Hi, I have been on Capecitebine virtually continuously for the past 6 months. I am just completing my 7th (out of eight) chemo cycle. I have Stage 4 Ca oesophagus, and the drug is part of the package of chemo. I started off on 2 x 500mgm per day, but after two cycles the dosage was reduced to 650 mgm /day. It seems that Capecitebine is an alternative to FU which has been around for years, but the main advantage is that it can be given orally. I had a heap of side-effects during the first two cycles (especially extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea) but as I was on three other chemo drugs as well it is difficult for me to pin-point what was causing what, but I did think it significant that this was the first drug that had is dosage reduced, and symptoms were reduced for the next cycle. Not much help I suspect, but all the best. Doug ... View more

Hi Vicki, I have been slack in coming to the page, so I have only just caught up with your news and my response is a little belated. I am really sorry about your news. My oncologists are always trying to keep me balanced - be hopeful, but know the bad news can come at any time, but in the meantime, get as much as possible out of the day. I have a good camera, but have tended to put it away since I became sick (pictures of the grandchildren excepted). I really like your idea of the 365 day project. Can you tell me a little more about it? All the best Doug ... View more

hi Vicki, Glad for your good news. It must have been an anxious time when you were taken to ED just before Christmas. Glad everything turned out OK. For as long as I remember I have always looked forward to Christmas - the planning, the preparations, the extra work, the family time, the meals, and "the reason for the season". This year, because I was feeling so unwell and somewhat disengaged from life, I was approaching Christmas with a considerable level of dread. However it was a good time with lots of "small blessings" on the way, even the Easy Mac noodles with (single) slices of ham and turkey were OK. The family were great, and last night was special when Val and I attended the Festival of Lessons and Carols at St Peters Anglican Church in the city. I was really looking forward to this (it was on my "bucket list"), so Val rang the church earlier in the week to explain the situation, and they provided parking for us at the vicarage, and we are not even Anglicans - how good was that? I can't tolerate more than two cycles of chemo at a time, so next week I get a one week respite from treatment to allow my body to recover. The respite also allows my appetite to recover a little and for my tastebuds to come back to normal a little so that food tastes closer to normal. I have already booked a breakfast date with Val at one of the local eating places. Kind regards, All the best for 2011, Doug ... View more

great news! Really pleased for you. Cheers ... View more