Finally - Tykerb Has Arrived

[IRENE FROM TAMPA]

Just wanted to let everyone know that my oncs office finally received the shipment of Tykerb today. YIPEEEEE.

I went and had blood drawn today and will see him on Thursday to be handed the Tykerb. I am already set with the Xeloda. They are starting me off on 3300 mg of Xeloda daily. I feel that is too high of a dosage but they say that is what the protocal calls for for me and they can lower later. I took it a few years ago and had to lower dosage and then tolerated nicely.

Just excited to get back on something after all of this time (although it feels so nice not to be on chemo for a while)

This coming just in time before our scheduled trip to Italy. We are going for a month which is a long time to be away in a strange country while on chemo. We were not sure if we were going to be able to make the trip with all of this going on. I must admit that I am a bit worried about traveling so far just starting off on a new drug, and not knowing the side effects, but we have had this planned for so long and the trip will do us both good mentally.

I pray for those of you that are waiting to start in this program and that it does not take Food & Drug a long time to approve for everyone. Let's have good hopes for this drug.

Take care and good luck. Will update as I go along.

[Barbara H.]

Wow, Irene I am so happy for you. I have been following your posts and hope that this combo works for you.

I am also so pleased that you are going on your trip. Maybe you can keep in touch with your oncologist by phone or by e-mail if you have any questions while you are in Italy. There are also hospitals or clinics in Italy if you need them.

Have a wonderful trip. We will all want to hear about it.

Best regards,
Barbara H.

[IRENE FROM TAMPA]

I have been checking out a few of the hospitals there in case needed and I will do just like you suggested as far as keeping in contact with my onc. The wonders of email.

I will also check in with everyone on the board every once in a while. Until my feet hit Italian soil, I will not believe this dream. We are both of Italian decent so this will be extra special and hopefully find some long lost family members while there.

I want to be UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN.....

Take care Barbara

[RhondaH]

I am SO happy the Tykerb has arrived and I hope it works WONDERS for you. Take care and God bless. Have a WONDERFUL trip.

Rhonda

[Jean]

Dear Irene,
I have been following your posts.."Congratulazioni" on receiving the Tykerb.
The very best of luck....Enjoy Italy and drink lots of olive oil and point your face to the sun......

Wishing you the best!
Arrivederci, Buon viaggio
Jean

[penelope]

Yea!!!!!!!!!!

[Becky]

Have a wonderful trip Irene. You can always stay in touch with your onc via phone or cyberspace. Have him give you a prescription for Binefine ointment or another good ointment in case you need extra care of your hands and feet while away. Bring a good sunscreen too (because of the Xeloda) and make sure you know all the side effects that occured in the trials (so if you get them while you are away, you know thats what it is from). Bring what you think what you will need if you get those side effects (ie: Imodium if diarrehea is a side effect etc). Not only will you feel at ease bringing these items - my motto is that you will not need them if you have them (which is why I kept my baby crib and items - the anti fertility symbols).


Yippee for you - travel and Tykerb, a great combo for NED for you.

Love, Becky

[Julie2]

Irene,

I am so happy for you. Wish you the way to NED with tykereb.

Julie

[mamacze]

Becky;; you are a HOOT! But truthfully, great advice for Irene and IRENE! You are an angel to keep us posted every step of the way...please continue to post, letting us know what, if any, side effects you are getting...In the meantime; I have no doubt you will enjoy Italy...look for the "hole-in-the-wall", side street Trattorias ... they have the best food!
LOve Kim from CT

[Joe]

HOORAYYYYY.


i know you will keep us posted.

Regards
Joe

[Sandy H]

I am so happy for you. Now, lets all pray that it works. I am hoping I will be the next one to receive it. My oncologist says he will give me 2500 mgs of Xeloda as he likes to use less and increase if necessary. He says if a person has side effects such as diarrhea its because the does is too high. Now, that may change when the time comes. Enjoy your trip and keep us posted. hugs, Sandy

[karenann]

What wonderful news. Have a great time in Italy.

Karen

[sherri]

Dear Irene,

I'm so happy for you and I feel with this new drug you will beat thie disease forever. Go and have fun and enjoy your trip.

Love and hug.

[chrisy]

Irene, I'm so glad to hear you are finally getting to move forward with this! I've had my fingers crossed for so long I'm almost having to type this with my nose.
And just in time for your long-awaited (and much deserved!) trip to Italy! I'm sending huge prayers that not only will the Tykerb/Xeloda work wonders, but that that wonderful TUSCAN SUN and fabulous Italian wine and food will prove to be (as the researchers would say) "synergistic" and healing.
BRAVA!
Have a great time!

Much love
Chris

[Lolly]

Irene, such great news!!! Hope you tolerate everything and can enjoy your well deserved trip. You are a TYKERB PIONEER!

<3 Lolly

[Chelee]

Irene, I am so happy your wait is now over. I can only imagine how it felt waiting for it to actually get there so you could get started on it. Please try to enjoy your trip to Italy...I know it HAS to be a bit nerve racking starting on a new drug and leaving home...but sounds like you have covered all your bases by checking hospitals for when you get there just in case its needed. And as we all know...if you have it all planned out...you WON'T need it. So you did good girl. http://www.her2support.org/vbulletin/images/smilies/smile.gif

Your going to be gone a WHOLE month in Italy....oh your killing me. It must be NICE. http://www.her2support.org/vbulletin/images/smilies/smile.gif You are going to have so much fun. I am so excited for you. Have fun and enjoy yourself. I am glad it all worked out for you.

Chelee

[KathyH]

Dear Friend, Wow! I am so happy for you. Best wishes for a fantastic trip and great results with the new drug.

Love, Kathy

[chrislmelb]

Great news Irene. we look forward to your reports of its usage.

Christine

[Shell]

Irene-


I am so happy for you - I remember how excited I was to hear that i would get the tykerb with the xeloda, and how eagerly I waited for the doctor's office to tell me could come in and pick it up...

The immodium is a good idea, as would be the the cream for your hands and feet. I know some like bag balm, but I find it so greasy to be unusable. I prefer the Udderly Smooth udder cream, and my local CVS carries it!! Also, I tend to get the splits in the hands at joints as opposed to the peeling, so I always have antibiotic cream and band-aids, which come in handy...

Since you were on the xeloda before, you know not to "tough it out" to finish a cycle if the H/F kicks in - call your onc and keep him posted of developments...

I love Italy, and hope to get back again soon - have a wonderful trip.

Good luck with things,
Shell

[tousled1]

Irene,

So glad that the Tykerb finally arrived. Enjoy your vacation as you certainly deserve it.

[rinaina]

Great news Irene, congratulations. May all go smooth while you are in beautiful Italy. Enjoy your much deserved time there and I am so happy for you. I hope everyone who should get tykerb will receive it sooner rather than later.

[chrisy]

Dear Irene,
With all the recent threads talking about "forgetting" about breast cancer while on fabulous European vacations...please don't have SO much fun that you forget to take those little wonder pills! Wouldn't that just be a kicker, after fighting so hard to get them...lol
Have a wonderful trip, and I hope it's a great kickoff to a kick-butt response to the Tykerb!
Love
Chris