will be waiting for a full (and full of good news) report back.
Kris
Sounds fun. My favorite job ever was being a teacher at Riverbanks Zoo so now all zoos have a big soft spot in my heart. Let us know how it goes.
Kris
