Hi Terry

[Guest guest]

I can surely understand your dilemma. was told in late Oct.

to go off the Xeloda. The Onc said it obviously was not working

because the CEA had risen to 6.9

That was during the time he was having the horrible pain in the tail

bone area and had just finised the IMRT to the lung mets.

We had his blood work done here in out little town and the CEA was

only 1.9 after he got the colostomy and they got the infection under

control.

We saw the radiation Oncologist last week and he is convinced that

his procedure was a success and that the IMRT is the reason for the

drop in the CEA. I had told him that I thought the infection in the

retal area was probably the cause of the rise in the CEA. To make a

long story short, I really don't care what made it drop, I am just

happy it did. He is scheduling another CT scan and also another PET

for this next week. I told him to be sure and preapprove the PET

because had 3 of them last year. He smiled and told me he

would, but not to worry because he would SEE to it that he had a

PET. He said out of 65 IMRT procedures to the lung they have only

had 2 failures.

We have not seen our regular Onc since late Oct so it will be very

interesting Monday to see if he still thinks the Xeloda is not

working. If he does not put him back on it, we are stuck with a

bottle and a half of expensive medicine.

I will let you know what his response is Monday. Not only did

have the infection, but he might have been shedding dead

cells from the IMRT causing the slight rise in his CEA level. I am

going to try to encourage the Onc. to let him go back on the Xeloda.

Best Wishes,

Joyce

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/3/2004 3:30:03 PM Eastern Standard Time,

joybrown@... writes:

I will let you know what his response is Monday. Not only did have

the infection, but he might have been shedding dead cells from the IMRT causing

the slight rise in his CEA level. I am going to try to encourage the Onc. to

let him go back on the Xeloda.

Best Wishes,

Joyce

Yes, definitely keep us update...I hope he gets back on the Xeloda, sounds

like it was working to me!

Terry in ga

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/3/2004 6:24:15 PM Eastern Standard Time,

joybrown@... writes:

We do not know what our future holds but we are taking it a day at a time and

enjoying every minute of it. I can handle most everything he goes thru, but

the pain he was in 6 weeks ago almost got to me, physically and mentally.

Best Wishes and Happy New Year to all

Joyce

Joyce,

I am so glad to hear that...what blessed relief it must be for both of you!

Truly an answer to prayer...

Terry in GA