Erbitux

star · Regular Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 22 Location: Ohio

Cancer is back ...lesions on liver and lung..treatment are Erbitux every week..5-fu and camptasor every two weeks,with 5-fu on pump 46 hours.

Anyone on this treatment or has been? also anyone on the Erbitux? as this is a new drug for me, would like to know about side effects and how getting along with it.

Thank you for any info

God Bless

DulcimerGal · Regular Joined: 01 Apr 2008 Posts: 36 Location: Virginia

Barbara,

sorry - I can't help on this drug, I have not heard of it before. I am sorry to hear your cancer has returned, but your prior post shows that you have a lot to live for and have the right attitude! Good luck with this drug and let us know how it goes.

do you mind if I ask what stage you were originally diagnosed with 6 years ago when you first had the cancer?

I am being treated as stage III, and go to see my surgeon today to get the infamous DRE exam so he can see if the chemo/rad has shrunk my tumour. I am not real hopeful as I only had about 3 weeks of chemo along with the six of radiation.

I am still in a lot of pain two weeks after the radiation has ended. I can feel the tumour burning (at least that it what it feels like!) and have to keep ahead of the pain with the dillaudid.

What was your experience? did you have chemo/radiation before the surgery?

Today my doctor will figure out the date for the surgery. I am at the place now where I just want to get it over with.

I hope they caught your lesions early. are they small? did they find them with a regular CT scan?

Thanks for any advice - 6 years surviving is great.

DulcimerGal
_________________
Rectal Cancer diagnosed Valentines Day 2008
Finished 6 weeks of radiation and chemo 4/23/08
Surgery planned for June
6 months Chemo to follow

star · Regular Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 22 Location: Ohio

Was diagnosed May 2002 had a temporary colostomy in June..started radiation for 5 weeks to shrink tumor, and 4 months of chemo 1 week a month 5-fu. Had surgery to remove tumor in October 2002 needed 4 cm to resection colostomy had 6cm so colostomy reversal successful. I was diagnosed at stage III. had treatments of 5-fu for 8 more months for precaution. 3 years past then at a routine ct scan abnormalities showed up, had pet scan and cancer showed up again, had small spot on lung also. started chemo treatments of 5-fu,oxaliplatin and avastin. after treatments the spot on lung and pelvic area was gone. at this time I wad diagnosed with stage 4 as it had gone to another organ.

Had severe side effects with the oxaliplatin of chronic neuropathy, as of today I still battle it and have lost my job because of it and now on diasability. but it has not stopped me from pushing on. In May of 2006 another routine ct scan the cancer was back tumor on outside of colon. had surgery in June 2006 to remove tumor clolostomy was back and also had hysterectomy, developed a fistula so in October 2006 had to have surgery to repair. this time I was unable to take the oxaliplatin so was on 5-fu and avastin and camptasor.

broke ankle January 2007 so was unable to have the avastin as I had an open wound that would not heal. Also the 5-fu had accelerated my neuropathy. was kept on camptasor did well on it but did have thinning hair. treatments were stopped as I had developed an abccess in tailbone so had surgery this past December to have removed. thats when they found tumor on bladder and had to remove, so now have colostomy wet ostomy in one bag!

Pathology report came back great!..week after being home from hospital I developed sepsis (blood infection) fever of 106 heart rate 176 had to shock heart to get back to rthymn was touch and go but God has me here today! In March of this yearct scan preformed found small spot in each lung and liver..started treatments of erbitux camptasor and 5-fu.

yeah I have been through a bit..but it has not stopped me from having my faith that I will beat this 6 years of survivorship and still feel physically strong. I believe having faith, keeping a positive attitude laugh and enjoy the life you are given each day has a lot to beating this battle it is a good healing proccess.

I wish every good blessing to all that has, or is going through this battle.
KEEP STRONG...KEEP SMILING...GOD BLESS!

DulcimerGal · Regular Joined: 01 Apr 2008 Posts: 36 Location: Virginia

Thank you so much for posting your six year journey, you keep on fighting! I will print this out and re-read it whenever I get depressed - you are taking each obstacle and beating it and I am so proud of you!

What an inspiration - keep posting and keeping us updated.
Hope it's going well with the new drug, it sounds like your medical team are using every weapon they can find.

dulcimerGal
_________________
Rectal Cancer diagnosed Valentines Day 2008
Finished 6 weeks of radiation and chemo 4/23/08
Surgery planned for June
6 months Chemo to follow

star · Regular Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 22 Location: Ohio

Doing Treatments Every week of Erbitux...side effect of acne rash all over face..burns and hurts. use cold compresses to help ease it.

Anyone have same experience or other side effects, and helpful ways to cope with this would like to hear from you

God Bless
_________________
Diagnosed colorectal cancer 2002
Remission for 3 years.
Reacurring cancer 3 times in past 2 years Lessions on liver and lungs
Doing treatments right now Erbitux, 5-fu, Camptasor.

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