need a little encouragement

Gemzar is working for me
So sorry the topotecan isn't working, I am on carbo/gemzar/avastin and after two rounds my number went from 34 to a seven and now a three. At my highest full of cancer I was only 338.
I read somewhere that gemzar works well with carbo that together they have better results than given alone. But I'm sure your dr knows what he/she is doing. There was a woman at the chemo suite yesterday that has been on chemo for four years and she looked good,that sounds stupid but she really did. I have a feeling that I will be following in her shoes and it gives me hope that it can be done. I was diagnosed lllc because there was no cancer in the liquid they drained from my lung after surgery. Hang in there this ( gemzar ) may do the trick for you, this is not a "one size fits all cancer" Good Luck !
Colleen

marsha044 said:

hello
Hi. I am new at this. All of you seem so strong. I admire you all. I have little experience at this point on any of this but I know from my little experience that keeping optimistic that the new meds will work is all you can do. I also have learned that this site is full of people who care and will respond. My hope is that someone will read your post and have some good experience with the medication to share and encourage you. I am praying for you.

Hi Karen
I don't have any experience with Gemzar but am sending you good thoughts and prayers that this med works for you.

Kelly

I've had lots of gemzar
First of all... ((((HUGS)))... I've been on several chemo regiments and have been on gemzar along with carboplatin until I became allergic to the carbo and they switched me over to gemzar/cisplatin. I'm given it on a two week scheduale where the first week it's the gemzar/cisplatin and the next it's gemzar alone. I've had very good results with this therapy. I'm not into the normal range, but my CA-125s lowered and stabilized at a level close to normal. It took quite a while to see the results. I've seen others on this board had good results by switching therapies, so..... here's hoping gemzar is the "one"!!
(((HUGS))) Maria

I understand
This must have been hard for you to hear, but try to believe that the gemzar will work. I'll bet it does. Keep us posted, please.

Cheers, Jo

poopergirl14052 said:

sending encouragement
I have never been on Gemzar..I hear it takes awhile for your #'s to come down.. In general. how are you feeling? Pull up those teal big girl panties and kick cancer butt....val

I second Val...kick cancer
I second Val...kick cancer butt...switching chemos has helped a lot of people and keeps the cancer from resisting. You almost always seem to have to try a different combo to get results.

karen1951 said:

thanks val and all you other
thanks val and all you other wonderful girls who offer hope and encouragement. i can already hear the "crackling" sounds coming back in my left lung which probably indicates it's filling up with fluid again...just had it drained a week ago...the doctor is suggesting blowing talc into the space between the lung and rib which produces inflammation to seal the space so there's nowhere for the fluid to build up....so where will it go? im sure, into the abdomen...guess it's easier to drain it from there than the lungs all the time. i just feel like the cancer is getting way ahead of the chemo treatment. but, like you girls always say, i'm gonna pull up my big girl panties and give it all i've got! thanks to all for your love and support....my prayers go out to all of us.....karen

TAKE HEART, KAREN
I can't comment on Gemzar, but I sure can send lots of prayers and hugs. As you can see, there's lots of encouragement here, and for good reason. Many women have been where you are and are still moving forward.

My heartfelt prayers to you, Karen. Keep us informed. You are a fighter!

(((Hugs)))
Monika