's Update #2

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

Thanks so much to everyone who responded to my other post! I've read

a few replies, but haven't been online quite as much this past

weekend and am not too caught up with things yet. Had felt a little

tired/down during this time (had a bad Saturday night, did not sleep

well at all), but somewhat better today.

This morning I had an appt with the radiation oncologist at 8:30 am.

She gave me an " exam " of sorts...had me raise my legs while holding

them down (to see how hard I could push, etc) and a few other things

of similar nature. She also examined the MRI which was done last

Wed. night. Of the 2 spinal mets identified on the MRI, the primary

concern seems to be on only one of them (in L4 vertabrae) so far as

causing possible spinal damage/paralysis. There has already been

some damage/compression which has resulted (so far) in lower back

pain/leg weakness.

Having just started cycle #3 of Xeloda therapy, the rad onc seems to

be recommending completing it BEFORE beginning any radiation to

spinal mets. I guess her " take " is that the spine mets are

not " crisis " stage just yet, and perhaps it is not a good idea to

break off the Xeloda in mid-cycle. And, it does in fact appear that

the Xeloda has managed to do some good WRT halting the growth of some

mets on my back and such. So I am somewhat reluctant to argue with

this logic.

The radiation planning is currently scheduled for the week after

Christmas - UNLESS things worsen between now and then (which means I

would have to call/go in right away!). Hopefully that won't happen!

So I guess that must be good news of a sort...at least I won't be

spending Christmas eve with the doctors!!!

Thanks again to all my Internet friends for your kindness and

support. Will try to catch up a bit here with what is going on!

Best Wishes to All,