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Nothing but bad news

bdee
bdee CSN Member Posts: 304
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I go every other week for lab work, see the doctor and take chemo. My lab work is starting to go down, my CEA is up to 13.2 (same as before surgery), my hair is falling out and my oncologist raised the amount I'm taking for Avastin and CPT-11. He raised the Avastin from 400 to 900 and the CPT-11 from 140 to 180. If this doesn't work in two treatments, he wants to take me off Avastin and put me on Erbitux every week. He told me this would greatly affect my quality of life.
This is Thursday and it is the first day I've not had nausea, but I'm still real tired. This is also the first time since I was taken off oxy that I've thrown up. I remember now that it is not a fun experience.
He wants to delay my CT scans from July to August to see if the higher dose is working. My CEA has been going up since March, but he was hoping it was just dead cancer cells making it go up. Monday he told me he now doubted that is the case.
I've been taking chemo for 16 months, the first four months I spent in bed (I was on oxy then) and I really don't want to go through that again.

Debbie in Arkansas
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Comments

  • Devasted
    Devasted CSN Member Posts: 185
    #2
    Sorry to hear this...it seems to go on and on sometimes...
    Sorry to hear you are going through this. Did youe onc. say the Erbitux would lower your quality of life?

    Take care
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  • AnneCan
    AnneCan CSN Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #3
    Hi Debbie,
    I am sorry to
    Hi Debbie,

    I am sorry to hear you have had a rough go of it. I hope the higher dosages of your drugs will make the needed difference. I am on folfiri + avastin + lost most of my hair but it began growing back after about 9 treatments. Now after 16 treatments it is not looking too bad. I bought a wig, but did not wear it; I just wore scarves + hats. Now I go out in public without anything on my head. On the positive side, my hair is very low maintenance! I hope you are feeling better soon, mausea is no fun!
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  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 CSN Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #4
    Rough time
    Hi, Debbie.

    You're really having a hard time, aren't you? I'm so very sorry. I pray that your doctor will be able to help you find a way that will work better for you.

    *hugs*
    Gail
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  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 CSN Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #5
    Rough time
    Hi, Debbie.

    You're really having a hard time, aren't you? I'm so very sorry. I pray that your doctor will be able to help you find a way that will work better for you.

    *hugs*
    Gail
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  • linandtom
    linandtom CSN Member Posts: 67
    #6
    Not(hing) bad news....?
    I know the side effects of CPT-11 and Avastin can be so hard. If you continue throwing up or if the diarrhea starts ask Dr for Zofran or Kytril for the vomiting and Lomotil for the diarrhea. These will help you greatly. Try and treat the side effects - to have good quality of life. Treating the side effects that come with chemo is just as important as treating your cancer in order to keep yourself going. My husband has been on and off treatments for two years now.....mostly on instead of off! But he's still here - and we continue doing all we can to make his life good. Stay on top of finding what works for you - as we all know - each person is different. Hope today is a good day for you Debbie.
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  • Sonia32
    Sonia32 CSN Member Posts: 1,071 Member
    #7
    Debbie
    Sending you hugs, your in my thoughts and prayers that you will get through this.
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  • bdee
    bdee CSN Member Posts: 304
    #8
    Devasted said:

    Sorry to hear this...it seems to go on and on sometimes...
    Sorry to hear you are going through this. Did youe onc. say the Erbitux would lower your quality of life?

    Take care

    Devasted
    Yes, he said the Erbitus would GREATLY lower my quality of life.

    Debbie
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  • bdee
    bdee CSN Member Posts: 304
    #9
    linandtom said:

    Not(hing) bad news....?
    I know the side effects of CPT-11 and Avastin can be so hard. If you continue throwing up or if the diarrhea starts ask Dr for Zofran or Kytril for the vomiting and Lomotil for the diarrhea. These will help you greatly. Try and treat the side effects - to have good quality of life. Treating the side effects that come with chemo is just as important as treating your cancer in order to keep yourself going. My husband has been on and off treatments for two years now.....mostly on instead of off! But he's still here - and we continue doing all we can to make his life good. Stay on top of finding what works for you - as we all know - each person is different. Hope today is a good day for you Debbie.

    Linandtom
    The onc prescribed Zofran last time (didn't help) and Kytril this time (didn't help). I think I'm going to ask for Marinol next time.

    Thanks,
    Debbie
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  • elizabethgd
    elizabethgd CSN Member Posts: 145
    #10
    Sonia32 said:

    Debbie
    Sending you hugs, your in my thoughts and prayers that you will get through this.

    Sorry you are having such a
    Sorry you are having such a hard time.. Hope things get better. Elizabeth
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