Update

JanQ
JanQ Member Posts: 236
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Well ladies, I haven't really wrote anything because it really hasnt been good. I was on Doxil for about 3 months and then gemzar, Doxil did nothing for me except to make me miserable. The Gemzar started to bring my numbers down, I was never able to complete an entire cycle because of blood counts. For the past 2 months my numbers are inching back up. they had gone down to 75 now they are back up to 114. I will get my ca125 tomorrow and my doctor says (he's rather negative) that he does not expect them to be down, so he wants me to start Topotecan Monday. He said I will take it for 5 days straight off 14. Has anyone ever done this cycle?
On Gemzar I did not lose my hair which as been great, but he says with this that I will. I am thinking about asking for a break, I have been on chemo for the past year without a break.
Well I hope all is well with everyone, there are a lot of new people of which I am sorry, I hate this disease!

Please keep me in your prayers and you all are always in my, not far from my heart, weather I write or not.
Love and God Bless, Jan

Comments

  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #2
    Dear Jan:
    So sorry to hear you're having such a struggle. I know you're aware of so many women here who are, or who have dealt with this. And I'm sure they will be able to offer some valuable insight and suggestions for you. I can only offer my prayers and hugs right now. I hope that's of some help to you, since I don't have personal experience with these types of chemo drugs. I know you may not feel like updating us often, but just maybe try to drop in every couple of weeks to let us know how you are doing. I'm confident that there are still so many options for you. So, till we meet again. . .
    (((HUGS)))
    Monika
  • JanQ
    JanQ Member Posts: 236
    #3
    mopar said:

    Dear Jan:
    So sorry to hear you're having such a struggle. I know you're aware of so many women here who are, or who have dealt with this. And I'm sure they will be able to offer some valuable insight and suggestions for you. I can only offer my prayers and hugs right now. I hope that's of some help to you, since I don't have personal experience with these types of chemo drugs. I know you may not feel like updating us often, but just maybe try to drop in every couple of weeks to let us know how you are doing. I'm confident that there are still so many options for you. So, till we meet again. . .
    (((HUGS)))
    Monika

    Thank you Monika. Prayers are what get me through.

    Hugs to you, Jan
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #4
    I't always good to hear from you. Don't stay away. I have been on chemo a year next month and have 8 more to go. Taxol only now. (((Hugs and prayers coming your way, Jan))) Saundra
  • floridajo
    floridajo Member Posts: 480
    #5
    Jan,
    I was also on Gemzar last year and could only complete 5 of the 6 cycles!! I'm now on Topotecan. But I'm not on the same cycle as you. I take it once a week for 3 weeks then I'm off for the 4th week. I have been doing pretty good..and I haven't lost my hair yet and I start cycle 3 this Friday. I did have a friend on the 5 straight days of Topo,and it made her miserable, the side effects were too much having it that way..so she stopped. Maybe you should ask your Onc about the 1x a week schedule..my Onc said you actually get more chemo this way and that there have been articles that it is just as effective as 5 straight days. I'm also taking the Topo without the help of steriods..and still the side effects aren't too bad...some fatique,some nausea (controlled by compazine) and some minor headaches for the first 24 hours. It also brought my ca-125 from 54 to 20 after the first cycle...so I'm hoping for another drop,which I'll find out this Friday. Good luck...(((hugz)))~~Joanne
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #6
    Dearest Jan, Sending buckets and buckets of hugs n prayers. Bonnie
  • collins
    collins Member Posts: 69
    #7
    Dear Jan

    I was on topo anc carbo through 9 cycles.carbo and topo week one and only topo week 2 off two weeks. I continued to work throughout the whole time. I did have some faigue. The worst part was that it destroyed my blood counts and I had to take nepogen(sp) every day. I did not loose my hair -- it thinned but not enough I had to wear a wig. Is this a reoccurrence and if so how long were you in remission. My onc is thinking of putting me on gemzar in a couple of months. Right now I am maintaining of tomaxifen. Good luck and I hope the topo works for you. Other than for blood counts topo is not bad to tolerate. Let me know how you do on the topo. I am thinking of you and sending good thoughts for good results.

    eleen
  • JanQ
    JanQ Member Posts: 236
    #8
    collins said:

    Dear Jan

    I was on topo anc carbo through 9 cycles.carbo and topo week one and only topo week 2 off two weeks. I continued to work throughout the whole time. I did have some faigue. The worst part was that it destroyed my blood counts and I had to take nepogen(sp) every day. I did not loose my hair -- it thinned but not enough I had to wear a wig. Is this a reoccurrence and if so how long were you in remission. My onc is thinking of putting me on gemzar in a couple of months. Right now I am maintaining of tomaxifen. Good luck and I hope the topo works for you. Other than for blood counts topo is not bad to tolerate. Let me know how you do on the topo. I am thinking of you and sending good thoughts for good results.

    eleen

    Thank you so much, you all are so encouraging! I should never stay away. I talked my doctor into letting me stay on Gemzar one more month and am praying my counts come down considerable. They came down from 114 to 108 but at first he did not think that was enough. My husband and I talked him into one more month. I feel better about that right now. I havent slept this week for worrying. I hate this stronghold controlling my life. I had been doing great not eating sugar no meat, no carbonated drinks... Instead of turning to God I turned to food this week. So please say a pray I can get back on the right track.
    It will be 2 yrs in Aug. that I have been on chemo this time. When I was dx after 6 carbo/taxol I had a remission of about 8 months. Had another surgery and went on carbo/taxetere, my numbers never got down to normal, but had a small break and then changed doctors and have been on chemo ever since. The funny thing with this too is I was going to ask for about a 3 month break, doesnt look like he will agree with that. Oh well please send prayers up for me.

    Love you all and hugs to all, Jan
  • aandj
    aandj Member Posts: 33
    #9
    JanQ said:

    Thank you so much, you all are so encouraging! I should never stay away. I talked my doctor into letting me stay on Gemzar one more month and am praying my counts come down considerable. They came down from 114 to 108 but at first he did not think that was enough. My husband and I talked him into one more month. I feel better about that right now. I havent slept this week for worrying. I hate this stronghold controlling my life. I had been doing great not eating sugar no meat, no carbonated drinks... Instead of turning to God I turned to food this week. So please say a pray I can get back on the right track.
    It will be 2 yrs in Aug. that I have been on chemo this time. When I was dx after 6 carbo/taxol I had a remission of about 8 months. Had another surgery and went on carbo/taxetere, my numbers never got down to normal, but had a small break and then changed doctors and have been on chemo ever since. The funny thing with this too is I was going to ask for about a 3 month break, doesnt look like he will agree with that. Oh well please send prayers up for me.

    Love you all and hugs to all, Jan

    Hi there Jan
    My name is Angela, and I am fairly new here - Dx 4 months ago - 34 yrs old, stage1c, and am on my first batch of chemo - 6x carbo, 4 down, 2 to go...
    If you dont mind me asking - what stage were you when you were diagnosed, and how old are you? Recurrence is one of my biggest fears.
    I cant imagine the strength you have in you to keep going on chemo for so long - you are an inspiration for me. I have done 2 months now, and I am longing for it to be over.
    Stay in touch - This site and the people here have helped me - even if you are all on another continent (I am from South Africa)!
    Love
    Angela
  • kris43
    kris43 Member Posts: 275
    #10
    JanQ said:

    Thank you so much, you all are so encouraging! I should never stay away. I talked my doctor into letting me stay on Gemzar one more month and am praying my counts come down considerable. They came down from 114 to 108 but at first he did not think that was enough. My husband and I talked him into one more month. I feel better about that right now. I havent slept this week for worrying. I hate this stronghold controlling my life. I had been doing great not eating sugar no meat, no carbonated drinks... Instead of turning to God I turned to food this week. So please say a pray I can get back on the right track.
    It will be 2 yrs in Aug. that I have been on chemo this time. When I was dx after 6 carbo/taxol I had a remission of about 8 months. Had another surgery and went on carbo/taxetere, my numbers never got down to normal, but had a small break and then changed doctors and have been on chemo ever since. The funny thing with this too is I was going to ask for about a 3 month break, doesnt look like he will agree with that. Oh well please send prayers up for me.

    Love you all and hugs to all, Jan

    Jan - it is so hard to hear the despair in your voice. I have not had to deal with a recurrence yet as I am only 7 weeks out of my 1st rotation of chemo. I am always amazed at how much many of the women on this site have had to endure. It is not fair, it is not right, but you all just keep striving to survive. What an inspiration you are. I need that. I am sending hugs and prayers your way also. You hang in there. Kris

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