Better:)

Hi! I talked to dr hug, and she approved a change in the chemo. Now I take it one week on, one week off, hopefully that's easier for my body to handle. I haven't taken it since Saturday night and it's already better. Amazing. I also got a call to schedule my next PET scan, and then I'll know if it's even working, and if the pain and side effects are worth it. I found out about a new liver cancer treatment today too, called theraspheres, little glass balls that are injected directly into the lesions in the liver, with radiation inside that slowly breaks down and directly destroys the cancer. Sounds good to me! I'm gonna ask dr hug about it at my next appointment. I'm up for anything!!

Uncle

Ok, I give! The soles of my feet are killing me! They almost feel like they're not part of my body! I smell like a pharmacy today, alex had great idea to use this Tylenol cream on the soles of my feet- its awesome and really helps decrease the sensitivity but it's stinky!! My palms are ultra sensitive too, I've been wearing the same jewelry for years but I keep hurting myself on it today. My palms are a little red, the soles of my feet are very red- apparently this chemo actually collects in the extremities and makes them burn. Nice, right?:)
I tried sandals yesterday- bad move- have clogs and socks on today and feels a little better. it's my week off chemo, so I'm hoping it wont get much worse. Fingers(ouch) crossed!

All is well...

Hi! I've been on the Xeloda for 4 weeks now (2 weeks on, 1 week off, now in 4th week.) and so far so good. I had an appointment with my oncologist last Friday, as well as my Zometa treatment.  She was thrilled that I haven't experienced any significant side effects from the Xeloda.  When I asked about lack of side effects relating to it not working, she said nope, but did increase my dosage since i seem to be handling it so well.  But, I haven't increased it, because every night since I've had pain and tingling on the bottoms of my feet.  Also weird dreams about my foot being broken and waking up with terrible pain in my toes. So, no increase yet for me...waiting to see if this is as bad as it gets.  When i wake up for the day tho, my feet don't hurt, only during the night.  weird, eh? So, I'm sticking with 3 pills in the am and 3 in the evening, and holding off on the 4th pill at night for now.  Have a message in to my oncologist to see what she thinks.
I'm so hoping this is working, I can't wait to see the results in May.  Doc says she has one patient that has been on it continuously for 5 years - not the norm, but it is a possible maintenance drug if it works to control the cancer.  Hope hope!!

Interesting!

Last Friday Will and I went to see my new ortho doc cuz my surgeon who put the rod in my femur moved to CA:(  On the last PET scan as well as my most recent one, the radiologist mentioned seeing a fracture in my right femur (the one with the rod in it.) but, the ortho didn't see it.  So, Will, with his super deaf vision, showed the fracture to the new doc, and she is now a believer:) It's been there since November, she just thought it was part of the original surgery.  Anyway, now we know why my leg still hurts, but there's nothing they can do for it.  But, at least I know why it hurts! The ortho thinks there was a very thin amount of bone around the rod originally, and when i went for a lovely walk on the Tampa beach with my friends last year, it fractured.  Again, nothing can be done, but she seems hopeful that my bone will heal itself.  Will expressed his doubt, given the poor condition of my bones to begin with, but i like pretending:)

I'm doing well on the Xeloda oral chemo so far, nothing major to report:)

So far, so good

I seem to be responding without any side effects so far to the new chemo meds. If my past experience is indicative of my "normal", tho, I'll probably be hit with side effects later. Ahh another blessing of a slow metabolism!
Ann Marie brought quiche and date snacks last week, Leanne brought dinner Friday night and Jill brought dinner last night- awesome!I'm so spoiled! I'm off completely today with only taxi duty, so it's been a very relaxing, sunny day here:) doggies so happy it's toasty warm on the patio.
Back to work tomorrow, keeping fingers crossed that this med doesn't make me sick. Have a great week!

$#@&^!@#

PET scan results are not good - knew it the minute I saw the expression on my Nurse Practitioner's face.  More cancer in my liver, spine, hip, and ribcage.  Old lesions are "metabolic" again, lighting up on the PET scan, back being nasty again.
So, plan B: new chemo drug called Xeloda.  Good news is, it's a pill, so no weekly visits to the infusion center.  Side effects are said to be minimal but everyone is different, so we'll see how it treats me. Major worry for me is the warning of more neuropathy and Hand and Foot Syndrome which is  a reddening and increased sensitivity of the hands and feet.  Hopefully the hand and foot syndrome fairy will pass me by; I can't imagine interpreting would be much fun with that!
I'm feeling ok about the news; luckily they don't give me too much time to wallow; I start the new drug on Sunday or Monday depending on how I feel.  I'll keep you updated on the side effects!

takin 'er easy:)

Hi! I had my PET scan yesterday, will be getting my results and an action plan on Friday when i have my oncology appointment.  Only a little drama with the IV; I always have to go to the hospital to have the IV placed because the peeps at the PET scan place scarred me for life when it took them 7 tries and they finally put the IV in my FOOT!!! one time, a couple years ago. So, now I go to Strong and have either their crack IV team, an anesthesiologist, or my onc nurses if they're feeling brave, place it for me then i drive one armed to the scan:) awkward but way less tears that way!!

I've been off most of last week and all of this week...its been awesome:) I'm feeling good, just the neuropathy in my feet and some pain in my middle back vertebrae.  My feet feel like I've got shoes on that are a couple sizes too small - pressure and tingly.  Strange that it keeps getting worse even tho i haven't had chemo in almost 2 weeks. :( keep hoping it'll go away.  But other than that, I'm good!

Will update on Friday once I get the news about my scan results. Later!
jen