gavin

Hi Molly,

Ha! Never heard of that one before!! You know what you have to do here now? Start entering competitive puzzling or doing crosswords for prizes!! Think of the $$$’s you could win!!

On a serious note, maybe the onc is onto something here with things, puzzles, crosswords etc and how you are able to see them differently now. Seems like you enjoy doing puzzles so keep on doing them and beating them. You go on and beat the CC and now the puzzles as well! Hope the chemo goes well for you and please make sure to keep us updated on it. And for sure if I get stuck with puzzles or something similar I know now where to come for help! 🙂

Hugs,

Gavin

Thanks Rick! New board looks great and it must have taken a TON of work to get here! Looking forward to the new features as well!

Thanks to all,

Gavin

Hi Catherine,

Thanks for the update and sorry to hear your news about your mum and the PET results, GRR to that. Lots of GRRR’s today it seems.Sounds like you have the plan in place for the chemo and you know that I will be keeping my fingers crossed for a successful outcome to it. And yes for sure, no way will she want to miss seeing your daughter get her PHD, a great day all round that will be for you all!

So the goal is another 4 years according to the surgeon, I would add a minimum of another 4 years!! Time for your mum to go kick some CC butt, again!!

Hugs,

Gavin

Hi Hopeseeker,

Glad to be of help as always. When your MIL is on the diruetics, is she going to the toilet a lot? Just wondering as trying to understand if they are working as they should. My mum is on them just now for her heart issues as they think she has a lot of fluid that is affecting her heart and breathing etc, even worse than usual! She had swollen feet and ankles and that has gone down with the tablets but for a few hours after taking them she is in the toilet ever 15 minutes or so.

I would def speak with the doc/onc about the diuretics and see what they say about it all. And glad to hear that she does not have ab swelling.

No wonder your MIL is a little discouraged right now and that I would say is to be expected and who can blame her either really. None of this is easy to deal with for all concerned and I know how grateful that she will be to have you there with her as she goes through it all. Don’t give up hope and know as well that you are doing a great job for your MIL.

Hugs,

Gavin

Hi Hopeseeker,

Got some links for you here and I hope they will be of use to you and your MIL.

http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Xeloda.aspx

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/cancer-drugs/drugs/capecitabinehttp://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancerinformation/cancertreatment/treatmenttypes/chemotherapy/individualdrugs/capecitabine.aspx

https://www.gene.com/patients/medicines/xeloda

From the boards on the site – http://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/punbb/search.php?search_id=659115364

Yes the swelling and the bloating could well be ascites and they are very common with this cancer, mt dad had them as well. There are loads of postings on the site about them from many people. Diuretics could be tried and they can also be drained as well. Some links here –

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/coping/side-effects-and-symptoms/other-side-effects/ascites.html

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/physically/fluid-abdomen-ascites

Hope some of these are helpful to you and let me know if I can help more as well.

My best to you and your MIL,

Gavin