As a result of the frustration felt by both of us on "why aren't those mets going away"???? I started to dig deeper into those "little things" that may help make a difference. I'm a staunch believer in "the sum of all the parts is greater than the whole".

First thing: Most patients on Xeloda are on a 14 day on; 7 day off schedule. Some, like my wife are on a 10 day on and 11 days off routine; usually because of side effects, etc. Xeloda has a half-life of 45 minutes as does its active metabolite 5-FU. Soooo... that 11 days off is for the body to recover NOT to eliminate the drug.
My question: anti-oxidants and hormonals given concurrently with chemo is not usually done. The theory is that these compounds will protect the cancer cells from the chemo, as well as the normal cells. WHY isn't my wife taking arimidex or curcumin or other potent compounds on her off days?? I think we need an answer here! Curcumin has been found (in numerous studies) to have very powerful anti-tumor actions and also a very powerful anti-oxidant. Studies have shown that it mitigates the effect of some chemos. What about on the days off?? Linda is hormonal E+, why isn't she on arimidex on her 11 days off?

Curcumin: http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2002/jul200...urcumin_01.html

Grape seed extract;
another very powerfull anti-oxidant 50X stronger than V-C and also involved in nerve re-generation: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/search/artic...Size=20&index=6

More to come.........

Al,

I'm seriously taking several supplements now, including Cucumin and CoQ10. SEveral of my supplements I take daily or twice daily. In the past, I've not taken the anti-oxidants Wed-Sat...my chemo is on Thursday. But with the continuous recurrences, I've basically taken a more pro-active and less cautious approach. I'm not doing the strong anti-oxidants Thursday or Friday, but I start again Saturday or Sunday.

No body knows for sure whether these supplements will counteract the chemo. I'm really surprised that big studies haven't been done about them. Ask 4 different docs, you'll get at least 3 different opinions.

As for hormones, I have no idea.

Love and light,

Lisa

Al and Lisa
Q 10 has a half life of 30 hours (after 30 hours its concetration in the body drops to half and after another 30 hours to a quarter etc)..bearing this in mind whilst I had my initial chemo. I made sure I stoppped my Q 10 at least 30 hours before the next dose of chemo. was due.
Jackie