We began treating my cancer with two drugs; the infusions of Gemzar that we had already used, and 5FU, a new drug that is added to my TPN and is slowly delivered over a 24 hour period. At first, we were using a full dose (400mg) every day. that lasted for about two weeks until I grew so weak and depressed that I could no longer tolerate it. I began asking Cindy to lessen the dose to half and then finally to stop the drug altogether. Once the 5FU was stopped I began to regain my strength and my spirits improved.
We met with Doctor McElveen and we agreed that I should restart the 5FU, but just half a dose and do it every-other-day instead of every day.
We restarted the half dose (200mg) in my TPN bag again this past Friday evening. I was awaken Saturday morning at 3:00am with pain and nausea so bad that all I could do is sit up in bed and cry. Cindy got up and got me a Fentanyl patch and a Zopherin and was finally able to get back to sleep. Most of the pain was gone when the alarm clock went off later that morning, but I had pain and fatigue all that day. I am glad that it was only half a dose and that I don't have to do it every day!
My neighbor and fellow cancer fighter, Wayne Whitten died this past Friday afternoon. I will miss him very much, but am glad that his battles are now over and that he is at peace. His funeral service is this afternoon. We will attend that and then rush over to Oak Grove Elementary School to meet Lydia's 5K Teacher and some of her new classmates. Lydia is so excited about going to the "Big School". It is neat that Cindy, David (my oldest son), Jennifer (my oldest daughter) and Lydia will all attend Oak Grove Elementary School.
Well, that is all for now. I am doing much better now and am looking forward to cooler weather. Once we get back to nothing over 90 I will try to get out and go golfing. I think I could shoot 9 holes right now!
If any of my readers has dealt with 5FU I would very much like to hear from you about your experiences with that drug. I have had extremely dry skin on both hands, fatigue, body aches and nausea. Please let me know if you have had similar effects.
Your brother in Christ,
Mack
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4 comments:
Just found your site and have read it all. I hope all is going well today and in the future. My husband Don was diagnosed 1 yr ago Aug. 16th. They thought it was acid reflux and treated him for about 4 months. Then I went with him to the Dr. and said ok its time to start scanning, so he ordered a ultrasound and thought it was his gallbladder. Then sent us to a surgeon and he did not think so, so off to have a ct scan. And it showed a large mass on the head of the pancreas. The next day had a biopsy done and it was cancer. Went to Mayos and it was a very bad experience, the specialist was great but the surgeon was terrible. Said well its inoperable you have 6 months to live need to go home and get your affairs in order. Well came back home went to oncologist in Burlington Iowa and Iowa City and they both agreed on a treatment plan. He started with 5 1/2 weeks of radiation and and 5-FU chemo. It srunk about 50%. Then he was on Tarceva and Gemzar but his CA-19-9 tumor marker went up. Have you have this test done? He is now on Gemzar and Cisplatin. Had a CT scan 2 months ago and no changes, but the tumor maker is up a little. This Friday he will start another round of Gemzar and Cisplatin, will be off a week then following week another CT scan and a tumor marker test. We had only been married 8 months when we found out of his illiness. Don is going to be 40 on Oct 10th. It dosent seem to matter what age, what you do.... he isnt a smoker and never has been or a drinker. I since have meet a few people that have this disease, had never know of anyone having this until Don. My heart goes out to you, your wife, children and rest of family and friends. This is one of the hardest challenges I have had to deal with in my life. I was with my grandfather (my moms dad), my mother, her sister (my aunt) and my best friend Robin when they died of cancer and I dont plan on doing it again with Don. I truley hope this finds you doing well and that you continue to do well. Would love to hear from you. Take care. Lisa Anderson
thanks for the update mack. good to hear things are going ok. my mom has been traveling to johns hopkins monthly for treatments. it's a constant battle.
The treatment of pancreatic cancer should be complemented by hydrocodone to relieve your symptoms while others drugs or surgery to remove the cancer stem.
Very great that you still manage to overcome your cancer. I am so blessed that you are working towards a good and healthy life. My cancer treatment center is thankful and I hope that you can share this to many people.
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