T2 Adenocarcinoma, Chemo?

On Nov 14, 2014 2:24 AM WillieRay wrote:

I have the identical experience. After resection surgery was totally clean the hard part started.

After talking to 5 Oncoligists I got a total mixed response. Two said to do nothing but observe every 6 months with blood and maybe CT scans for 2 or 3 years. Two recommended chemoradiation adjunct therapy and 1 said it was my choice.

I opted for the chemoradiation as preventived reoccurance.

I have just completed week 3 out of 5 weeks with 3 Xelota (500mg) after breakfast and after dinner with radiation Mon thru Fri. The Xelota acts as a radiation enhanser.

Todate only side effect started yesterday with a small mouth sore. Got Magic Mouthwash to night. Time will tell.

Plan is to observe like listed above for 2 years. GBC has a 50% return probability but only for 2 or 3 years

Hey WillieRay -- Agree with Rick -- good going on your homework.  I took Xeloda too along with my radiation, I didn't have mouth sores but they are common with this.  Magic Mouthwash is the stuff to use.  Sounds like you are in good hands.  Xeloda didn't bother me too much until toward the end....then my stomach started to hurt and I was pretty miserable.  But I got through it and then went on to Gemzar.  I have been clear for a few years now (diagnosis was in 2008) and my doctor has sent me on my merry way, totally clear and I will see him no more.

Yep, life is good.

Maudsie

Thanks for the informative replies that have reinforced my ongoing plans.

Mouth has cleared up after 2 days use of MM. Yesterday started mild stomach gas. Overall I am doing very well; 17 days down and 8 to go.

Maudsie - what was the rationale for the Gemzar therapy?

Bill

On Nov 18, 2014 2:37 PM WillieRay wrote:

Thanks for the informative replies that have reinforced my ongoing plans.

Mouth has cleared up after 2 days use of MM. Yesterday started mild stomach gas. Overall I am doing very well; 17 days down and 8 to go.

Maudsie - what was the rationale for the Gemzar therapy?

Bill

Hi Willie -- the rationale for Gemzar for some IV chemo was basically the same as it was for doing some radiation along with Xeloda: another hopeful layer of insurance against recurrence.  Reasonable argument can certainly be made either way.  :)

In April of 2014 I went to the ER with abdominal pain and after a CT scan they saw a large mass in my GB. It did not appear to have metastasized. I was diagnosed June 20, 2014 with GB Cancer after having my GB out via laparoscopy. While I was still under, they sent the GB tissue to Pathology and found cancer. I had a liver resection and 8 lymph nodes removed while I was still under anesthesia. I was diagnosed with T2M0N0. I followed up in September 2014 with radiation for 5 weeks along with the 5FU pump. My CT scan last month July 2015 showed no recurrence of cancer. i was treated by Dr Vaquerano at Kaiser in Anaheim. Since then he has only had 1 other GB cancer patient. It is heartwarming to read of others that are fighting this deadly disease and surviving. My surgeon said I had a 30% chance of living for 5 years, but in the same breath he told me not to read the statistics, as they are depressing. I could not believe this was happening to me. I would welcome hearing from other survivors, and also hope I can help any others who need support. Carole

Still going strong!

Still going strong!

Hello my friend! Keep rock and rolling!

Hi Carole -- With a T2MONO, I would up your chances a whole bunch!!!  congratulations on the early diagnosis.  You are likely in the small minority...me included...who are lucky enough to have caught this early.  Keep up the vigilence for another couple of years, and then breathe a sigh of relief -- it is behind you.

Giving others support is one of the ways I pay back.  I am just so grateful.

Thank you Maudsie for the support! I have to say that every little thing that happens to me makes me paranoid that the cancer has come back. I am by no means feeling confident that I am cured. But the more time that goes by eases my mind, like you said. I think we all feel that our bodies have betrayed us. I can't figure out for the life of me how I got GB cancer. They did not find any Gallstones in my GB but they said the tumor had completely taken up the whole inside of the GB. I guess you could say it was caused by inflammation. Is this the current board to post on? It is so good to connect with someone who has the same diagnosis as myself. Carole

Carole, I know exactly what you mean.  Like a bolt out of the blue this came,  I was shocked, could hardly believe it,  I too all of a sudden felt very vunerable...and very mortal.  Unless you've been hit over the head with something like this, no one can really understand how it changes things.  Even now, seven years after my diagnosis, and way past any reasonable possibility of recurrance, I still am paranoid.  Every twinge I get, I think OMG THIS COULD BE IT.  Well, OK, over time it has lightened up quite a bit.....but it's still there on some level and I guess it's fair to say it always will be.  I am not the same person.  I am doing great, I love my life, I am happy...but I have had a brush with something that touched me deeply.  

And trying to find a reaon why/how you got this cancer?  There often is no answer.  Just s**t happens.  :/

When I was diagnosed, there was no board like this one, or at least it didn't turn up in my searches.  I felt so alone.  Hardly no one, including me, ever even heard of gall bladder cancer. such a relief to find others!  It's helped me immeasurably.  However, I don't visit much any more, unless I get a notification via email, that someone has posted on the same thread.  Then I read and often respond.  I used to volunteer for the Bloch Cancer hotline out of Kansas City (I think) -- people who call in who have GBS were referred to me, with my permission, and I'd take it from there, but I don't do that much any more, either.

Anyway, happy to connect with you!!! 

---m