raylogu

So sorry Ritchie is not doing well, I know how down one can feel and how nice it is to feel a bit better. My oncologyst recommended the gemzar after I completed the Xeloda and I declined to take it. Since I had a tough enough time with the Xeloda I decided to take my chances that the xeloda and radiation did the job. I’m 78 years old and didn’t want to cause more complications than experienced from chemo and radiation. I developed calcification of aortic valve and renal artery from the treatments. Any more treatment would have worsened an already bad condition. It was adjuvant therapy only… just in case they missed something, and since my tumor markers were in the teens decided it best to try to conserve the heart and kidneys that suffered from xeloda and radiation. I’m moving closer to my one year mark and still encouraged by my recovery. Once Ritchie is past this rough patch, I feel certain he will find the correct tolerable course of meds/treatments to get him back on track.. and hopefully ready for surgery. I have read remarkable stories of patients that had success with downsizing tumors in preparation for surgery. Stay Strong!
Best wishes, Ray

I had radiation and oral chemo (Xeloda) concurrent 5 days a week for 8 weeks. I finished up in Sept 2010. I experineced nausea, diarrhea, lack of appetite and was tired. ALthough I took the radiation treatment in the afternoon and was well enough the next day to work 1/2 day in the morning. Rest when you are tired and eat when you can and you will make it through. After completion of treatments I still have a time gaining weight, but remain in otherwise good health. The Xeloda did cause some stomach errosion and had to discontinue a few weeks to threat that problem and have to be careful what goes in to keep the tummy in good shape. Most recent I was prescribed a mega dose of vitamin d and that caused a set back with my stomach so I’m back on meds to coat the stomach and eating light and soft foods again. My best to you! Ray

My brushing biopsy came back suspicious only, but during the ERCP the gastro doc was able to see what appeared to be a tumor pressing from behind and ordered the MRI, which showed the ampulla mass. He put in a temporary stent to clear a blocked duct. Surgery was scheduled on an emergency basis since the mass was caught so early. Fortunate 6 months post op I am doing well after 6 weeks oral chemo & radiation. I would request scans or MRI’s, as the ERCP can’t see all. Even though mine was caught very early (surgeon said earliest he has seen) from time of scan to surgery the tumor had eroded thorugh bowel wall and
some cancer cells in one lymph node (regional). Also the blood work reflected everything very high and off the charts, which indicated serious problems. SInce surgery all lab reports are back to normal with exception of
vitamin D, which is low and white blood count low, both attributed to chemo and radiation.
if there is any weight loss or disgestive discomfort don’t settle for a stent only, press on with the doctors.
my best to you and your family, Ray

Welcome to the group, sharing, learning an caring is what we are all about.
Don’t hesitate to ak questions, no two cases are the same and I’ve learned so much since I first learned I had ampullary cancer.
my very best to you and your family,
Ray

I had Xeloda with concurrent radiation for 6 weeks, which started 8 weeks post op. The Xeloda schedule was 6 weeks straight with no break other than weekends. By the 3rd week I had stomach distress, diagnosed as
erosion, slight bleeding. Had to stop Xeloda 2 weeks to heal stomach but continued radiation. I finished treatment 5 weeks ago and am feeling great. My appetite is almost back to normal, tasting things I thought tasted bad or had no taste before. Please ask about cardiac evaluation prior to treatment. Radiation and chemo is hard on your body and I discovered during the course of treatment I developed mild calcification of the aortic valve and a slight mitral valve problem. This from comparing the echo cardiogram done prior to surgery with the echo done 5 weeks into treatment. My wife suggested I see the cardiologist because my blood pressure, which normally is high was LOW without BP mediation.
Investigate any and all discomfort / new symptoms and signs of problems
immediately. In the case of the cardiac problem, most don’t see the cardiologist until they have symptoms from the problem, fortunate I discovered mine early. With this knowledge I decided NOT to take the recommended 2nd round of chemo which would be infused Gemzar.
my best to you and your family.
regards, Ray / North carolina

I am more concerned about the aortic calicificaiton that surfaced during treatment. Comparing an echocardiogram done in May to one in August there is definite damage from treatments of radiation and Xeloda. I will move with great caution before I jump on more chemo, I know the whipple is the toughest surgery recovery, but I don’t want to experience how easy heart surgery would be as compared to whipple. I too was in good health prior to this, in fact this was my first in patient hospital stay.
my best to you and your family! Ray

I had similar symptoms from Xeloda and was determined after only 3 weeks of xeloda I had stomach erosion, slight bleeding in the stomach.
The gastro doc treated with two meds and I am now fine, he later recommended Align ProBiotics which has given much improvement in my digestive discomfort.

my best to you, Ray