Doxil chemotherapy

[TLC3299]

Hello all, my mother was Dx with stage 4 ovca last year. Had 4 rounds of chemo and 8 months off because she was too weak to continue chemo. She rebounded and was doing good. Last scan showed tumor growing and now has spread to liver where it wasn't before. They recommend monthly chemo of Doxil. Has anyone had this and what were side effects. I'm worried about the heart side effects but hopefully she can handle it.

[HVAC]

I am it is hard. Sometimes the stubborness comes because you feel like you have lost so much control. I stopped eating because it was something I could do. The more you stop eating the easier it gets. Then I looked at eating as taking medicine. I take pills at certain hours so I eat at certain hours.

Alex

[TLC3299]

Thank you Alex. I will pass along info. She's stubborn, lol. Trying to convince her to take her meds and not throw up and eat!

Hope you are doing well

[HVAC]

Take her anti nausea even when not nauseated. Or call for suppositories for vomiting. Sometimes steroids help with nausea.You have options she should not have to throw up. It is not just part of chemo to throw up. Also ask for Emend from the doctor for the next infusion. it helps with vomiting.

I would give it a few more rounds. It could have been going up before the chemo.

Alex

[TLC3299]

Hello, I had a question about the Doxil. She had her 2nd treatment last week but her CA125 was up from 1400's to 1700's. I know that's not a good sign. Her Dr said not to worry quite yet that it may take 3-4 rounds before numbers come down.
She's doing ok just a lot of naseau and she threw up today. Told her to call Dr to let them know.

[HVAC]

Thanks I hope she does okay.

Alex

[TLC3299]

Glad you are feeling better! I did tell her about the steroids for skin issues. So far none. I'm sure as she goes along it may become an issue.
I didn't think of bananas! Good idea..... I will pass that along as well!
Hope you continue to feel better Alex!

[HVAC]

Almonds, Bananas, and potatoes for potassium. Remember the steroids if she gets any skin issues. I liked Doxil of the three chemos I have been on.

Thanks. I had a blood transfusion today but I feel better.

Alex

[TLC3299]

She had her first round of Doxil Wednesday and seems to be doing ok. Naseous and a little tired but ok otherwise. I will tell her to keep eating as much as she can. I told her to get some nuts for the protein. Lol.

I'm glad you are doing well Alex! Makes me happy to see and gives me hope!

[HVAC]

The lung draining is awful. The first six chemos are the worst for everyone. A nutritionist told me you need more calories during chemo. If you are under weight they have to adjust your chemo for your lower weight so you get less chemo. They were only giving me 50% of the chemo when I was too thin. Your mother is a fighter.

Alex

[TLC3299]

Thank you so much. I will tell her to eat as much as she can. She is mich stronger now than she was back then. I'm hoping it goes much better. She has to get her lung drained again from the Acesities. She hates that, can't say I blame her.

Thanks so much and best of luck to you

[HVAC]

The first chemo is the roughest because they use the big guns. Many women quit or do not survive it. So she gets a big star for making it. From here on out it is not always great but not that bad.

Carboplatin by itself is not hard it is the Taxotere or Taxtol with it. With Carb I have not lost my appetite nor my hair. They wanted to put me on both and I said no because I had gotten so sick. They are surprised because Carbo by itself it has reduced the cancer.

The one thing I have learned which might help your mom is to snack all day whether you are hungry or not. I drink an ensure, eat a banana, an apple, almonds, a peanut and jelly sandwich, or a potato. The calories can add up in your favor. I eat when I talk on the phone, watch TV, or feeding the dogs. I have learned that eating is like taking pills you eat no matter how you feel about it. I eat things that are easy. I do not like bananas or PBJs but they are easy.

When I was really thin my friends took me out to lunch and made it social. They also made me eat when I talked to them on the phone. You need more calories while on chemo.

How are you holding up? It is rough to see your mom that sick. I hope you are taking care of yourself.

Alex

[TLC3299]

Thanks so much. Sounds like you did great on Doxil! Mom was very weak and lost a ton of weight on her last chemo. I believe it was the same as your first. She is much stronger now and hopefully she will tolerate it much better. She has a heart echo Tues and starts Doxil on Wed.
Sorry you had to go back on the carboplatin it was rough for mom.

[HVAC]

I was first on Carboplatin/Taxotere for six rounds. I became weak and underweight. I took six months off then I did 14 rounds of Doxil. I had cancer in the liver and spleen. Doxil killed both. Eventually it came back in the spleen. I did well on doxil.

They checked my blood work every month for the heart. They also did ekgs every so often and three echocardiograms. My heart had no damage. The only problem I had was with my skin because I refused the steroid packs every month. After I took steroids I was fine. I liked Doxil I was sorry I had to go off it. I also did not have the weakness or nausea I had with the first chemo. I also liked having my hair.

Now I am Carboplatin again. I have not had such any easy time on it. I have had cancer in 14 places. Now it is only in the spleen and lymph nodes because of the doxil.

Yes there are side effects to the chemo but the cancer symptoms unchecked are far worse. I used to think they were just keeping me alive but now I know without the chemo the ascites would take over and I would not be able to breath or my bowels would be blocked and I would throw up all the time like I did before diagnosis and surgery and chemo.

It is all benefit vs risk. I trust my doctors and know they are watching over me.

If you have any more questions I would be happy to answer them. I have germ and clear cell ovarian which are more deadly.I also have the BRCA mutation which make more cancer. I was throwing up and having diaphragm spasm for two years before they finally caught the cancer.I am almost three years out from diagnosis. I almost died in by the third chemotherapy. Now I am active. I am happy. I am planning a big trip this year.

Alex