Question About Chemo And Radiation

Hi, I was diagnosed with Bile Duct/Pancreatic cancer back in January and had a Whipple operation to remove a 2.5 CM stage 2 cancerous Tumor.  The operation was a success and all the margins came back negative.  I met with an onogolgist a couple of weeks ago, and they said to be on the safe side I should receive 6 months of Chemo and Radiation. 

They have me on 1 chemo treatment a week for 3 weeks(gemzar), followed by 3 weeks off and then 5 weeks of both chemo (through a port) and radiation every week day.  Followed by 3 more weeks off and then three months of gemzar (once a week)

Last week I had my first gemza chemo treatment on Friday,  I actually felt great the day of and day after the chemo, but then on Sunday I could not get out of bed.  Then each day after that I felt a little better. 

Tomorrow I start my second treatment and am wondering if this is going to be an ongoing pattern, (sick on sunday and monday, better on tuesday etc)...

The Doctors also said the gemzar would not be as bad as the 5 weeks of both Chemo and radiation. 

I'm looking for feedback from other people on their experiece with Chemo.  I'm currently back to work, but am thinking of trying to take time off during the 5 weeks of treatment.

Hi glad to hear you're feeling well.

 I had the Whipple done in Aug 2006. Had 6 weeks of radiation after that and then started chemo in Oct 2006.

I am still getting chem (in a port) once a week for 3 weeks, 1 week of vitamins, then the 3 weeks of chemo again. Don't know when it will end. I also started taking oral chem (Xeloda).

The only side effects that I have had over the last 17 - 18 months is being tired the day of and maybe the day after chemo.

God bless and good luck. Stay strong 

On 4/3/2008 johnd461 wrote:

Hi, I was diagnosed with Bile Duct/Pancreatic cancer back in January and had a Whipple operation to remove a 2.5 CM stage 2 cancerous Tumor.  The operation was a success and all the margins came back negative.  I met with an onogolgist a couple of weeks ago, and they said to be on the safe side I should receive 6 months of Chemo and Radiation. 

They have me on 1 chemo treatment a week for 3 weeks(gemzar), followed by 3 weeks off and then 5 weeks of both chemo (through a port) and radiation every week day.  Followed by 3 more weeks off and then three months of gemzar (once a week)

Last week I had my first gemza chemo treatment on Friday,  I actually felt great the day of and day after the chemo, but then on Sunday I could not get out of bed.  Then each day after that I felt a little better. 

Tomorrow I start my second treatment and am wondering if this is going to be an ongoing pattern, (sick on sunday and monday, better on tuesday etc)...

The Doctors also said the gemzar would not be as bad as the 5 weeks of both Chemo and radiation. 

I'm looking for feedback from other people on their experiece with Chemo.  I'm currently back to work, but am thinking of trying to take time off during the 5 weeks of treatment.

John,

My husband was on gemzar and the 3 day was always the worst. His feet were cold on that day, if his temp wentup it was always the tird day. He would feel a little bad then better towards the next treatment. He didn't have the surgery,tho. He had 2 weeks skip a week for a good while then every othr week.

Jan