Third round of chemo

Cafewoman53
Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
Found out today I will be starting on Thursday my third round of treatment in a year and a half. Plus I had my right kidney removed between treatment 1 and 2 for kidney cancer, I have been a busy girl !
I am starting carboplatin,gemzar and avastin. Any advice ? I am hoping my hair falls out because I hate the curley mess I have right now. I want my straight hair back even if I have to go bald first.
I am happy that I am fairly strong enough to deal with this next round. If anyone could share their experiences with these drugs I would love to hear from you. I had the carbo with taxol the first round then after my kidney surgery I had six rounds of Avastin, it is the gemzar that I haven't had any experience with.
Thanks for your support
Colleen

Comments

  • sarahb74
    sarahb74 Member Posts: 81 Member
    No advice
    I have no experience of gemzar or avastin, but I wish you all the luck in the world
  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    Hi Colleen:
    Sorry you have

    Hi Colleen:

    Sorry you have to start on chemo again. Since I was allergic to Taxol, I was put on Carbo/Gemzar. I did not have to premedicate the night before. They would give me a little "cocktail" right before each treatment (benedryl and something else). I would take carbo and gemzar one week and two weeks later take just gemzar - for six months. Not too bad side effects for me. couple dry heaves here and there, really tired two days after treatment (exhausted), but the biggest thing is that I didn't (DID NOT) lose my hair. I did get some neuropothy and I did gain weight.

    I do not have any experience with Avastin.

    Oh my! Colleen, having a kidney removed too? I hope everything starts to settle down for you. I will be thinking of you on Thursday.

    Kathy
  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    Kaleena said:

    Hi Colleen:
    Sorry you have

    Hi Colleen:

    Sorry you have to start on chemo again. Since I was allergic to Taxol, I was put on Carbo/Gemzar. I did not have to premedicate the night before. They would give me a little "cocktail" right before each treatment (benedryl and something else). I would take carbo and gemzar one week and two weeks later take just gemzar - for six months. Not too bad side effects for me. couple dry heaves here and there, really tired two days after treatment (exhausted), but the biggest thing is that I didn't (DID NOT) lose my hair. I did get some neuropothy and I did gain weight.

    I do not have any experience with Avastin.

    Oh my! Colleen, having a kidney removed too? I hope everything starts to settle down for you. I will be thinking of you on Thursday.

    Kathy

    this stinks
    for you I am sorry you have to start chemo again,,,,gosh darn it. You can't seem to catch a break. I hope this miz will kick cancer's butt right out of you and give you peace. I am praying for good results....val
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    Busy girl indeed!
    I'm so sorry to hear that you to face this again! I've had LOTS of gemzar and I'm sorry to say it doesn't cause hair loss... maybe a little thinning. Gemzar is tolerable and especially for a tough girl like you. I've never had the Avastin along with my combo. I get Cisplatin/gemzar (I became allergic to the carbo) one week and just gemzar the next. You'll probably get bags of saline to make sure that your kidney is flushed. You'll be instructed to drink plenty of fluids. Stock up on movies, books and anything else to keep you amused and rest, rest, rest. OH... this combo causes me constipation and it's so helpful if you get on top of that situation early on. Anything I've forgotten?... feel free to ask.
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • Cafewoman53
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    Thanks
    I feel better just hearing that others have done this. Thanks for the tips Maria and Kathy. I'll do it I'm just a little more nervous this time , I don't know why. But as long as the first round dosen't knock me on my dupa I'll be able to enjoy Christmas !
    I start tomorrow and am sitting on the couch thinking I have to get all my work done today,and sitting on the couch gets nothing decorated ! Better get moving, Merry Christmas !
    Colleen