update: split chemo, radiation

taraHK
taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi All,

Well, a few developments. I'm supposed to be on GOLFA (Gemzar + FOLFOX + Avastin) but have had some false starts. The GEMZAR seems to hammer my platelet count, leading to tx delays. But my CEA spikes with the delay. So my onc is thinking to give me most of the Gemzar during my normal chemo cycle (he told me the % but I forgot) then the rest the following week -- as a 30 min out-patient drip. Fingers crossed this does the trick. Just finished my #3 GOLFA (with top-up tomorrow)

Meanwhile, I have been having increasing pain from my left hip. (I have multiple bone metastases in my back, pelvis, hip -- symptom free for 1.5 almost 2 years but now acting up). So my onc is doing to zap my left hip. Only 5 zaps. I'll be finished by the end of next week. (But will have been at the hospital 10 days in a row! Yuck!).

Have also been trying out some new forms of pain medication -- for the bone pain. I was taking a variety of oral meds (panadol and Celebrex during the day -- if needed -- and Tramal and/or Lyrica in the evening. The bone pain is worse is the evening. Do not ask me why). But this hasn't been enough recently...

So, as I mentioned in another post, I am now trying out the fentanyl patch. I also tried syrup of morphine a couple of days ago (and was sent home with this). Hard to know what the side effects were -- I was so dopey from the premeds and chemo....I'm really reluctant to go down the morphine/opiate route -- but I also don't want to be a fool about pain...

I'm hoping that the chemo and radiation will kick in soon and I won't need the morphine stuff. We shall see.

That's what's new with me!

Oh, and I saw the movie "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" and grinned and laughed through the whole thing. Life ain't just cancer.

Love,
Tara

Comments

  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    #2
    Hey Tara
    I gotta say...... You truly inspire me to keep going...and going ...and going....but most of all...to stop and smell the roses along the way! If one thing don't work out for you...that's ok...try this...if that don't work...that's ok...try this...and though I feel your frustration sometimes....I still always feel your smile. You are an awesome person Tara! Hope the chemo and rad kick in soon and give you some relief. Take care

    Jennie
  • tommycat
    tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
    #3
    I hope so too
    I hope the chemo starts working soon too! Because of an unforeseen complication I was sent home with liquid morphine too, and at times it came in very handy. It dulled the pain and made me fall asleep, which could only help the healing process.
    Good luck to you Tara~
  • janie1
    janie1 Member Posts: 753 Member
    #4
    tommycat said:

    I hope so too
    I hope the chemo starts working soon too! Because of an unforeseen complication I was sent home with liquid morphine too, and at times it came in very handy. It dulled the pain and made me fall asleep, which could only help the healing process.
    Good luck to you Tara~

    Amazing......
    you are. Hoping and praying the treatment plan is very successful. Wishing you all the best.
    (I only hope that I can have a mere sliver of your dignity and perseverance in this journey)
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #5
    hang in there
    Tara,

    I have been thinking about you and wondering how you have been doing. You are truly my hero. I hope they are able to get your pain controlled. When I needed pain med dilaudid worked great for me. I was not a fan of morphine. I hope the fentanyl parch works for you.

    Keep us posted on how you are doing. You are inspiration to all on this board.

    Love, Maureen

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