Last Tuesday afternoon we visited the oncologist, the meeting started well, then went down hill.
First up, my latest CEA result is 1.3, 0.1 lower than my previous test. This is very good news, a flat or falling CEA almost certainly means no secondary colon cancer is growing. For some reason I was expecting the result to be a rising CEA.
Then on to next treatment. As would be fairly clear from my previous post, I was fairly sure no chemo would be best for me, subject to validation from the oncologist and, I thought, with his agreement. However it became clear that the clinical team behind my case had reached a decision that I should return to a further course of aggressive folfox . After many words, some with a great deal of passion behind them, we agreed that I would go on a course of Xeloda. This is a relatively recent treatment that has potentially more manageable side affects than the folfox treatment. It is high cost (about $NZ600 for each two weeks cycle) but is fully subsidised for those eligible. I have two weeks of treatment, then one week off, followed by blood tests to make sure I am coping OK, then another round. This will continue for at least 8 cycles.
I started the new treatment last Friday and up until yesterday (Saturday) I was not aware of any side affects. Today (Sunday) I feel a bit ill, mild nausea, a headache at times, and my joints are a bit tender. So far a milder version of some of the side affects of my earlier treatment.
Last week I was at work for close to a full week, but by midday on Friday I was very tired, I am sure it was just the result of a near full week of work. This week I am due in Wellington on Friday at least, I have booked Wednesday to Friday to catch up with people there, but I am not sure if I will be up to the full 3 days. I will make a decision on Tuesday afternoon.
