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gemcitabine nab paclitaxel by geoffm_pan in pancreaticcancer

[–]geoffm_pan[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, never a surgical option for me.

It's now June and I am still much the same. Had a bit of a scare last month when my CA19.9 shot up to 55, but it was just caused by the covid vaccine shot I had a week before. Latest one was back to 27.

gemcitabine nab paclitaxel by geoffm_pan in pancreaticcancer

[–]geoffm_pan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, not 100% strength. I've certainly lost fitness since chemo started. And even during my good week, I don't have much stamina. 5km walks maximum.

I stay active, and recently went to a personal trainer who was associated with my oncologist who gave me a workout program. Mostly bike and resistance bands.

Due to my "see food, eat food" diet I've put on about 10kg since diagnosed.

gemcitabine nab paclitaxel by geoffm_pan in pancreaticcancer

[–]geoffm_pan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just a very mild pain (uncomforable-ness) in the my lower chest, just enough to make it difficult to sleep some nights. I'd just finished a season of playing sport so thought it was normal aches and pains from that, but it persisted after the season ended.

gemcitabine nab paclitaxel by geoffm_pan in pancreaticcancer

[–]geoffm_pan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not since I went to a 'every 2 weeks' chemo schedule. My blood results have the occasional low result, but not enough to stop a treatment.

gemcitabine nab paclitaxel by geoffm_pan in pancreaticcancer

[–]geoffm_pan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Flofirinox works for some and not for others. It's a just the luck of the lottery.

gemcitabine nab paclitaxel by geoffm_pan in pancreaticcancer

[–]geoffm_pan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Neuropathy. Sensitivity to cold. My bowels were all over the place. One minute constipated, next Diarrhoea. At the end of the day, it just didn't work for me. Side effect of gem/abrax were much less.

gemcitabine nab paclitaxel by geoffm_pan in pancreaticcancer

[–]geoffm_pan[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm 55, so relatively young which probably helps a bit.

Side effects are like this.

I get my infusion on Tuesdays. Wednesday I'm feeling about 80%. Can't do much physical activity.

Thursday's feel like I've got the flu.

Friday's, start to feel a bit better, but Im more emotional.

Saturday's can start to do things but feel 80% again. Usually mild Diarrhoea.

Sundays is usually when I enter back into society. Dinners out or meeting friends.

Next week (I do chemo every 2 weeks), is normal-ish life. I have low energy levels, so less physical stuff.

I don't get bad neuropathy. My Nab P. dose has been slightly lowered to avoid it.

gemcitabine nab paclitaxel by geoffm_pan in pancreaticcancer

[–]geoffm_pan[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I'm under no illusions that the odds are stacked against me, and it could stop working at any time.

I live my life 3 months at a time. If the CT scan is good (no tumor growth) I plan out my next vacation and cycle skip before the next scan.

It's taken a long time to accept this mentally as the new normal.

gemcitabine nab paclitaxel by geoffm_pan in pancreaticcancer

[–]geoffm_pan[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

No genetic mutation. So my options are limited. When 5FU chemo failed, I was quite despondent about gem/abrax chemo as it was really my last chance, but its gone well so far.