jathy1125

Elsie-what an inspirationall women, my heart breaks for you. Your attitude will help all of us going through this fight. Thank you for all your kudos about this site. I know for my self this site is way I can give back and honor my donors and doctors.
Lots of prayers and hugs-Cathy

Pam-I had two molars break last year, I was warned though about radiation and chemo effecting your teeth. I believe anything odd going on with me is a direct result of cancer treatments!!! Cancer has to be good for something so it must be ” that is an excuse for all that is wrong”!! LOL!
Lots of prayers for Lauren and her wonderful family -Cathy

Tiffany-I had gemcidabene, 5FU and XELODA. I had the 5FU pump 24/7 while doing 5 days a week, for 6 weeks of radiation. My main side effect was extreme tired!!
Lots of prayers-Cathy

Kris/Tiffany I took XELODA for 5 months while I waited for first transplant. I took 8 pills in the morning and 8 pills in the evening and I happy to tell you i had no side effects!! The nurse fromXELODA called me weekly and checked on me. My biggest problem with XELODA was the cost, since I have private insurance I pay first and get reimbursed by BCBS, which has about a 45 day pay schedule. I had to pay $4,000 a month for my dosage and the check never came before time for the next refill!! It is amazing to think how you just put one foot in front of the other and keep going!! My one silver lining was being that sick I met all my deductables by mid january and was at the 100% reimbursement rate! LOL!!!
Lots of prayers for both of you-Cathy

TFJ-Welcome and sorry you had to find us. I am a CC survivor. I will be cancer free 3 years in May 2012. I am not sure why you are waiting for doctor referals, you can contact some of the best doctors and hospitals on your own, is it an insurance issue?
I am alive because of Dr. William Chapman at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis MO. Dr. Chapman and Barnes is are one of the top place for CC. Dr.Javle is another great doctor talked about a lot here, at MD Anderson, both of these doctors are easily contacted and have a reputation for helping you immediately. CC is so rare, you really need to be in a place that has expierence because time is not our friend. CC has a reputation of being mis- diagnosed and biopsy’s can come back a false negative so expierence doctors and hospitals are a must.
Please read my story at thetelegraph.com under christmas miracle it will give you HOPE!!!
Please keep posting and venting you are among family who haved “walked a mile in your shoes”.
Lots of prayers-Cathy

Dear Mymommymylife-You have recieved great news!! I am a CC surviror thanks to a transplant, this is your best HOPE for cancer free. I did chemo and radiation to qualify, you will have about 3-4 months of treatment before going on the list and that will only happen if it doesn’t spread. Dr. William Chapman at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis MO. is one of the top doctors in CC transplantation. Dr. Chapman worked with the Mayo Clinic to develop this trial.
Please go to my FB page (Catherine Sims Dunnagan) and read my story and another Dr. Chapman transplant success story.
Lots of prayers that your mom will qualify for a transplant. There is HOPE!!
Cathy

Teresa-Welcome and sorry you had to find us. I am a CC survivor and will be 3 years cancer free on May 24, 2012, there is HOPE. I look forward to hearing your story and about Vanderbilt and there care for CC. We have a summer spot on Kentucky Lake and lots of Tennessee neighbors, so we have great respect for Vanderbilt. Please feell free to ask any questions and vent any frustration you are among a special group of family and friends.
Lots of prayers-Cathy

Cindy-Yea for the shrinking tumors and boo for the other tumors!! Glad you didn’t have to battle insurance company too!!!
Lots of prayers-Cathy