Yellow submarine up for air again

[CheeseHead]

Hi all,

I've been away from the board for a long time. Just wanted to let you guys know I'm still doing ok.

I feel a bit like a yellow submarine: a slightly yellowish tinge due to my liver problems (ok, I think it's quite yellow, others say "a bit"). The submarine part is because I'm coming up for air at the board at infrequent intervals.... nothing personal, just want to ignore cancer for a while between doc visits etc, I suppose.

Tumor markers are stable; had a CT today; results discussion with onc tomorrow. She's afraid the Xeloda will no longer work at some point. She's offering either Vectibix or Erbitux monotherapy as last ditch efforts.

We'll see.

Cheers,
Cheese

[BrownBagger]

Thanks for resurfacing, Cheese. I was starting to wonder about you. Concerned about the depth charges, a la "Das Boot."

Though, I must say, your tenacity and bounce-back-ability have always amazed me, so I'm never really surprised.

Xeloda crapped out for me a long time ago. I'm probably about tapped out with the Irinotecan and Erbitux, as well. So, we move on and hope for good results.

[CRguy]

great to hear from you Cheese

just want to ignore cancer for a while between doc visits

THAT, my friend is a very good plan and we all need to take that advice sometimes.

CHEERS! and best wishes to you
CRguy

[Bev G]

Very dear Cheese,

Sending you several submarines full of good wishes! You stay in my prayers.

Love and hugs to you,pal,

Bev

[gep]

Cheese,
Glad to hear from you. An oncologist suggested lapatinib with erbitux. There's a clinical trial at Georgetown looking at this combo in colon cancer and they have seen some good results. Here's a link:
http://explore.georgetown.edu/news/?ID= ... lateID=295. Both drugs are FDA approved in the US but I don't think the lapatinib is approved for colon. Maybe this is something you can explore with the oncologist.
Gloria

[CheeseHead]

Thanks guys

Talked to the onc today; offical ct scan results not in but she had a look and thought everything was either stable or shrinking slightly. Good news ... so on with the Xeloda.
Of course, the tumor in the liver that she thinks blocks the bile ducts is not shrinking... so bilirubin still high (but stable). Fortunately no side effects. Everybody says I'm not as yellow as I think I am, including the doc

@Gloria: thanks, will bring it up but hope lapatinib is not contra indicated when having liver problems.

@Eric: heh... am a great fan of that movie/series: I really get to feel the claustrophobic tension those guys must have been in. Hoping to depth charge my shamelessly procreating cells instead though
Hoping for good results for you as well. Who knows, we might even both get lucky

@Bev, CRGuy: thanks

All the best from a
Cheerful Cheese
(on the journey (TM))

[juliej]

Good to hear from you, Cheese! I'm thinking you're more "mellow yellow" than ""yellow submarine."

About your high bilirubin -- have you talked to your doc about a biliary catheter? In most cases they can punch right through the blocking tumor and open the bile duct. Or a stent? Both are day surgery procedures that should eliminate the yellow (and make you feel better).

Glad to hear everything is stable -- or, even better, shrinking slightly!

[Guinevere]

Glad the Xeloda is working but sorry to hear that you're turning yellow. Thanks for letting us know how you're doing.
God bless ~
Guinevere

[Laurettas]

So good to see your sunny (yellow) face reappearing on here! Glad that Xeloda is holding the beast at bay for the time being. There seem to be many new innovative treatments being developed right now. Hopefully there is one tailor-made to beat the crap out of your pesky tumors! Look forward to hearing from you again the next time you come up for air.

[CheeseHead]

Thanks, guys. Mellow yellow... yes, possibly

@Julie & Guinevere: re stents etc: doctor had looked at the possibility one CT scan ago but decided against it. Apart from that, I actually feel fine and am not that yellow at all (it's *very* yellow inside my head though ). No symptoms either. So I suppose we'll leave it be for now.
I'll definitely bring it up when I start to feel bad...

@Laurettas: ditto on the beat the crap idea

[so-scared]

It is good to hear that you are doing okay!

[lohidoc]

Good to hear from you Cheese!