New Liver Mets DX

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Rockysg1
Rockysg1 Member Posts: 35
edited February 2015 in Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis

Hello Everyone,

I have recently been DX with liver mets two weeks ago. My bilirubin levels were at 2.9 when my oncologist decided to try Xeloda and today I found out that my bili is now at 5.8 so she stopped the Xeloda and wants to try Gemzar. Upon doing further research I read on the Oncology Journal that Gemzar can seriously deteriorate the liver if given to patients with high bilirubin levels. I contacted my oncologist right after reading that and asked her to give me a referral for a second opinion and she is now telling me that if I don't get another treatment this week I will only live for a few more weeks. I am in the DC area and receive care from military doctors. I just don't know what to do.

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  • mamabee
    mamabee Member Posts: 546
    edited January 2015

    Hi, I just saw your post under Active Topics. You should post this on the Stage IV forum where more folks with liver mets will see it and can give you advice. I did some googling and found the same issues with Gemzar and bilirubin and I'd be asking the same questions. Take care.

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited January 2015

    Rocky, from what you describe you definitely need a second opinion.  If you were only diagnosed two weeks ago you are not going to die in the next few weeks if you don't have treatment.  (This is without knowing the details -- if you're that sick then I withdraw my statement)

    Any doctor who says that and won't arrange for a second opinion should be dumped as soon as possible.

    Are you in the military?  Or just have Tricare insurance?  Can you go to a different military hospital?  Georgetown is an NCI Cancer Center.


     

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  • Rockysg1
    Rockysg1 Member Posts: 35
    edited February 2015


    Thank you Pajim and Mamabee for your replies.

    I am in the military as a Wounded Warrior (for illness). I actually did get my second opinion but just with another military hospital (Walter Reed). As it turns out the treatment is working and my liver enzymes as of today are almost normal but I also changed my diet drastically and went vegan, which I think is assisting my body in healing. I know the Xeloda caused the spike in my bilirubin but the doctor won't admit it. After changing my diet my bilirubin started coming down before I had any type of treatment, since I was inpatient and could not eat in order to get scans and biopsies. As soon as I took Xeloda is when the problems started. Again Thanks for responding to my nervous rant, I appreciate it.

    Hugs

    Rocquel

     

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