All about Xeloda

Lynn1

Frapp:  Great news on the TMs!!  )

dormouse72

Just finishing my first week on the higher dose.  So far, other than a few mouth sores, 1500 twice a day hasn't been a problem to tolerate.  My hands felt dry last weekend and seemed to just be drinking in lotion.  Having no gloves other than the plastic food-prep gloves my daughter uses when she cooks (she hates the texture of raw meat), I used those.  I have to say they worked very well, maybe because they kept the body heat in.  They also didn't interfere with my ability to use my tablet or phone (both touch sensitive).  Monday my hands felt fine - which is good because I'd look very weird wearing them at work.

Banjo - my onc was happy with stable but said "I want better".  Her plan had always been to increase but started me at the baby dose to make sure I could tolerate it well.  Since I seemed to be having a much better response than she expected from her exams, she was second guessing herself about increasing at all.  She decided to stick with her plan but said if my se increased too much she'd cut back to 1000/1500.  She's very sensitive to QOL but I think she'd like to be more aggressive as long as it wasn't debilitating.  

Frapp - wonderful news on the TM's!!!! 

LuvRVing

Cynthia - thanks, the blisters are finally almost 100% healed.   I went with my daughter to a casino yesterday, wore my tennies with socks and walked around all day without even a thought about my feet.  Yippee!  And my lips are finally getting better - they must have peeled six layers at least before calming down.  I started X again Tuesday night.  Luckily I'm not having some of the other more common SEs like gas, bloating, swelling, etc.  And my hands are fine.

Chickadee

Good news, Frapp.



My onc is wanting me to take a two week break instead of the usual one due to my hands and feet. I feel like my feet had peaked and were just peeling off the dead skin, but they ate stinging again with my on week. Hands are recovering but under fluorescent lights in the onc's office they sure look awful, very red. Cuticles are starting to recover with lots of moisturizing.



So I'll finish out this on week and take a short break. Not taking anything makes me nervous at times. Wondering what those damn cells are up to.

Swannay

Frapp, great news. I'm doing my tumor markers today. My stomach has been larger last couple of weeks. Hope it's just bloating. Will get liver blood work also. I seem to worry about every new symptom. Stress doesn't help. I have a very sick brother who may not last the week. Wish I could handle stress better. Thank God I can share this here.

Renee

Frapp

Thanks everyone for celebrating with me.  It was the first good news I've have in 6 months. Just like bad news, it takes a couple of days to sink in.  I should be fying high by tomorrow!!  :-)

Swannay, if there is someone out there that can handle stress, i would like instructions.  You are under a boatload.  I will keep you and your bother in my thoughts.+

Chicadee, I don't think a weeks is going to allow the cancer to have a field day.  Besides, xeloda is accumulative, you will probably have plenty left in your system to keep it in check.  Enjoy the break.

Doormouse72, you may want to check the xeloda website.  I think it specifically said not to use the rubber gloves. 

Lynn1, thanks.  Hope your new treatment is treating you well.

alesta29

Yeah to all the X successes Unfortunately I have to leave the gang after only a 3 cycle trip and off to Eribulin (Havalen ?sp).

Have had lots of great tips here while I was on it and honestly - I won't be missing the Crocs 'n' socks look LOL!

Here's hoping that flirty NED is raring to go with you all.

Good luck!!!

Laurie x 

Cynthia1962

Oh, Laurie, but I don't want you to go.  Why isn't the X trip lasting very long for some of us?  I'm surprised it's still working for me, although we honestly don't know for sure it is.  Well, at least you'll be able to wear more attractive footwear.  There are some pluses, you're right.  I hope your next chemo is kind and effective. 

Cynthia

Frapp

I hope I'm not on my way out. I can feel something swollen on the right side of my neck. Can feel a very small beebee size lump but that does not feel sore. I can feel the soreness when I move my head in a certain direction that seems to be under the muscle Doc said she felt some increase swelling in that area but wants to wait for scans the end of august. keep your fingers crossed that this goes away. I'm getting a bit worried that I seem to have to change meds every 3 months.

Pat

Chickadee

Try to push those thoughts away. I felt that way last year but now I'm getting some time on one med.

mauimom

So sorry to be leaving this thread but xeloda isn't doing it for me.  Not sure what's next, but have more mri and a lumbar puncture scheduled this week to see how far the junk has spread.  Thank you for all your advice and help on this part of the journey!

braids3

Frapp hang in there i know what your going thru almost at end of 2 cycle of the higher dose and my breast an esp. my  nipple hurt so is is the x working or is it growing i don't see onc till 16th and then will do tumor markers. so i'm just tryin to hang in there love to all

Frapp

Braids3....same aches here.  Plus my rib met has started acting up.  That same rib broke when they did the mamo before diagnosis a couple of years ago.  I didn't know it till recently a scan showed it had been broken.  I am going on 2 week vacation at end of week to Cape Cod so I'm just going to assume it's the cancer dieing and put it out of my mind until August 29th.

Locked_toward_the_future

Just took a 3 month break from X after successfully being on it for 18 months. I have CT Scan on Wednesday and meeting my ONC Friday to discuss relults. Hope I don't have to go back on X, and if I do, hope it is still effective. Very stressed, fingers crossed...

LuvRVing

That's a nice, long ride, Locked!  I hope everything looks good with your PET.

LuvRVing

Frapp - I hope you have a fabulous vacation at the Cape and that the weather stays nice for you.  And oh, beware of sharks!!!

Frapp

Thanks luvrving...last year a half of a seal washed up on the beach.

LuvRVing

I heard a news report that there may have been a "people" shark bite today. 

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/07/30/shark-bite-investigated-at-cape-cod-beach/

I think if you stay away from the seals, you'll be fine.

Frapp

I rarely go in the water anyway. I use to live in Fl and find the water here too cold. But I'm thinking this may be the year I get in due to xeloda feet. I was there a couple of weekends ago and the water felt great on my feet.

LuvRVing

I'm finding that keeping my hands and feet cool is absolutely the key to success.  I think that's why I ended up with the nasty blisters.  I walked quite a bit on two very hot days and that was all it took.  I went for a bike ride today and I took off my tennies the minute we walked in the house.  Cool rules!  Get yourself one of those low beach chairs and sit on the edge of the water.

braids3

wow have a great time Frapp i got to do our teen music this last week then made it to my echo just in time.

Chickadee

That chilly water at Cape Cod does sound positively therapeutic.



The cruise ship I'm going on has numerous hot tubs. I guess I'll have to look at them longingly. My back would love them. My feet and hands.....not so much. Unless I could fall in butt first and stay there with my extremities flailing above me....like a turtle who has been flipped over....not.

LuvRVing

ROFL Chickadee! 

K-Lo

Thought of you guys today as a Xeloda-type diarrhea typhoon hit here.  Talk about unexpected.   just like with X!

Frapp

Chick, you could definitely get in and put your feet up on edge and arms along side. You would look pretty relaxed. Just dunk your feet in pool when you get out.



K-lo, nice to know diarrhea makes you think of us.....hehehe. Miss you here. Come visit more often, even without diarrhea.

Swannay

Frapp, hope you have a wonderful time on your vacation. Wishing you cool feet and carefree days.

Frapp

Thanks Swannay....that sounds wonderful!!

LilSchatzie

Hi Ladies,

I'm going to join you lovely ladies. I started Xeloda last night. 4 pills, twice a day. 7 days on 7 days off. Read through this post and have gotten so much great advice. Looking forward to meeting you all.



Background on me. Diagnosed stage iv from start in July 2011 with lymph node & lung mets. Now have a liver met. My quality of life has been great up until now and I'm hoping Xeloda isn't to hard on me. My prior treatments have been tamoxifen and a breast cancer vaccine trial.



Xo Karen

LuvRVing

Welcome, Karen!  I hope Vitamin X is kind to you

Swannay

Karen, welcome. Hope xeloda is an easy chemo for you and lasts a long time.