IRENE FROM TAMPA
09-28-2006, 04:41 PM
Hi All
Just wanted to update everyone on the results of my first follow-up after starting on the Tykerb/Xeloda trial...
Required test to be done every 6 weeks...
Full blood test / tumor markers
Echo cardiogram
Cat Scan / in my case they did a Pet/CT scan since I am alergic to the
Iodine contrast.
I started my third cycle this Monday with a reduced dosage of the Xeloda to
2650 mg since my stomach was so upset. I feel much better so far.
My ejection fracture for the echo was 70%. I have never had it that high before so am not sure if all of that walking we did in Italy helped or what.
Last months was 58% and it has always been 58 - 62%.
My CEA went down from 35 to 3.5 (which we thought was great)
The Pet Scan did not show any shrinkage of the two tumors but they had not grown or spread anywhere else that they could see at this time. Given my sensitivity to the CEA, my onc was very pleased with the BIG drop in that number and hopes that maybe the meds are at least starting to stop the growth of the tumors and hopefully will see more results next visit after another couple of rounds. I really was not expecting too much this first visit, but was just praying no growth or spread.
Sooo we are pleased and will continue on as planned.
Now that I have recooped from my fevers and feeling good again have to get back down to earth from my trip and concentrate now on the 3 day Breast Cancer walk (60 miles in 3 days) which will be in my area on 10/13th.
I have been working on raising funds for this all year and really pray that I can participate without any issues. My onc just wants me to be smart about the walking and not overdo and to watch for swelling in my feet/ankes since I had this episode on my return from the trip. I will walk as much as I think I can but I really really want to be their and walk for ALL OF US and the cause. We will all be camping out somewhere along our beaches so we hope the weather holds out here for us. This is our hurricane season so it could rain. But it should be a very emotional but rewarding 3 days and lots of fun. My three daughters along with some of my friends and my significant other will be walking along with me. I feel so very blessed to be given the chance to do this in hopes of helping others through research. We need lots and lots of research to be done for more drugs to be discovered.
I walk for my daughters so that their daughters never have to walk for them.
Wish me luck on my next adventure.........
Just wanted to update everyone on the results of my first follow-up after starting on the Tykerb/Xeloda trial...
Required test to be done every 6 weeks...
Full blood test / tumor markers
Echo cardiogram
Cat Scan / in my case they did a Pet/CT scan since I am alergic to the
Iodine contrast.
I started my third cycle this Monday with a reduced dosage of the Xeloda to
2650 mg since my stomach was so upset. I feel much better so far.
My ejection fracture for the echo was 70%. I have never had it that high before so am not sure if all of that walking we did in Italy helped or what.
Last months was 58% and it has always been 58 - 62%.
My CEA went down from 35 to 3.5 (which we thought was great)
The Pet Scan did not show any shrinkage of the two tumors but they had not grown or spread anywhere else that they could see at this time. Given my sensitivity to the CEA, my onc was very pleased with the BIG drop in that number and hopes that maybe the meds are at least starting to stop the growth of the tumors and hopefully will see more results next visit after another couple of rounds. I really was not expecting too much this first visit, but was just praying no growth or spread.
Sooo we are pleased and will continue on as planned.
Now that I have recooped from my fevers and feeling good again have to get back down to earth from my trip and concentrate now on the 3 day Breast Cancer walk (60 miles in 3 days) which will be in my area on 10/13th.
I have been working on raising funds for this all year and really pray that I can participate without any issues. My onc just wants me to be smart about the walking and not overdo and to watch for swelling in my feet/ankes since I had this episode on my return from the trip. I will walk as much as I think I can but I really really want to be their and walk for ALL OF US and the cause. We will all be camping out somewhere along our beaches so we hope the weather holds out here for us. This is our hurricane season so it could rain. But it should be a very emotional but rewarding 3 days and lots of fun. My three daughters along with some of my friends and my significant other will be walking along with me. I feel so very blessed to be given the chance to do this in hopes of helping others through research. We need lots and lots of research to be done for more drugs to be discovered.
I walk for my daughters so that their daughters never have to walk for them.
Wish me luck on my next adventure.........