Just an update on my wife's Topotecan treatment.

[Jatoo]

Just to let those who have been concerned like Sue, Plady, Helmar, Nelpe, etc and the many brave women out there who are the real heroes who have been struggling with a lot of hope to know:

that my wife just finished the first cycle, of 5 daily treatments of Topotecan and so far after the blood test this morning to see her counts, her WBC and RBC held up but she has a low platelets counts but not low enough to necessitate platelets transfusion. I just wonder whether anybody knows of any supplements that can increase platelets count.

Her blood will be monitored constantly ( next appt is on Thursday) and her Onc said that her platelets will remain low for the next 3 weeks and will go up in time for the next cycle.
So far she has been handling it pretty well with no more nausea and fatigue.

Sue I was glad that your ascites was finally removed. I am very interested in Gemzar and Triosulfan.

Thank you ladies for all your concern and prayers.

Jatoo

[freshair]

Hi. I've been looking for a supplement that raises platelets. I tried mushrooms. Maybe they help. My nutritionist at the hospital recommended them. There are studies that they help you get through chemo. She recommended Reishi but there are so many other kinds also. But they're know for TK cells.

There's also a good website to check out. It's Sloan Ketterings. It has a listing of all herbs. I've had second opinions at Sloan. I live in Long Island.

http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11570.cfm

Best of luck.
Helen

[plady]

Forgot to mention that my doctor prescribed what they call a triple mouth rinse.  It has helped a lot.  Pink liquid that causes numbness of the tongue but really helps with the pain of the sores.

[Helmar]

Hi Jatoo... Thanks for your post.. it's good to hear that Melody is doing o.k. since the Topotecan. I had terrible fatigue, so is she managing that o.k.? With the low platelets... you need to watch that, as that can lead to haemorrage. If she bruises easily,or as Sue says... little spots, just be careful, as it can be serious. The Gemzar knocked my platelets/red cells around, so I need infusions for both, but so far so good with both Doxil and Topotecan. I don't know if there is anything Meloday can take to boost the platelets, as I think we need to be careful of any 'extras' we may take while on the chemo. It's good to check with your Oncol. first, I think. I hope Melody's appetite is good, so she can get plenty of fruit and veggies in... they help build the system up again. Btw.. Does Melody have any adbominal discomfort? Just wondering, as I do, and it's not the best, but if it's the chemo... then I can live with it. Hope it's not the cancer. *help*... :-)
Wishing everyone here the best... and hope whatever you're taking, is working well. I'm going for a holiday on Friday, and will start back on the Topotecan the day after I get back....in na couple of weeks. Nice to have a break though. best wishes...Helmar...

[plady]

Need to wake. Correction my ca125 started at 1239.  Oh well.
I call it my chemo brain.  Now I have that excuse for everything I do wrong. Ha!

[plady]

Just a note to let you know that I got my ca125 results yesterday.  It went down from 933 to 597.  Started at 939.  So hopefully the Doxil will continue to work. Hope all is well for you and your wife.

plady

[sueg]

Gosh it wouldn't let me put the word ***** in!
Can't stop laughing!
Sue x

[sueg]

Hi Jatoo,
Glad to hear Melody's okay.I've always got low platelets its called Thrombocytopenia.My doc has never given me a platelet transfusion-so far-and I've asked many times what I can do to improve the count but she says-nothing its all down to how quickly your body recovers.I know the average life span of a platelet is 10 days and she always tells me not to take aspirin as that can reduce the 'stickiness' of the blood cells as well.Most of my body,arms and legs are covered with tiny,tiny little pin ***** size blood spots-I look like a walking dot to dot picture!They're called purpura and thats because my blood doesn't clot as well as it should because of the low platelets.Just watch Melody doesn't get any nose bleeds and not to chop any of her fingers off when she's cutting vegetables-she might have problems then!
Loads of love
Sue x

[plady]

I am so glad to hear Melody is doing o.k. I go in today for my ca125 to see what the progress is on Doxil. I have had 3 treatments.  My prayers are with you and your wife.

[Jatoo]

Dear Plady:

Thanks. That is true to keep away from direct sun. We will pray that Doxil will work for you.

Jatoo

Dear Sue:

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize that it was your platelets that got affected. I wonder as to whether being diabetic worsens it since you both are.

Jatoo

[Jatoo]

Dear Beachgal:

Thanks for the info. I am from California and will try to look around for this supplement. I hope you are doing fine with your treatment. Again thanks.

Jatoo

[BeachGal7]

Hi Jatoo, I've just finished my six carboplatin and taxol treatments.  Two weeks, starting with the day of chemo, I would have this fizz drink daily which comes in the form of a powder in a small pack.  What surprised me is that my blood platelet count improved whilst on chemo.  This is a California manufactured product and I bought it in Seattle.  It's called Emer'gen C and has mineral complexes and b vitamins in it.  My assumption is that it played a role in my improvement, but of course, I am not a hundred percent sure.