Comparing Fluorouracil vs Gemzar

For Stomach Cancer: I have been on 5FU for 19 months in combination with Herceptin. My cycle is every two weeks. Initially I also had Oxycelipatin (sp) but I had trouble with neuropathy. My Oncologist expected me to pass in six months to two years. After 19 months of treatment she said, " To be brutally honest I did not expect you to still be here." I am still reasonably healthy, eat well and maintain my weight. My only real problem is that the Herceptin is affecting my heart rhythms. I have the HER2+ protein and my cancer has been found in my Liver. I have had two CT scans wherein I have had a partial response. The rest of my CT scans have shown a stable condition. Scans are conducted every three to four cycles. I am confident that I will make the two year and more timeframe for my life. My Oncologist and Cardiologist are a good team! During my ordeal I have also had to have a Pacemaker installed and may yet have to have it removed and replaced with an ICD. 5FU and Herceptin are working.

For Pancreatic Cancer: While my oncologist could not conclude that GEMZAR was effective in my case, I have survived late-stage metastatic pancreatic cancer for more than 6 years since beginning my first (of 2) treatment regimen. Absent any other explanation, I must consider the possibility that GEMZAR was instrumental in my survival. I've been told I have exceptional tolerance for GEMZAR, and I ultimately had 54 infusions over 2-and-a-half years, with a one-year gap. The side effects were minimal in my case (most frequent: flu-like symptoms, mild infections), and I was able to conduct relatively normal work & life routines, although I frequently had to battle a high level of fatigue.

For Pancreatic Cancer: There are few side effects no loss of hair just fatigue and low white and red cell count. Been on it for three months and have three months more to go. Take good 3 wkd off one week. So far good compared to vomiting, extreme fatigue and hair loss from the Cisplatin that I was taking last year. Thank u Jesus.