started Plan C today

[dianne052506]

Two weeks ago, I had my first scan since dropping the oxaliplatin from my chemo mix. I had had a major rxn in December, and, according to Dr. M., was turning a nice shade of blue before they got me turned around. The scan showed that the oxi must have been doing the bulk of the work for me, because in just 3 months of Xeloda only, the lung mets grew in number and in size.

This makes the first day of Irinotecan. We were going to start last week but my platelets were only 74. They had recovered some, but only to 87, so we did a half-dose of Irinotecan to go with my Xeloda, and we'll see about a full dose next time.

I'm a little discouraged. With the not-so-good scan, I can't help but feeling like I flunked a test in school. I also hate starting into this with Holy Week and Easter coming up, plus Spring Break for my daughter. However, only a little trouble so far this afternoon, so I decided to forgo the Imodium for a bit and try my own remedy - I believe in the natural power of CHEESE- plus I get to enjoy the treatment.

On the good news side, I did my first outreach today. I had left a bunch of Colanders at my one’s office in December. Today, I sat next to a gentleman getting his 2nd round of FOLFOX. He was telling the infusion room nurse about this eye pain he had experienced this morning when he was coughing. The nurse looked a little puzzled and said she hadn't heard of that. I raised my hand, and said, "Excuse me, for eavesdropping. Got to interrupt here. Yes, the eye spasms with coughing, sneezing, and crying can be part of FOLFOX, and for heaven's sake, don't rub your eyes hard."

We had a good chat, I gave him a Colondar, and found out he and his wife own the premier place around here for mastectomy inserts and lingerie, as well as wigs. I'll be visiting my new friend in the very near future!

My family and friends keep telling me that I made it through FOLFOX; I can make it through this. Not sure how much I believe that, but I don't have any choice but to keep trying. I will admit to being more than a little scared heading down this new road. All information, inspiration, prayers, good wishes, and warm thoughts greatly appreciated.
Thanks to all,
Dianne

[SkiFletch]

Well, there's always the possibility that you'll react better to Irinotecan than you did Oxaliplatin from both a cancer and a side effects standpoint. Hopin it works out OK for you

[ams5796]

Dianne,

You seem to have spunk. I think that you'll do very well with Plan C. Good luck and Happy Easter!

Ann

[dianne052506]

Ann,
I like that word, "spunk." I thought it was just plain, old stubborn.
Dianne

[jmarie]

I went into more detail on the insomnia post, but just in case you don't see it I'll recap. I also had an allerigic reaction to Folfox. Folfox was really hard on my body and the nueropathy was annnoying as heck. I have now had 14 rounds of Folfiri which has been fairly easy compared to Folfox. I pray it is as easy on you but aggresive on the cancer.

[Ellen]

Hi Dianne,

My response to folfiri was much better than to folfox. I found it easier to tolerate physically and it did a good job of fighting my cancer for about a year (unlike you, I was unable to tolerate folfox for nearly that long.)

I hope that your results are as good--or BETTER! In the meantime, for better or worse, I gotta agree--we don't have a lot of choices so we do the best we can with the possibilities. You've become a master at this. I admire you.

Sending all good thoughts!

Ellen

[SamT]

Diagnosed stage 4 in '05 with 50+ liver mets. After colon rsxn and livr rsxn, have had FOLFOX + Avastin (6 mo). Over the 51 months since dx, have been on chemo 24 months. Platelets always normal, hemoglobin always > 13. But I do get 3 days of Neupogen shots after each chemo session to prevent platelet/WBC drop. Oxaliplatin gives neuropathy... Irinotecan much less so, but the hair goes.

Have had Irinotecan + 5-FU + Erbitux. (On it again) I'm sure you know the Erbitux (like Vectibics sp?) is a biological agent (monoclonal anti-body). They need to take some of the sample cancer tissue from your surgery specimens (still on file) and do a KRAS-test to see if your specific cancer cells are responsive; this may take a few weeks. Turns out I am a super-responder to Erbitux, and Erbitux has only minor side-effect -- a rash (acne-like) in the upper body controlled with cream.

If you're not doing the diet, supplement, mental imagery etc... please consider it. That is what has kept my bloodwork normal, and liver enzymes near normal, through all the chemo pounding. The docs are amazed.

The story of long-term stage4 survivor Bob Vandegrift is a great motivation. You can audio stream his 30-min story at http://www.stage4hope.org

Gob Bless, Good Luck, Keep fighting !
SamT

[JillCurtis]

that sucks .. hope the introduction of the ir. helps. have a great easter / holiday season :}