I just finished my first week of maintenance chemo. I am taking a drug called Xeloda, pronounce Zeloda. It is in pill form and I take eight pills a day, four in the morning and four at night. The body converts the drug to 5FU which is a standard drug used in the treatment of colon cancer. The oncologist wanted to add another drug to the regime but the insurance company would not pay for it and I did not qualify for help from the drug company. So I guess from one standpoint I am received a less than recommended treatment, but then the cancer recurred in the same sight at the previous surgery so if it is there this drug ought to do it.
The side effects are numerous and range from diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, aching bones, to sores in the mouth. So far I have experienced none. I take the drug for one week then stop for a week. I do have some Dr. visits in the meantime to measure my blood count as these drugs can lower you immune system.
I still feel very good. I have frequent bowel movements, maybe 10+ a day, but there is no pain or inflammation.. I do not bleed and am for the most part comfortable. The consistency of the stool is like a heavy glue which makes cleaning tedious and uses a lot of toilet paper. However, it is a long way from what is was a year ago, a long way and I am grateful. Life is good right now.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Maintenance
Today, February 4 I began my chemo maintenance. It has been a long road. I had major surgery five months ago after enduring almost two months of radiation and chemo therapy at the same time. I have detailed the effects of that and will do so no more. In October I went through a reversal surgery to reattach my small intestine to the large intestine. I work a iliostomy bag for over ten weeks. That in itself was an adventure.
The reversal surgery was good, I recovered swiftly and feel as good as I've felt in years.
The oncologist recommended I have follow up chemo to kill any guerrillas. At first the insurance company refused to pay for it saying it was not necessary and that chemo maintenance for recurring colorectal cancer is experimental. Then the oncologist had his financial person contact the drug companies to see if they would donate the medicine. I was to take two types of drug, oxyplatin and Xeloda. One of the most often used drugs in fighting my type of colon cancer, which is a basal cell or Sauamous cell, a drug called 5 FU. It was the drug used in my initial round of chemo because it works in conjunction with radiation to make the radiation more deadly. It also is used in treatment of metastasized colorectal cancer. So that was one drug. The other drug is used when the cancer has spread and if more effective for that type. There is no indication that the cancer has spread anywhere, however, it did recur when I was pronounced "cured." I did not qualify for the second drug. So I am taking only Xeloda.
I take four 500mg tablets twice a day Today, day 1 I have no effects that I can tell. The side effects are numerous but the Dr. told me this drug is well tolerated so I hope things will go OK.
The reversal surgery was good, I recovered swiftly and feel as good as I've felt in years.
The oncologist recommended I have follow up chemo to kill any guerrillas. At first the insurance company refused to pay for it saying it was not necessary and that chemo maintenance for recurring colorectal cancer is experimental. Then the oncologist had his financial person contact the drug companies to see if they would donate the medicine. I was to take two types of drug, oxyplatin and Xeloda. One of the most often used drugs in fighting my type of colon cancer, which is a basal cell or Sauamous cell, a drug called 5 FU. It was the drug used in my initial round of chemo because it works in conjunction with radiation to make the radiation more deadly. It also is used in treatment of metastasized colorectal cancer. So that was one drug. The other drug is used when the cancer has spread and if more effective for that type. There is no indication that the cancer has spread anywhere, however, it did recur when I was pronounced "cured." I did not qualify for the second drug. So I am taking only Xeloda.
I take four 500mg tablets twice a day Today, day 1 I have no effects that I can tell. The side effects are numerous but the Dr. told me this drug is well tolerated so I hope things will go OK.
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