HAS ANYONE HAD THE ORAL CHEMO - XELODA?

Hi Ladies,

For some reason this post seems to be all out of order for me.  Di, I thought I'd posted a response to Tanya before you did and yet it appears later in sequence? NEVERMIND I seem to have caught up on all the posts now.

Firstly, with respect to my, probably poor expression, of Xeloda taking time to "kick in" I must clarify that it starts working right away but that it may not have a discernible effect on your tumour markers for two or three weeks.  Definitely nothing to worry about there.  If it works, it works and there's no concern that whatever tumour growth you might have in the interim is not going to be reversible because, as I say, if the drug works - it really works.  It certainly sounds to me like you're having some side effects already which would indicate that something's going on and that's a good thing.

Just to hopefully put your mind at ease - when I first started Xeloda and I had the side effects I've already mentioned, my tumour markers actually went up quite significantly.  My doctors were not concerned and in fact they ended up giving me an extra week off and reducing my dose so that I didn't have the hideous side effects I'd been having.  Now, after my second cycle the markers are on their way down and hopefully will continue to do so.  At some stage they will plateau and stay there with any luck, for a long time. 

RELAX my friend and concern yourself with being comfortable and PAIN FREE.  And bear in mind that the doctors still have a few more weapons in their armory yet.

As regards the ubiquitous "my friend was CURED so you'll be fine" comments I totally agree but what can you do?  I'm sure they mean well.  Ultimately most people are totally ignorant about cancer until it happens to them.  Who wants to learn about death, Right?

Take care both of you ladies and talk soon,

Galaxy Sue.