oral Etoposide is next chemo

[jane65]

Hi Ladies,
I saw my oncologist this morning, and as expected he feels Doxil is not working and we have to move on to another chemo, oral Etoposide, which will be my 4th chemo drug. Carbo/taxol, topotecan, Gemzar and Doxil.

He doesn't feel that we should try platinum again because I'm platinum resistant and I relapsed after 4 mos. His feeling is the gene has mutated, and we'd be wasting more time which we don't have.

I'd appreciate information on oral Etoposide which will be the next treatment, if you've had it and what side effects, success or failure you had. He mentioned severe diarrhea may be a problem.

He's also going to contact Genentech to see if I can get Avastin to do with Etoposide.

We're running out of options, I asked my husband about going to Sloan, or Fox/Chase to get another opinion from a OVCA specialist. He's not at all in favor of that, he feels it will be too confusing if treatment suggestion is different from my medical oncologist.

Please help me with your experience with oral Etoposide (VP-16) 3 tablets a day for 21 days is his recommended dose.

I don't know why I'm not crying or falling apart, I'm just so angry, and I guess that's good. I know I won't see my little granddaughters grow up, and my husband will have to adjust to life alone after 67 years with me.

Thanks,
Jane

[gabby55]

hi jane its gabby55 sorry to hear doxil didnt do it,,but i am very pleased there is something else to try and we continue to hope for great happenings...keep us posted love an dblessings gail

[jane65]

Thanks for your support and advice, I'm hoping that with my CA dropping 30 points this month, that we can stay with Doxil. I was so excited when my oncologist called me yesterday.

I'll know Monday when he checks these external tumors to see if he feels they've grown or are smaller. So weird to be able to see your cancer on the outside, and watching it daily.

Take care,
Jane

[marie3B]

I don't cry over myself either, Jane.  I sometimes cry over stupid nonsense, but never this.  I hope your new treatment helps you as much as it did my dad's wife.  She used it for small cell lung cancer that had showed up in the throat.  She is disease free now, and it has been quite a while.  Marie

[OCSBT65]

Jane, I am so sorry to hear your latest news. My wife and I had a great experience at MD Anderson, in our opinion the absolute best place for breast and ovarian treatment and care. Please don't think that you'll get to see your granddaughters grow up. My wife believed she was going to beat this monster and be here to see our daughter graduate HS and she did this past June, nearly 7 years from diagnosis. Our prayers are with you and your family that this treatment will work for you. Keep fighting!!

[henning]

Dear Jane, So sorry to hear that you have to deal with this decision right now. I know we dont talk much but you were there for me when I needed someone to just listen and help me. I apologize if I am out of place but Jane it was YOU who told me and other ladies on this form that you needed to be your own advocate, to get the best possible care because we have only one chance to get it right and the most important, never give up, fight this monster. I guess what I am saying Jane is maybe its my turn to give you the advise a very strong, caring lady told me once. From what you have taught me, I would choose going to the best possible place I could go to try and fight this monster and that would be Sloan or Fox/Chase these places have treatments and things you or  you doctor may have never thought of. They are the best in the world. If you have to make that first chance to get it right than I would go there and not look back. Take care Jane, I know in my heart you will choose what is best for you at this time. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Penny

[Jane39]

Oh Jane, I am so sorry that you have to go through this.  I can't offer you any words of wisdom or any great magical saying, just my prayers and support.  I just truly hate seeing this phase, like "we" are so desperately seeking help and will try almost anything, but this beast of a disease is absolutely consuming.  I hate it, and I am so sorry Jane.  Please don't give up hope.  Jane