linda-z
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Oh Kris….Greece, how wonderful and romantic for a quick getaway for 2 to a warmer climate and beautiful historic sites and seas.
Enjoy! You can “deal” with the idiots back at the doctor’s offices soon enough when you return. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. I’m envious! Chicago is so far away and not half as interesting. You have a tremendous attitude. I wish I had half that… could it be infectious? I’ll keep trying… Tell us all about your trip when you return. We’ll live through you.
Linda Z.
Matilda,
My sincerest sympathies on your loss of your Dad. How wonderful for you to be able to be with him in his last hours. Your Dad will always be with you in your heart and mind. Cherish those memories as they grow stronger and age to become a rare treasure.
All my prayers,
Linda Z.
Welcome D,
Just to add my sentiments….you certainly have found a wonderful board and site to gain support and guidance. I don’t think I could have found a more wonderful “family” if they were related to me. The warmth from this group of people is unbelievable.
Welcome and hope you feel at home here as I have.
Linda Z.
Hi dmeek and my sincere welcome too to this Board.
It has indeed brought a smile to my face to hear of your 6 year survival with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. I also have intrahapatic CC with surgery a little over 13 months ago, with returning tumors. I look forward to hearing of your journey and having your much welcomed insight into this fight.
Welcome again,
Linda Z.
Dear nk,
There will be a lot of “firsts”, but the memories will take over and become happy ones instead of sad. Time heals, and the living help tremendously. Stay here and you can receive a lot of support.
My best to you.
Linda Z.
Yes, HertZer,
Please share. I know I am always looking for more nutritional advice, especially from those who have experienced good results, or just to hear of their experiences in general. It helps coming from someone who has gone through it and not just the medical professional.
Thanks again,
Linda
Lainy,
Again I have to say thanks for your sense of humor! It is a pleasure to read your posts. Also something I would consider given the amount of times we read that doctors forget things or attempt to do something that was not supposed to be done (like procedures on the wrong person).
Kris, sorry about the mixup once again. Something has to come your way soon.
I’ll be thinking of you.
Linda Z.
Hi Lisa,
DC is one of my husbands most favorite shows. When he gets the chance to watch TV, that is absolutely the chosen one if it’s on. He will be so jealous! I watch it when I can and it really is a neat show. Crabbing really has to be in your blood to do what these boat owners do, and by choice!
What a great opportunity. I just have a feeling it will be great fun. The people on the show have such great “character” too. What fun!
Also, so nice to cross it off your bucket list. That reminds me to actually make one. I have a lot of thoughts about it, but haven’t really made that list. No time like the present.
Post when you return. It will be exciting to hear of your “fishy” adventure. Crab is one of my favorites too. Even over lobster.
(By the way Lainy—-you have a wonderful sense of humor. Thanks!)
Linda Z.
Oh Rick, I was so sorry for your recent pain (and I saw your exercising post first!).
I agree with others, and hope that you don’t jump to conclusions for the worst yet. It could be a number of things so hang in there and be positive.
I hope that by this time you are feeling much better and the Drs. had better news for you.
My thoughts are with you.
Linda Z.
It is always good to go back into chemo feeling your best. It seems a little weird knowing that you are working to feel good that second week (or in my case even the third week) and then to go back into chemo that makes you feel tired and weak again. BUT if it were not for the keeping active and little exercising those off weeks, chemo would be even worse. I have possible mets to the lungs (the Drs. aren’t quite sure yet), and am on chemo with Oxaliplatin IV and Xeloda pills. I have to watch the hard-walking (pounding on my feet) with the Xeloda, but light walking to keep up the stamina and increase strength is good.
SO, definitely the exercising can help. I have found that I can actually read while walking on a treadmill (holding on with one hand and holding a book with the other!). That way I don’t feel like I’m losing precious time when I can get something else done for those few minutes that I’m trying. It certainly helps my attitude, and the outside walk keeps me thinking positive thoughts especially now that the weather is on the up side. I’ve considered lifting light weights too, to keep my arms from feeling like dead weights on those first days of chemo. I haven’t started yet, but we’ll see.
Linda Z.
Theresa,
I was on Gemzar / Cisplatin for 4 or 5 treatments (lost track) and am now on Oxaliplatin with Xeloda pills. I did very well on the Gemzar / Cis but I have heard others that did not. I was told Gemzar can do havoc on your white blood count more than the others and did experience a short time of that, but didn’t have much other side effects.
Now the Oxaliplatin has more severe side effects. In particular the cold-intolerance when drinking cold liquids and hands and feet are more sensitive to cold (making sharp needle-like pains in your throat, hands and feet when coming in contact with cold). Always wearing something on your feet to keep them warm, and gloves when getting something out of the freezer or sometimes the refrigerator, and not drinking cold liquids at all (only room temp or warmer).
I haven’t experienced any difficulties with the Xeloda pills, although the effects can be accumulative and I have only gone through 2 treatments. Dehydration (from diarrhea) and the hand and foot syndrome can occur where your hands and feet dry out and can blister, peel and turn extremely red/purple. I don’t know if it’s the Xeloda or Oxal. that also causes neuropathy (numbing and/or tingling) of the hands and feet. Since I am taking both at the same time, I’m not sure sometimes which does which.
What I do know is that everyone experiences the meds differently. I’ve seen some in the infusion center that seem to not be handling the meds well or talk about more nausea. I didn’t have that either, so it all depends on your body and what it can tolerate.
The reason for the different drugs are so that your body, or really the cancer, doesn’t get immune to the meds it’s being hit with. If one doesn’t work, they may switch it up to hit it with something different that may basically do the same thing….shrink tumors, destroy it’s cell makeup so it won’t multiply again, etc.
I thought my onc told me that Gemzar/Cisplatin was their first choice because they had the most success with that. Different medical people are also going to have different opinions. Ask all you can about why they want to do one or the other and whatever questions you may have.
Linda Z.
Kris, thanks for the info. I was warned about the “hand and foot syndrome” where they peel but said to moisturize constantly. That does sound painful. I am drinking so much water to stay hydrated that sometimes I feel like I could float away, but I know that it’s necessary.
Good luck on the new treatment plan though. It feels good to hear the fighting instinct and gives us the desire to do the same!
Linda Z.
Scraggles,
My heartfelt condolences. Your Mom was only a couple years older than I am. Way too young. Stay strong.
Hi Kris,
I’m a little new here, but noticed you said you had a problem with Xeloda before. I tryed to check previous posts, but didn’t find it. Sorry.
I’m on 1000 mg of Xeloda with Oxaliplatin infusion 1 week (the Xeloda for 2 wks at the same time, then off everything for 1 wk). The first week with both the drugs, it really hits me, but the 2nd week, I’m feeling pretty decent. I seem to have more problems from the Oxaliplatin Did the meds cause nausea? I found the anti-nausea meds I was given were terrific.
Good luck with the treatment and thanks so much for filling us all in. I know after surgery, it’s difficult to get back to doing a lot. Your progress really helps all of us too.
Take care,
Linda Z.
