One Year Scan
So this makes it one year of being NED since my liver resection last February. I have to admit that this past week has been a real nailbiter for me as a friend of mine just had a recurrence at her 9 month scan. My stomach has hurt for the past 5 days from stress.
With the results of my scan I remain cautiously optimistic. I am happy about this scan but know that if I have a recurrence I will fight again. In the meantime I continue to hug my husband and children every day, exercise every day, juice every day, and take Vitamin D. My dr also just gave me a prescription for Tagamet (cimetidine) for 400 mg/2x a day. Studies have shown this to be effective in preventing metastasis.
On another good news front I met up with someone today at the outpatient facility that when diagnosed had a liver covered in tumors and was unresectable (one tumor on the main artery). After systemic and HAI treatments this gentleman was put into complete chemo remission and had absolutely no surgery. He was in today for CT results and had his 5th clean CT scan. So NED for 1 year now and no liver surgery.
I hope that some newbies find this story encouraging as I was orginally "inoperable" according to my first oncologist consult. Click on my name for my complete profile and history.
I think of all of you with love and affection,
Amy
Comments
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cimetidine
Hi Amy,
Yay about your great scan results and NED status! Scanxiety can be rough, huh? I get to experience that in a couple of days myself. Hearing cases like yours definitely give hope and encouragement to those of us still seeking that NED status! Hope you have a good rest of the week following your wonderful news!
Something else that caught my eye in your post though, is about cimetidine. Dr. Cantrell in Nashville, who's been giving me my alternative therapy of Lovastatin and interferon, mentioned to me just this week about cimetidine- to read up on it and let him know if I wanted him to prescribe it for me. He said he couldn't actually take credit for learning about it, that one of his patients pointed it out to him.
The study I read about it was of colorectal patients who took it a week prior to colorectal surgery and then for a year afterwards. There was a huge percentage difference (like 20-30% difference) of patients who were alive 5 yrs later of patients who took cimetidine along with their chemotherapy vs. patients who had chemotherapy without cimetidine following their surgery. The other info I saw about it was related to a couple of lung cancer patients whose tumors shrunk away while on cimetidine.
With already having metastatsis, I am wondering the possible benefits or not of taking it and if cimetidine could help shrink away already existing mets or not. I don't think it could hurt, though, added to whatever other treatment was being given.
Anyone else heard of taking cimetidine (generic name for Tagamet, but at higher dosages)?
Lisa0 -
Cimetidinelisa42 said:cimetidine
Hi Amy,
Yay about your great scan results and NED status! Scanxiety can be rough, huh? I get to experience that in a couple of days myself. Hearing cases like yours definitely give hope and encouragement to those of us still seeking that NED status! Hope you have a good rest of the week following your wonderful news!
Something else that caught my eye in your post though, is about cimetidine. Dr. Cantrell in Nashville, who's been giving me my alternative therapy of Lovastatin and interferon, mentioned to me just this week about cimetidine- to read up on it and let him know if I wanted him to prescribe it for me. He said he couldn't actually take credit for learning about it, that one of his patients pointed it out to him.
The study I read about it was of colorectal patients who took it a week prior to colorectal surgery and then for a year afterwards. There was a huge percentage difference (like 20-30% difference) of patients who were alive 5 yrs later of patients who took cimetidine along with their chemotherapy vs. patients who had chemotherapy without cimetidine following their surgery. The other info I saw about it was related to a couple of lung cancer patients whose tumors shrunk away while on cimetidine.
With already having metastatsis, I am wondering the possible benefits or not of taking it and if cimetidine could help shrink away already existing mets or not. I don't think it could hurt, though, added to whatever other treatment was being given.
Anyone else heard of taking cimetidine (generic name for Tagamet, but at higher dosages)?
Lisa
I had actually been taking Zantac (ranitidine) as part of my HAI therapy. The Zantac is to prevent heartburn which can occur from the HAI pump. The study I read studied both Cimetidine and Ranitidine and found a bit superior results from the Cimetidine. In thinking about it I wonder if my oncologist (who is well-known for her HAI treatments) has been inadvertently doing a huge service to her patients who have the HAI pump by also prescribing the Zantac. Everyone with the HAI gets the Zantac (at least during active HAI treatment) and perhaps part of her success is due that prescription. It just has me thinking.
I did read the study you mentioned and I didn't understand the connection to timing (before/after surgery) but figured "why not." My DR didn't feel there was any downside to it. I also discussed Celebrex (NSAID) with her and she didn't seem keen on that given a very large study done on it didn't indicate a benefit from that particular drug. I have started a aspirin daily so I figure that will make up for part of the Celebrex treatment that I am not doing.
I am thinking of you as you head into your scans and I wish for you great results.0 -
Congratulationsgeotina said:Amy
Congratulations on your good scan results now try and put cancer out of your mind. Can I ask a question, where did you get the HAI pump put in? Tina
Congratulations on your great scan results ! Thank you for sharing the good news. It offers us so much hope. I am really happy for you. The picture of your baby is adorable.
Love,
Brenda0 -
HAI pump treatmentgeotina said:Amy
Congratulations on your good scan results now try and put cancer out of your mind. Can I ask a question, where did you get the HAI pump put in? Tina
Tina,
I live in northwest NJ and my pump was put in at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC. My oncologist is definitely renowned for this treatment. At http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/63980.cfm you can read some more about the treatment. My oncologist is the lead on the particular study referenced at the above link.
All the best to you and George,
Amy0 -
Thank you!luv3jay said:Oh Amy, I'm so happy for
Oh Amy, I'm so happy for you! You are truly blessed to get to this milestone and I continue to pray that you will never have to face this fight again! Be blessed, my friend.
-Sheri
Sheri,
Thank you Sheri for your blessings and prayers. You and I started this about the same time and I think of you so much. I hope and pray for good things for you and your family and we will celebrate your NED as soon as you complete your lung surgery!!!
Love to you!
Amy0 -
Wow!
How truly inspirational! Congrats on the NED! I pray we all reach that someday...!
Hugs,
Krista0 -
congratulations and thanks
congratulations and thanks for sharing the good news and the information with us.0 -
Cimetidinelisa42 said:cimetidine
Hi Amy,
Yay about your great scan results and NED status! Scanxiety can be rough, huh? I get to experience that in a couple of days myself. Hearing cases like yours definitely give hope and encouragement to those of us still seeking that NED status! Hope you have a good rest of the week following your wonderful news!
Something else that caught my eye in your post though, is about cimetidine. Dr. Cantrell in Nashville, who's been giving me my alternative therapy of Lovastatin and interferon, mentioned to me just this week about cimetidine- to read up on it and let him know if I wanted him to prescribe it for me. He said he couldn't actually take credit for learning about it, that one of his patients pointed it out to him.
The study I read about it was of colorectal patients who took it a week prior to colorectal surgery and then for a year afterwards. There was a huge percentage difference (like 20-30% difference) of patients who were alive 5 yrs later of patients who took cimetidine along with their chemotherapy vs. patients who had chemotherapy without cimetidine following their surgery. The other info I saw about it was related to a couple of lung cancer patients whose tumors shrunk away while on cimetidine.
With already having metastatsis, I am wondering the possible benefits or not of taking it and if cimetidine could help shrink away already existing mets or not. I don't think it could hurt, though, added to whatever other treatment was being given.
Anyone else heard of taking cimetidine (generic name for Tagamet, but at higher dosages)?
Lisa
I used to take it for acid reflux. You can get it OTC cheap, don't need a prescription. I'm taking Protonix now, it seems to work better. My insurance doesn't cover it, but I'm fortunate that my onc has plenty of samples. Will probably go back to the Cimetidine after chemo is over. As far as reducing tumors I can't say how it helps. My polyp that came back positive when dx was 2.5cm and I was taking the Cimetidine well before my diagnosis. Maybe it was a good thing, and kept me from being stageIV. Don't really know.
-DJ0 -
Oh, I'm stupid...P_I_T_A said:Cimetidine
I used to take it for acid reflux. You can get it OTC cheap, don't need a prescription. I'm taking Protonix now, it seems to work better. My insurance doesn't cover it, but I'm fortunate that my onc has plenty of samples. Will probably go back to the Cimetidine after chemo is over. As far as reducing tumors I can't say how it helps. My polyp that came back positive when dx was 2.5cm and I was taking the Cimetidine well before my diagnosis. Maybe it was a good thing, and kept me from being stageIV. Don't really know.
-DJ
meant to start by saying congrats on being all clear Amy, to you and your fellow patient.
-DJ0 -
Amy,
Amy,
Thanks for sharing your wonderful news!!!! I year NED and many more to come!!
Aloha,
Kathleen0 -
Great news!! Very
Great news!! Very encouraging. You're awewsome. I'm at the cancer center finishing up treatment. I'll do a little naked dancing when I get home - except of course I'll have the pump on. Actually I'm pretty wiped out. I'll probably have to settle whith tapping my foot or nodding my head - may be I'll be able to wiggle my toes with enthusiasm. What ever the case - I'm celebrating with you.
Roger0
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