consolidation chem

[Pat4444]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with STage 3c ovca in August, had optimal debulking and IP port put in. We started chemo in Sept Taxol/carbo and I leaked out the vagina the first chemo. A cuff repair was done and we tried on cycle 2 with another leak. The surgeon did laparacopy and replaced the tube which was sitting on the cuff and put it around the belly button. I was pleased because I had extensive surgery including Sigmoid colon resection and a small piece of small bowel removed.

Anyway he said when he did the lap that he saw very few adhesions and no cancer,,this is after three IV treatments.

So we did IP last week and thankfullly no leak and no real sides,,it was remarkable.

He says he will "make up" the IP at the end. I am not sure if he will extend the IVTaxol/IP Carbo on day one and IP Taxol on day 8 or if he will simply give me all IP.

And for consolidation he discussed once a week low dose IV Taxol for 26 weeks.

My questions:

Should we make up the IP at the end of my six cycles to get six cycles of IP and how to do that?

Are they other protocols for consolidation? WHy not some IP in that port long as it is there?

Is the port for IP ever used for recurrence?

THank you so much,,I appreciate this forrum quite alot.

[bohan54]

I don't have answers for your questions but needed to say that I admire your perseverence and courage in going the IP route.  I am doing IV, chickened out when told IP had worse side effects.  
Wishing you an easy treatment and long remission,
Sharon

[Pat4444]

Thank you! It is odd but I think the IP has been easier, only one treatment so far.

I did get some neuropathy but the Glutamine helps it and I barely feel it in my left foot.

I can't find a thing on consolidation treatment and it is making me nuts!!!

Pat

[bohan54]

I think it's great they offered it.  I am in a clinical trial, finished my 6 rounds of carbo/taxol and will get 15 more rounds of either a placebo or Avastin.  I believe this is considerered maintenance or consolidation treatment.  Maybe look under maintenance? S

[Pat4444]

You must feel so good getting through the six rounds. Will you maintenance be oral or IV or IP.

From what I can tell, there were remarks that maintenance or consolidation had no support as even helpful but that was two years ago, the comments.

Lately it must have support because I see people are having it and I know there is a study with five arms looking at it but I don't find any early results for that study.

So I wonder and don't know how to decide.

Good luck to you!!

[marie3B]

Did they use Carbo for the I/P?  I was told for I/P it had to be Cisplatin which has worse side effects and causes worse kidney damage.  I made it through all my I/P treatments, but it was rough.  I wish you the best.  Marie

[jamiann5]

As far as I know, your IP port will only be used for this round of chemo.  My mom had hers taken out after the chemo was done.  It caused her a little discomfort and she didn't want to leave it in.

My mom made it through all six rounds of cisplantin/taxol even though it was rough at times.

I wish you the best,
jamie

[Pat4444]

Thanks for all the comments!! I will try to post a question to the doc but everyday it says all questions are already taken!

Thinking of finishing up this set and getting a second opinion at Hopkins or MDANderson.

[bcppc]

I too have an IP port--it was put in on April 19,2006...I did 6 cycles of Cisplatin/Taxol May-Aug 2006

When I had a recurrance this year, I did Not use the IP port!
I have a chest port as well and that was used instead... 8 cycles of Gemzar and Carboplatin

I did ask my oncologist in September if I could have the IP port taken out now, and he told me NO.  ;-(
  he feels its best to leave it in "just in case"....his thinking is I will recurr in 1 1/2  to 2 yrs, and I may need it.   His other answer was that I have been thru enough surgery.
   I didn't push it either once I found out my insurance will only pay 20 % of the bill!!!!

I am sorry you been thru a rough time, but you sound so strong, and you can get thru this!
Ana

It does not bother me so I can live with it.

[Pat4444]

Thank you all,,Dr Bristow at Hopkins told me ladies kept their ports as a "souvineer" and I nearly laughed,,imagine that!!
If it is a "just in case", I will keep it but it bothers me.

I have heard the Cisplatin is rougher than the Carbo.

[jamiann5]

If your IP port bothers you, insist on getting it out.  My mom was told that hers was never going to be removed, but it really bothered her.  Once we found out that it was never going to used again, she had it taken out when she had her mediport placed.  

jamie

[Pat4444]

How did you find the last chemo,,gemzar,,to be compared to the first?  

To the rest of you, thanks for the info!

[bcppc]

Pat
Gemzar was not too bad for me! it was a "new & different" chemo for me so it did have its own side effects, but for me it was ALOT Easier than doing Taxol/Carbo or Taxol/Cisplatin.....
I had a good appetite, I never lost my taste buds ( so I gained weight this time ;-( )
I would get tired but not the fatigue like with the other 2 chemos...

my hair still fell out, but not as much...although I went ahead and shaved it so the hair would'nt be all over my bed, clothes and the floor!   and the Neulasta shot caused me to have alot of muscle & bone pain for a bout 3 days..

So Gemzar for me was not so bad!  Is that weird? or does it mean my body is getting used to chemo?  I thought it was going to get worse everytime I did chemo, but it never did....
Hope all goes well with your treatment!