jeffg

Hello Juanita…. Thank You for sharing that message from Dan’s co-workers. Yes , your post really helped me very much. The sharing of your thoughts and feelings and how Dan talked about his worries really hit home for me. It’s amazing how God’s children think so alike during trying times like this. I bet he went over a list of things not to forget about as well. I told my wife I would make a list of things not to forget about; you know those things that I would normally do, like change the air filter in the furnace and the batteries in the smoke detectors, Oil and filter changes for the vehicles. I better stop before I run out of space. Ha! Juanita, again Thanks for sharing and I pray your future will brighten sooner than later. I know my wife will have to grieve one day, I’ve told her that’s okay and normal, but then I want her to be happy and enjoy family and life. God Bless you and your Family.
Jeff G.

Hi Kieth… I’ve been on both oxaliplatin and 5-FU as well as other chemo drugs. It is a side effect to be forgetful and to do some foggy things. If It is really bad you need to let the Doctor know and maybe they can lower the dosage a bit. I have done things like take the milk out of the fridge and put it back in the cupboard. I’ve gone to get something out of the food pantry and have to stand there for a few seconds and ask myself what was I going to get. To many loritabs for pain will do it to you as well. As I went through different chemo regimens, I have had different side effects. When I was on Carboplatin I use to get blurred vision and loose my balance for a second or two. To stop rambling yes it has happened to me and If you read the real small small, small, print of side effect disclosures it’ll tell you the statistics of occurrence for each possible side effect. I don’t read them anymore. If something is not right or different I say Hey Doc let’s cut back or look at something else maybe. I’m so sorry your wife has to ride the bumpy road of chemo. The only thing I can think of that helps me the most is to keep hydrated(drink plenty of water or juices) and try to keep up and moving as much as possible during the day and get a prescription to ensure a good night of sleep. I know it is easier said than done but I guess the key thing is keep on trying and say to yourself I’m in control and wind that will-power up as tight as you can. God Bless you both.
Jeff G.

Dear Sherri, I’m sorry to hear all that you are going through. The first thing I would do is ask questions. If it was originally DX as CC then I find it odd that they did not mention that this type of cancer more than likely is systemic (in your blood stream) and that even with clear margins during resection doesn’t mean a cure. My understanding is the if you make it passed the 5 year mark without recurrence then your in good shape. The fact that it was found in his lymph nodes tells me it is systemic and that is why he was started on chemotherapy. The reason for stopping chemo could be due to his overall health and low counts on his blood test. His platelets, white blood cells, nuetrophils have to stay above certain levels or he could develope other complications. I’ve been doing Chemo for about two and half years now and had to stop treatments several times and allow my blood levels to climb back up to a safe levels. He should be having blood work done weekly while doing chemo. Also they do stop one regimen of chemo for a while to try a different regimen of chemo that may prove more positive results. Being dx with cc and having chemo can get to be very complicated and you need to ask questions to keep yourself well informed. To my knowledge there currently is no cure for CC but there is treatments to slow it down and in some cases stablize it. For how long depends on how advanced the cc is and wheter it has mets to other parts of the body and how effective the chemo regimen is. It could be 1,3,5,8,10 years living with this disgusting disease. No one can put a time on it as it is so individualized. I had left lobe of liver resected and gall bladder 8 years a go and still fighting the battle. Like your step dad mine recurred to the kiver and mets to both lungs. So Sherri ask questions and get second opinions and tell the doctors you want them to tell it like it is. Of course your Step Dad has to give consent for that to happen due to a federal law called HIPPA. It’s a need to know only privacy of information of medical records law. If anyone on this site agrees, disagrees, or can add more to this rambling please do so. Sherri I wrote this based on the infor you shared; I’m sure there are more what if’s. I wish you all the best during this journey of uncertainy. Please take time to read as many posts and blogs as you can on this site. I ‘m sure it will give you a firm insight of what cc is all about.
Jeff G.

Juanita…. I,m so sorry for lost. Your words expressed clearly how devastating it is to lose such a couragous and loving man. You mentioned that Dan understood this was God’s plan and there must be a reason why he had to endure all that he did. I pray that he now has the answer and I pray that God lives in your heart and gives you the strength to work through your grief. Yes, Juanita life on earth will continue to challenge you/us. Absorb all the love you can from your family and friends and then remember your new challenge. You know what that is I’m sure. Don’t be afraid to ask for help as it is there. I have sent a prayer of support your way……..

Jeff G.

Zoe, All I can tell you is cetuxmab is the same thing as erbitux and was approved for use by the FDA in 2004 for use of colon /rectal cancer and for head and neck cancers usually given in combination with another type of chemo. Many Oncologist will use different types of combination if they feel there is a possibility of it being effective. I’ve tried four different combination so far. Different chemos will go after different targets of cancer cells irregardless of location. This I’ve been told is done regularly. Bristol-Myers Squib is one of the manufactures if you want to get more information. Welcome to the site. How is your Dad doing? Sorry about the delay in a reply but this is a hopping site full of information and certainly worth ongoing reviews of all postings.
Best Wishes,
Jeff G.

G, Glad to hear your positive news. I started off with gem/carb combo. Did 9 cycles of it before stopping as at the end I was having low platelets and had to do filgrastim injection. Over the treatment period I reached 50% shrinkage in the liver and stable to little shrinkage in my lungs. I found the carboplatin to be a little rough as far as nueropathy in my feet. Otherwise not bad side effects. It did grow back obviously. I tried conformal 3D radiation in December and got a 2.5 cm shrinkage but 6 weeks after it grew back to where I was to start with. No side effects at all from this type radiation except a little sluggish. Keep on riding that bronco you’ll tame it sooner or later!

Best to Ya!
Jeff G.

Kris, Sorry to hear about your husband. I’d just like to say I was DX 8 years ago as of March 16th this year. This CC as I’ve said many times before and the crappy chemo that goes with it reacts different on everyone. Tell your husband I’ve had 3 procedures , 2 surgeries, radaition, and on my 4th different chemo regimen. Had some rough days and weeks but many , many, good days. Stay as positive as possible ” you just never know”……

Jeff G.