Anyone do 8 instead of 6 Taxotere/Carbo?

MichaelaMarie

Hello everyone. I finished 6 treatments. CA-125 within normal range now. This treatment has been for a recurrence. The doctors are strongly considering giving me an additional 2 treatments. However, they warn that although you may have done great with the 6, the 7th or 8th treatment can be extremely dangerous. I think I've read where some of you have done 8. I sure would like to know your opinion of how you did with the extra 2. I have to decide soon. And, hi Bonnie and Monika! Hope you both are well. Love to you all, MM

BonnieR

I am so happy for you, thanks for sharing the great news. I had 8 taxol/carbo in the very beginning and know several woman who have. Not sure what the extremely dangerous side affects are after 6? We'll be keeping you in prayer as you decide what you want to do.

Prayers N Hugs Bonnie

mopar

Hi MM!
As Bonnie, I'm not sure what they mean by 'extremely dangerous'. The only thing I can assume is since the treatments are cumulative (and side affects get worse with each one), maybe they have concerns about our white and red blood cell counts, possibility of allergic reaction, etc. But, you're right. As Bonnie, many have had more than 6 treatments so I'm sure you'll get more responses.

I too will be praying for strength and wisdom to make the right decision, and for peace once you have made your decision.

Keep in touch!
Hugs - Monika

MichaelaMarie

Thanks so much Bonnie and Monika. I'm not sure what the doctor meant by some "extremely dangerous" situations. He had just been talking about my low blood counts. I didn't get a chance to ask because he got two cell phone calls in a row from the hospital. He said it was chemo patients. He was very busy, myself being the 23rd patient he had seen that day so far....2:30pm. It really helps, Bonnie, to know that you did 8 rounds, just after all of what you had been through. I'm definitely leaning towards going ahead with the extra two. I sure have been more tired than usual lately though. I so hope and pray that both of you are hanging on to those "low" CA-125 counts! Bonnie, did you have any problems at all with the original 8? And, do you know why they gave you 8 to start with. My doctor has told me that the standard is just 6.....that studies have shown not much difference with going with the extra 2. However, he said that two years ago. He must have changed his mind for some reason. Does anyone out there know what to eat to help raise your red blood count aside from eating liver? I've read on here that some take iron, but I have also read somewhere that it is not good to take iron with cancer. Well, love and hugs to all of you, MM

mopar

MichaelaMarie said:

Thanks so much Bonnie and Monika. I'm not sure what the doctor meant by some "extremely dangerous" situations. He had just been talking about my low blood counts. I didn't get a chance to ask because he got two cell phone calls in a row from the hospital. He said it was chemo patients. He was very busy, myself being the 23rd patient he had seen that day so far....2:30pm. It really helps, Bonnie, to know that you did 8 rounds, just after all of what you had been through. I'm definitely leaning towards going ahead with the extra two. I sure have been more tired than usual lately though. I so hope and pray that both of you are hanging on to those "low" CA-125 counts! Bonnie, did you have any problems at all with the original 8? And, do you know why they gave you 8 to start with. My doctor has told me that the standard is just 6.....that studies have shown not much difference with going with the extra 2. However, he said that two years ago. He must have changed his mind for some reason. Does anyone out there know what to eat to help raise your red blood count aside from eating liver? I've read on here that some take iron, but I have also read somewhere that it is not good to take iron with cancer. Well, love and hugs to all of you, MM

MM:
To answer your question about iron-rich foods - spinach actually has quite a bit. But you'd obviously have to eat a lot of that. Eggs have a fair amount also. As far as iron supplements, I have not heard of any connection between iron supplements and cancer, so please let me know what you have heard. My hemoglobin became very low around my 4th chemo, so I had Procrit shots once a week for 4 weeks, then my doctor prescribed iron supplements. However, he also said I could choose my own as long as I got 150 mg/day to build up my blood, then eventually down to 100/day. The prescribed iron is usually hard on your system, causing constipation mostly. Heaven knows those of us on Carbo/Taxol already have a problem with that! I personally take a supplement called Enzymatic Therapy Ultimate Iron and it has helped tremendously without side effects. If you do decide to get something, look for the ingredient 'heme iron'. And no matter what you get, take it with something acidic like OJ, because it will be absorbed better.
My best to you + HUGS!
Monika

mopar

mopar said:

MM:
To answer your question about iron-rich foods - spinach actually has quite a bit. But you'd obviously have to eat a lot of that. Eggs have a fair amount also. As far as iron supplements, I have not heard of any connection between iron supplements and cancer, so please let me know what you have heard. My hemoglobin became very low around my 4th chemo, so I had Procrit shots once a week for 4 weeks, then my doctor prescribed iron supplements. However, he also said I could choose my own as long as I got 150 mg/day to build up my blood, then eventually down to 100/day. The prescribed iron is usually hard on your system, causing constipation mostly. Heaven knows those of us on Carbo/Taxol already have a problem with that! I personally take a supplement called Enzymatic Therapy Ultimate Iron and it has helped tremendously without side effects. If you do decide to get something, look for the ingredient 'heme iron'. And no matter what you get, take it with something acidic like OJ, because it will be absorbed better.
My best to you + HUGS!
Monika

MM:
By the way, your doctor sounds like mine - lots of interruptions, phone calls, emergencies, and LOTS of patients! You're not in Michigan by chance, are you? Sorry if I asked before, I just can't remember!
Monika

BonnieR

MichaelaMarie said:

Thanks so much Bonnie and Monika. I'm not sure what the doctor meant by some "extremely dangerous" situations. He had just been talking about my low blood counts. I didn't get a chance to ask because he got two cell phone calls in a row from the hospital. He said it was chemo patients. He was very busy, myself being the 23rd patient he had seen that day so far....2:30pm. It really helps, Bonnie, to know that you did 8 rounds, just after all of what you had been through. I'm definitely leaning towards going ahead with the extra two. I sure have been more tired than usual lately though. I so hope and pray that both of you are hanging on to those "low" CA-125 counts! Bonnie, did you have any problems at all with the original 8? And, do you know why they gave you 8 to start with. My doctor has told me that the standard is just 6.....that studies have shown not much difference with going with the extra 2. However, he said that two years ago. He must have changed his mind for some reason. Does anyone out there know what to eat to help raise your red blood count aside from eating liver? I've read on here that some take iron, but I have also read somewhere that it is not good to take iron with cancer. Well, love and hugs to all of you, MM

Goodmorning MM, Sorry to hear about your low counts. I did get procrit all the way through my taxol/carbo treatments and took vitamins with extra iron. I had 8 as part of a study group, maybe it's one of the groups your Dr is referring to. LOL

I think 6 is the protocol and not sure why some Drs prefer the 8. All Drs are a bit different. It's kind of like asking the question why don't more Drs use the avastin/cytoxan combination on patients that aren't responding to the normal drugs. No answer there either, but I know a woman who wants to try it and her Dr doesn't prescribe it(not enough data I guess)

Prayers N Hugs Bonnie

MichaelaMarie

Hello again. Thanks so much for all of the information. It really helps. I have lab work today, and hopefully can call for the results next Wednesday. My 7th chemo is scheduled for next Friday....I guess if my blood is okay. It really helps to call before my appointment with the doctor to find out what my CA-125 is. I get so nervous waiting for the doctor to come in, so it really helps having that information ahead of time. No, Monika, I'm not from Michigan.....actually way out west! Cancer doctors seem to be extra busy everywhere, don't they? Did any of you read about a study coming out of Cedars Sinai hospital in LA, that found that overweight ovarian cancer patients were much more likely to have a recurrence than normal weight women? They think it is a hormone in the fat cells that must promote the cancer. Anyway, I'm still 30lbs overweight, and can't seem to lose it. You would think that the above info would motivate me!!! Anyway, thanks so very much, you girls, for being there! Hope everyone has a wonderful long week-end.!!! Love to all, MM

paula57

Hey Girl! Do you remember me telling you that I had 8 treatments of carboplatin and taxol? The last two were a little worse but I made it and I would do it again. I did have some aranesp shots to help with the red cells. I like liver but if you don't, how about spinach? Wishing you the Best! Paula

MichaelaMarie

Hi Paula. Yes, I did forget, but now remember. Bonnie had 8 also. I knew when I asked here on the message board that some had had the 8, but I just couldn't remember who. So glad to hear that you would do it again! My blood count must be coming back up some, as I do seem to have a little more energy in the last few days. I sure appreciate all of the information from you girls! I hope everyone is having a good time today! We are having another beautiful sunny day! About 85 degrees today. Again, thanks to all of you for everything! With love, MM

groundeffect

MichaelaMarie said:

Hi Paula. Yes, I did forget, but now remember. Bonnie had 8 also. I knew when I asked here on the message board that some had had the 8, but I just couldn't remember who. So glad to hear that you would do it again! My blood count must be coming back up some, as I do seem to have a little more energy in the last few days. I sure appreciate all of the information from you girls! I hope everyone is having a good time today! We are having another beautiful sunny day! About 85 degrees today. Again, thanks to all of you for everything! With love, MM

Hi MM, Sorry to hear that you're going for 8 rounds, but if that's what it takes, I hope it works! Some good sources of iron (I like liver, but a lot of folks don't) are swiss chard (cook it like spinach), bran flakes, oatmeal, almost any kind of beans-kidney, black, navy, chick peas, lentils, and tofu and soybeans are great, too.

I suppose that study out of Cedars-Sianai was referring to estrogen, which is thought to help bring on breast cancer in overweight women, too. I'm still fighting with my weight too, but have always considered it to be sort of a chicken/egg-type thing. When I was younger and thin, I always felt I had an excess of hormones to deal with, and have also felt I've gained at least a bit of my weight because of the ups and downs with my hormones. It's such a struggle now-I lost 25 lbs. after I was done with chemo, then gained that back, but I'm still going to Weight Watchers. I may not be losing as I should, but it really helps me keep in mind to eat all of the good things every day, and I know I feel better for it.

MichaelaMarie

Hi groundeffect...Thanks for writing with the info on building up my blood. I love all of the things you mentioned except liver! I was fairly thin also until I started going through menopause. I gained the 30lbs and am still carrying it around even after all of the chemo I have had, and the two surgeries!!! I started having periods at just short of 11 years old, and had extremely painful cramps every single month...like labor pains. The naturopathic doctor I had went to always felt there was a connection with my hormones and the ovarian cancer too. I sure hope I do okay with the additional 2 treatments, but Bonnie and Paula54 and others have done it and made it through it so that gives me lots of encouragement. I hope you are doing well. Love to you all, MM

Debe15

I too did 8 Taxotere/Carb without any problems. I am 1yr 4months out from my last chemo.
Bless you and keep strong.

MichaelaMarie

Debe15 said:

I too did 8 Taxotere/Carb without any problems. I am 1yr 4months out from my last chemo.
Bless you and keep strong.

Hello Debe15. I was very excited getting your posting. You've been lyr and 4 months? Wow! That is such good news, I can't tell you! My doctor says that he is 99% sure that my cancer will be back within six months of my last chemo. You're right, it's very depressing news. May I ask if your eight treatments were for your original cancer, or was it for a recurrence? How low did your CA-125 go? Thanks so much for writing and I hope to hear back from you. Take good care, MM