Thanks guys. OK .... Hubby had the first 2 weeks of oral chemo tablets and didn't have too many side effects, then a week off - tho his feet/ankles have swollen up a fair bit - no nausea, ulcers, diarrhoea or pain ..... He HAS been very tired/weary so putting himself to bed most days for a nap. His cancer markers have increased a fair bit but the Onc says not to worry about that.
Sadly, his MSI and PDL1 markers are too low - so he is not a candidate for Immunotherapy :( I was keen to try it anyway, but the Onc (rightfully said) that it IS still a 'toxic treatment' and not to be taken lightly. The Next Generation Sequencing in the USA sadly didn't identify many treatments that would work on his mutations as they are not available in Aust ..... tho one may be useful but is not currently available for Gastric Cancer thru PBS, only for other cancers. Happy to pay for it if we have to - and may be able to get a reduction of cost thru compassionate grounds.
Today he had his first dose of 40% chemo infusion (to start off with) & restarts the tablets tomorrow. It took forever for the infusion to 'go thru' as he started feeling itchy early on (as an anaphylactic, that can indicate an allergic reaction.) So the treatment was stalled as they waited to see if it developed or not...... Then he had major foot cramping, so stalled again to allow that to 'pass' ..... so a long day at the office.
Our Onc is getting used to my printed list of questions re his treatment at each appt - and is actually quite impressed that I am researching stuff from UK & USA (and HAVE questions) as there are way more treatments than available in Aust. Apparently some people just sit there & nod. (Tho she is MUCH more approachable than his original Onc in 2010 who had the personality of a gnat!)
His twin brother & son are coming up again on Fri for a few days of hopefully quality time together ...
