Allergic Reaction to Taxol.......Now on with plan C

JimboC said:

I understand. I couldn't
I understand. I couldn't wait to start treatment because I wanted to fight. Now that chemo I over and I'm waiting for my PET, I feel like I'm not doing anything. Hang in there.

Hi Hopper,
I also had a bad
Hi Hopper,

I also had a bad reaction to Taxol. Fortunately mine started a few days after my sixth and final treatment in the form of a brutally itchy rash that covered me from head to toe. Good luck with plan C.

Hang in there,
Joel

My husband had his first
My husband had his first round of post-op chemo Cisoplatin, Oxaliplatin and Xeloda on the 17th. So far, he has had minimal side effects and hasn't had a problem going to work every day. He has started getting watery eyes on and off, a side effect of the Xeloda. He has started noticing a little more fatigue, but is also a lot more active 7 weeks out from surgery. They are also watching his heart because he has a enlarging aorta, just in watch mode at this time. Good Luck on your treatments.

linda1120 said:

sending you the best for your husband
Dear Kim,

It sounds like you and your husband have been through a lot. Even with that said I am amazed that he is working and quite active. I will keep him in prayer. Whenever the heart is involved they have to keep on top of that.

Linda

Thank you
Hi Linda,
Thank you for your kind thoughts. We were surprised to find out about his heart, especially since the technicians here at home didn't spot it, MD Anderson read the same scan and asked what was being done about it. They were initially reluctant to operate until more tests were done. Sometimes I'm not sure what I should be more concerned with, his heart or the chemo and all that goes with recovery from the surgery. He has 2 more days of Xeloda and a week off before another dilation and the 2nd round of chemo. As for working, he's been pretty stubborn about going to work and since he hasn't had many side effects, I haven't fussed too much. We just go one day at a time.

Kim

hopper52 said:

Heart?
Did your husband have any heart issues before starting chemo? I had a 70% blockage and three stents in Dec 2010 which is bringing up the stopping blood thinners before I can have surgery.....(hopefully, I'll still be a candidate by the time I finish chemo/radiation). Did the chemo contribute to the Aorta thing? Something for me to discuss with my docs when I see them again. I'm only 4 days into the Cisplatin and Xeloda so I'm gleaning as much info as I can.......although William has gleaned most of it for me.

My prayers are with you

Bypass
My husband had a triple bypass almost 4 years ago and we thought everything was going great. He had passed his stress test with flying colors in December, so we didn't see this coming at all. We aren't sure what has been causing the aorta to enlarge, but we know that if it continues, he will have to have surgery. I'm not sure the chemo combination the oncologist had originally planned (I think 5FU) but I know after talking to the oncologist at MD Anderson and his cardiologist here, she switched to Xeloda. He is on Epirubicin and Oxaliplatin also with so far minimal side effects (1st round day 12). Hopefully your combo will work for you and keep your heart protected. We are praying for good results for you also.

linda1120 said:

Blood Thinners
Hopper, be careful with the chemo and blood thinners. My husband started bleeding out from the combination. It landed him in the hospital with three transfusions and much more. I was upset the oncologist didn't realize there could be a problem and watch for it. Please remind them you are on it.

Linda

Blood Thinners and Chemotherapy
I'll second Linda's comments. I was on warfarin and chemotherapy. I ended up with a bleeding ulcer in the esophagus. Three nights in coronary intensive care. Eight units of blood plus two units of plasma. I'm fine now.