So, it turns out that both Xeloda and Tykerb are pills.
On the one hand, this makes life a lot simpler. I no longer have to receive treatments via IV.
On the other hand, I have to remember to take pills, LOTS of pill, EVERY days. Blech!!
Have I mentioned how much I hate taking pills and how hard it is for me to remember to take them when I need them?!?!
I have to take FOUR pills of Xeloda, TWO times a day, between 20 - 30 minutes after I eat food.
I also have to take FIVE pills of Tykerb, once a day, an hour after I have eaten and an hour before I eat. I can drink water during those two hours, but nothing else.
I have to take Xeloda every day for 14 days straight; then I have 7 days without taking Xeloda. (Like all my other chemos so far, Xeloda is also taken on a three week cycle)
I have to take the Tykerb EVERY day, with no breaks.
It feels like the last few days have revolved around when I am taking my pills.
I get up, eat something, wait 20 minutes, take my Xeloda pills, wait another 40 minutes, take my Tykerb pills, wait another hour, then relax for several hours. In the evening, I eat dinner, wait another 20 minutes, take my Xeloda pills, feel relieved that I remembered all my pills that day, and relax until the next morning. Repeat.
During the week, I fill in a chart, including the times that I am taking the pills. It is actually comforting for me to fill in the chart, because then I know that I am not going to get confused about whether or not I took my pills.
With all the focus on timing and food, it is hard to forget.
Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.
With love and optimism,
RivkA
Saturday, August 8, 2009
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3 comments:
I showed this to my son and he immediately said Yes, exactly! (He takes various pills 8 times a day at various distances from food before and after - it makes him nuts)
Take them in Good Health!!!!
At least you can do it from home and wherever. Can you multiset your phone alarm?
Refuah Shleimah!!
Just found your blog last night and am thankful you take time to write. I am a US thyroid cancer with six kids, and I homeschool. I am facing radio-active iodine treatement this fall when I begin school.
I would buy the most beautiful glass I could find to take pills with. Sometimes, you just have to spoil yourself.
I loved that your doc called cancer "a couples disease." I am on my second set of docs and still not happy.
Looking forward to sharing the cancer journey together. It helps to not be alone, doesn't it?
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