Xeloda treatment update

Callaloo
Callaloo Member Posts: 135
edited April 2011 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Thanks to all who gave me encouraging words to help me through the disappointment of learning my cancer had returned. I haven’t been visiting the forum much because I’m trying not to obsess about my condition, and sometimes that means staying away from the computer. But I’m doing well right now.

I just finished my first 2-week cycle of Xeloda, and have had surprisingly little in the way of unpleasant side effects. In fact, I don’t think I’ve noticed any ill-effects that I can attribute to the Xeloda with any certainty -- a bit of stomach upset when I’ve eaten too much rich food, mild headaches that could just as easily be from too much wine while enjoying the company of old friends who have come from far and wide to visit.

I still suspect single-agent therapy is not going to be as effective as using multiple chemo drugs, but since I’ve “been there, done that...” , I can say I’m having a heck of a lot more fun this time around than last.

All in all, I’m feeling pretty good and still working full time. My husband and I are going to spend this weekend at a mountain resort and spa that’s a couple hours away, to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. A hike in the woods, a massage, champagne in front of the stone fireplace, dinner for two... life is sweet. That’s not something I would have said a year ago.

Lu in Oregon

Comments

  • sangora
    sangora Member Posts: 213
    #2
    Xeloda Update
    You and I are blessed. I have been on Xeloda since January. One week on and one week off, 4000mg per day. I am having minimum side effects and am actually leading a fairly normal life. My biggest issue is fatigue which I have happily learned to live with. Others on this board and others I know in my area struggle with this drug everyday and some find its bebefits not worth the negatives. It is controlling tumor growth for me and I am thrilled. Today is the one year anniversaty of my diagnosis and my 63 birthday and I am tumor free at the moment.
  • Callaloo
    Callaloo Member Posts: 135
    #3
    sangora said:

    Xeloda Update
    You and I are blessed. I have been on Xeloda since January. One week on and one week off, 4000mg per day. I am having minimum side effects and am actually leading a fairly normal life. My biggest issue is fatigue which I have happily learned to live with. Others on this board and others I know in my area struggle with this drug everyday and some find its bebefits not worth the negatives. It is controlling tumor growth for me and I am thrilled. Today is the one year anniversaty of my diagnosis and my 63 birthday and I am tumor free at the moment.

    Happy anniversary Sangora
    If you are IVb like I am then you, too, are outliving the statistics. We both have much to celebrate. Congrats!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • ham6789
    ham6789 Member Posts: 29
    #5
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Xeloda info please
    I talked a dr here in Vegas and he is recommending I start on Radiation and chemo. The chemo included Xeloda, can anyone tell me how it worked for them?.....ham6789 bye the way I am praying for all here...
  • sangora
    sangora Member Posts: 213
    #6
    ham6789 said:

    Xeloda info please
    I talked a dr here in Vegas and he is recommending I start on Radiation and chemo. The chemo included Xeloda, can anyone tell me how it worked for them?.....ham6789 bye the way I am praying for all here...

    ham6789
    I am a stage IV with spread to the liver and possibly the lungs. Lungs are questionbable though there are 3 nodules found on CT scans. Possible hold over from multiple pneumonia over the past 12 months. Anyway, I was on Xeloda and radiation and it worked for me. I took 2,500mg divided into 2 doses per day. I started three days before the first radiation treatment. After 6 radiation blast, my tumor was gone. In the beginning, the tumor had completely blocked my esophagus, not able to swallow at all. Beginning in Sept of last year, I continued with Epirubisin and Cistplatin along with Xeloda until the epirubisin landed me in the hospital for a week. Took a 10 week drug holiday and started on Xeloda alone in January and have done very well and it has controlled the spread of the disease. Unlike many, I have had minimal side effects from taking Xeloda. Keep a positive attitude and you will be fine. Will keep you in my prayers.
  • ham6789
    ham6789 Member Posts: 29
    #7
    sangora said:

    Xeloda Update
    You and I are blessed. I have been on Xeloda since January. One week on and one week off, 4000mg per day. I am having minimum side effects and am actually leading a fairly normal life. My biggest issue is fatigue which I have happily learned to live with. Others on this board and others I know in my area struggle with this drug everyday and some find its bebefits not worth the negatives. It is controlling tumor growth for me and I am thrilled. Today is the one year anniversaty of my diagnosis and my 63 birthday and I am tumor free at the moment.

    Xeloda info please
    GOD IS GREAT..GLAD TO HEAR THAT IT IS WORKING FOR YOU. i AM STARTING XELODA WITH CISPLATIN NEXT WEEK,AND I HOPE FOR MILD SIDE EFFECTS. . HAVE A LONG LIFE.....

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