Xeloda (capecitabine) has a pretty short half life. However, just because it is eliminated relatively rapidly, does not mean you should expect no side effects after that time. The drug has already "worked" and the side effects are a result of it's action. So, side effects continue for quit...

If you are concerned about catching the cold from him and how that might affect you, you should know if your immune system is actually compromised - e.g. are your WBC's low? Mine never were low and I was around 2 head colds without any issues myself.

Stage 4 with 1 liver met. Resolved with chemo. Three years after diagnosis I had a lung recurrence. I've been free of disease for 9+ years now. It sounds like you have had a really good response, so just know that it is possible to be a long term survivor.

Take care,

MediCal or Medicare? Either way, if you want to self pay, then there is no way MediCal would know, right? It seems like just taking your $$$ and paying should work without any insurance co involvement (unless you are trying to get this to apply to your deductible). Good luck - in advanced cases like...

Re: the lung "nodules" - they are VERY tiny. Diagnosed May/2005, in April 2006 I was evaluated at NIH for a potential clinical trial. Scans reported a few tiny (<3mm) lung nodules. I freaked out because my radiologist never mentioned them (I always use the same radiologist). Convinced NIH ...

Dr. John Marshall at Georgetown (misspoke about Wash Hospital Center) is renowned for treatment of colorectal cancer..https://www.medstarhealth.org/doctor/dr-john-lindsay-marshall-md/ My local oncologist is wonderful. She practices in Wheaton and Silver Spring. http://marylandoncology.com/locations-...

I'm In DC - Washington Hospital Center has the premier colorectal cancer specialist. I can also suggest a great local onc. You mentioned being afraid to eat or drink anything with sugar because it causes cancer. Sugar does not cause cancer. This myth comes from the fact that PET scan measures sugar ...

Sorry for your news. I had a 9x11 mm met removed from inside right lower lobe, via VATS, in 2009. Someone said that the surgeon has to be able to feel the nodule with his/her hands in order to remove it with VATS. I want you to know that this is not necessarily true. In my case (deep in lower lobe a...

Like Julie, I had NO symptoms from my lung met. Neither my onc nor my thoracic surgeon thought this was in any way abnormal. Of course you and your doc need to keep on top of this, but in my (non-medical) opinion, there is significant likelihood that it has nothing to do with cancer. Good luck.

thx - was thinking it worked like most email clients where outbox is only for stuff that has not actually been sent. No problem. Thx for the prompt reply.

Hi -

I replied to a PM, but the response is still sitting in my OUTBOX. Been a while since I did this - do I need some sort of re-authorization to reply to mail, or does it just take a while to finally get sent?

Thx

I understand your concern in that your father has some other medical issues. BUT, I am 68------God forbid I should have to do chemo again, but I'd be running to the start line if it was necessary and might / would save my life. Not saying your Dad needs it, but 68 is no where near as old as it may s...

My perspective on getting radiology reports before seeing oncologist: Stage 4 - many scans over many years. The stress of waiting for results (even though my radiologist and onc are very prompt) is intense. At one point a few years ago I told my onc I wanted to get results from radiologist first (be...

I'm not at all saying that "natural" methods cannot help, but one should be aware of internet sites / purveyors who have highly detailed explanations of what needs to be done, and then it turns out that their special supplements will do the job - entire books even. (If it smells like snake...

I was monitored by both PET and CT every 2/3/4 months. When I had my lung recurrence I was monitored by PET only every 4 months. When ins cos started getting more nasty about PETs, we went to CTs only. CT scans are great, but without a simultaneous PET, I doubt my lung recurrence would have been det...