Hello Lee. Thanks for your update. I'm sorry to hear about your issue with weight gain on Xeloda as I have experienced quite the opposite! In fact I've been talking to a dietician about how to pile on the calories. I think the reason is that prior to my colon operation on 4 November to remove the tumour I was 100% fit and rode my bike 50 miles a week as well as lots of walking, which the surgeon said was really good news and aided my quick recovery. The reduction in leg, buttock and arm muscles since seems to be the cause of the weight loss but a health check recently indicated that my BMI was currently spot on (and produced a green smiley man on the health check screen which the health nurse said she hadn't seen for ages!). Despite this, I'm hoping to put on some weight once I get back on the bike again. In your case I hope the steps you're taking will result in weight loss, but I wouldn't worry too much about it - getting out for energetic walks with your dogs should help a lot.
It's countdown time for me! Only 6 more Xeloda pills to take, this evening and tomorrow morning, and the 366th pill will then have been consumed. The pattern over the 4 cycles of treatment have been similar - a tough first week after an infusion on day 1, an easier second and an almost normal third. Constipation / bloating / discomfort has been the main issue throughout which hopefully will now improve. I got signed off last night by my oncologist but will have a follow up CT scan in 6 weeks followed by a consultation with the surgeon. All being well, that's the end and life can continue.
Yes, it's great to see daffodils emerging here in the UK and we've had wonderful displays of snowdrops and aconites. The longer days are nice too and so those of us in the Northern Hemisphere all have a lot to look forward to! But let's hope this also brings peace for the poor people of Ukraine.
It's been so useful comparing experiences and I look forward to keeping in touch. I hope your subsequent cycles of treatment also go well. Best wishes. Martin