Newbie here...Chemo Question

CindyGSD
CindyGSD Member Posts: 190
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
Hi Everyone…

On July 2nd, after a biopsy of a large tumor (11x8x7.5 cm) in my uterus I was wrongly diagnosed with Leiomyosarcomas. Four days later I had surgery removing my uterus, ovaries and cervix. No lymph nodes were removed because my doctor did not think it was necessary at the time and I had the impression that it was related to the type of tumor it was.

After the pathology report came back it was discovered that my tumor was actually MMMT with 17% invasion into my cervix. At that point my doctor reconsidered surgery to remove some lymph nodes but after consultation with other doctors at a conference she attended, decided they would just treat me as if it had already spread to my lymph nodes. Currently I’m diagnosed with Stage 2 (high grade – that’s what the pathology report says..nothing more specific) but with the understanding that if it is in my lymph nodes it would be Stage 3.

She recommends six treatments in three week cycles of the following chemo cocktail…Ifosfamide (Day 1,2,3) and Taxol (Day 1). Sandwiched in between these treatments will be several sessions of external radiation and possibly internal radiation. It sounds like this is a pretty aggressive treatment plan because she also gave me the option of doing Carboplatin/Taxol once every three weeks with the same radiation treatment, if I couldn’t handle the other chemo.

Since it appears most here are being treated with Carboplatin, I’m curious about Ifosfamide and what the difference is and why I have to be treated with it for three days in a row verses the usual one day of chemo every few weeks. I also am extremely concerned about the physical toll this treatment will take on me as I plan on working as long as I can. I should say that I’m 48 years old and was in good health up until my diagnosis.

Thanks for listening; I’m very happy to have found this site and just by lurking these last few weeks I’ve learned a lot.

Cindy
PS – Can I drive after chemo treatment? I live about ten miles from the clinic.

Comments

  • maryv1119
    maryv1119 Member Posts: 37
    #2
    chemo
    Hi Cindy,

    I had endometrial cancer and a uterine sarcoma - stage 3CII grade 3.

    I had external pelvic rad daily for 5 weeks with a weekly dose of Cisplatin, and then had 3 internal rads with 6 treatments of Carbo/taxol.

    From what I understand Ifosfamide is a bit harsher than Carbo/Taxol. I would contact your doctor with these questions, so that you are certain to get reliable info.

    I didn't drive myself to chemo. Although I would usually feel ok the day of and the day after chemo, sometimes out of no where I'd have severe nausea, especially when riding in the car. Just felt safer having someone else driving, but I lived an hour away.

    As far as side effects and the ability to work, I was unable to work during treatment. I tried going back and "powering through" but it was useless for me. I have made several friends who worked through their treatment. They are my hereos - I have no idea how they did it.

    It's definite, everyone reacts differently to chemo and radiation. There is no "normal". I wish you all the best in your treatments and recovery.
  • kkstef
    kkstef Member Posts: 688 Member
    #3
    Driving after chemo
    Cindy,

    The infusion center I went to said I could not drive myself home. It was about 40 minutes away. The treatments initally took about 8 hours and then after a few, it was about 5 hours. I found myself a bit spacey and didn't even want to drive....also, some of the premeds you get, can make you feel a bit wobbly.

    Driving with radiation treatment was a different story....I did that with no problem.

    I suggest you check with your Dr. on your ability to drive.

    Wishing you the very best!

    Karen
  • CindyGSD
    CindyGSD Member Posts: 190
    #4
    kkstef said:

    Driving after chemo
    Cindy,

    The infusion center I went to said I could not drive myself home. It was about 40 minutes away. The treatments initally took about 8 hours and then after a few, it was about 5 hours. I found myself a bit spacey and didn't even want to drive....also, some of the premeds you get, can make you feel a bit wobbly.

    Driving with radiation treatment was a different story....I did that with no problem.

    I suggest you check with your Dr. on your ability to drive.

    Wishing you the very best!

    Karen

    The drive...
    Funny that the thing I worry about most is driving; whether it be after chemo or to work which I still plan on doing, at least for a while. That is one reason I'm interested in finding out more about the type of chemo I'm on, because I think that makes all the difference. Thanks for sharing.

    Cindy
  • CindyGSD
    CindyGSD Member Posts: 190
    #5
    maryv1119 said:

    chemo
    Hi Cindy,

    I had endometrial cancer and a uterine sarcoma - stage 3CII grade 3.

    I had external pelvic rad daily for 5 weeks with a weekly dose of Cisplatin, and then had 3 internal rads with 6 treatments of Carbo/taxol.

    From what I understand Ifosfamide is a bit harsher than Carbo/Taxol. I would contact your doctor with these questions, so that you are certain to get reliable info.

    I didn't drive myself to chemo. Although I would usually feel ok the day of and the day after chemo, sometimes out of no where I'd have severe nausea, especially when riding in the car. Just felt safer having someone else driving, but I lived an hour away.

    As far as side effects and the ability to work, I was unable to work during treatment. I tried going back and "powering through" but it was useless for me. I have made several friends who worked through their treatment. They are my hereos - I have no idea how they did it.

    It's definite, everyone reacts differently to chemo and radiation. There is no "normal". I wish you all the best in your treatments and recovery.

    Working through chemo
    I have no fear of chemo or even the side effects...but working or not being able to is stressing me out to no end. I guess it's because I'm single with no other source of income. I'm getting the impression that chemo effects everyone differently, so it looks like I'll just have to wait and see. Thanks for your well wishes.

    Cindy
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #6
    CindyGSD said:

    The drive...
    Funny that the thing I worry about most is driving; whether it be after chemo or to work which I still plan on doing, at least for a while. That is one reason I'm interested in finding out more about the type of chemo I'm on, because I think that makes all the difference. Thanks for sharing.

    Cindy

    Cindy
    I have been treated for Stage 3, Grade 3 uterine papillary serous (UPSC) carcinoma since Sept '08.

    Here's my feedback:
    - Get a GYN-ONC if you do not alreay have one. Sounds like your doc is not sure of herself. Plus is the chemo decision yours or her recommendation? How are you supposed to decide?

    - Re: your chemo regime. Ifosfamide is in the same agent class as carboplatin - but I don't know much more than that. My doc decided my chemo based on a functional profile (assay) of my tissue sample - I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BE DONE. This eliminates guessing since it shows which chemo drugs are most effective for your type of cancer. Mine was carboplatin and taxol. Evertheoptimist says good things about dose dense chemo - check out her recent thread - rather than the standard every 3 week regime.

    - I did not drive the first 2 times of my chemo. Than I did after that. You will know how your body reacts to the chemo but get a ride in beginning.

    - you can check the standard guidelines for cancer treatment on nccn.com. I did not have radiation as part of my initial treatment but many here have.

    - a second opinion may make you more comfortable with your decisions.

    - I did work during my treatment. I scheduled chemo on Thursdays and took the next day off. This worked OK for me.

    I wish you all the best. Hang in there. Mary Ann
  • mikki1216
    mikki1216 Member Posts: 2
    #7
    daisy366 said:

    Cindy
    I have been treated for Stage 3, Grade 3 uterine papillary serous (UPSC) carcinoma since Sept '08.

    Here's my feedback:
    - Get a GYN-ONC if you do not alreay have one. Sounds like your doc is not sure of herself. Plus is the chemo decision yours or her recommendation? How are you supposed to decide?

    - Re: your chemo regime. Ifosfamide is in the same agent class as carboplatin - but I don't know much more than that. My doc decided my chemo based on a functional profile (assay) of my tissue sample - I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BE DONE. This eliminates guessing since it shows which chemo drugs are most effective for your type of cancer. Mine was carboplatin and taxol. Evertheoptimist says good things about dose dense chemo - check out her recent thread - rather than the standard every 3 week regime.

    - I did not drive the first 2 times of my chemo. Than I did after that. You will know how your body reacts to the chemo but get a ride in beginning.

    - you can check the standard guidelines for cancer treatment on nccn.com. I did not have radiation as part of my initial treatment but many here have.

    - a second opinion may make you more comfortable with your decisions.

    - I did work during my treatment. I scheduled chemo on Thursdays and took the next day off. This worked OK for me.

    I wish you all the best. Hang in there. Mary Ann

    Cabo/Taxol weekly - 6/ 3 Week Cycles
    Hi!
    I am new here. I have or should say had Stage 3 Grade 1 Uterine Cancer. It was stage 3 because it spread to my right ovary. Pathology post Hysterectomy showed no evidence of spread and all nodes tested were clean. I went through 28 external beam rads with 3 rounds of brachy (internal radiation) treatments. I went for my PET/CAT 5 weeks later and everything looks good. As an added insurance my GYN/ONC recommended 6 rounds of chemo. I am going every week (week 1- Carbo/Taxol, week 2- Taxol, week 3- Taxol) for a total of 18 weeks. I just had my 2nd treatment of first cycle yesterday. So far so good. I had some mild nausea on day 4 of the 1st week but all and all not too bad. I am wondering if anyone here is having a similar treatment regimine. My doc says this regimine is failry new but has been proved to reduce the side effects. I am wondering when I should be experiencing my unfortunate hair loss.
  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
    #8
    mikki1216 said:

    Cabo/Taxol weekly - 6/ 3 Week Cycles
    Hi!
    I am new here. I have or should say had Stage 3 Grade 1 Uterine Cancer. It was stage 3 because it spread to my right ovary. Pathology post Hysterectomy showed no evidence of spread and all nodes tested were clean. I went through 28 external beam rads with 3 rounds of brachy (internal radiation) treatments. I went for my PET/CAT 5 weeks later and everything looks good. As an added insurance my GYN/ONC recommended 6 rounds of chemo. I am going every week (week 1- Carbo/Taxol, week 2- Taxol, week 3- Taxol) for a total of 18 weeks. I just had my 2nd treatment of first cycle yesterday. So far so good. I had some mild nausea on day 4 of the 1st week but all and all not too bad. I am wondering if anyone here is having a similar treatment regimine. My doc says this regimine is failry new but has been proved to reduce the side effects. I am wondering when I should be experiencing my unfortunate hair loss.

    Hello
    Hello Mikki,

    I had stage 2 adenocarcinoma, grade 3. I had the same chemo treatment and finished 3 weeks ago.
    For nausea I took Zophran. It worked well for me. I took it every morning, before I had symptoms, for about 4 months. During the last 2 months, I took it for 3 days, starting the day after chemo.
    I have to say that I never experienced nausea during treatment.

    I also had a shot, Neulasta, every first day of each cycle (starting on second cycle) to pump up the white cell production. To diminish the side effects, I took for 3 days Allegra (24 hours). This also worked well for me.

    My hair loss came at the end of he second month, but I meet someone who was in her fourth month and still had a decent amount of hair. I think it varies from person to person.

    I was fortunate not to have any serious side effects.
    Stay positive, eat healthy and exercise.

    Good luck to you and keep us posted, please ! :)
  • CindyGSD
    CindyGSD Member Posts: 190
    #9
    daisy366 said:

    Cindy
    I have been treated for Stage 3, Grade 3 uterine papillary serous (UPSC) carcinoma since Sept '08.

    Here's my feedback:
    - Get a GYN-ONC if you do not alreay have one. Sounds like your doc is not sure of herself. Plus is the chemo decision yours or her recommendation? How are you supposed to decide?

    - Re: your chemo regime. Ifosfamide is in the same agent class as carboplatin - but I don't know much more than that. My doc decided my chemo based on a functional profile (assay) of my tissue sample - I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BE DONE. This eliminates guessing since it shows which chemo drugs are most effective for your type of cancer. Mine was carboplatin and taxol. Evertheoptimist says good things about dose dense chemo - check out her recent thread - rather than the standard every 3 week regime.

    - I did not drive the first 2 times of my chemo. Than I did after that. You will know how your body reacts to the chemo but get a ride in beginning.

    - you can check the standard guidelines for cancer treatment on nccn.com. I did not have radiation as part of my initial treatment but many here have.

    - a second opinion may make you more comfortable with your decisions.

    - I did work during my treatment. I scheduled chemo on Thursdays and took the next day off. This worked OK for me.

    I wish you all the best. Hang in there. Mary Ann

    Thanks
    Mary Ann

    I know it may not have sounded like it in my original post but one thing I am confident about is this doctor. She is a GYN-ONC and comes highly recommended and as an added bonus, I like her. She always refers to her patients as "my ladies" which I suppose can sound kind of patronizing, but I don't take it that way and she told me I could call her any time, her answering service would track her down. I think the biggest problem is all of this has come out of no where and I wasn't really prepared to ask questions of her just yet.

    She gave me a treatment plan of the Ifos/Toxol as her recommendation but indicated I could do Carbo/Toxol if it was too much for me. I get the strong impression that Ifosfamide is pretty heavy duty chemo which is probably why it needs to spread out over three days. I just joined a MMMT group and it sounds like Ifosfamide is often used for this type of cancer.

    I want to keep working during chemo but I guess I shouldn't let that dictate what kind of treatment plan I go with.

    I'll have to ask about the tissue sample profiling at my next appointment. Thanks so much for your advice and comments.

    Cindy
  • mikki1216
    mikki1216 Member Posts: 2
    #10
    Fayard said:

    Hello
    Hello Mikki,

    I had stage 2 adenocarcinoma, grade 3. I had the same chemo treatment and finished 3 weeks ago.
    For nausea I took Zophran. It worked well for me. I took it every morning, before I had symptoms, for about 4 months. During the last 2 months, I took it for 3 days, starting the day after chemo.
    I have to say that I never experienced nausea during treatment.

    I also had a shot, Neulasta, every first day of each cycle (starting on second cycle) to pump up the white cell production. To diminish the side effects, I took for 3 days Allegra (24 hours). This also worked well for me.

    My hair loss came at the end of he second month, but I meet someone who was in her fourth month and still had a decent amount of hair. I think it varies from person to person.

    I was fortunate not to have any serious side effects.
    Stay positive, eat healthy and exercise.

    Good luck to you and keep us posted, please ! :)

    Hello
    Fayard,
    Thanks for the response. I went last night to buy a wig just in case. I hope that I will not need to use it but need to have it just in case. Congrats on being done with your treatments. You must be so relieved it's over.

    Thanks for the advice
  • RoseyR
    RoseyR Member Posts: 471 Member
    #11
    Your Coming Treatment


    Dear Cindy,

    I too have had five cycles of taxol/carboplatin and have been so lucky to have few, if any, side effects so far.

    Perhaps this is because I've also seen an integrative doctor who prescribed the following for me to soften the effects of chemo as well as to improve the efficacy of the chemo:

    One scoop of ProGreens before breakfast each morning;

    One teaspoon of glutamine (a white powdery amino acid) in a glass of water three times a day starting the day before chemo and continuing through the first three days OF chemo (protects your intestines from the chemo and minimizes chances of developoing neuropathy in your hands and feet);

    Two to three tsps of fish oil ("Finest Fish Oil by Pharmax" is the brand) after meals. It has NO taste at all because tinted with orange. It protects your intestines and prevents appetite loss.

    Curcumin - two capsules, each 450 to 500 milligrams, three times a day with meals
    This seems a crucial supplement given recent research from MD Anderson suggesting that curcumin prevents certain bad effects of taxol down the line. A good brand is Life Extension's "Super Biocurcumin," so potent that you'd need just one cpasule twice a day.

    AHCC - two capsules, three times a day . Brand recommended is "Protocols for Life"
    Alas this supplement is the only one that's quite expensive. It's a compound of mushrooms given to most chemo patients in Japanese hospitals. It softens the effects of chemo and boosts your "killer white blood cells," the ones that go after cancer.
    If it's too expensive (at nearly eighty dollars a bottle, I go through three bottles a month for a cost of about 320 a month--but if THIS is what has prevented ANY side effects during chemo, it has been worth it!) If you can't afford this, you could try Maitake-D or MD fraction, half the price. (See my recommendations of "best books" for more information on mushroom products).

    To sum it up, I have had no nausea, no aches and pains, not even much fatigue during five cycles of chemo--so try not to be too nervous about it; it has been FAR easier than I could have imagined. I also had 25 external readiation treatments and had few side effects from that, either.

    All the products I mention are avaialble online.

    But if you see an integrative doctor who prescribes them, you might at least be able to deduct them at income tax time as part of your medical costs.

    Best,
    Rosey
  • CindyGSD
    CindyGSD Member Posts: 190
    #12
    RoseyR said:

    Your Coming Treatment


    Dear Cindy,

    I too have had five cycles of taxol/carboplatin and have been so lucky to have few, if any, side effects so far.

    Perhaps this is because I've also seen an integrative doctor who prescribed the following for me to soften the effects of chemo as well as to improve the efficacy of the chemo:

    One scoop of ProGreens before breakfast each morning;

    One teaspoon of glutamine (a white powdery amino acid) in a glass of water three times a day starting the day before chemo and continuing through the first three days OF chemo (protects your intestines from the chemo and minimizes chances of developoing neuropathy in your hands and feet);

    Two to three tsps of fish oil ("Finest Fish Oil by Pharmax" is the brand) after meals. It has NO taste at all because tinted with orange. It protects your intestines and prevents appetite loss.

    Curcumin - two capsules, each 450 to 500 milligrams, three times a day with meals
    This seems a crucial supplement given recent research from MD Anderson suggesting that curcumin prevents certain bad effects of taxol down the line. A good brand is Life Extension's "Super Biocurcumin," so potent that you'd need just one cpasule twice a day.

    AHCC - two capsules, three times a day . Brand recommended is "Protocols for Life"
    Alas this supplement is the only one that's quite expensive. It's a compound of mushrooms given to most chemo patients in Japanese hospitals. It softens the effects of chemo and boosts your "killer white blood cells," the ones that go after cancer.
    If it's too expensive (at nearly eighty dollars a bottle, I go through three bottles a month for a cost of about 320 a month--but if THIS is what has prevented ANY side effects during chemo, it has been worth it!) If you can't afford this, you could try Maitake-D or MD fraction, half the price. (See my recommendations of "best books" for more information on mushroom products).

    To sum it up, I have had no nausea, no aches and pains, not even much fatigue during five cycles of chemo--so try not to be too nervous about it; it has been FAR easier than I could have imagined. I also had 25 external readiation treatments and had few side effects from that, either.

    All the products I mention are avaialble online.

    But if you see an integrative doctor who prescribes them, you might at least be able to deduct them at income tax time as part of your medical costs.

    Best,
    Rosey

    Thanks but...
    I've read that amino acids can be bad for cancer patients as they protect the cancer cells right along with the healthy cells. Has it been established that glutamine doesn't do that?
    Sorry if that's a dumb question but I have a feeling all my questions are going to be born from ignorance for a while.

    Thanks
    Cindy
  • JoAnnDK
    JoAnnDK Member Posts: 275
    #13
    CindyGSD said:

    Thanks but...
    I've read that amino acids can be bad for cancer patients as they protect the cancer cells right along with the healthy cells. Has it been established that glutamine doesn't do that?
    Sorry if that's a dumb question but I have a feeling all my questions are going to be born from ignorance for a while.

    Thanks
    Cindy

    both sides of a question
    Cindy, I think that on the internet, one can find claims both for and against every drug, supplement, treatment, etc. out there. The problem is separating the wheat from the chaff, not an easy thing to do when so many companies are trying to sell us their "miracle cures" that are unsubstantiated by valid research. They know that cancer patients, especially, are desperate for something that might work. Shame on those companies who take advantage of that fact.
  • JoAnnDK
    JoAnnDK Member Posts: 275
    #14
    CindyGSD said:

    Thanks but...
    I've read that amino acids can be bad for cancer patients as they protect the cancer cells right along with the healthy cells. Has it been established that glutamine doesn't do that?
    Sorry if that's a dumb question but I have a feeling all my questions are going to be born from ignorance for a while.

    Thanks
    Cindy

    Gallstones
    Gallstones are often "silent" and found by "mistake" when other tests or ultrasounds are being done. Or you can have an attack that is incredibly painful and go for specific tests. Cucumin is not recommended for anyone with gallstones or gall bladder disease (I just read that on the Life Extension website as I was about to order SuperBioCurcumin.) I have gallstones, so that is out for me.

    from CancerWatch "The effects of chemotherapy greatly weaken the liver's detoxification abilities. For example, chemotherapy and radiotherapy kill cells. Some cancer cells, some normal cells. And the dead cells pass to the liver, which has to work hard to break them down and pass them out into the intestines. Cholesterol builds up around some of the dead cells to form stones, sometimes several thousands of them. These in turn block the bile ducts and prevent the elimination of toxins. One US estimate was that virtually every cancer patient had gallstones because the effects of chemo greatly lessens the liver's detoxification ability."
  • Fayard
    Fayard Member Posts: 438 Member
    #15
    Hola
    Hi Cindy,

    Welcome aboard. I was also diagnosed stage 2, but clear cell adenocarcinoma.
    The tumor was confined in the uterus, but invaded more than 50% of the myometrium, cervix.

    I had 58 lymph nodes removed, and all were negative.
    I had only 6 cycles of chemo, 18 treatments total of carbon and taxol: week 1 carbon/taxol, week 2 and 3 taxol, week 4 rest.

    My oncologist told me I did not need radiation.
    I think it is very important to know whether the cancer has metastasized to the lymph nodes or not.

    I would like to know the protocol for your type of cancer for stage 2 and 3. It could be radiation.

    PS: I drove myself every time I had chemo for 18 weeks. You have to wait and see, since some people become very tired sometimes.
  • txtrisha55
    txtrisha55 Member Posts: 693 Member
    #16
    CindyGSD said:

    Thanks
    Mary Ann

    I know it may not have sounded like it in my original post but one thing I am confident about is this doctor. She is a GYN-ONC and comes highly recommended and as an added bonus, I like her. She always refers to her patients as "my ladies" which I suppose can sound kind of patronizing, but I don't take it that way and she told me I could call her any time, her answering service would track her down. I think the biggest problem is all of this has come out of no where and I wasn't really prepared to ask questions of her just yet.

    She gave me a treatment plan of the Ifos/Toxol as her recommendation but indicated I could do Carbo/Toxol if it was too much for me. I get the strong impression that Ifosfamide is pretty heavy duty chemo which is probably why it needs to spread out over three days. I just joined a MMMT group and it sounds like Ifosfamide is often used for this type of cancer.

    I want to keep working during chemo but I guess I shouldn't let that dictate what kind of treatment plan I go with.

    I'll have to ask about the tissue sample profiling at my next appointment. Thanks so much for your advice and comments.

    Cindy

    Hello, new here but have been reading for awhile
    I had a D&C done in March found out April 1, 2011 that there was MMMT cancer cells. When to the GynOnc on April 4th had complete radical hysterectomy April 8th. Path report was 5x5x1.5 tumor in uterus w/ 2 microscopic cells in 1 lymph node which made the MMMT a stage 3C1.
    May 6th had 1st chemo treatment of carbo/taxal. I had six rounds of that every 21 days, I had the last one on Aug 22. I go back on 12 Sep for CT Scan/blood work then meet the Dr. on 19 Sep for results. Most of the side effects have been hair loss, which is OK. I prefer to just go bald and have gotten good at shaving my head. Just dress it up with dangle earrings and necklaces. I rock the bald. It helps that everyone at home and work have said I have a good head for being bald.

    I took 8 weeks off for the surgery and started back to work on 6 June. When I had the chemo treatments, I took my daughter with me and she drove home the first time. The 2nd and remaining I have driven home. First one the H1 blocker for allergies the nurse gave the full needle down low in the IV port and it knocked me out for the whole day. Second I told the nurse not to do that again and they gave the shot up high mixed it with the Saline solution. Much better.

    I did take off work, the day (Mon) I got the chemo, went to work the next few days, then took off when I felt bad, which was usually by Thu and Fri but was back at work on the following Mon. I was lucky that I had a lot of vacation and sick time at work so it has not cost me a paycheck.

    I too had a choice between Carbo/Taxal and Ifosimde /Taxal, I asked the Dr. what she would recommend knowing what stage I was and she said the Carbo/Taxal and no radiation. She did ask if I wanted to be in a clincical trial and gave me all the paperwork describing the two treatments. After reading all about the Ifosmide, I decided I would not do the trial and go with her suggestion. The Ifosmide side effects seemed to be very hard, so I choose to do the Carbo/Taxal. Hopefully in two weeks I will get the all clear. They are going to monitor me for the next 3 years but since they took out all the cancer cells, I am hopeful it is all gone and did not spread.

    Keep your head up and sprits high as it is all in the attitude so have a positive one.
    Trish
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #17
    JoAnnDK said:

    both sides of a question
    Cindy, I think that on the internet, one can find claims both for and against every drug, supplement, treatment, etc. out there. The problem is separating the wheat from the chaff, not an easy thing to do when so many companies are trying to sell us their "miracle cures" that are unsubstantiated by valid research. They know that cancer patients, especially, are desperate for something that might work. Shame on those companies who take advantage of that fact.

    I had TONS of chemo, no side affects, with no supplements.
    I just had to throw this out to factor in. I DIDN'T take supplements during the TONS of endless chemo I've had, and the only side affects I ever had were baldness and some fatigue. Everyone is different. I wouldn't start 'doctoring' a side affect until I got one.

    When I was in my mid-20's I worked in a health club and spent a fortune each month on supplements. I felt FABULOUS and unbreakable on the 16 supplements I'd added to my daily diet! But when the high cost of the supplements started to be too much, I quit the supplements. Guess what: I STILL felt fabulous and unbreakable. Because I eat right. Always have, always. Choose what you put in your body with great care.
  • carolenk
    carolenk Member Posts: 907 Member
    #18
    lindaprocopio said:

    I had TONS of chemo, no side affects, with no supplements.
    I just had to throw this out to factor in. I DIDN'T take supplements during the TONS of endless chemo I've had, and the only side affects I ever had were baldness and some fatigue. Everyone is different. I wouldn't start 'doctoring' a side affect until I got one.

    When I was in my mid-20's I worked in a health club and spent a fortune each month on supplements. I felt FABULOUS and unbreakable on the 16 supplements I'd added to my daily diet! But when the high cost of the supplements started to be too much, I quit the supplements. Guess what: I STILL felt fabulous and unbreakable. Because I eat right. Always have, always. Choose what you put in your body with great care.

    God bless that sweet liver of yours, Linda
    Dear Linda

    I think a another explanation for your ability to tolerate chemo so well is your amazing, remarkably efficient liver. Even with the cancer mets & radioembolism and all that your liver has been thru, you are still amazingly HEALTHY thanks to your liver!

    You inherited that wonderful liver from one or both of your parents. You really got lucky there! I agree that you are good to your liver by not eating a bunch of junk to make it's job more difficult--that's to your credit.

    Me, not so lucky, my liver enlarges when I get too many drugs in my system and it just couldn't detox the Taxol at all. I could taste the stuff on my skin--yuck! So Taxol (wonderful chemo that it is) is off the list for me. Thank God, I could handle the carbo.

    (((hugs for Linda's liver)))

    Carolen

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