Good PET results! (Gemzar/GOLF)

taraHK
taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Just got the results of my PET scan. After 4 cycles of GOLF (Gemzar + FOLFOX) plus Avastin.

I've had a difficult time on this regime -- low blood counts, transfusions, bad mouth ulcers. I've ended up on a 3 week cycle instead of 2 week, by 'accident'. My onc has reduced my dosage. Hopefully getting the side effects under control.

The PET results were GREAT -- I have many bone mets and they ALL reduced in size/activity -- some up to 80%.

My oncologist asked if I could do another 4 cycles and I said 'sure!'

Thought I would share this information for anyone considering or facing Gemzar....

Tara
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Comments

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #2
    Update
    Great news on the update and what a pleasant surprise to have that outcome. Glad that you are up for the upcoming rounds as this hopefully will reduce it even further.

    Kim
  • lesvanb
    lesvanb Member Posts: 905
    #3
    Great news on your response Tara
    and thinking of you as you deal with this difficult regime. ((Hugs!))

    all the best, Leslie
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #4
    Dear Tara
    So very glad to hear of your excellent results!

    Praying for contiuing good results as you make it 4 more cycles.

    Hugs,

    Marie who loves kitties
  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #5
    Excellent news!
    This should give hope to others on this board facing bone involvement, so thanks for sharing! Ann
  • steveandnat
    steveandnat Member Posts: 886
    #6
    excellent
    This is great news. It makes it worth the aches and pains to have good results. Pray results keep good. Jeff
  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #7
    Tara, congratulations on the progress with the gemzar, 5FU, oxy [repeated from previous comment].

    My wife's tumor cells were tested against 5FU, irinotecan, oxy, and gemzar in combinations. All pairs failed and Gem+5FU+Oxy worked so-so, the best combination of conventional chemos. 5FU + vit C + MK4 was hands down best, 5FU + vit C + K3 was #2. I assume her cells had cimetidine because she was getting a *lot* for surgery itself. I had her path slides stained for CA19-9, CSLEX1 and COX2, all positive so she gets cimetidine and many, mostly natural COX2 inhibitors, among the components. The combination is still working 2 yrs later, augmented with beta glucans (PSK, mushroom extracts+WGP). One prime difference is that she has never had immunological erosion from "normal" chemo as she started immunologically first and then this immunochemo.

    We prefer oral UFT daily to IV 5FU cycles. UFT (uracil-tegafur) clones are made in China, Taiwan, Korea. It would be useful to know if you can find UFT clones in Hong Kong or Guangdong, especially if it is particularly inexpensive.
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #8
    Great Tara
    That is great news Tara!!

    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • janie1
    janie1 Member Posts: 753 Member
    #9
    Kathleen808 said:

    Great Tara
    That is great news Tara!!

    Aloha,
    Kathleen

    Was wondering how that
    Was wondering how that Gemzar was working. That's good news, Tara.

    I sent you a PM about a month ago.....i thought you were living in England, but then I read you were in HK. So, the clinical trial I was talking about will be in England....probably a bit far.
  • smokeyjoe
    smokeyjoe Member Posts: 1,425 Member
    #10
    janie1 said:

    Was wondering how that
    Was wondering how that Gemzar was working. That's good news, Tara.

    I sent you a PM about a month ago.....i thought you were living in England, but then I read you were in HK. So, the clinical trial I was talking about will be in England....probably a bit far.

    Good news that this combo is
    Good news that this combo is working for you. 80% shrinkage is a lot..wow.
  • johnnybegood
    johnnybegood Member Posts: 1,117 Member
    #11
    smokeyjoe said:

    Good news that this combo is
    Good news that this combo is working for you. 80% shrinkage is a lot..wow.

    so glad
    this is working for you.if i remember right our dear lisa was also on this drug.so happy for you and will be praying it keeps on fighting...Godbless....johnnybegood
  • Minnesotagirl
    Minnesotagirl Member Posts: 141
    #12
    johnnybegood said:

    so glad
    this is working for you.if i remember right our dear lisa was also on this drug.so happy for you and will be praying it keeps on fighting...Godbless....johnnybegood

    Good news
    Tara,

    Good news. Keep up the fight Tara...you are paving the way for many here. Blessings and prayers to you my friend.

    "Minnesotagirl"
  • omrhill
    omrhill Member Posts: 125
    #13
    Good news
    This is good news, and I am sure you took away some encouragement that the good outcome is worth the tough treatment effects. Thanks for posting the good results!
    Robin
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #14
    omrhill said:

    Good news
    This is good news, and I am sure you took away some encouragement that the good outcome is worth the tough treatment effects. Thanks for posting the good results!
    Robin

    Goooooood! You deserve it Tara!
    Congratulations and hop you are clear after those 4 more rounds!
  • tommycat
    tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
    #15
    Must have felt good to write your post!!!
    Very glad to hear your good news!!!!
    Hugs,
    tommycat
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #16
    janie1 said:

    Was wondering how that
    Was wondering how that Gemzar was working. That's good news, Tara.

    I sent you a PM about a month ago.....i thought you were living in England, but then I read you were in HK. So, the clinical trial I was talking about will be in England....probably a bit far.

    Sorry!
    Janie -- sorry I missed your PM -- have replied now

    Tara
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #17
    Great to hear
    Wonderful news! I'm so happy for you!

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • Sonia32
    Sonia32 Member Posts: 1,071 Member
    #18
    Tara
    you warrior you, great news keep it up, big hugs.
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #19
    The Best of News...
    W2Go, Tara:)
  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #20
    Great News!
    What great news Tara. So happy for you!!!
  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member
    #21
    TARA
    Great news!! Hope it gets better and better.

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