Hi all. I have today been told my illness is chronic, i.e. not curable, so in treatment/containment mode. The plan (depending on how I react) is 6xheavy chemo sessions every 3 weeks (each requiring about 5 days' hospitalisation); I'm afraid I don't at present know what the chemo mix is - I know it includes cisplatin, but also quite a lot of other words lol, not written on any of the bits of paper I got today, will specify when I know.

This initial zap-it-to-hell treatment will be followed by ongoing weekly Erbitux perfusions. That Erbitux treatment is weekly for the (un)foreseeable future, i.e. until there's no point.

I've had a look at some of the posts about Erbitux here, and it doesn't seem to me that it is used in this long term way in the US. I will say my chemo consultant is very much in the forefront of research and treatment; and he said he has 'a few' people he started treating this way in 2004 who are still here, i.e. it can extend life-expectancy considerably. Or not.

He particularly mentioned skin care as being a necessity, as it can cause crevices in the fingers and heels, etc., so will have to use special lotions; and acne/skin rashes. But for the rest, I have no idea. Has anyone here got any long-term Erbitux treatment experience, please?

Thanks!