Helmar-how is the current chemo working?

[freshair]

Hi Helen,
I've been thinking about your high numbers you had. Is the chemo bringing them down? What chemo are you on?  I hope so cause to go through all this with no results is so discouraging.
I will know with the 5FU/Oxiplatin in a few weeks. It wreaks havoc on the stomach and intestines but I don't have that knocked out feeling where I have to sleep it off. I'm very fussy about food for a few days. Every chemo is different. Wishing you lucky numbers-we need them. :) Helen

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[Helmar]

Hi again Jen.... Goodness, your Mum has been through a lot, and that's awful for her having to deal with breast cancer too. I think it's tough enough dealing with one lot of this wretched stuff, without having two. I hope your Mum is a fighter, and doesn't give in, as she is going through so much. I've had many types of chemos, and the Taxotere/Carbo was one of the best for me, although it's not working so well this time around. Doxil was also a good one for me too. My Oncol. wants to try Avastin for me next, and he says it's better in combination with another chemo.. and he mentioned Caelyx (Doxil). Has your Mum had Avastin? My Oncol. tells me that there are very good reports coming from the States about Avastin, so it could be worth mentioning to your Mum's Oncol. Jen.
I hope your Mum can get rid of the bloating, and her breathing improves a lot, as that must be terrible for her. Please give her my best wishes, and I hope you will let us know how your Mum is doing....hugs...Helen..

[Jen Y]

Helen,

My mom was diagnosed IIIC in Oct 2005. She is concurrently also being treated for breast cancer. She has had 3 debulking surgeries and a mastectomy + lymph node removal, 12 rounds of taxol/carboplatin, 8 rounds of doxil/carboplatin, 3 rounds of gemzar, and 2 rounds of carbo+5FU, which doesn't seem to be working, as she is increasingly bloated and starting to have trouble breathing, but I am trying not to get discouraged. Thanks for your thoughts!

[freshair]

Helen,
Good luck with your treatment. I hope to hear good news too. And congratulations on 4 years. Mine was 5 years last month. Wouldn't it be great if carbo and taxol worked all the time. I could put up with that. Sending you warm fireplace hugs, Helen

[Helmar]

Hi Jen... Thankyou for your nice post....I had a lovely birthday and really enjoyed it. Each one is so precious now.
How long has your Mum been doing chemo? What stage was she dx with? This is a wretched disease, but to worry about it really is a waste of energy. We can only do we we do to control it, and try and get the best out of each day.
I hope your Mum isn't in any pain, and is doing well. Give her my love...hugs...Helen...

[Jen Y]

Glad to hear that you are feeling well, despite your high numbers. You're always so positive and give a lot of hope to those, like my mom, who have been on treatment non-stop. Happy Birthday!

[Helmar]

Hi Helen...thankyou for thinking of me... that's really nice of you. I saw my Oncol. last week, and I was supposed to have the 6th... and final treatment of Taxotere/Carbo last Friday, but because I wanted some time off to celebrate my birthday (and 4 years since dx) he agreed to give me until tomorrow...Wednesday, which was great, so I go for the final 'dose' tomorrow. The last blood tests showed a drop of 910 after the last treatment, so that was good, but this combo hasn't worked as well for me this time, as it did last year.... so my numbers are still over 6000. Strange though, I am feeling really well... still have a good appetite, and no pain or discomfort, so I can live with the numbers. My Oncol. keeps telling me not to worry about them, as we are all different. He said he has had great reports from the States about Avastin, and so is eager to try me on that later, but he would like me to have a mini break after this next treatment, unless the numbers come down a lot more, then he said he would extend it to doing 7. I guess this is what they mean when they say it's being treated like a chronic disease.
I really hope your combo is working great for you Helen, and I look forward to hearing wonderful news from you soon in this regard.
Thankyou for the birthday wishes.....each birthday is so special to us now eh?
Sending you lots of warm hugs... (38degC here today..phew!!! ).... Helen...