nancysteck
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Well, after five cycles of Xeloda, I told the Dr. “no more”. I was totally fatigued. That was the biggest side effect that I had – a few minor ones that I tolerated OK, but being tired all the time was relaly taking its toal.
Also, according to the blood work, the tumor marker has gone from 21 to 31 in the past month, so I know it is not effective. There is also a tightness in the liver area indicating (at least in my opinion) that one or more tumors are growing larger – they are no longer operable. I did have a CT scan on Tuesday this week, but do not have the results as yet – that will definitely be more definitive.In the mean time I know God’s timing in all this is perfect – so my trust continues in Him.
Happy Thanksgiving to all,
Nancy
Hi JeffG,
Well I’ve changed blog sites. Since I’m now on Xeloda, thought it might be more appropiate to carry on bloggin’ at this site in case others might have questions about this drug.
As I told you before, the Dr. placed me on 1000mg, twice daily for one week and then had me go off the drug for one week. During that first cycle there were no side effects from the drug. Two weeks ago he increased the dosage to 1500mg, twice daily. (On one week and off the next – this helps keep the toxic levels a little more even). Still no side effects from the drug – other than waking in the middle of the night. That could be from the drug or just plan age! I do drink lots of water when taking the pills, and also remember to take the pills within 30 minutes of eating. This seems to work at least for me.
Saw the Dr. again today, and he is now leaving me on this dosage for as long as I can tolerate it. Right now I am feeling good, so we are going to do some traveling (TX and MI), have some company – when you live in south FL everybody loves the area in the winter!
Hope things are going well with you.
Have a great day!
Nancy
Andyuk
Glad to hear your mother has few side effects from Gemzar. I finished 4 cycles (8 times) of Gemzar in July 08. Be sure and tell your mother to drink lots of water the day of infusion- that flushes the chemo thru your kidneys and will help prevent any problems with the kidneys. I am now on Xeloda – one week on and one week off. Each of us are so different – so do a lot of reading on this site, it really helps you understand all the procedures.
available.Nancy
Well, after some difficulty finding a pharmacy to submit my Rx to BC/BS, I finally have my Xeloda. My Oncologist has me on 1000mg, twice daily for 7 days, and then off for 7 days. He said that most of his patients have had too many toxic side effects from the drug when they do 14 days on and 7 days off. He found this to be a more acceptable regime for his patients to tolerate. So, I’ll guess I’ll have to get back with you on how I do. I go back in two weeks and they may increase or decrease depending on how I have tolerated the Xeloda.
In the mean time, I’m feeling well (only 4 weeks out from the last surgery), but feel that I have gained most of my strength back. Back to doing those house hold chores, etc., and of course walking on the good old treadmill again.
Hope you are having a good day Jeff.
Nancy
Jeff, I guess the Xeloda is not as new of a drug as I had been led to believe. Did you have many side effects from the Xeloda? If so, what were they? From what I read this is a much harsher drug then the gemzar and cisplatin.
We are hunkering down for the hurricane – or I am, my husband has to fly to MI for his mother’s funeral which is tomorrow. He leaves in about a half hour. I am too fresh from surgery to make that trip.Hope you are having a good day.
NancyI’ve now been home from the hospital for four days. Feeling pretty good and not much pain considering they used the same surgical inscision as last time. What the surgeon found when I was opened was that the liver had about a dozen or more small button size tumors. He did biopsy one of the tumors, but the rest were left alone. He stated that had he tried to remove or ablate them he would have killed the liver. So within a couple of hours I was out of surgery.
The news of course is not good, yet God gave me a Bible verse a couple of days before I had surgery “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you”. Joshua 1:5. I have claimed that verse and know that God is still in control.
I go back to the surgeon on Aug. 25 to have my staples removed, and will next see the oncologist Sept 4. The oncologist had told us about a fairly new oral drug they are using “Xeloda”. This does not kill the tumors but keeps them smaller and extends your life. So that may be our next step. I’ll keep you posted as I learn more.
How are things with you, Jeff?
Nancy
Well, this journey the Lord is leading me on has taken a left turn – but I’ll still follow Him. After the CT scan on June 30 the radiologist found two lesions on the liver – so on July 11 a PET scan was done. The surgeon then took all this information to the Tumor Review Board at Moffitt. Their suggestion was that these should be removed surgically ASAP since this was a reoccurance. So yesterday I was notified that I would be having surgery Aug. 8. I had finished my 7th of 8 infusions. The last one will not be done now since I am having surgery. This will be my last post until after the surgery.
We are heading to Michigan for a week to visit with family and friends, home a couple of days and then the surgery.
And I know God does supply all the strength I need for this journey.
How are things going with you, Jeff? I’ve also been praying for you.
Nancy
Well, today was my 3/4 mark for infusions – only 2 left and I’m still feeling good with very few side effects from these two drugs. I also had blood work and CT scan at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa this past Monday, June 30. There are no tumors present in or around the liver at this time. So I am praising my Lord. I continue to thank you for your support and help – that is what has helped me get through this process with your suggestions. Taking that little pill before you get nauseous is certainly the key!
Hope you are having a good day, Jeff.
Thank you,
NancyLast Friday I reached the 1/2 way of my chemo treatments. Yesterday I took the compazine first thing again in the morning and felt great, so thanks Jeff for the advice – it sure works. The Dr. is also now giving me Procrit each Friday and my energy level is again up. Last week I felt the best I had since before being diagnosed with CC last Nov. It has been a long journey, but much to be thankful for. Thanks for all your support.
Nancy
Well, taking a compazine first thing in the morning solved that nauseous feeling the day after chemo. Felt good to go the whole day w/o that feeling. I’m keeping a short diary of how I feel each day during the treatments so I can refer to them and will know what to do after the next treatment. Well, three down and five to go – almost half way there.
NancyJeff, I was thinking the same thing that I should take the nausea med on Sat. a.m. as soon as I get up as it is about two hours after I get up that I feel that way. Maybe that would help solve that nauseated feeling.
NancyWell, round two of my treatment was completed on Friday (May 9). The aftereffects were about the same as last time. I felt good the remainder of the day remembering to drink lots of water. I had a headache as I went to bed, but it did not prevent sleep. Sat. morning I became nauseous – so took a pill, and that calmed me down. I was advised by the RN giving the treatment not to let this get out of hand. The remainder of the day I felt fine even walking on my treadmill for 30 minutes as I do every day, except day of treatment. This a.m. I’m feeling good. Oh yes, another side effect is definitely hair thinning – or maybe total hair loss to come, but I’ll keep you posted on that.
Yes, Carol, God does answer prayers. I don’t know what I would do do without the prayer support from all my family members and friends.
Love to all,
NancyHi Jeff, and Carol too,
Well, almost a week has passed since the first round of chemo was given. I experienced waves of nausea (but no vomiting) and took a pill to help with that. Constipation has been a problem, but then a pill and lots of fiber in the diet have helped. Those have thus far been my only symptoms. I walk on my treadmill every day for 30 minutes, not as fast as I use to, but am getting the excersize needed. I do appreciate all your comments they are all things I have looked for as I begin this process.
The best help has been the prayer support I have received from so many people. I chose to let people know so they could pray with me and I believe God is answering.
May you be blessed today.
NancyHi,
I just started these two drugs today. I was diagnosed with CC (left lobe) on 12/15/07. On Jan. 25, 08, I had surgery at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL. They removed the tumor (9cm x 7cm x 5cm) with clean margins. A friend of mine in South Carolina had this same cancer and she was told it was not necessary to have chemo. One year later it metastasized to her lungs. Because of this I have chosen to do the chemo now. It has been interesting reading all your comments regarding these two drugs. I was told to drink water, water, water – till you almost float for the next three days. I’ll let you know how this reacts with me.
Nancy
