I finished my chemo/radiation. My follow-up MRI is scheduled for May 24 - 5 weeks after therapy. DR said my surgery will be mid to late June (8-10 weeks after end of therapy). He said to expect to stay in the hospital for 7-10 days. The DR thinks I should have no problem with summer vacation plans, ...

Jen - yes, painful urination! DR gave me anti-spasm medication, plus pain med. Hurts also to have a bowel movement - I try to time that around my pain med dosage! Drinking extra water seems to help because then the urine isn't so strong...but on the flip side - I have to go more! Basically, the stre...

Congratulations! To me, the 1st year seems so long. I hope I get to post the same good news in a year.

My DR told me to eat first and then with 30 minutes to take the pills. I am not a breakfast person. I found that 1/2 a rice cake with a little peanut butter on it was enough food so the meds wouldn't make me sick. And light enough not to turn my stomache - the entire reason I never eat until I have ...

Well, Saturday got progressively worse. #1, I was so tired I stayed in bed ALL day, literally. But then pain/itching started at night. Add crazy, random bee sting like pains. I went to the hospital today (Sunday) and they offered to admit me for IV pain med. I declined. So, they up-ped my pain dose,...

I finished my 5 weeks chemo/rad on Friday. Yesterday I was in bed all day and finally I went to the hospital today. I don't mind steady pain, but this was more like lots of sudden bee stings combined with intense itching. And 2 am is crazy! I need my sleep. They offered to admit for me the night for...

So sorry you got this news. I hope they give you something to help with the pain. Yeah, I have known ever since I was a kid that cancer sucks. Hugs.

Week 5 Week 5 - no fun! My skin is seriously itching so badly that it hurts. Plus I have some very sore spots. DR said I could take 1 more dose pain med a day. Nurses swung into action with a battery of creams, guaze, wound packing thing. Plus I have my own creams at home. And everything should star...

I would call your insurance company and make sure Xeloda is covered, what your co-pay would be, etc. I know pills are not always covered at the same percentage as IVs. The only problem I have heard about Americans and Xeloda is insurance coverage. No medication discriminates against nationalities, a...

I just finished 5 weeks of 3000 mg a day (off on Saturday/Sundays). No problems. DR gave me hand and foot cream and to use it alot. I did. I know this was a short course compared to other people, but 5 weeks worked for me. 4 of my 5 weeks of radiation was OK too. Week 5...not such a picnic.

Big relief for you! Very happy to hear your good news!

End of week 4 20 sessions finished! 1 more week to go. I noticed an increase in being tired this week. Otherwise, my side-effects have been holding steady. If I go off small, bland meals...I pay for it! I posted at the beginning of the week, and I would say I am doing about the same. Creams for my s...

When I am overtired or don't feel well - I rant too. I would say you have alot to rant over. It is frustrating. I hope you get the pain away soon, so you can rest. And then hopefully the rest will follow. Feel better soon.

I have been following this thread and pulling for you. I am really happy for the both of you that you got an appointment and got some answers you wanted to hear.

I just started my 4th week of Xeloda (3000 mg per day, 5 days on/2 off per week). I have been very diligent about using hand cream throughout the day and the foot cream at night. So far my only side effect is being tired...or maybe that is from the radiation. So far my chemo DR is pleased that I am ...