Traveler's update - good news overall.

[Traveler001]

Hello all,

I just wanted to get in touch and let you know how things have been going, now that I am back from MD Anderson. After a scan and a meeting with my oncologist, I have some good news. It turns out that the Folfiri and Vectibix is working, and after 4 rounds the scans show no new growths, and some shrinkage of the tumors. The plan is to keep on truckin.

So that's the good news.. the bad news is that I feel really rung through the ringer chemo-wise. Tired, and not eating very well. Vomiting daily. Plus the Vectibix caused a rash that is stronger than when I had an Erbitux rash back in 2007. I feel like it is the 9th round, when it has only been the 4th. I had chemo 9 days ago and I am still not feeling up to eating a "meal." I would be surprised if I don't end up spending a day or two in the hospital, sooner than later at this rate.

However, while waiting for my appointment with my oncologist, I started talking with a guy sitting next to me. I thought he was a family member of a patient. Turned out that he himself was a stage IV survivor waiting to see his oncologist. He told me that he has been through it all. Chemo for 18 months, Surgery, Radiation, and Chemoembolization of the liver as well. I was pretty amazed, he seemed like he was in great shape, with no signs of what he had been through. It was inspiring to see and reminded me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It is a rough road, but I just have to keep moving forward.

Anyhow - that's what is new. Overall good news I would say.

Hope you have a good Thanksgiving,

Traveler001

[CRguy]

.... the scans show no new growths, and some shrinkage of the tumors. The plan is to keep on truckin.

Good plan !
...... stable ... and shrinkage ... priceless !!!!!!

Take care of yourself along the way buddy.
Sorry the juice is hitting you so hard, but keep fighting the good fight.

Cheers and Harmony
CRguy

[skypup]

Hey, Trav, thanks for the report and YAY for the good news. Maybe it's the vectibix that's hitting so hard. I know it must be tough when you posted recently how great you were doing physically.

I'll be down to see our doc in a couple of weeks. Wish me luck...

[jens22]

I'm sending you strength and Anti Nausea from NY!!!

[ams5796]

Good news, Traveler! You're the one who's an inspiration. Happy Thanksgiving to you!


Ann

[Kathryn in MN]

Great news. I hope you can get your hands on some medical marijuana - makes a big difference with nausea, vomiting and appetite.

[Rob in PA]

Stable is a word I've really come to appreciate! Great news overall!

Rob

[Val*pal]

What great news!

My husband is having side effects from the Folfiri/Erbitux right now and his tail is dragging: no energy, has to force himself to eat. So we can see where you're coming from.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

[Guinevere]

Another good stable report at the Colon Club! I love it! I'm so sorry, though, that the Vectibix is being so hard on you. Beside Phenergan and Zofran, I've found sipping lemon ginger tea (Stash is the brand I use) really does help with the nausea and/or queasiness.
Hope you're feeling up to enjoying Thanksgiving. We're still here so we do have that to be thankful for and there are probably lots of other things as well.

God bless ~
Guinevere

[Busymamaof3]

Have you tried acupuncture for the nausea? I am staying very consistent with it this time and I find it helps tremendously. She puts seeds in my ears that I keep in for 4 days at a time. I can push on them with a wave of nausea and it kicks it back. I still have some on the 3 chemo days but nothing like without it and I seem to rebound faster.

[BrownBagger]

What Kathryn said, Trav.

Glad to hear the the treatments are working. Like you, I look to longterm survivors who had it as bad as (or worse than) me, and take inspiration from that. "Hey, what's that guy got that I ain't got?" Signs of active disease, for one. That's a great goal. As well as I handle chemo (22nd infusion of the current program tomorrow), I'm looking forward to the day when I can get off this stuff and get my body back. May never happen, but I'm optimistic, as always.

Take care, my friend. You too are an inspiration to many here.

[Hapa]

Great to see a post from you. Especially a post with good news!!