goodbye xeloda hullo to navelbine
Hi to everyone, just thought I would drop by and say that after 34 months of xeloda its time for a change, I had scans last week and went back to my oncologist yesterday, he had been discussing with me the gradual change in my markers and now with one of my tumours growing slightly its time to make the decision to change chemo, also, he knew that the hand and foot syndrome really was getting me down, so now I have a washout period of 20 days and go back to see him on January 31st to get my first dose of navelbine another form of chemo that I can take in oral form,the regime is very different to what I have been used to and the side effects are a bit grim however after the last almost three years on xeloda I can cope with anything, it will be fantastic to get rid of the runny nose, weeping eyes and the best part will be getting back the use of my fingers and hands,so onwards and upwards from here,it will seem a bit strange to not have that security blanket of taking chemo for a little while but my partner and I are looking forward to this time together when I will have more energy, I even joked with my oncologist about flying to the UK, he only said one thing, about travel insurance, THAT IF - and only if, I got really ill, that it would cost anything up to $100.000 dollars to be brought back home, he said all of medical treatment would be covered in the UK, but, that a commercial airline would not bring me back, he did not say this in a negative way, he was just giving me the facts, a friend of mine who has terminal pancreatic cancer is going overseas and she is being covered but at a cost of $4.000 thousand!! - so whats a girl to do, I will think about it but not sure if my desire to back to the UK is strong enough for the risk, I dont want to do the sights just see family,I will do some thinking!!! I am at peace with myself in terms of my diagnosis, it will be 6 years in June this year, and I plan on being around for a very long time - so ladies, - I do hope you are all well, and living life to the best of your ability - wendy55