katja
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Great to read this. It sounds like you’ve been through so much. So pleased for the news of a clear scan.
I hope you’ll keep coming back because we’ll really benefit from your hopeful story.
Congratulations
KateAndie,
I’m so sorry to hear this news. My heart is breaking for you, especially your dad apologising.
I’m just really hoping against hope that there will be a radiation treatment that can help your dad, and that your mum can gain some strength from you. Keep trying to create those happy memories. Remember there are many people who exceed their prognoses and your dad feeling well is such a bonus for him.
Love to you and your dad
KateRay, you should be posting in the good news section! Brilliant news on your scan results.
Of course it’s such a personal decision about starting on Gemzar. If my dad was offered it I’d encourage him to give it a blast (he’s in pretty much exact same situation just a few weeks ahead of you – plus he’s only 59 and was in extraordinary health before all this). Does the oncologist give any reasons why he’s recommending it? If there were suspicious nodes or high markers then you could understand. If you start chemo you could always stop it if it wasn’t worth it for quality of life.
Good luck with your decision and enjoy your clean reports.Matt
Welcome and so sorry this is happening to you. Can I ask what it was that prompted the doctors to start you on Gemzar three months ago? When you say ‘it’s’s back’ are you referring to the new spot? Really hoping that it’s nothing and like I said on my other post do ask about radiation. It’s probably the last thing you want to think about but there are cases where people have recurrences resected. I knew a man who had an extra ten years from diagnosis by having several different resections. Prof Lodge at Leeds kept ‘reconfiguring him’.
Good luck.Matt, I’d also ask about radiation or one of the spheres type treatments when you next go. They do seem to have some great success stories.
My dad has just finished 8 cycles of xeloda without any significant side effects. The hand foot syndrome was easily managed with ‘udder balm’ (not the emollient the hospital gave us- we bought it off amazon). He experienced diarrhea which was put down to the xeloda but continued for weeks after so must be a result of his whipple and malabsorption. He was able to do most things as normal on xeloda and had a clear scan at the end of it. Not sure about oxilaplatin but I would imagine a combination is better than a single agent. Good luck with the new treatment.
Our doctor in the uk does not like to talk about tumour markers (even though they do test them). He often reminds us of the many things which could cause them to raise such as infection or scarring, diarrhea etc etc. I once read a study which found that basically markers are only an indication of the truth 50% of the time (but that they are more likely to be showing the true picture if they are low – ie that there is less sign of cancer). I hope that makes some sense.
Kim,
You are deal with so much, so well. Hoping so much that the peace continues, your beautiful mom knows how much you all love her.Kate
I think there is a different system, must be times 10? We were told that a healthy person’s bilirubin can be up to 30. I bet that’s the equivalent of 3 for you devastateddaughter.
Hoping stent works quickly. The liver is such an important organ and if it can’t drain the bile it won’t be able to deal with the poisons of chemo. Good luck to you.Yes that’s so true, I hate how it’s so unpredictable and such an unknown. I have heard there are different types of tumour-sclerosing, nodular, papillary but I haven’t seen any discussion on this board about the effects of different types. I did hear that radiation might be painful or cause scarring. Will your doctors be suggesting more chemo or radiation? You must be so desperate to stop his pain. We’re all really hoping this implant will help.
We love to hear stories like that! Do the doctors think it’s the chemotherapy or the sirspheres that have been effective? You must all be feeling very glad at the moment.
I apologise-must have misunderstood. I thought you had been frustrated with the doctors previous attempts. Perhaps I got the wrong person. My dad’s surgery was jan 13 and he still has some issues, mainly diarrhea and weight loss. The surgeon advised it was perfectly possible after such big surgery.
I very much hope your husband gets some relief soon.
Kate
