Will start third round of chemo

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Comments

  • Tresia23
    Tresia23 Member Posts: 77
    Travelling for treatment
    Dear Ro, I just read your post. I am sorry to hear your news. I hope the chemo will shrink those lymph nodes and get you back some comfort.I can really relate to the long trips for treatment as I travel by car and train to see my oncologist. It is tiring but she is the best and I really trust her. Take good care of yourself and know that we are all keeping your in our hearts. May you be peaceful in mind and body.
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    Tresia23 said:

    Travelling for treatment
    Dear Ro, I just read your post. I am sorry to hear your news. I hope the chemo will shrink those lymph nodes and get you back some comfort.I can really relate to the long trips for treatment as I travel by car and train to see my oncologist. It is tiring but she is the best and I really trust her. Take good care of yourself and know that we are all keeping your in our hearts. May you be peaceful in mind and body.

    Thank you everyone for your kind words and encouragement
    I appreciate all your comments. I had day number one ofchemowithCisplatin today. Went to lab at 7:00, doctor at 8:00, really 9:00. Then went to the infusion center. Got taken at 9:30, but did not get anything started until 11:30. Finished at 5:45. Long day. But ihave no metallic taste yet,so that is good. I go back to the infusion center at 8:30 tomorrow for my 5 hour Taxol infusion.

    My Ca 125 raised to 3240. Hope it drops as quickly as the Carbo dropped it last time.

    The oncologist was going to talk to the original prescribing doctor about the blood thinner shots. He thinks I should be able to go on the pills. He is going to let me know what they suggest. When I reviewed my lab work, I discovered that my liver enzymes have elevated since I started on the lovenox shots. I don' t think they even looked at those results. They focus only on the blood counts. Just like on the CAT scan they only focused on the enlarged nodes. I had to point out the pulmonary emboli that were mentioned. So I hope I can go on Coumadin and if the platelets drop go back on the shots.

    I feel really good tonight........steroids!!! I am hoping for another good day tomorrow.

    Hope everyone is having a GOOD day, too. In peace and caring.
  • imackie48
    imackie48 Member Posts: 96
    Ro10 said:

    Thank you everyone for your kind words and encouragement
    I appreciate all your comments. I had day number one ofchemowithCisplatin today. Went to lab at 7:00, doctor at 8:00, really 9:00. Then went to the infusion center. Got taken at 9:30, but did not get anything started until 11:30. Finished at 5:45. Long day. But ihave no metallic taste yet,so that is good. I go back to the infusion center at 8:30 tomorrow for my 5 hour Taxol infusion.

    My Ca 125 raised to 3240. Hope it drops as quickly as the Carbo dropped it last time.

    The oncologist was going to talk to the original prescribing doctor about the blood thinner shots. He thinks I should be able to go on the pills. He is going to let me know what they suggest. When I reviewed my lab work, I discovered that my liver enzymes have elevated since I started on the lovenox shots. I don' t think they even looked at those results. They focus only on the blood counts. Just like on the CAT scan they only focused on the enlarged nodes. I had to point out the pulmonary emboli that were mentioned. So I hope I can go on Coumadin and if the platelets drop go back on the shots.

    I feel really good tonight........steroids!!! I am hoping for another good day tomorrow.

    Hope everyone is having a GOOD day, too. In peace and caring.

    Keep us posted
    Ro, please let us know how your doing, i know your are a trooper and have the best attitude I've ever seen anyone have.
    Do you have a good support group where your are living at TI.? I started healing touch therapy hope it helps to restore my energy.
    God Bless
    Irene
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    imackie48 said:

    Keep us posted
    Ro, please let us know how your doing, i know your are a trooper and have the best attitude I've ever seen anyone have.
    Do you have a good support group where your are living at TI.? I started healing touch therapy hope it helps to restore my energy.
    God Bless
    Irene

    Had day 2 with Taxol today
    Had another uneventful day with the taxol today. I like those uneventful days. We got there at 8:30 and left at 3:00,so it was a shorter day today. Don't think I will be able to get both drugs on the same day. It would be nice, but I would rather the drugs are give slowly and have no reactions.

    I talked to the doctor today about the possibility of going on Coumadin rather than the shots. He said the NCCN guidelines recommend a minimum of 6 months of the shots. However because my liver enzymes increased after a week of being on the shots, I will have repeat liver enzymes drawn on Monday. If they increase more I won't be able to take the shots. This is the first time I am hoping for an increase in a bad lab report. I would really like to not take the shots for 6 months. My abdomen is already wonderful shades of green, yellow, and purple bruises. Some of the bruises are about two inch circles. You are not supposed to inject in a bruised area. I think I will run out of places!

    A friend told me no more mid drift tops or bikinis. She said it might look like interesting tattoo art! It is nice to have friends with a sense of humor.

    Hope everyone had a gooddaytoday. In peace and caring. Mary Ann waiting to hear about your results and plan.
  • JoAnnDK
    JoAnnDK Member Posts: 275
    Ro10 said:

    Had day 2 with Taxol today
    Had another uneventful day with the taxol today. I like those uneventful days. We got there at 8:30 and left at 3:00,so it was a shorter day today. Don't think I will be able to get both drugs on the same day. It would be nice, but I would rather the drugs are give slowly and have no reactions.

    I talked to the doctor today about the possibility of going on Coumadin rather than the shots. He said the NCCN guidelines recommend a minimum of 6 months of the shots. However because my liver enzymes increased after a week of being on the shots, I will have repeat liver enzymes drawn on Monday. If they increase more I won't be able to take the shots. This is the first time I am hoping for an increase in a bad lab report. I would really like to not take the shots for 6 months. My abdomen is already wonderful shades of green, yellow, and purple bruises. Some of the bruises are about two inch circles. You are not supposed to inject in a bruised area. I think I will run out of places!

    A friend told me no more mid drift tops or bikinis. She said it might look like interesting tattoo art! It is nice to have friends with a sense of humor.

    Hope everyone had a gooddaytoday. In peace and caring. Mary Ann waiting to hear about your results and plan.

    Ro, did you have to tell your doctor about the increased liver enzymes or did he read the report on his own? Isn't it so discouraging to think of what is overlooked?

    JoAnn
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    JoAnnDK said:

    Ro, did you have to tell your doctor about the increased liver enzymes or did he read the report on his own? Isn't it so discouraging to think of what is overlooked?

    JoAnn

    Ro
    You really are a trooper - two full days of chemo!! I hope you don't have to have those expensive and bruising shots for 6 months. Guidelines are just guidelines - I think they need to be individualized and not just rubber stamps.

    I'm glad that metallic taste is not bothering you. Hope you are getting some rest now. Do you get neulasta shots too??

    Hugs, Mary Ann
  • HellieC
    HellieC Member Posts: 524 Member
    Ro10 said:

    Had day 2 with Taxol today
    Had another uneventful day with the taxol today. I like those uneventful days. We got there at 8:30 and left at 3:00,so it was a shorter day today. Don't think I will be able to get both drugs on the same day. It would be nice, but I would rather the drugs are give slowly and have no reactions.

    I talked to the doctor today about the possibility of going on Coumadin rather than the shots. He said the NCCN guidelines recommend a minimum of 6 months of the shots. However because my liver enzymes increased after a week of being on the shots, I will have repeat liver enzymes drawn on Monday. If they increase more I won't be able to take the shots. This is the first time I am hoping for an increase in a bad lab report. I would really like to not take the shots for 6 months. My abdomen is already wonderful shades of green, yellow, and purple bruises. Some of the bruises are about two inch circles. You are not supposed to inject in a bruised area. I think I will run out of places!

    A friend told me no more mid drift tops or bikinis. She said it might look like interesting tattoo art! It is nice to have friends with a sense of humor.

    Hope everyone had a gooddaytoday. In peace and caring. Mary Ann waiting to hear about your results and plan.

    You're doing so well, Ro
    I am pleased that the chemo is progressing OK, Ro, although it is a long two days for you - you are a real trouper.
    But it's good to have friends who joke with us and treat us "normally" isn't it? So many people don't know what to say or do and avoid any discussion on the "c" word! I value so much the friends who just "dug in" with me, and continued to pull my leg and make me laugh - they helped me keep a sense of perspective and get some joy out of what is a pretty dire situation.
    Hang on in there, Ro, you are showing us the way.
    Kindest wishes
    Helen
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    JoAnnDK said:

    Ro, did you have to tell your doctor about the increased liver enzymes or did he read the report on his own? Isn't it so discouraging to think of what is overlooked?

    JoAnn

    JoAnn I had to point out the increase in the liver enzymes
    I also had to point out the mention of pulmonary emboli on the CATscan, too. Just glad I ask for all my copies of lab and CAT scan reports. My husband asked about lab results when I saw the doctor, and they said everything is good. They commented on my 14 hemoglobin, saying they never see that high of a hemoglobin in their clinic. Then when I got to the infusion lab I asked for the copy of labs, since the doctor did not have the CA 125 report yet. That's when I saw the increased liver enzymes.

    I think the onocologist only focuses on oncology issues------ enlarged lymph nodes, red blood cell counts, white blood cell count, and platelet counts. I am just glad I know what else to look for when I review my results.

    Hearing that Diane had a stroke ,makes me concerned with the multiple blood lots I have in my lungs. They are in both lower lungs, the right middle and right upper lung. Since I have had no symptoms and my oxygen level is good, I hope that means they are small and the body will absorb them quickly, and the blood thinner will keep more from forming. Dianewas treated for blood clots in her lungs earlier, for those who did not know that.

    Mary Ann I only had to get Nuelasta shots with my last two sessions of chemo after I had an abdominal abscess and was in the hospital for a week. My second round of chemo I had no problems. They think the abscess was an infected lymph node. That my colon was nicked from the robotic surgery since the node had e-coli in it. My surgery was in Jan and the infection did not surface until June.

    Had some nausea last night after I got home. Had to take both zofran and compazine. No nausea so far this morning. And luckily no metallic taste yet. Wishing everyone a great weekend. In peace and caring.
  • snowbird_11
    snowbird_11 Member Posts: 160
    Ro10 said:

    JoAnn I had to point out the increase in the liver enzymes
    I also had to point out the mention of pulmonary emboli on the CATscan, too. Just glad I ask for all my copies of lab and CAT scan reports. My husband asked about lab results when I saw the doctor, and they said everything is good. They commented on my 14 hemoglobin, saying they never see that high of a hemoglobin in their clinic. Then when I got to the infusion lab I asked for the copy of labs, since the doctor did not have the CA 125 report yet. That's when I saw the increased liver enzymes.

    I think the onocologist only focuses on oncology issues------ enlarged lymph nodes, red blood cell counts, white blood cell count, and platelet counts. I am just glad I know what else to look for when I review my results.

    Hearing that Diane had a stroke ,makes me concerned with the multiple blood lots I have in my lungs. They are in both lower lungs, the right middle and right upper lung. Since I have had no symptoms and my oxygen level is good, I hope that means they are small and the body will absorb them quickly, and the blood thinner will keep more from forming. Dianewas treated for blood clots in her lungs earlier, for those who did not know that.

    Mary Ann I only had to get Nuelasta shots with my last two sessions of chemo after I had an abdominal abscess and was in the hospital for a week. My second round of chemo I had no problems. They think the abscess was an infected lymph node. That my colon was nicked from the robotic surgery since the node had e-coli in it. My surgery was in Jan and the infection did not surface until June.

    Had some nausea last night after I got home. Had to take both zofran and compazine. No nausea so far this morning. And luckily no metallic taste yet. Wishing everyone a great weekend. In peace and caring.

    When I had been on gemzar
    When I had been on gemzar for about 7 months in 2010 my liver enzymes started rising. My gyn-onc never mentioned this either but I asked about it. I was told up 2.5 times highest normal value was limit for holding off chemo. They did return to normal after stopping treatment (due to temporary NED status). So for you it is possible that the combo of chemo and the blood thinner is affecting yours. The chemo nurse in infusion center told me that is something they look at in test results and anything out of set parameters require a Dr sign off on treatments.

    Hope that metallic taste holds off for you as well as keeping nausea in check. You seem to have good stamina for tolerating as much chemo as you have had! I hope my body can handle it as well.

    Sending positive thoughts your way for getting issues back under control quickly.
    Annie
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    HellieC said:

    You're doing so well, Ro
    I am pleased that the chemo is progressing OK, Ro, although it is a long two days for you - you are a real trouper.
    But it's good to have friends who joke with us and treat us "normally" isn't it? So many people don't know what to say or do and avoid any discussion on the "c" word! I value so much the friends who just "dug in" with me, and continued to pull my leg and make me laugh - they helped me keep a sense of perspective and get some joy out of what is a pretty dire situation.
    Hang on in there, Ro, you are showing us the way.
    Kindest wishes
    Helen

    Survived the first week after first sessions of chemo
    Had much more nausea this week than other times. The Emend and zofran and compazine did not really help. I had constant nausea for four days. Luckily no vomiting. Today was a much better day, but still needed zofran this morning. Hope that is it for the nausea. luckily I do not have the metallic taste, yet.

    Still continue with the blood thinner shots. The insurance company does not want to pay anything for the shots. Need further justification that they are necessary!! The primary care I started with down here does not have enough information (she says) to order the refills. She wants me to see a lung doctor and have him order the refills for the shots. This is so frustrating. You would think I was trying to get strong narcotics just for the fun of it.

    My primary care back in IL is contacting the insurance company. Sure hope everything can be worked out before I need my refill. And I hope I do not have to pay the full price for the medicine. . I still have no symptoms of the blood clots, so that is a good thing.

    Wishing everyone a good weekend. In peace and caring.
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    Ro10 said:

    Survived the first week after first sessions of chemo
    Had much more nausea this week than other times. The Emend and zofran and compazine did not really help. I had constant nausea for four days. Luckily no vomiting. Today was a much better day, but still needed zofran this morning. Hope that is it for the nausea. luckily I do not have the metallic taste, yet.

    Still continue with the blood thinner shots. The insurance company does not want to pay anything for the shots. Need further justification that they are necessary!! The primary care I started with down here does not have enough information (she says) to order the refills. She wants me to see a lung doctor and have him order the refills for the shots. This is so frustrating. You would think I was trying to get strong narcotics just for the fun of it.

    My primary care back in IL is contacting the insurance company. Sure hope everything can be worked out before I need my refill. And I hope I do not have to pay the full price for the medicine. . I still have no symptoms of the blood clots, so that is a good thing.

    Wishing everyone a good weekend. In peace and caring.

    Not my job!
    Hi Ro-
    It seems when we get in the hands of sub,sub specialists, they each have their jobs and won't cross the line into what they see as someone else's. That being said, having a lung doctor's opinion sure can't hurt. And I definitely hope your insurance company will get the information they need! I imagine having two residences and 2 sets of docs can complicate some things, but geez!

    Shortly after my hysterectomy and before beginning chemo for breast cancer, I got a jury summons. I thought it would be simple. My next doctor appointment was with the gyn oncologist, so I figured he could sign off on it. Nope. He wouldn't sign it because from his perspective, I would be able to serve on a jury. The chemo wasn't his job. Oh, the things we learn on this journey.

    I suppose it's a good thing that your primary care physician didn't feel comfortable filling the rx - just in case. But I know this has got to be frustrating.

    So sorry about the nausea - even with all those meds. Have you tried ginger ale? Sometimes the simple things help. Sometimes not.

    One chemo down. How many more?

    Wishing you the best,
    Suzanne
  • snowbird_11
    snowbird_11 Member Posts: 160
    Ro10 said:

    Survived the first week after first sessions of chemo
    Had much more nausea this week than other times. The Emend and zofran and compazine did not really help. I had constant nausea for four days. Luckily no vomiting. Today was a much better day, but still needed zofran this morning. Hope that is it for the nausea. luckily I do not have the metallic taste, yet.

    Still continue with the blood thinner shots. The insurance company does not want to pay anything for the shots. Need further justification that they are necessary!! The primary care I started with down here does not have enough information (she says) to order the refills. She wants me to see a lung doctor and have him order the refills for the shots. This is so frustrating. You would think I was trying to get strong narcotics just for the fun of it.

    My primary care back in IL is contacting the insurance company. Sure hope everything can be worked out before I need my refill. And I hope I do not have to pay the full price for the medicine. . I still have no symptoms of the blood clots, so that is a good thing.

    Wishing everyone a good weekend. In peace and caring.

    Sorry you have had such a
    Sorry you have had such a time with the nausea this go-round, Ro. I do hope you have now made it over the hump for this cycle but the last thing you need are the insurance issues. Although your 2-state/2 sets of doctors must add to your challenges, the upside of being able to live in best climes of the two locales hopefully eases a little of the frustration.
    Hope you can enjoy the rest of this cycle.
    Annie