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Your experience with IMRT (radiation) + capecitebine (oral chemo)?

Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: Dec 29, 2023 | Replies (31)
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@fatherjonz

Hi, Thanks.
Began infusions in March. (G&A)
Over the months there were 9.

Two hospitalizations, about one month each.
Serious infections. Cellulitis. Weak to the point of not being able to walk.

Response: Some (a little) tumor shrinkage. No metastasis.

Surgery is not a good option. Scar tissue from a splenectomy 11 years ago. Physical weakness after chemo.

So the radiation with oral chemo seems to be the best and last option.

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Replies to "Hi, Thanks. Began infusions in March. (G&A) Over the months there were 9. Two hospitalizations, about..."
jk77 | @jk77 | Dec 2, 2023

fatherjonz, fwiw I've just had two radiation treatments + oral chemo. A little nausea (controlled by generic Zofran and generic Phenergan), a little diarrhea, and some fatigue.

I was hoping that I wouldn't experience side effects this early -- I haven't fully recovered my energy level and appetite since my Whipple surgery (10-5-23) -- but these side effects aren't terrible. Now I'll know to take the anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea meds in advance, so that should help.

Again, everyone responds differently, but so far the side effects are manageable. I'm scheduled for 28 treatments (and I suspect that I'll be a little less sanguine at the conclusion, but side effects are better than a recurrence).

I'm sorry that you had such a tough time with IV chemo, and I wish you well with radiation + oral chemo.

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