Next Round

Cazz

My last CT scan was not as bad as I had expected, all the little critters are still growing of course, but not by too much and those wonderful little yttrium 90 spheres are holding the flanks and killing off the middle of the tumors in the liver, hopefully allowing it some relief.

So, having suffered the Erbitux acne/rash and the usual fatigue, lack of appetite etc., I find it was all for naught.  I asked my doc if we could maybe radiate the largest lymph node and he said no, but we can take out the nodule on my T4 verterbrae if I want.  Its only pretty small still and doesn't bother me much, but I learned a lesson from the tumor on my calf.  That started out as small and egg-shaped and didn't bother me at all and while I could get it radiated away in only two weeks, why do it when the chemo would get it my doc said.  Sounded reasonable, except that chemos 1 through 5 have all been completely worthless and just let everything grow as it presumably normally would.  So there I was in November with a by now huge tumor on my calf causing some swelling issues and I decided to have that radiated away.  Long story short, they didn't get it all.  So I have a large tumor that is dead in the middle, but the outside is still growing and there is nothing to be done about it as they won't re-radiate nor do surgery - I guess shorts are out for me this summer.

So, what is the latest, greatest, chemo that is going to systemically destroy these damn tumors -- ta da --  Taxol! a breast cancer drug that is guaranteed to make your hair fall out, along with Carboplatin which will also have all the usual side effects!  I think they have run out of ideas, yet this came from both Dr Eng at MDAnderson and my local oncologist, there must be a list they are working their way down.  My best hope is that Dr Eng has another clinical trial coming up in the next couple of months.

On a happier note, I am going to Vegas to celebrate my Birthday with friends.  I have been off the Erbitux for three weeks now and was hoping that I would have a bit more stamina, but who knows, maybe the bells and the dinging of the machines as I win my jackpots will be enough to keep me awake!

Carol

 

tallorder5793

carbo/taxol

Hi Carol,

Wishing you all the best with taxol/carbo. I had a good response to this combination. It will probably make you tired. But then all of the drugs do that. 

I am also just (yesterday) back from MDA. Having finished 4 rounds of Erbitux, I learned liver met improved somewhat. Liver mets stable. Alarmingly, I learned I have new met to my spine. That said, doctor at MDA said scans represent "fantastic news." I may need to call back to clarify why it's so fantastic. Anyway, I need to continue on Erbitux. Also they're adding in zometa for the bone met.

Hope you have a Happy Birthday!

JD

TraceyUSA

Carol

Thank you for the update.  I love your humor in admist all the no so funny things going on. 

Viva Las Vegas!  Enjoy & Have a Happy Birthday!

 

 

mp327

Carol

If this gives you any encouragement, I know of a person who was Stage 4 with mets to her liver who received a chemo cocktail of Carboplatin and Taxol several years ago and she was, at last time of contact I had with her, doing well.  Even if this combo doesn't completely rid you of these tumors, perhaps it will stabilize them or even shrink them enough so that you can get into the next clinical trial that Dr. Eng has coming up.  I have complete confidence in Dr. Eng and I am sure she will do everything possible so that you can get into that trial.

In the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful birthday celebration in Vegas with your friends.  Leave all of this medical stuff behind for a few days and have a great time!  Hugs and Happy Birthday wishes to you!

Martha