I have been on my new oral chemo, Xeloda for about 3 months now, and I had a scan last week. The last 2 tumor marker blood tests taken had gotten lower which was a positive sign, but I was still nervous for my appointment on Friday to find out the results. Last scan had showed 2 areas of possible metastasis in the chest wall and spine. The radiologist thought it was mets, but my oncologist wasn't so sure. Either way, those 2 spots were gone. Last scan also showed 2 liver tumors. This one showed a larger liver tumor, but said the 2nd one was part of that not something different. So that is a bit confusing for me to know exactly what is going on, but either way, it did not light up as bright which is good. The 2 lymph nodes near my liver both shrunk and dimmed.
I was a little surprised at how big the liver tumor is. Somehow, I pictured it much smaller than what it is measuring; so, that took me back a little bit, but overall it is still regression. I wish it had knocked it all out already, but I have to be thankful for every bit of progress in the right direction no matter how small that may be.
I take this chemo 1 week on/ 1 week off with pills at breakfast and dinner. It has given me the standard side effects of stomach problems along with hand/foot syndrome. My hands regularly look like they are peeling, like from a sunburn. I am constantly putting on lotion as you can't prevent it happening, but you can hopefully manage the peeling through lotions. I have specific udderly smooth lotion that I've been told to use twice a day, but the ones for the middle of the day do not seem to be cutting it. So, if you have any really good lotion that still has water as its first ingredient, that you'd recommend please let me know. I'm on the hunt for something that I don't have to apply every 45 minutes. I've had a few mouth issues as well, but mostly sensitivity to spices not really sores; so, thankfully, nothing as bad as the last treatment.
I really appreciate all the prayers and good thoughts throughout all of my treatments, and I would ask that you please continue those. Always hoping for regression and knocking those little cancer cells out! Thanks so much!!
