Has anyone had Doxil start working after 5-6 rounds?

Jodi, I can't comment on anything with Doxil but it is so good to see you stop in.  

I know your husband is in the military, and I am so grateful for his service, but thank you as well.  It is military families who make the services for us.  Thank you.

My CA 125 didn't start going down until after the 5th dose of Doxil, #6 went up, #7 went down (by 30!) then #8 back up.  I'm scheduled for 2 more Doxil although my Oncologist said today if it continues to go up she will scedule another scan.  I had a scan 3 months ago and it showed some shrinkage of the known tumors and a new "development of a cystic structure adjacent to the stomach."   (Don't you just love the language!) Shouldn't they be able to tell?  Instead they say 'it could represent a new metastatic implant or potentially a loculation of ascites."  Sorry I'm venting and a bit off track.  The bottom message from my oncologist is not to get to excited about the flucuating CA125, symptoms are more important, "how does one feel".  And so that is my advice to you,  if you are feeling good (or reasonally well)  then that is what is important.  I do not envy you having to move at this time.  I do hope you have a good support system to help with making all of the necessary decisions.  I send positive healing thoughts and prayers.

Rose-53 said:

Port with Doxil

Does anyone know why I have have to have a port put in to recieve Doxil? I went thru 6 cycles of Carbo/Taxol without a port. Recurrence sucks

Good afternoon Rose

Yes…recurrence sucks….but what’s the alternative?   That’s the choice we each much make when one drug has “done its work” for a time, and the cancer recurs.  More often than not, this is the case for Ovarian cancer.

As for the port, it does offer advantages over insertion of a needle in a vein each time we go in for a chemo session.  When I was recuperating from the Cytoreductive Surgery back in 2013, any time I needed pain meds or nausea meds, anti-biotics, etc. they were put right into the port and I didn’t have to go through “repeated” shots with a needle.  Considering that “we’re in this cancer survival for the long-haul” as for me, I prefer to have a port, rather than to have nurses “searching for a vein” each time I need medical help.  So while we wish we had never heard of cancer, chemotherapy, etc., once we’re here, we have to make choices.  And I suppose the doctors are just trying to make your treatments more tolerable by insertion of a port.  You have asked the doctor, “why the need for a medi-port?”  have you not?

My doctor has mentioned Doxil as a possible alternative should my current regimens of Carbo/Taxol begin to no longer work.  Right now I’m feeling as good as I am ever going to feel, although I know that as my CA-125 numbers begin a rapid rate of increase, it will be decision time again, but for now, I’m “enjoying” the chemo-free time off!

God has granted me another interval of reprieve for which I’m thankful.   And summertime is upon us, my favorite time of the year.  My husband and 2 of my sons have planted a garden out back.  Now what will we do with the crops should they all “survive”?  In times past, it has been my custom, to “cook, can and freeze” all kinds of fruits & vegetables.  So I’m not going to can as much this year.  But we’ve got corn, squash, peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins, canteloupes, strawberries now almost ready to pick, and pumpkins.  One son said, “Mom, I planted a pumpkin that will grow to weigh 300#!”  I said, “Well for certain you planted it in the front yard for the passersby to see.  I’ll not be processing a 300# pumpkin for sure.  Now I usually do cook at least one big pumpkin and can it, so we can have pumpkin pie in a jiffy.  But I’m thankful I can still “drag” my always-tired body around to do things that provide pleasure for me and my family. 

I try not to dwell on the fact that I have a terminal (at some point) cancer that is not going to be cured.  I think of the things I can still do, and then go about those things, even though I never get it all done as quickly any more.  But I’m thankful to be alive and I do ask the Lord to give me the ability to concentrate on what I can still do, rather than what I can’t.  After all, I’m only 78 and didn’t expect to get slowed down this quickly.  My grandma lived to be one month short of 110.  She fell and broke her hip at age 105.  Doctors at a Mt. Airy, NC hospital gave her a hip transplant.  She survived and lived almost another 5 years.  She was still peeling apples and drying them on her stove at age 102.  So I just always sorta’ assumed that longevity ran in the family, (and it does) and that I would still have the energy of at least someone say—oh 50 or so at this time of my life. 

As for me, as a Stage IV OC, my hope is that I will be able to have some long periods of “progression free SURVIVAL”…that’s what it’s all about at this stage for me. 

I’ve had 3 chemo regimens already, each consists of 6 cycles, that “18” needle sticks I avoided, not to count the times I was in the hospital for 42 days back in 2013, and needed multiple “doses” of meds each day.  Now that doesn’t include multiple trips to the Emergency Room when the port was used for some type of medication instead of a “needle stick”.  So as for me, I know I’m blessed to still be alive for over 4 years, and I much prefer the port.  Now there’s only one thing I insist on.  Since every medical person isn’t adequately trained in accessing medi-ports, I insist that person is totally familiar with, and an expert at, “accessing medi-ports!”  My name tag reads:  “Loretta Marshall” not “Guinea Pig”!

So “just off the top of my hat”, I would say that most likely your doctor wants to put in a port for your convenience and comfort.  Now it would have been ideal if the “6” cycles you had were all you needed, but obviously “more treatments are now necessary”.  And should this medication not work, then some other combination will be used, if that is the choice you make.  So I can see that there may be repeated sessions that could involve injection either by a vein or a medi-port.  Personally, I much prefer the port.  Here’s hoping your treatments work PERIOD either by vein or by port!

Once again this bears remembering, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass—it’s about learning how to dance in the rain!” 

1. http://gboncology.com/blog/to-port-or-not-to-port-advantages-and-disadvantages/

To Port or Not To Port – Advantages & Disadvantages

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2.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_3002582937&feature=iv&src_vid=hmVGLbSrJU4&v=jTH_1Fvx_po

Portacath: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW - Sarel Gaur MD

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3.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_nv3UYwos8

4.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKXmySpexi8

5.  https://www.doxil.com/ovarian-cancer

6.  https://www.doxil.com/ovarian-cancer/understanding-your-treatment-options

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Lou Ann M said:

Port for Doxil

i believe it is more toxic that Taxol/Carbo and would probably damage your veins quicker.  It is a red mix and is sometimes called the Red Devil. My nurses really suited up when they were working with me when I was getting this lovely stuff.

Hugs and Prayers, Lou Ann

i have just been told that my cancer is back. My last chemo ended in Sept 2016 Carbo/Taxil.  On Wednesday I begin again with carbo/doxil.  I am scared...I understand that it is not cureable, but is this a death sentence? 

Beckin I am so sorry to hear your cancer is back. I know that when it comes back it is a hard blow to deal with. Is it winable for us? I plan on fighting like hell to win as I am sure you do. hugs