recurrent cervical cancer-carbo/gemzar

ccfighter
ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
in Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine) #1

Got a third opinion today on treatment for recurrent cervical adenosquamous where mets located in lung and abdominal wall showed up.  Seems carbo/gemzar or cisplatin gemzar are good choices and possibly adding avastin to the mix, as a new study shows improved survival with that.  Not eligiable for clinical trials at the moment as I have no measurable disease and most require that.  Seems there is not a lot openly available in terms of immune or vaccine therapy and so I guess I will have to start digging around for that.  Might have to travel if I deem it more important than the FDA in the USA. 

Start on carbo/gemzar tomorrow.  Got my fingers crossed it all goes smoothly.  Hate the poison but I love my life so I do what I have to do, what there is to do, until someone figures something better out.  hugs to you all. 

Comments

  • babe12
    babe12 Member Posts: 103
    #2
    CCfighter, you have been in

    CCfighter, you have been in my thoughts and prayers. I hope this treatment works for you. You have been so upbeat and incredibly strong throughout your ordeal. You are such an inspiration to each one of us. Thank you for your tireless effort in researching the treatment and cure of this nasty cancer!

    D.

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #3
    babe12 said:

    CCfighter, you have been in

    CCfighter, you have been in my thoughts and prayers. I hope this treatment works for you. You have been so upbeat and incredibly strong throughout your ordeal. You are such an inspiration to each one of us. Thank you for your tireless effort in researching the treatment and cure of this nasty cancer!

    D.

    Thank you babe.  This is a

    Thank you babe.  This is a tough battle for us all.  One day at a time.

    Had my first carbo/gemzar today.  The infusion was uneventful.  Have a little nausea, feeling a little tired, but overall not terrible.  Next week go back for more gemzar.  Then it will be one down 5 to go.  Hope this combo does the trick.  But still plan on doing a lot of searching for some vaccine therapies to follow the chemo.  Hard to find for cervical cancer.  Will let you all know what I come up with.  Hugs.

  • funbeadgirl
    funbeadgirl Member Posts: 181 Member
    #4
    ccfighter said:

    Thank you babe.  This is a

    Thank you babe.  This is a tough battle for us all.  One day at a time.

    Had my first carbo/gemzar today.  The infusion was uneventful.  Have a little nausea, feeling a little tired, but overall not terrible.  Next week go back for more gemzar.  Then it will be one down 5 to go.  Hope this combo does the trick.  But still plan on doing a lot of searching for some vaccine therapies to follow the chemo.  Hard to find for cervical cancer.  Will let you all know what I come up with.  Hugs.

    Wishing you the best

    I wish you the best in your next treatment phase, I hope it all works out well for you and you will have no evidence of disease at the end of it all. Be Stong, Stand FIrm and Keep Enduring...life is worth it! It is always a good idea to keep researching, I think we have more time than doctors do to do that kind of research, it never hurts and I think the docs appreciate that we are actively involved in our own health care decisions.

  • debrajo
    debrajo Member Posts: 1,095 Member
    #5
    Best of luck and many

    Best of luck and many blessings on your new cocktail of meds!  Just a suggestion, but while you do your research, check out the work they are doing in Israel.  While I have uterine cancer, they sent samples from me to Israel for study.  Dr.s told me they are doing a lot of research on a wide spectrum of female cancers.  Best, debrajo

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #6
    Made it through the first

    Made it through the first infusion without incidence.  Feel ok for the most part.  Have had some nausea but compazine seems to be working well for that.  The biggest pain in the butt is the constipation.  Trying to figure out my next strategic move as the colace, senecot and glycerine suppositories arent doing a thing.  Ugg.

  • debrajo
    debrajo Member Posts: 1,095 Member
    #7
    ccfighter said:

    Made it through the first

    Made it through the first infusion without incidence.  Feel ok for the most part.  Have had some nausea but compazine seems to be working well for that.  The biggest pain in the butt is the constipation.  Trying to figure out my next strategic move as the colace, senecot and glycerine suppositories arent doing a thing.  Ugg.

    Everyone I know raves about

    Everyone I know raves about Miralax.  Never had to use it, but they say it is a Miracal drug!  best, debrajo

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #8
    debrajo said:

    Everyone I know raves about

    Everyone I know raves about Miralax.  Never had to use it, but they say it is a Miracal drug!  best, debrajo

    Thanks debrajo.  The chemo

    Thanks debrajo.  The chemo nurses also recommended that.  Hugs.

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #9
    Well, went in for the day 8

    Well, went in for the day 8 gemzar tocomplete the first cycle of chemo but my counts were too low.  WBC 1 and so no chemo.  Will find out tomorrow what the plan will be.  Obviously will be needing the neupogen again.  Ugg.

  • babe12
    babe12 Member Posts: 103
    #10
    ccfighter said:

    Well, went in for the day 8

    Well, went in for the day 8 gemzar tocomplete the first cycle of chemo but my counts were too low.  WBC 1 and so no chemo.  Will find out tomorrow what the plan will be.  Obviously will be needing the neupogen again.  Ugg.

    Hang in there ccfighter!!!

    Hang in there ccfighter!!! You can do this!! Yes, it does suck bad at times, but you are a fighter. Keeping you in my prayers.

    D.

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #11
    babe12 said:

    Hang in there ccfighter!!!

    Hang in there ccfighter!!! You can do this!! Yes, it does suck bad at times, but you are a fighter. Keeping you in my prayers.

    D.

    Thanks D.  Riding the waves.

    Thanks D.  Riding the waves.  Got my fingers crossed they bring me safely into shore.

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #12
    Went in and WBC had recovered

    Went in and WBC had recovered a little but Platlets fell to 87.  Got a half dose of gemzar.  Supposed to get neupogen the next three days.  Yuck!  I'm not in a very good mood.

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #13
    Now I've had three days of

    Now I've had three days of neupogen and my WBC is a 3.5 but my Platlets are a 47 and I have a terrible cold.  Otherwise, doing ok.

  • babe12
    babe12 Member Posts: 103
    #14
    ccfighter said:

    Now I've had three days of

    Now I've had three days of neupogen and my WBC is a 3.5 but my Platlets are a 47 and I have a terrible cold.  Otherwise, doing ok.

    cc, glad to hear you're doing

    cc, glad to hear you're doing ok. I've been wondering how you've been doing. Hang in there!!

    D.

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #15
    babe12 said:

    cc, glad to hear you're doing

    cc, glad to hear you're doing ok. I've been wondering how you've been doing. Hang in there!!

    D.

    Thanks babe,
    Still hanging

    Thanks babe,

    Still hanging in.  Still got this cold I can't seem to get rid of.  Went to oncs office today and had blood rechecked.  Platlets down to 37 now.  WBC 2.7 even after neupogen.  Don't know how this bodes for next weeks scheduled infusion.  Will probably be delayed.  Drat.

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #16
    Well, still havent had

    Well, still havent had another chemo infusion.  Counts remain low.  WBC at 1.5 Platlets up to 84 but still low.  Hemaglobin at 12 which is good, though it was 14.5 before I started on the chemo again.  Seeing as the carbo/gemzar is hitting the bone marrow too hard and I am slow to recover as I had so much chemo from dec 2011-may 2012 and my body just cant recoup as fast, my oncologist and I have decided to switch the chemo over to Cisplatin/gemzar since Cisplatin does not hit the bone marrow as hard as the carbo does.  I know it is a harsher chemo with side effects, but I also feel that Cisplatin will be more effective on my cancer than the carbo.  Ive done so much high dose carboplatin in the past, but only did low dose cisplatin concurrent with radiation.  Hopefully the cisplatin will be easier on my bone marrow and I will be able to keep on the chemo schedual for the next 5 rounds.

    On a positive note, I had a CT scan done of chest, abdomen and pelvis and there is no evidence of disease.  It had been three months since my last scan, and this is the first scan that I have ever had that has been clear.  Not holding my breath as I have only had one chemo after surgery, and the surgery left me with NED, but, still good news.  Yea!!

  • babe12
    babe12 Member Posts: 103
    #17
    ccfighter said:

    Well, still havent had

    Well, still havent had another chemo infusion.  Counts remain low.  WBC at 1.5 Platlets up to 84 but still low.  Hemaglobin at 12 which is good, though it was 14.5 before I started on the chemo again.  Seeing as the carbo/gemzar is hitting the bone marrow too hard and I am slow to recover as I had so much chemo from dec 2011-may 2012 and my body just cant recoup as fast, my oncologist and I have decided to switch the chemo over to Cisplatin/gemzar since Cisplatin does not hit the bone marrow as hard as the carbo does.  I know it is a harsher chemo with side effects, but I also feel that Cisplatin will be more effective on my cancer than the carbo.  Ive done so much high dose carboplatin in the past, but only did low dose cisplatin concurrent with radiation.  Hopefully the cisplatin will be easier on my bone marrow and I will be able to keep on the chemo schedual for the next 5 rounds.

    On a positive note, I had a CT scan done of chest, abdomen and pelvis and there is no evidence of disease.  It had been three months since my last scan, and this is the first scan that I have ever had that has been clear.  Not holding my breath as I have only had one chemo after surgery, and the surgery left me with NED, but, still good news.  Yea!!

    CC, I am sorry the chemo has

    CC, I am sorry the chemo has hit you so hard, But I am so happy your scan was clear!!!! At least there is some good news, you have been waiting a long time for that!! I hope the new chemo cocktail works out for you. YEA for NED!!!!!

  • babe12
    babe12 Member Posts: 103
    #18
    ccfighter said:

    Well, still havent had

    Well, still havent had another chemo infusion.  Counts remain low.  WBC at 1.5 Platlets up to 84 but still low.  Hemaglobin at 12 which is good, though it was 14.5 before I started on the chemo again.  Seeing as the carbo/gemzar is hitting the bone marrow too hard and I am slow to recover as I had so much chemo from dec 2011-may 2012 and my body just cant recoup as fast, my oncologist and I have decided to switch the chemo over to Cisplatin/gemzar since Cisplatin does not hit the bone marrow as hard as the carbo does.  I know it is a harsher chemo with side effects, but I also feel that Cisplatin will be more effective on my cancer than the carbo.  Ive done so much high dose carboplatin in the past, but only did low dose cisplatin concurrent with radiation.  Hopefully the cisplatin will be easier on my bone marrow and I will be able to keep on the chemo schedual for the next 5 rounds.

    On a positive note, I had a CT scan done of chest, abdomen and pelvis and there is no evidence of disease.  It had been three months since my last scan, and this is the first scan that I have ever had that has been clear.  Not holding my breath as I have only had one chemo after surgery, and the surgery left me with NED, but, still good news.  Yea!!

    CC, I am sorry the chemo has

    CC, I am sorry the chemo has hit you so hard, But I am so happy your scan was clear!!!! At least there is some good news, you have been waiting a long time for that!! I hope the new chemo cocktail works out for you. YEA for NED!!!!!

  • ccfighter
    ccfighter Member Posts: 476 Member
    #19
    Ugg.
    Went in for

    Ugg.

    Went in for gemzar/cisplatin today.  Neutrophils were still a little to low but we went ahead.  Everything was ok at first.  Got premeds, I hate the steroid, got the gemzar,then started the cisplatin.  About 15 mins into cisplatin my sinusesbegan to feel like they were swellingand my eyes got itchy and irritated.  I told the nurses.  They stopped thecisplatin as I was clearly getting worse and not better.  They gave me Benadryl and fluids.  I went to the bathroom and noticed as I washed my hand my nose and forehead were all red and blotchy.  I looked down and my whole bodywas covered in hives.  So...I don't know what we'll do next.  Was not fun.

  • babe12
    babe12 Member Posts: 103
    #20
    ccfighter said:

    Ugg.
    Went in for

    Ugg.

    Went in for gemzar/cisplatin today.  Neutrophils were still a little to low but we went ahead.  Everything was ok at first.  Got premeds, I hate the steroid, got the gemzar,then started the cisplatin.  About 15 mins into cisplatin my sinusesbegan to feel like they were swellingand my eyes got itchy and irritated.  I told the nurses.  They stopped thecisplatin as I was clearly getting worse and not better.  They gave me Benadryl and fluids.  I went to the bathroom and noticed as I washed my hand my nose and forehead were all red and blotchy.  I looked down and my whole bodywas covered in hives.  So...I don't know what we'll do next.  Was not fun.

    cc, so sorry to hear about

    cc, so sorry to hear about your chemo reaction. That had to be rough!! Keep your faith, you've gotten this far. I know it sucks taking a step forward and 2 backwards and another 2 sideways! You can do this, you are a fighter!!!!!

    D.

  • babe12
    babe12 Member Posts: 103
    #21
    ccfighter said:

    Ugg.
    Went in for

    Ugg.

    Went in for gemzar/cisplatin today.  Neutrophils were still a little to low but we went ahead.  Everything was ok at first.  Got premeds, I hate the steroid, got the gemzar,then started the cisplatin.  About 15 mins into cisplatin my sinusesbegan to feel like they were swellingand my eyes got itchy and irritated.  I told the nurses.  They stopped thecisplatin as I was clearly getting worse and not better.  They gave me Benadryl and fluids.  I went to the bathroom and noticed as I washed my hand my nose and forehead were all red and blotchy.  I looked down and my whole bodywas covered in hives.  So...I don't know what we'll do next.  Was not fun.

    cc, so sorry to hear about

    cc, so sorry to hear about your chemo reaction. That had to be rough!! Keep your faith, you've gotten this far. I know it sucks taking a step forward and 2 backwards and another 2 sideways! You can do this, you are a fighter!!!!!

    D.

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