The News

I saw my Doctor today who stated that she was not happy to see that my tumor markers have gone up to 844 from the 244 they were before I started Xeloda.  She was concerned that there may be progression of the disease so she asked me to do a PET/CT Scan, MRI of the brain, and is sending in a referral to a Urologist.  Then she wants to see me next week and if there is progression she is going to put me on a new IV chemotherapy treatment on September 22.

I have been having some problems with Urinary Tract Infections.  It seems I have been getting them one after another since May so it is important that we look into that further.  I have also had some numbness on my chin and eyesight irregularities which is why the MRI is ordered.  Additionally, I have had bone pain but we feel that this might be due to the Xeloda and not pain due to progression since I am not experiencing the pain when off the Xeloda.

If I begin the IV chemotherapy, my Doctor informs me that I will indeed lose my hair.  If there does not look to be progression I may continue on Xeloda but on a reduced dose.  So it seems that everything is up in the air once again.  I hate the idea that I may be facing another Thanksgiving while losing my hair.  I do not like it.  I was just getting ready to make a hair appointment to get this curly, curly hair of mine under control. 

My Doctor is pleased that I have had this disease since October 09 with relatively little progression.  I am fortunate that it has stayed in the bones and not spread to soft tissue where it would be much more difficult to control. 

Keeping my chin up. 

Susan