Biopsy Tuesday

[Lolly]

Hi all; I haven't been on the board much lately as my dear old Dad has been recovering from QUINTIPLE bypass surgery and I've been helping him adjust to being home after re-hab. He's doing well. Now I'm going in for a fine needle biopsy of some enlarged nodes in my right axilla that we've been watching for a couple of months. PET scan says they're the same nodes that acted up last spring, and we were able to use Navelbine successfully for the second time. So, if the biopsy shows activity we may use Navelbine for this recurrence also, as my onc thinks since it's been over a year since the last use it will be be effective again. I wonder if this would be some kind of record?! He also talked to Dr. Disis at UW; she feels it's possible some of this swelling and edema could be due to the vaccine and lymphocyte activity. I did take the vaccine in my right arm.
Will keep you all posted, and love the new board!!!

<3,
Lolly

[al from Canada]

Lolly,

IF it is a reoccurance and IF your onc decides to use the navelbine again, because it has been over a year, why let history repeat itself? Ask your onc to bring out bigger guns such as navelbine + xeloda and see if you can't blast this subborn thing off the face of the planet!

Take care,
Al

[StephN]

Dear Lolly -
You have really had the added burdens lately! Hope things will ease up so you can take care of YOU.
I agree with Al that the Navelbine probably does take care of whittling down the cancer to a micro/undetectable amount, but there must be some left for it to keep popping up in spite of Herceptin.

If you can, try to really eradicate it this time with some other drug - just surprise the heck out of those cancer cells and enjoy the massacre.

[Lolly]

Al,

I like your style! I WAS thinking he'd suggest xeloda, so if push comes to shove I'll ask for it to be combined as I agree with you.

<3,
Lolly

[mamacze]

Dear Sweet Lolly,
How fortunate your dear ol dad is to have you; but oh my you have had your hands full and your spirit focused a bit on worry. Al, as usual, I think is right; bring out both barrels and blast it this time. Please keep us posted.
Love Kim from CT

[Jessica]

Hi Lolly~
I sure hope Dr.Disis is right! Please keep us posted on the outcome of the biopsy.Boy this disease can be stubborn...but against will, determination & spirit as strong as yours, it doesn't have a chance!
Keep the Faith!

[al from Canada]

I have this saying, if it doesn't work the first time, just trying harder at the same old thing / technique / argument; would get you any better results. You have to shift gears, try something new, different, unexpected. So it is with life.

Take care,
Al

[Lyn]

Hi Lolly, I am praying that it is nothing, after all you have been through with the vaccine it better have worked. I hope you won't need to look at anything else, but if you do I hope you will have better luck with the Abraxane then me. I have been up our politicians to get Australia's act together, so in the meantime I am on Xeloda/Cyclophospamide oral, with increasing doses, on lowest at moment.


Love & Hugs Lyn

[Lyn]

Hi Lolly, this is the info on my new treatment that I got off here, don't ask me who gave it to me or where, my brain is mush, but Boris thought it was brilliant. But thank you who ever I got it from, it was probably from you right!!!!! At the moment I am having 100mg of the C and 1000 of the X and will increase gradually, with tripl H every 3 weeks.

Love & Hugs Lyn

I have been on Xeloda and Cytoxan for about 6 months now for skin mets. It seems to be working, as mets have disappeared...but skim mets are tricky business. My dosage regiment is 1st week 500 mg (but not sure here could be 1000 mg) of oral Cytoxan, then 2nd week 3000 mg of Xeloda AND the 500 mg. of Cytoxan, then 3rd week just the 3000 mg. of Xeloda. Then I start the cycle again. This is new according my Onc., but they are seeing positive results with adding the Cytoxan, as it is known to cut the blood supply to the cancer cells.

My side effects are as expected, nothing too drastic. Have had dioreaha. Usually only during the 3rd week. Hand and Foot syndrome is present, but tolerable. Hair is thinning, but still have most of it...that is from the Cytoxan. My blood work has been fine. Did have low red cell count, but three shots of Aresnap and red cell count has been fine for couple of months. No nausea. Minimal tiredness.

All in all it has been a very tolerable drug for me. Happy to be able to take it at home and not make so many trips to see Onc. Only see her once a month and get my Herceptin then.

Navelbine was the drug that gave me problems (had SEVERE back muscle spasms with every dose). Didn't even control or reduce the skin mets for me. So, everyone can react differently to each chemotherapy, that's for sure.

[kristen]

Lolly,
I wish you the best, you sure have had time with all this. You are one tough lady. I am glad to hear your dad is recovering well. You are a God send to how many people in your life? When I make it to Australia, I will definately be making a stop to visit you! Prayers are with you.

[lindaw]

Dear lolly

Hope your dad is doing well. All the best for the biopsy - please let us know the outcome.
love
linda