I've been nervous about my new treatment, mostly because its a change. As I posted earlier, the node in my liver grew a very small amount and I need to add new meds to my chemo.

I've been worried all week, trying to have faith that the new meds will make the bad spot go away. After the first bad diagnosis (stave iv rectal c, mets to liver/abdomen, 2 months to live), then the great progress, (tumor is almost gone and that hasn't changed), I'm getting depressed again. Its not as bad as the first dx, but it took something out of me. I need to get my "game face" back on for the new treatment. I'm worried about the side-effects, but I have dealt well with the 5-fu and the doc says it should not be much different, still I worry....

Gotta vent...

Hi Bossan, it is understandable that you feel nervous, but you have tolerated everything so well so far. Good luck with the new treatment.....just visualize it knocking out that liver node!

Love and prayers,

Boss:
I wish you the very best in beginning this next journey in cycles of medication. I am confident you will make it through with flying colors as you have demonstrated nothing but courage and fortitude, and unwavering optimism on this Board. Think of the music in your mind and play on, my friend.

Lots of luck, strength and peace,
CancerDad

My dad starts his new treatment today for the same reasons as yourself. Hope it all goes well for you x

Vent as you need to ...I know I have done my fair share here. You have every right to feel what you need to feel in the face of any new news. Good luck with the new treatment and know that everyone here is rooting for you.

Hi Bossan

How did the new treatment go yesterday? I know its early days but they told my dad he may experience side effects straight away with the new one x

Hi Bossan

How did the new treatment go yesterday? I know its early days but they told my dad he may experience side effects straight away with the new one x

Thanks for the notes, it helps! The side effects weren't as bad but they are still slowing me down. I got to have a good conversation with the doc about treatments. I don't have time right now, but I am going post my treatments and what the other posibillities are in the near future. The onc is also a soccer fanatic, like me, and she told me to go to Germany for World Cup this summer. I told her we might not have the money due to the current challenges. She said there's always 2010....South Africa

Bossan, I hope the chemo treatments go well. It is interesting when the doctors talk about the future, and you are just trying to get through today. I remember when I was almost done with chemo and the onc was telling me what happens in the future. I think my mind shut down and I didn't hear anything beyond the next appointment. Eight months after chemo, I find that sometimes I think about the future, and then all of a sudden my mind goes-wait, don't be so sure. From what I have heard, that feeling never really goes away. My best to you.

Hi Bossan

Your doc sounds confident, I hope this has lifted your spirits a little..... day by day, day by day!

Be interested to know about future treatments. When my dad had his very first appointment...14 months ago.... they said there were a list of things they could try, the hospital he is at is apparently on the list to be one of the first to receive new treatments...dont ask me why! I have no idea.... anyway, he has had the Ox and 5FU...worked well.... then Ironitecan and Xeloda.....worked well then stopped working..... now he is on Ironitecan and Cetuximab (Erbitux) ...only 2 days in but i'm hopeful...... the thing is, what is a "list" of options??? So far he has had 3...does that warrant a list???:confused: If you can shed light on what you have been told..when you have the time.... I'd be interested to hear.....

All the best x

Hey Bossan,

Hope you are coping well with the new treatment. It was a bummer to read about the new spot, but the great thing is that your onc sounds confident.

DH also had bad news with recent CT scan as it showed that the chemo treatment (5fu/lev/irinotecan) wasn't doing as well as we had hoped and he was quite depressed for a few days but he is back to his normal confident self now, so we do know how the news would have had effected your equiblirium and our thoughts are with you

Keep smiling :wave:

maria_z

Bossan.. just wanted to wish you luck and love for your new treatments. You can and will do this!!! Your too stubborn (like me) to let this get to you!
Take care !
Maz

Thanks for all warm thoughts and wishes. I've had a hard time with this blow. I am doing okay with treatment, but it takes a few days to recover and then I go back next week. I decided to go to San Francisco this weekend to see the US Men's soccer team play Japan, and be decadent the rest of the weekend. I figured the chemo might wear me out so I'm going to go party in case the side effects get worse.

The way I'm seeing it, I have 4 weeks of chemo, 2 weeks off, then 4 weeks more and the CT scan. I feel great, went running today but I have to come up an 10 week plan where I don't look any farther ahead. I'm scared of sitting on my hands for 10 weeks hoping that everything will get better, not really knowing what will happen.

I talked about other treatments/options that the doc, my wife and I talke about. I'm still trying to get my head togther and I think I'll start another thread sometime in the near future.

Enjoy your trip! Indulge, indulge, indulge!! You deserve it. My husband and I have made a tradition of going out to dinner the night before treatment. I enjoy that nice cold drink before I am stuck with warm drinks again...and a nice meal to get me through 4-5 days of not eating much at all.

Best wishes to you.
God Bless,
Cats