Chemo tomorrow & 1st CA125 since I started carboplatin

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Comments

  • MoeKay
    MoeKay Member Posts: 476 Member
    susafina said:

    Good News
    Hi Linda,
    I am very happy to hear your good news. Let/s focus on that. You have the right to be frustrated with your counts. Sometimes your body does become refractory to platelets if you get frequent transfusion. But it usually occurs only if you recieve a lot of transfusions. Sometimes you will get platlets that really boost your counts. this occurs if the donor is a real close match. Get your family to donate if possible.
    I am so glad you did respond to the carbo and for that I am glad for you. So lets focus on that for now.
    I will be sending good vibes to you from the platlet fairy so your counts go up!!
    SUE

    Terrific News!
    Hi Linda,

    That's really terrific news about the significant drop in your CA-125!! I'm so happy for you.

    I'm sorry about the low platelets, but I'm thinking outloud that perhaps the brief delay and fractionated dose in receiving your carbo may work in your favor to keep you from developing an allergic reaction to the drug??

    Maureen
  • Songflower
    Songflower Member Posts: 608
    MoeKay said:

    Terrific News!
    Hi Linda,

    That's really terrific news about the significant drop in your CA-125!! I'm so happy for you.

    I'm sorry about the low platelets, but I'm thinking outloud that perhaps the brief delay and fractionated dose in receiving your carbo may work in your favor to keep you from developing an allergic reaction to the drug??

    Maureen

    Happy Happy, Happy Good News!
    Wow, it's working! You seem to do well on fractionized dosing with the platelets so I have this feeling that this will work for you. Once you got into the routine with taxol you did so well. You will this time too.

    I knew there were medications out there to help you. I just knew it. You've had a rough year and you have handled it with courage and graciousness. I am proud of you.

    Love,
    Diane
  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member

    My GOOD (wonderful!) news and my bad news....
    FIRST THE GOOD NEWS: My CA125 dropped 60 points! It's still in the 200's, but this is the first labs in FOREVER where my CA125 went DOWN, so I am very optimistic that carboplatin will get my cancer back under control! I needed this little ray of hope so badly and I'm so happy for this blessing!

    NOW THE BAD NEWS: The bad news (which still can't overshadow the GOOD news in my mind) is that I was unable to get my chemo today because my platelets took a dive to 10,000. So I ended up getting a platelet transfusion today instead. (a bag of platelets looks like a bad of yellow snot, by the way). We scheduled another blood lab and carboplatin at 1/3 strength for next Thursday, and are going to try fractionating the carboplatin and I'll get this chemo weekly at 1/3 strength and see if that will be enough for me to be able to safely get the treatments. It would suck if I found something that appears to be working and my body wasn't strong enough to tolerate it. When I got taxol fractionated-&-weekly it made it an easy chemo, so I'm hoping the fractionated carbo dosage will be easy too. We will see.

    My chemo oncologist is so funny. He came running back to the chemo lounge when I was getting my transfusion, all smiles, with my good CA125 news. With him, "no news is bad news", and he always makes me phone to get my test results when they aren't good. But he LOVES to deliver GOOD news and always does that personally. I guess I'd be like that if I were an oncologist, for my own sanity. Anyway, it's been a LONG time since he's had good news to deliver to me and he almost skipped on his way to tell me, sincerely happy for me.

    1 tidbit of knowledge I picked up today to share: If you get repeated platelet transfusions, your body will start to reject the platelets, so platelet transfusions have to be saved for really low low counts. He said he'd never make it a routine practice of giving me regular platelet transfusions just so I can stay on carboplatin; we'd try fractionating or lowering the dosage or adding in extra days between infusions, or even change chemo drugs, before he would give me monthly platelet transfusions just so I could stay on carbo.

    I'll let you all know if I'm able to get my chemo next week. Your support and posts help me more than you can know, THANK YOU ALL! So it looks like I won't be feeling post-chemo yukky for New Years Eve and better get to the store for champagne and pork-and-saurkraut for a little celebration with my man! :D

    Great good news!
    Linda, it

    Great good news!

    Linda, it has been awhile for you and you sure can use some good news. What a nice doc you have too! It makes you feel so much better to have a doctor who can connect emotionally with you.

    Thanks for all the information that you provide. It has helped me with a lot of my decisions and doctor visits.

    So enjoy the New Year! You sure deserve it!

    Kathy

    P.S.

    To all who are here, I will raise a champagne toast to you!
  • nempark
    nempark Member Posts: 681

    My GOOD (wonderful!) news and my bad news....
    FIRST THE GOOD NEWS: My CA125 dropped 60 points! It's still in the 200's, but this is the first labs in FOREVER where my CA125 went DOWN, so I am very optimistic that carboplatin will get my cancer back under control! I needed this little ray of hope so badly and I'm so happy for this blessing!

    NOW THE BAD NEWS: The bad news (which still can't overshadow the GOOD news in my mind) is that I was unable to get my chemo today because my platelets took a dive to 10,000. So I ended up getting a platelet transfusion today instead. (a bag of platelets looks like a bad of yellow snot, by the way). We scheduled another blood lab and carboplatin at 1/3 strength for next Thursday, and are going to try fractionating the carboplatin and I'll get this chemo weekly at 1/3 strength and see if that will be enough for me to be able to safely get the treatments. It would suck if I found something that appears to be working and my body wasn't strong enough to tolerate it. When I got taxol fractionated-&-weekly it made it an easy chemo, so I'm hoping the fractionated carbo dosage will be easy too. We will see.

    My chemo oncologist is so funny. He came running back to the chemo lounge when I was getting my transfusion, all smiles, with my good CA125 news. With him, "no news is bad news", and he always makes me phone to get my test results when they aren't good. But he LOVES to deliver GOOD news and always does that personally. I guess I'd be like that if I were an oncologist, for my own sanity. Anyway, it's been a LONG time since he's had good news to deliver to me and he almost skipped on his way to tell me, sincerely happy for me.

    1 tidbit of knowledge I picked up today to share: If you get repeated platelet transfusions, your body will start to reject the platelets, so platelet transfusions have to be saved for really low low counts. He said he'd never make it a routine practice of giving me regular platelet transfusions just so I can stay on carboplatin; we'd try fractionating or lowering the dosage or adding in extra days between infusions, or even change chemo drugs, before he would give me monthly platelet transfusions just so I could stay on carbo.

    I'll let you all know if I'm able to get my chemo next week. Your support and posts help me more than you can know, THANK YOU ALL! So it looks like I won't be feeling post-chemo yukky for New Years Eve and better get to the store for champagne and pork-and-saurkraut for a little celebration with my man! :D

    Linda: The same way you saw your doc running back to the chemo lounge, that is exactly how I went running to my husband to tell him the good news. All smiles. Be well my darling, and go celebrate with your man. June.
  • lociee
    lociee Member Posts: 102
    Kaleena said:

    Great good news!
    Linda, it

    Great good news!

    Linda, it has been awhile for you and you sure can use some good news. What a nice doc you have too! It makes you feel so much better to have a doctor who can connect emotionally with you.

    Thanks for all the information that you provide. It has helped me with a lot of my decisions and doctor visits.

    So enjoy the New Year! You sure deserve it!

    Kathy

    P.S.

    To all who are here, I will raise a champagne toast to you!

    ca 125
    That is good news! Your CA 125 is such a good marker - and your oncologist is such a dear man. Good thing you took advantage of all those after christmas sales!
  • TiggersDoBounce
    TiggersDoBounce Member Posts: 408
    Linda
    Sending prayers your way.....

    Laurie
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980

    Linda
    Sending prayers your way.....

    Laurie

    Couldn't get chemo AGAIN this week because platelets so low!!
    Last week when I went to get my 2nd infusion of carboplatin (really my 8th counting the 6 carbo/taxol I had in 2008/2009), my labs showed my platelets at a VERY dangerous 10,000 and I had to get a platelet transfusion instead of my chemo. So we re-scheduled chemo for today, and planned on me getting the carboplatin at 1/3 strength and every week instead of every 3 weeks at full strength.

    So, this morning I went in for my pre-chemo labs and my platelets are still only 45,000, less than half the 100,000 they need to be to get chemo. So I'm back home again with no chemo in me, and an appointment next week to get new labs and a consultation to come up with a new strategy if my platelets don't rebound in a huge way. (I think they may try Gemzar next). I'll phone tomorrow to get my CA125 from this morning, just out of curiosity to see if carbo is worth fighting for if it gives me a further number drop.)

    I'm SOOOOO frustrated that my bone marrow is no longer strong enough to tolerate the 1st drug that really seems to be working and actually dropped my CA125!! There is a lot to be said for taking a 'watch and wait' attitude to chemo apparently, as it does you no good to take constant chemo to keep your cancer under control if you ruin your bone marrow doing that, and then can't get powerful chemo drugs when you need them.

    So that's how I am looking at this. I am being forced to take a little break from chemo; my body is trying to tell me something. So I get another week off. And instead of feeling post-carbo yukky this afternoon, I feel physically great! & I'm going to try and live in the moment and enjoy this extra week of feeling good and not worry about something I can't control.
  • Songflower
    Songflower Member Posts: 608

    Couldn't get chemo AGAIN this week because platelets so low!!
    Last week when I went to get my 2nd infusion of carboplatin (really my 8th counting the 6 carbo/taxol I had in 2008/2009), my labs showed my platelets at a VERY dangerous 10,000 and I had to get a platelet transfusion instead of my chemo. So we re-scheduled chemo for today, and planned on me getting the carboplatin at 1/3 strength and every week instead of every 3 weeks at full strength.

    So, this morning I went in for my pre-chemo labs and my platelets are still only 45,000, less than half the 100,000 they need to be to get chemo. So I'm back home again with no chemo in me, and an appointment next week to get new labs and a consultation to come up with a new strategy if my platelets don't rebound in a huge way. (I think they may try Gemzar next). I'll phone tomorrow to get my CA125 from this morning, just out of curiosity to see if carbo is worth fighting for if it gives me a further number drop.)

    I'm SOOOOO frustrated that my bone marrow is no longer strong enough to tolerate the 1st drug that really seems to be working and actually dropped my CA125!! There is a lot to be said for taking a 'watch and wait' attitude to chemo apparently, as it does you no good to take constant chemo to keep your cancer under control if you ruin your bone marrow doing that, and then can't get powerful chemo drugs when you need them.

    So that's how I am looking at this. I am being forced to take a little break from chemo; my body is trying to tell me something. So I get another week off. And instead of feeling post-carbo yukky this afternoon, I feel physically great! & I'm going to try and live in the moment and enjoy this extra week of feeling good and not worry about something I can't control.

    You are a strong woman
    Damn! This can be so frustrating. You have the right attitude. You need to take care of you. On my 8th doxil my platelets stayed low at the end. YOu are right; we do need a break from all this chemo. Platelets seem to be the problem for all of us.

    Take care of yourself and relax. You have an amazing attitude. I don't think a week off is that much of a risk. We are here if you need us. Is your garden buried in snow? How about a nice massage? A new outfit?

    Love you,
    Diane
  • Songflower
    Songflower Member Posts: 608

    Couldn't get chemo AGAIN this week because platelets so low!!
    Last week when I went to get my 2nd infusion of carboplatin (really my 8th counting the 6 carbo/taxol I had in 2008/2009), my labs showed my platelets at a VERY dangerous 10,000 and I had to get a platelet transfusion instead of my chemo. So we re-scheduled chemo for today, and planned on me getting the carboplatin at 1/3 strength and every week instead of every 3 weeks at full strength.

    So, this morning I went in for my pre-chemo labs and my platelets are still only 45,000, less than half the 100,000 they need to be to get chemo. So I'm back home again with no chemo in me, and an appointment next week to get new labs and a consultation to come up with a new strategy if my platelets don't rebound in a huge way. (I think they may try Gemzar next). I'll phone tomorrow to get my CA125 from this morning, just out of curiosity to see if carbo is worth fighting for if it gives me a further number drop.)

    I'm SOOOOO frustrated that my bone marrow is no longer strong enough to tolerate the 1st drug that really seems to be working and actually dropped my CA125!! There is a lot to be said for taking a 'watch and wait' attitude to chemo apparently, as it does you no good to take constant chemo to keep your cancer under control if you ruin your bone marrow doing that, and then can't get powerful chemo drugs when you need them.

    So that's how I am looking at this. I am being forced to take a little break from chemo; my body is trying to tell me something. So I get another week off. And instead of feeling post-carbo yukky this afternoon, I feel physically great! & I'm going to try and live in the moment and enjoy this extra week of feeling good and not worry about something I can't control.

    You are a strong woman
    Damn! This can be so frustrating. You have the right attitude. You need to take care of you. On my 8th doxil my platelets stayed low at the end. YOu are right; we do need a break from all this chemo. Platelets seem to be the problem for all of us.

    Take care of yourself and relax. You have an amazing attitude. I don't think a week off is that much of a risk. We are here if you need us. Is your garden buried in snow? How about a nice massage? A new outfit?

    Love you,
    Diane
  • Always Hopeful
    Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234

    Couldn't get chemo AGAIN this week because platelets so low!!
    Last week when I went to get my 2nd infusion of carboplatin (really my 8th counting the 6 carbo/taxol I had in 2008/2009), my labs showed my platelets at a VERY dangerous 10,000 and I had to get a platelet transfusion instead of my chemo. So we re-scheduled chemo for today, and planned on me getting the carboplatin at 1/3 strength and every week instead of every 3 weeks at full strength.

    So, this morning I went in for my pre-chemo labs and my platelets are still only 45,000, less than half the 100,000 they need to be to get chemo. So I'm back home again with no chemo in me, and an appointment next week to get new labs and a consultation to come up with a new strategy if my platelets don't rebound in a huge way. (I think they may try Gemzar next). I'll phone tomorrow to get my CA125 from this morning, just out of curiosity to see if carbo is worth fighting for if it gives me a further number drop.)

    I'm SOOOOO frustrated that my bone marrow is no longer strong enough to tolerate the 1st drug that really seems to be working and actually dropped my CA125!! There is a lot to be said for taking a 'watch and wait' attitude to chemo apparently, as it does you no good to take constant chemo to keep your cancer under control if you ruin your bone marrow doing that, and then can't get powerful chemo drugs when you need them.

    So that's how I am looking at this. I am being forced to take a little break from chemo; my body is trying to tell me something. So I get another week off. And instead of feeling post-carbo yukky this afternoon, I feel physically great! & I'm going to try and live in the moment and enjoy this extra week of feeling good and not worry about something I can't control.

    Linda
    I'm pleased to read in your last paragraph that you are NOT going to let this get you down. Living in the moment is exactly what we all need to do...although not always easy.

    Gemzar has been quite beneficial for me with minimall side effects. Even with pneumonia, a UTI and sinus infection I was diagnosed with on 12/22/10, my numbers were good enough for me to not have to be hospitalized.

    Keep the faith and stay strong. Enjoy your extra non-yukky week!

    Peace and hope, JJ
  • nempark
    nempark Member Posts: 681

    Couldn't get chemo AGAIN this week because platelets so low!!
    Last week when I went to get my 2nd infusion of carboplatin (really my 8th counting the 6 carbo/taxol I had in 2008/2009), my labs showed my platelets at a VERY dangerous 10,000 and I had to get a platelet transfusion instead of my chemo. So we re-scheduled chemo for today, and planned on me getting the carboplatin at 1/3 strength and every week instead of every 3 weeks at full strength.

    So, this morning I went in for my pre-chemo labs and my platelets are still only 45,000, less than half the 100,000 they need to be to get chemo. So I'm back home again with no chemo in me, and an appointment next week to get new labs and a consultation to come up with a new strategy if my platelets don't rebound in a huge way. (I think they may try Gemzar next). I'll phone tomorrow to get my CA125 from this morning, just out of curiosity to see if carbo is worth fighting for if it gives me a further number drop.)

    I'm SOOOOO frustrated that my bone marrow is no longer strong enough to tolerate the 1st drug that really seems to be working and actually dropped my CA125!! There is a lot to be said for taking a 'watch and wait' attitude to chemo apparently, as it does you no good to take constant chemo to keep your cancer under control if you ruin your bone marrow doing that, and then can't get powerful chemo drugs when you need them.

    So that's how I am looking at this. I am being forced to take a little break from chemo; my body is trying to tell me something. So I get another week off. And instead of feeling post-carbo yukky this afternoon, I feel physically great! & I'm going to try and live in the moment and enjoy this extra week of feeling good and not worry about something I can't control.

    Enjoy!!!
    I cannot tell you not to worry because we all know how that is. I have been looking for your post and I am happy to know that you do feel physically great. Enjoy your week off. May our Great Creator bless you and give you the strength and health to conquer this disease. Lots of hugs. June
  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member

    Couldn't get chemo AGAIN this week because platelets so low!!
    Last week when I went to get my 2nd infusion of carboplatin (really my 8th counting the 6 carbo/taxol I had in 2008/2009), my labs showed my platelets at a VERY dangerous 10,000 and I had to get a platelet transfusion instead of my chemo. So we re-scheduled chemo for today, and planned on me getting the carboplatin at 1/3 strength and every week instead of every 3 weeks at full strength.

    So, this morning I went in for my pre-chemo labs and my platelets are still only 45,000, less than half the 100,000 they need to be to get chemo. So I'm back home again with no chemo in me, and an appointment next week to get new labs and a consultation to come up with a new strategy if my platelets don't rebound in a huge way. (I think they may try Gemzar next). I'll phone tomorrow to get my CA125 from this morning, just out of curiosity to see if carbo is worth fighting for if it gives me a further number drop.)

    I'm SOOOOO frustrated that my bone marrow is no longer strong enough to tolerate the 1st drug that really seems to be working and actually dropped my CA125!! There is a lot to be said for taking a 'watch and wait' attitude to chemo apparently, as it does you no good to take constant chemo to keep your cancer under control if you ruin your bone marrow doing that, and then can't get powerful chemo drugs when you need them.

    So that's how I am looking at this. I am being forced to take a little break from chemo; my body is trying to tell me something. So I get another week off. And instead of feeling post-carbo yukky this afternoon, I feel physically great! & I'm going to try and live in the moment and enjoy this extra week of feeling good and not worry about something I can't control.

    Linda sorry your platelets continue to be low
    I know you must be frustrated. I know how you want to do all you can to beat this cancer. You still have a great attitude which I truly admire.

    Your expression about "watch and wait" attitude with chemo is what my Florida Gyn/ono told me last year in November (when he told me I would be on chemo within the year). That he wanted to wait as long as possible so the bone marrow can handle the chemo when needed most. I think I will need chemo soon, but I have had 17 months of being chemo-free, for which I am very thankful. It has been 2 years since my surgery in Jan, 2009. When I remember all that you have been through, I am so thankful.

    I too am "living in the moment". Tom and I are going on another cruise. We are going on the Norwegian Epic which is one of the ships which holds 4000 passengers. We are going to the Caribbean. We tried to positive and booked the cruise, and then took out travel insurance in case we could not go. I am so glad that we did not need to use the travel insurance.

    I am tolerating the "hormone therapy" with minimal side effects. The only thing I have noticed is my "hot flashes" are hotter, more frequent and last longer. So I hope that means the pills are working.

    I hope your platelets continue to increase, and you can get back on a treatment plan. In peace and caring.
  • maggie_wilson
    maggie_wilson Member Posts: 596
    Ro10 said:

    Linda sorry your platelets continue to be low
    I know you must be frustrated. I know how you want to do all you can to beat this cancer. You still have a great attitude which I truly admire.

    Your expression about "watch and wait" attitude with chemo is what my Florida Gyn/ono told me last year in November (when he told me I would be on chemo within the year). That he wanted to wait as long as possible so the bone marrow can handle the chemo when needed most. I think I will need chemo soon, but I have had 17 months of being chemo-free, for which I am very thankful. It has been 2 years since my surgery in Jan, 2009. When I remember all that you have been through, I am so thankful.

    I too am "living in the moment". Tom and I are going on another cruise. We are going on the Norwegian Epic which is one of the ships which holds 4000 passengers. We are going to the Caribbean. We tried to positive and booked the cruise, and then took out travel insurance in case we could not go. I am so glad that we did not need to use the travel insurance.

    I am tolerating the "hormone therapy" with minimal side effects. The only thing I have noticed is my "hot flashes" are hotter, more frequent and last longer. So I hope that means the pills are working.

    I hope your platelets continue to increase, and you can get back on a treatment plan. In peace and caring.

    linda, darn those low platelet numbers
    here's hoping your platelets rebound, as they should, and you'll be back on the chemo that has been lowering your ca 125. it's just one trial after the other..... i believe the platelets will be soon up to snuff, you'll be able to take the fractionated carbo, and it will work. i honestly believe this. i have always had faith in your overall health and well being, and despite the temporary setbacks, you will prevail.

    it makes me glad that you will be able to enjoy the weeks off chemo and feel good doing so. there's no rush. let your body heal enough so that it can withstand what comes next. there are always choices, different kinds of treatment protocols, etc. in the meantime, do all the things that give you pleasure; we're all planning on seeing you through this.

    love and sisterhood,
    maggie
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member

    linda, darn those low platelet numbers
    here's hoping your platelets rebound, as they should, and you'll be back on the chemo that has been lowering your ca 125. it's just one trial after the other..... i believe the platelets will be soon up to snuff, you'll be able to take the fractionated carbo, and it will work. i honestly believe this. i have always had faith in your overall health and well being, and despite the temporary setbacks, you will prevail.

    it makes me glad that you will be able to enjoy the weeks off chemo and feel good doing so. there's no rush. let your body heal enough so that it can withstand what comes next. there are always choices, different kinds of treatment protocols, etc. in the meantime, do all the things that give you pleasure; we're all planning on seeing you through this.

    love and sisterhood,
    maggie

    Something that might help
    Linda, I apologize for not being part of this conversation earlier. I have not been here very much lately.

    I'm sorry you are running into this difficulty and have this added stress. Hopefully your body will respond and this dilemma will resolve soon and you will find the treatment that is effective for you. Diane's response has some optimism.

    Just a thought - I remember when my platelets took a dive during treatment and I did the following which I credited for my rebound: MEDITATION. I imagined my bone marrow manufacturing white blood cells that were carried throughout my body. I imagined my cat's purring sound (she loves to lay on my stomach and purr away) as the engine that fueled the factory. Well within days my numbers rose enough to avoid the neulasta shot and resume chemo.

    Meditation is a powerful tool that we can harness to help our body heal. My prayers are with you. Take heart dear Linda. Sincerely, Mary Ann