Who is currently on chemo?

Hi all...I seem to get very confused about who is dealing with what on here - there's so many of us! I am wondering who is on chemotherapy now or will be starting it shortly. What drugs are you on? I was excited to notice Chris and I are trying Avastin...it'll be nice to have someone else going through it while I am. (although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy your going first :) Everyone seems to be switching things up right now (new year maybe?) and I thought if we could all refresh everyone as to what treatment protocol we are on, maybe we could all find "chemo buddies"who could help answer some questions. I cannot even begin to explain the fear that goes along with trying a new drug. The anxiety...will it work? will I get sick? what side effects will I get? When you are able to talk to someone whose already tried it, it helps a lot!
Take care,
Becky
oh, I guess I'll start and say I'm starting Cyclophosphamide (low dose pill daily) and Avastin on Wednesday. More good news too...the Avastin is FREE!! The drug company is paying for it...thank goodness!

[newlifegal]

Hi Becky,

It is hard to keep track of who's taking what but I agree that it would be very beneficial to know that someone else is on the same treatment or has been on it.

I am taking carboplatin as a maintenence chemo every three weeks.  I haven't had a CT scan or physical exam in several weeks so we're not sure how effective it's been.  But my ascites has disappeared so I guess that's a good thing.  Other than the side effects of coming off the steroids, I've been feeling pretty good.

Christa

[freshair]

I am starting Wednesday also with a new drug combination. And also am afraid. It is going to be the Oxiplatin and 5FU. It's not going to be easy. diarhea (diarrhea) is a symptom.


I took the cycl.... (cytoxan) last time. It was by drip. I see you will be taking the oral form. I am wishing you all the best.  The Avastin works wonders. I am so happy it is free for you!!!!!

Becky--Just remember to drink your fluids during the day. The cytoxan causes bladder inflammation.

I know Jatoo's wife is taking what I am taking. She has had good results so I am hoping the same. That's all we can do is hope the drugs work for us.

Best of luck

[Jan214]

You are so right!  I have a notebook full of you all and your info.  I can barely keep up with that.  I am on Gemzar as a single agent.  I am still not sure why I am not taking something else with it.  I guess cause I had such a short remission.  
I also like it that most everyone is changing their moods.  That helps a lot as I can pop an email off to someone when I notice they are a little down or sick or whatever.  That has been a real help.
I haven't been posting much lately cause I have been really sick.  Also my fingers get my mind confused when I try to type and it takes me forever.  
Thanks Becky, great post.
Jan

[silver&gold]

Hi ,  im not having chemo so can,t be your chemo buddy but just wanted to say good luck and i hope you don,t have too much of a hard time on the new drugs . Take care Angie xx

[SimplyStar]

Leslee is still on Doxil, 60mg, down from 80 at the start, will be getting #9 infusion next week, CA125 coming down, scans are clear except for the 3 small lesions and they appear to be getting smaller.  

[gah_70]

Like Jan, I am on Gemzar as a single agent...1800 mg/m2.  My doc wants to add something to it, but he hasn't decided yet.  He always likes to give chemo in two's because it is impossible for your body to become resistant to two different chemos at the same time.  I've tried Gemzar with Navelbine, and Taxotere.  Navelbine was wicked, and Taxotere gave me an allergic reaction, so for the time being, it's back to Gemzar alone.  Anyone ever had Camptosar?  He's talked about trying that one next if Gemzar stops working.

Gail

[LizT06]

I lurk mostly but am on first line treatment of IP/IV Taxol and Cisplatin.  It really hasn't been too bad on me.  I don't like the steroids.  I had my IP Taxol treatment yesterday and had taken the steriods the day before and morning of - along with IV Decadron.  I didn't sleep well at all last night.  What do others do to combat that issue?

[rmarie]

That is great that you are getting the Avastin for free, good drug company, it was going to be very expensive for you.  I am currently recouping from thoracic surgery, painful, and will start gemzar single agent on Monday.  I want to be more active, but this pain limits my activity, I am grateful though they could remove the new cancers.  Remission didn't even last 2 months off Doxil.                    Marie

[gma718]

As you all know i did not have OVCA ...but am here to help anyone that needs a friend...any support I can offer I am on the internet often so I can be anybodys buddy,friend,confidante...etc....My prayers and wishes are with all of you everyday! Gia:)

[sapphire44]

My mom, 75,  has been in Gemzar/Cisplatin since November. She was first diagnosed stage 4 in OCtober 2006. Started with taxol/carpoplatin, 6 rounds, seemed to do very well - scans were clean but when the doctor went in for exploratory surgery he still found some cells so then she did doxil late spring/ early summer and her ca 125 was way down below 35 all through the spring and summer then starting climibing in the fall 2007. Went as high as 900 by Halloween. She's done several rounds of Gemzar/Cisplatin - first they had her going two weeks on/two weeks off but she had a very bad reaction - got really sick, then had to go to the hospital for blood transfusion, and had to give herself injections of neupogen. So doc switched to one week on/three weeks off - and she's doing much better now - her most recent ca 125 was 92, and fingers crossed that when she goes back for her possibly final round of this treatment on Jan. 29 that it will have gone even lower. She barely felt bad at all after her last treatment on Jan. 10.

[crecco]

As you know I will be starting Avastin on Monday. Maybe you can switch your appiontment to Monday and we can go together!! Just kidding. I go on Mondays because nobody in my family wants me driving to my treatments alone ever since i had the reaction to Carbo and we had to turn around and go back to the hospital. Since they all take turns driving me, Mondays are best because my sister does not work that day.
  I am waiting on a call from my onc, if can get to me today to find out what the other drug will be for sure. He did mention Cytoxan the other day but figured he would go with either Taxotere or Abraxane. His nurse did tell me that the Avastin does not take very long, so that was good to hear.
When I get home Mon, I will let you know how things went.
I hope that we can all find the perfect poison in this new year. As a friend once told me, we probably all glow in the dark by now. Wish we could all get together somewhere and turn out the lights and see how big of an area we can light up!!  LOL Chris

[Ang80]

My mum is on carbo and taxol for first reoccurance.
She has treatement every 3 weeks and next friday is her 4th treatment

[hope778]

I am on Taxotere every week for three weeks and one week off. I have had eight sessions so far. Doctor canceled the ninth as I had a viral infection with a low grade fever. I have 2 weeks relief from chemo and will re-start at the end of the month. General weakness and horrible taste for any food are my main problems. I am being treated for recurrence. Any ideas? I am a vegetarian.

[rmarie]

My chemo is on Monday, so we can go together.  My time is 9am 3 weeks on, 1 week off.  See you there.

[crecco]

OK!  Mine is at 945 am so I will see you for sure. I am not sure of the schedule yet as I forgot to ask. But I will let you know. Plus onc called back and it is on to Avastin for sure but hasn't made up his mind what he is going to put with it. I guess he will decide when i get there. See you Mon!  Love, Chris

[Helmar]

Hi Becky...Just want to wish you all the best with your 'new' cocktail... and sure do hope it works really well for you. I'm fronting up next week for Treatment 5 of Taxotere/Carbo. The first 2 didn't work, but blood tests after No.3.. showed a drop of over 2000 in the CA.125 so I did continue on with treatment 4 just before Christmas. Blood tests next Tuesday, and hopefully a further big reduction, and if still working, then will go ahead with the 5th.
This stuff seems very ending, but without it,...... well... don't want to think about what's next then. :-)
Wishing everyone on chemo... and those who are lucky enough not to be... all the best, and hoping for some good news and many remissions this year.
Hugs to all...Helen...

[Jen Y]

Hi, Becky. I'm glad to hear the insurance company came through for you!

My mom is on Carboplatin+5FU every 2-3 weeks.

[butterflytc]

Hi Becky,
     Glad the drug is being covered~ big relief for you I am sure.
I am in holding pattern, (see doc on Jan. 24th). never got remission. 6 treatments carbo/taxol resistent. watch and wait was used for 2 years. Hoping for good news this week. Feeling wicked last while, and lost 46lbs, so not expecting great news..but will face whatever I have too, when the time comes.
best of luck, stay strong
butterflytc

[Brownie3321]

Hi Becky. I just finished my last round of chemo. I was on IV Taxol/Carboplat. I also had 3 rounds of IP Taxol/Cisplat. I am now in the process of deciding whether or not I should do maintenance chemo. With love, Deandra

[dustinsmom2]

i am doing carboplatin/taxol and waiting to see if my numbers go down, also got my radiation implants replaced along with stents, cuz it was heading towards the bladder. I already have a bad cold, but am forcing myself to work anyway. If this doesnt help I will probably be joining you on the ativasan (sp.) there were concerns that there were some lymph nodes affected this time and am waiting for the results from gyn/onc. I am pretty depressed right now, but the kids are keeping me going. I just dont believe this is happening again. I knew it but it was still a hard blow. Every time I hear you have cancer or we found more i feel like i was hit in the stomach. I will probably not be able to do next week chemo but need to get white counts

[Tybear]

Thanks for your input...sounds like we're all on so many different drugs. Chris, I hope your chemo goes well today. I was supposed to head down to Toronto to get my cyclophosphamide pills, but have come down with a serious case of strep throat. I've decided to hold off until next week. This also means that I will be postponing my Avastin too. I just can't imagine starting chemo when I feel as lousy as I do. To Dustinsmom... I am so sorry to hear you aren't doing so well right now. It's really hard to stay positive when you feel like you have so many negative things going against you. I agree, the kids sure do help! I hope you can get your counts where you need to so you are able to do your chemo, but you also need to rest - it sounds like you are working way to hard! You have lot's of support here....
Becky