sharimay
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Thank you Kris for the response. I am fairly certain Mayo clinic Rochester Minnesota has my resected liver. My lymph node on my last PET is scored less than 4, which means no gemox for now. I responded well to the first course, so hopefully i would respond to a second course. The biopsy could be tricky. The lymph is a mediastinal and is close to my heart and esophagus so my cardio thoracic surgeon thinks it would be a difficult one to biopsy. I have a very small nodual on my right side that is sub pleural and probably would be easier to biopsy. Kind of playing the waiting game for now and making a game plan.
I promise didn’t fall off the map! I have finished 8 cycles of gemzar, oxaliplatin, and erbitux. Other than fatigue things have been tolerable. I had a PET scan and I am continuing to respond to the chemo. Things have been a bit complicated with me coming down with influenza A. So I have taken a couple weeks off of chemo. I am set to start chemo again on Monday. I have 2 months left and am hoping to be done with chemo for a while after that. Wishing all a merry christmas!
Shari
Judy,
I’m glad that Arizona is agreeing with you! My PET scans are continuing to improve. Weather here in ND has been cold. I ended up with influenza A a week ago or so, and man did that throw me. I’m feeling much better now. I have been keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Merry Christmas!
Shari
Hello all,
It’s my off week from chemo, but got my erbitux today along with my premeds. So I’m back to the steroid rush and not sleeping. At least it’s just one day. It gives me time to read up on the boards and give people my two cents. Third round has been the best yet. Not bad on side effects, just wicked tired by Thursday and over the weekend. Looking forward to my off week. Take care and I will check in with round 4.
Shari
Danna,
I have been on Prozac for 2 years now. It helps me take it all in. If you want to avoid medication it would be best to at minimum talk to a professional. Find someone who will respect your not wanting to take meds. It might take a few tries to find the right person, but keep with it. Don’t let cancer define you, it’s something you have not who you are! It’s okay to have bad days, but if they turn into weeks or months it’s time to take control. You can do it!
Shari
Nat,
Awesome news on a year cancer free! I was 29 when diagnosed and now am 32. I started chemo with gemzar and cisplatin and before starting my oncologist asked about freezing eggs as chemo can cause fertility issues. I’m not sure about what type of chemo you had, but have you asked your onc if you might have problems? My husband and I have made the choice to not have children except for my 2 furry loves of my life. I am now on my third go round with chemo. I hope this helps. Thinking and praying for you.
Shari
Hi all.
I have started round 3 of gemzar, oxaliplatin, and erbitux. The decrease in dosage from round 1 proved to be the trick. Just tired, no bad diarrhea. The erbitux rash is the craziest thing ever. I think I finally found the right combo of topical cream and I started doxycycline today. The itching is under control. Labs are looking good. One more round then a PET to see response. Keep fingers crossed!
Shari
My rash has gotten much better. It’s starting to dry out and I don’t have any new white heads. I am thankful I found an awesome face product to help my skin heal quickly. Keeping my fingers crossed!
In my personal experience my tumor grew fast. I was able to have a resection but my tumor was large (11 x 14) and I have had metastasis 3 times. If I was in our shoes I would push for resection sooner than later. The smaller the tumor the more likely hood of clean margins and no lymph involvement. Wishing you nothing but the best.
Shari
This week I was able to do round 2 of my treatment. Monday was gemzar and erbitux. Tuesday was oxaliplatin. My onc decreased my doses by 20% and changed my erbitux from every two weeks to weekly to decrease the dose. He was a little baffled that I got such bad diarrhea from the chemo, but we all react differently. He was also a little mad at me that I didn’t call him before I ended up in the ER needing fluids. I’m hoping that I can prevent getting so sick this round since now I know how it affects me. I got the lovely “acne-like” rash from the erbitux. I think other people have probably gotten it worse, but at 32 it was the worst breakout I have EVER had. I was blessed with a nice, freckley complextion. I also used Nerium on my face and I think that it really helped keep the rash at bay. The nurses said that the rash gets better. No major hair loss yet, maybe a little thinning. I finally sent my hair I cut off before I started chemo into Pantene beautiful lengths. 9 1/2 inches! I figured if my hair was going to thin I didn’t want to wash long strands down the drain. Making the most out of a crappy situation. Hopefully it helps someone who has to lose all their hair. This post is a little rambly, I thank the dexamethasone for that.
All in all doing better and hoping for a good end to my week.
Shari
I’m taking it as a day by day thing with work. They are really understanding. I want to do anything to put cancer behind me, but I want to function too. My plan is to talk to my onc before my next round. Thanks Lainy.
Hi all,
Thanks for all the suggestions. I have had some of the cold sensitivity, but its not to bad. The worst has been the shits, literally, and the nausea. I have the worst cramps and just feel drained. With my last chemos I could at least work, this time I am so tired all I want to do is sleep. I have been taking my zofran and trying to stay hydrated. I hope by next week I will have some spunk back. Laying around isn’t my strong suit.
Shari
Hi all,
I am just starting to have some of the hand/foot syndrome. I try to remind myself all day long to put lotion on my hands. It can be hard for me because I am a nurse and I wash my hands alot! Its not so bad yet and hopefully it doesn’t get worse. I know I will be able to handle all that comes my way. Thanks all.
Shari
Pets have an uncanny sense about things. Odd things can happen when people are close to death. My personal thoughts are spend as much time with him as possible, keep him calm and comfortable and tell time you love him and if he is tired it is okay and you will be okay. I lost my dad in march and that was the hardest thing to do but it gave me closure. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Shari
