Need info on Xeloda side effects

Hi All,

Thanks for all the supporting post from the other day when I was giving THE TALK. I have since spoke with my ONC and he told me that the 20 months was a satistic number and that my case was different and that he didnt think I was going to die in 20 months. I gave him a big hug. I didnt believe the 20 months anyway, but it sure was nice to hear those words from him.

My CEA level is 1.2 so that seems good. I know that CEA levels are not always a good indicator but until I am told different I am going with that.

Talked with my ONC about what my treatment would be. He didnt want me to do the OXI again because I had a really weird reaction to it (hearing loss). He felt good that there was only one spot that reacted when I had my last PET scan and that we had gotten rid of it with the surgery. With the path report coming back with good results, I think we both felt better about the cancer being gone. He pretty much gave me a few choices of treatment and we talked about each one. I didnt want to do the IV chemo again, last time really hit me hard and honestly I was scared to death to have to go through it again. So we decided to go with Xeloda. Doing two weeks on and one week off for anywhere from 4-6 months. Needlessly to say I was extremely happy, as happy as you can be in this situation. I asked him if he felt that taking the Xeloda was as good as doing the IV chemo, and he said yes, that he had some people in the same situation as mine do very well and they are still NEDs. So again I was happy.

So I start Xeloda sometime this week, he has to get the amount I will be taking put together and then his office will call me with the prescription. I took Xeloda last year, but took it while I was taking radiation, so I dont really remember or know the side effects. It was hard to tell which side affects were from the Xeloda or the radiation. I just know it was bad, that my radiation was the worst part of my whole treatment. SO I am asking all of you that have had to take Xeloda what should I expect? Especially to those who just took Xeloda and nothing else. I know I will be taking the strongest dosage, and just not sure what kind of side effects I will have or what I should be looking for.

I really appreciate all the support I have received here on this board. I hate that we all have a need for this board, but I am thankful for the ones that are here.

My prayers are with each and everyone here and their families. My God bless us all and that we find many blessings, peace and many miricles in the coming year!

Beth