IT'S Back and I'm back
Any comments about RFA for a 0.5cm spot on the right lung???? Is Xeloda afterward standard?
I hate Cancer!
Mike
Comments
-
RFA
I've had them done 3 times (so far) and the first time I stayed overnight, the other 2 times I went home that day. As far as procedures go, it's a walk in the park (Central Park, back in the 1970's, at night) No really, it's very easy. Mild pain afterwards. I have never been on Xeloda, I have been taking Erbitux for 4 years or so. I resume that after my ablations.
I probably have RFA #4 on the horizon, I already know that I've had a spot in my left lung for a while now. CEA is starting to rise which for ME is a good indication that an ablation is next.
To be perfectly honest, I don't give a hoot about NED. I was told in the beginning that I was done with chemo after my 12th round. That was a very long time ago. Cancer can be like this monstrous thunderstorm. There may be a break in the clouds and rain for a while but sooner or later one is likely to get wet again. Not always, sometimes we just get hit by lightning!
;-)
The RFA is really easy. If I had to keep having this done every year like I have been with the Erbitux in between, I'd be fine with that.
-phil0 -
no no noPhillieG said:RFA
I've had them done 3 times (so far) and the first time I stayed overnight, the other 2 times I went home that day. As far as procedures go, it's a walk in the park (Central Park, back in the 1970's, at night) No really, it's very easy. Mild pain afterwards. I have never been on Xeloda, I have been taking Erbitux for 4 years or so. I resume that after my ablations.
I probably have RFA #4 on the horizon, I already know that I've had a spot in my left lung for a while now. CEA is starting to rise which for ME is a good indication that an ablation is next.
To be perfectly honest, I don't give a hoot about NED. I was told in the beginning that I was done with chemo after my 12th round. That was a very long time ago. Cancer can be like this monstrous thunderstorm. There may be a break in the clouds and rain for a while but sooner or later one is likely to get wet again. Not always, sometimes we just get hit by lightning!
;-)
The RFA is really easy. If I had to keep having this done every year like I have been with the Erbitux in between, I'd be fine with that.
-phil
i am so sorry for you.this seems to be happening to so many of us that was first dx around the same time.i have been dx with recurrance to liver and lung.i have a new team of docs and feel very confident in them.i actually have 3 spots on liver and 2 on lung so i am doing folfox again and possibly chemo beads to liver.keep us posted on how you are doing....Godbless...johnnybegood0 -
Well Dang.........sorry MikePhillieG said:RFA
I've had them done 3 times (so far) and the first time I stayed overnight, the other 2 times I went home that day. As far as procedures go, it's a walk in the park (Central Park, back in the 1970's, at night) No really, it's very easy. Mild pain afterwards. I have never been on Xeloda, I have been taking Erbitux for 4 years or so. I resume that after my ablations.
I probably have RFA #4 on the horizon, I already know that I've had a spot in my left lung for a while now. CEA is starting to rise which for ME is a good indication that an ablation is next.
To be perfectly honest, I don't give a hoot about NED. I was told in the beginning that I was done with chemo after my 12th round. That was a very long time ago. Cancer can be like this monstrous thunderstorm. There may be a break in the clouds and rain for a while but sooner or later one is likely to get wet again. Not always, sometimes we just get hit by lightning!
;-)
The RFA is really easy. If I had to keep having this done every year like I have been with the Erbitux in between, I'd be fine with that.
-phil
I went in for a spot on my left lung and they took it out through laproscopic thorectomy...All margins were clear and no nodes involved.....Is there a reason that they are doing Xeloda ? I had my surgery and then since there wasn't any nodes involved they opted not to do any chemo...No need is what we decided....Is there a specific reason for them to put you on Xeloda ? Just wondering....again, sorry its back but maybe this will knock it down for good..............buzz0 -
Mike
Mike,
Darn it!!! Sorry you are back in this. We are here for you every step of the way.
Aloha,
Kathleen0 -
XelodaBuzzard said:Well Dang.........sorry Mike
I went in for a spot on my left lung and they took it out through laproscopic thorectomy...All margins were clear and no nodes involved.....Is there a reason that they are doing Xeloda ? I had my surgery and then since there wasn't any nodes involved they opted not to do any chemo...No need is what we decided....Is there a specific reason for them to put you on Xeloda ? Just wondering....again, sorry its back but maybe this will knock it down for good..............buzz
I am told that Xeloda is best for lung cancer. I am familiar with Xeloda and not too worried. I would prefer to avoid it though, so thanks for the comments. I will ask a few more questions. It seems we are many times our own doctor.0 -
Hey Mike...AnneCan said:Sorry Mike
Mike,
I am sorry to hear of your recurrance. I hate cancer too!
I too am sorry you are back with us but I am glad to see you all the same. I had Cyberknife done to my lung met and it successfully killed it BUT .... I would try something else IF... did I say IF.... there is a need again.... We are always here for you. Take care.
Jennie0 -
so sorry
So sorry to hear this, Mike.
Can't comment on RFA myself -- I have had a couple of lungs mets but removed surgically.
Whether or not to have "mop up" cheme after surgery/RFA is controversial. My oncologist (and I) lean towards yes -- but some other docs/leading cancer centres say no. I respect both views (and understand the position of those who say no). For me, I reckon there could be (probably are, I;m sorry to say) some nasties still floating out there, as yet undetectable by scan or anything else. But that's my view. Whether Xeloda or something else I guess depends in part on what you have had before. If you have relapsed while on a certain drug (or shortly thereafter), they'll often try a different drug or combo.
Good luck to you.
Tara0 -
Hey Mike!
Sorry to hear of your new spot on the lung... but thought I'd chime in about the RFA along with Phil. I have had one spot removed by RFA and I second what Phil said. It really is one of the most fantastic procedures! I'm not sure if our oncologist explained it to you or not, but basically, with the help of a CAT scan to guide the radiologist right to the tumour that is going to be zapped, you will either be given a local and some sedation where you are awake but totally relaxed... or, depending on where the tumour is, they might give you a General Anesthesia. If you get the GA, chances are they will want to keep you overnight (standard practice when a GA is used). In my case, I was given a GA, but came out of it and was wide awake and twiddling my thumbs... that they ended up sending me home that same day. Because it was a GA, I wasn't allowed to drive for 24 hours... when, seriously, I was fine and could have driven myself home.
But I digress... the procedure... the radiologist will insert a needle into the tumour (remember you are either out with a GA, or the local is so good you don't feel a thing) and then they zap the tumour with radio frequency waves. It is similar to microwaving the tumour except only the tumour is affected, not the tissue surround it. They zap the tumour until all that is remaining is scar tissue... which, over 6 months - a year, the lung absorbs the scar tissues and there will eventually be nothing indicating there ever was a tumour there.
You are going to feel just fine once the GA or local anesthesia wears off. I noticed no pain, no discomfort, nada... and was back to my normal daily routine the next day.
Sounds like they want to put you on the Xeloda as a preventative. The tumour they do the RFA on will be history... there will be nothing remaining of it. But the Xeloda will be to catch any potential cells floating about that the scans may not have picked up because they are too small. And the Xeloda is definitely the most convenient of all the chemos in that you just have to remember to take the pills daily (usually twice/day).
Good luck with this and keep us posted on how it goes
Cheryl0 -
Xelodamenright said:Xeloda
I am told that Xeloda is best for lung cancer. I am familiar with Xeloda and not too worried. I would prefer to avoid it though, so thanks for the comments. I will ask a few more questions. It seems we are many times our own doctor.
Hi Mike, do you have lung cancer or colon cancer that metastasized to your lungs? They are different beasts. Many on here have done Xeloda so I guess that's the thing to look at. Also, some people do not find Erbitux effective.
I am sorry to hear it's back.0 -
MikeCherylHutch said:Hey Mike!
Sorry to hear of your new spot on the lung... but thought I'd chime in about the RFA along with Phil. I have had one spot removed by RFA and I second what Phil said. It really is one of the most fantastic procedures! I'm not sure if our oncologist explained it to you or not, but basically, with the help of a CAT scan to guide the radiologist right to the tumour that is going to be zapped, you will either be given a local and some sedation where you are awake but totally relaxed... or, depending on where the tumour is, they might give you a General Anesthesia. If you get the GA, chances are they will want to keep you overnight (standard practice when a GA is used). In my case, I was given a GA, but came out of it and was wide awake and twiddling my thumbs... that they ended up sending me home that same day. Because it was a GA, I wasn't allowed to drive for 24 hours... when, seriously, I was fine and could have driven myself home.
But I digress... the procedure... the radiologist will insert a needle into the tumour (remember you are either out with a GA, or the local is so good you don't feel a thing) and then they zap the tumour with radio frequency waves. It is similar to microwaving the tumour except only the tumour is affected, not the tissue surround it. They zap the tumour until all that is remaining is scar tissue... which, over 6 months - a year, the lung absorbs the scar tissues and there will eventually be nothing indicating there ever was a tumour there.
You are going to feel just fine once the GA or local anesthesia wears off. I noticed no pain, no discomfort, nada... and was back to my normal daily routine the next day.
Sounds like they want to put you on the Xeloda as a preventative. The tumour they do the RFA on will be history... there will be nothing remaining of it. But the Xeloda will be to catch any potential cells floating about that the scans may not have picked up because they are too small. And the Xeloda is definitely the most convenient of all the chemos in that you just have to remember to take the pills daily (usually twice/day).
Good luck with this and keep us posted on how it goes
Cheryl
I hope all goes well and you feel better soon
michelle0 -
Mike,angelsbaby said:Mike
I hope all goes well and you feel better soon
michelle
I'm really sorry about
Mike,
I'm really sorry about your recent news. :-(
Ugh! We are thinking about you.
Peace and Calm,
Christine0 -
sending some Florida sunshine
Mike, am sorry to read this latest news. Want you to know you will be in my prayers. I may start taking a sheet of paper to bed and with me all the time and keep all the names on it I'm praying for. I have no experience with RFA or the chemo you are contemplating.. am a Folfox w/Avastin lady. It worked and will be having liver resection next Monday... at Mayo Clinic. Tomorrow is my visit with surgeon and will know if he is going to do it laparoscopily... anyway, this is not about me..take care and believe. Warm regards, Joyce0 -
Liver surgeryJoyceSteele said:sending some Florida sunshine
Mike, am sorry to read this latest news. Want you to know you will be in my prayers. I may start taking a sheet of paper to bed and with me all the time and keep all the names on it I'm praying for. I have no experience with RFA or the chemo you are contemplating.. am a Folfox w/Avastin lady. It worked and will be having liver resection next Monday... at Mayo Clinic. Tomorrow is my visit with surgeon and will know if he is going to do it laparoscopily... anyway, this is not about me..take care and believe. Warm regards, Joyce
Joyce:
It is about you as much as it might be about me. This fight involves so many, it staggers me each time I sit in a waiting room.
Best of luck with your liver surgery. I will tell you that my resection seems to have been a success. (2/3rd's removed) It has been 8-months with no recurrence in the liver anyway. I have a HAI pump that was used to keep the liver clean. I am done with that for now.
You too are in my prayers and I trust your surgery will go well.
Mike0
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