Ovarian cancer treatment regimen

[havers21]

I am the caregiver for someone (Lori) who has completed the debulking surgery for Stage IIIc ovarian cancer.   The first treatment was started 3 days after surgery with a carboplatin treatment, and 5 Armstrong 21-day treatments (day1 taxol iv, day2 cisplatin ip, day8 taxol ip....) were scheduled to start 3 1/2 weeks later, which they did.  During the 5 Armstrong treatments there have been two delays.   After the first cisplatin IP Lori became dehydrated and was admitted to the hospital on what would have been the taxol IP (day8) day....instead the taxol ip day8 was done on day 11.   Then the next two sessions went per the regime.   The 5th round started with day1 taxol iv, day2 cisplatin ip.   Lori then developed a cold and the usual day8 taxol ip was delayed a week.  But then the current snowstorm in the southeast has closed the infusion hospital and it will not take place until this Friday or Monday (1/14/11 or 1/17/11), which makes it 1.5-2 weeks later...pushing the last treatment back that much too.

Is this okay?   Or are there impacts to not following the regimen to the tee?

Could the week of recovery/rest be skipped and the cisplatin week started the week after the taxol ip week?   I am only curious about this, and trying to tell how exact the Armstrong treatment science is.

Thanks for your help.

[havers21]

Thanks Dian and Pam...

One thing I have noticed is that most people speak about recurrence as when, or how soon.   You two seem to have been doing this for some time.   If you had to quantify, would you say OC has recurred for those you know, that were diagnosed stage 3 or 4, almost always, most the time, half the time, or usually never?  I find my breathing and heart seems to stop when I read this as if it's a "for sure".

Shirley

[nyc lady]

Avastin is still not a standard treatment but, many doctors are using it as a follow up treatment, and there has been sucess in slowing the rate of recurrence.  Avastin does not have the same side effects as chemo....I know someone that has been on Avastin for a recurrence for about a year or so and is doing very well.  There are concerns with bowel issues and Avastin, but, everyone is different.

Wishing Lori the best of luck...and I hope she realizes how lucky she is to have someone by her side that cares so much.

Pam

[havers21]

Thanks Dian. Lori's doctor said she would still have to take off the recover week.   After this regime ends she is scheduling Avastin every 2 weeks.   Are you familiar with this follow-up treatment?

I'm new to these forums.  Thanks for "bumping" me up!

[dian07]

You know, I can't answer any of your questions.  I know it is best to stay on track if possible; but, I know that is not always possible.  Treatments are delayed due to low blood counts, colds, etc so delays are not that unusual.  The rest I can't even address.
I am going to post this "lack of information" just to bump your inquiry to the top again hoping someone might respond.

Peace.
dian