Chemo Threatments

lindaprocopio said:

You could ask for a Neulasta shot for the whites.
Did you get your CT-scan results yet? (I haven't checked the other posts yet).

I'm so sorry that the aching bones hasn't subsided. I'd personally be tempted to let time work it's magic and wait it out, now that you don't have chemo exasperating any problems every 3 weeks. You seem to be eating right. Maybe just listen to your tired body and sleep sleep sleep.

But if you really feel depleted, there's the Neulasta shot for the white counts, and a less powerful version (forget the name but sounds like Neulasta) that is taken several days in a row. Just be aware that, unless your white count is really low, Neulasta can cause more bone pain.

For red counts, you can take SLOW-FE (non-prescription), but see if you can get a bloodwork read-out on your iron before you do, since red count can go down and iron isn't always the problem. (My iron levels are fine, but my hemoglobin is still low.) You don't want to take iron if you don't need it because it can be constipating. The blood transfusion I had seemed to help a lot. That's a pretty dramatic solution that I'd only consider if you are feeling really light-headed and faint or your heart pounds following every small physical effort. (((Marge))))

lindaprocopio said:

I got my chemo routine changed for the last 2 rounds.
I succeeded in getting the procedure for my last 2 rounds of chemo changed. The last round, when I was unable to get my chemo because my counts were too low, I had already taken 10 steroid tablets, as instructed, before I came in. So I was all wired up on steroids for nothing. And then a week later when I was strong enough to get my delayed chemo, I had to take the steroids all over again. & all of those steroids so close together made me sleepless and constipated. So THIS round, they’ve agreed to let me come in this Monday without taking any pre-treatment steroids at home. Instead I will have my blood work Monday, and if my counts are again too low for chemo, I’ll stay and get a blood transfusion Monday afternoon; and be able to get my chemo on the next day, Tuesday. But if my blood work is okay on Monday, they will give me my steroids in my IV along with my chemo. Works for me! So I think I have a plan to get my last 2 rounds of chemo in me, as long as my veins cooperate.

This is my week before chemo when I feel my absolute best as I have recovered from my last round by now. I even got to work out in my garden 3 different days this week over my lunch hour, cutting back the mums and asters and sedums that I left standing after I had my surgery last October. It was so great to get out on an unseasonably warm (40 to 60 degrees) week! I’ve been so shut in all winter. It is cold again this today, but I have my hopes up that spring will surely come in a month or two.

Ro10 said:

Sorry about your platelet count
Sorry to hear that your platelet count was so low. Please be careful that you don't bump yourself or cut yourself. I am glad you got good news about your CA 125 dropping. That means the chemo is doing something. I'll keep you in my prayers that everything is improved enough for you to get you chemo next week. Take care of yourself.

Marge sorry your neuropathy continues. Hope the medication helps you. Hope you get your CT scan results soon with good news.

Deanna hope you are doing okay with your last chemo treatment.

I go Thursday for lab and Dr's visit and then my second chemo treatment on Friday. It will take 8 - 9 hours for my chemo infusions, is why I am going to separate the lab and chemo dyas.

Ro10 said:

Had 2nd Chemo treatment today
Had another reaction to my 2nd chemo treatment. The first reaction I had immediately when they increased the rate of the Taxol. They gave a second dose pre-chemo treatment drugs and everything was okay. Today they ran the Taxol over 5 hours and everything went okay. When the Carboplatin was infusing my heart rate and BP went very high. I was afraid that I was going to have to spend the night in the hospital with a heart monitor on. Luckily they slowed down the Carbo and gradually the BP and Heart rate went back down. I still think it was from the Taxol, though. My heart rate increased during the last hour of the Taxol the first dose and they slowed the rate. I hope they can get the pre chemo drugs right, so I can have an uneventful 3rd chemo. My poor husband gets so worried when the reactions happen. I feel sorry for him. But luckily everything has worked out. The pharmacist and nurse say that these type of reactions do not occur with the Carbo, and no one has had reactions after the Taxol is stopped. I told them I am not usual. My body does not like drugs.

My RBCs, WBCS and platelets continue to be very good, but unfortunately I had my first CA 125 done and it was extremely high at 435. I did have 5 positive lymph nodes and metastatic cells in my abdominal washing. The doctor said it would be high from the surgery, but I don't think it would make it that high. The normal at this facility is 35. I just hope it is going to drop with the chemo. it is scary to see it that high. Anyone know anyone with one that high?
I also asked by OB/ONOC about genetic predisposition, as my mother and brother had colon cancer. He referred me to a genetic testing clinic. I asked him if me or my daughters would get testing. He said the person with the cancer gets the testing. I am going to call about an appointment next week.

Deanna it is a new picture of me with me wig on. I still have a little hair, but not much. It has not been too hot or itchy yet. I wear scarves and baseball caps, too. I have had to use baby oil on my head to help with the itching. It helps for a while. I hope you are doing well after your chemo.

Linda the nurse today was telling someone who recieved a platlet infusion that there was not anything you could do on your own to bring your platelets up. Food, exercisee, rest do not help the body just needs to build them back up again. She also told her to be careful she did not fall or bruise herself, so be careful.

Theresa hope you are doing okay too.

Marge hope you neuropathy is getting better and you are not so tired. Hope you have the energy to dance with NED.

Peggy I hope Garth is feeling better with less pain.

HUGS to All.

Teresa 61 said:

Taxol Reaction
Ro, I had some reaction to the taxol this time. Felt very nauseous..UGG. The nurse slowed the drip down and that helped some.She ran the premeds cocktail at the same time as the taxol and I wonder if thats what caused it.. I keep thinking that the other 2 rounds, the nurses ran the premeds first.Just can't remember for sure.
I have an appointment with radiology on th 24th, I hope they start the radiation so I can have a break from chemo. Really feeling achy all over,nauseous, no appetite and blue this round. All my husband has to do is ask me how I feel and I cry. I HATE THIS !!
Like your new picture Ro.
My CA-125 was 20 before surgery, after surgery 115,last CA-125 went back to 20.
Deanna, I was diagnosed with Stage II Endometrial (serous) Cancer/High Grade. Your cousins wife must have the slow growing version of it.
Hope everyone is doing well.. Teresa

lindaprocopio said:

I have my Round 5 Chemo racing through my veins!
I just got back from my chemo!! They gave it to me! My platelets climbed from 39 last Monday to 117 for today's bloodwork, on their own. All of my other counts also came up within normal range; I'm surprised and pleased! I think I need that extra week now between chemo rounds. But I have Round 5 in me, and if it ends up that my bone marrow won’t allow me to get the final Round 6, I’ll be okay with that as long as we roll into my radiation treatments pretty quickly. (So TERESA: our radiation treatments may overlap and we can swap stories and moral support!) I know my bloodwork counts will tank again following this new chemo today, but I have an appointment scheduled with my oncologist Wednesday, and he can let me know whether I’ll be getting a blood transfusion next week to help me survive the cancer-killing poison that I just had pumped into my arm! And just maybe, if he schedules my final round out 4 weeks instead of 3, I can get all 6 rounds in. Anyway I’m very happy to have been able to push on with this.

RO: On the post-surgery CA-125, my pre-surgery CA-125 was 50, but my POST-surgery 197! How crazy is THAT? Then my 1st chemo dropped it to 90; 2nd to 57; 3rd to 27; and 4th Round to 17. (I won't know until my they draw blood for my final chemo if Round 5 drops me into single digets.) My oncologist said the pre-surgery CA-125 must have been an error, and said post-surgery CA-125s are almost always inflated from your body still reacting to the surgery (plus those readings were done at a different hospital and he only trusts his own lab.) So try not to worry too much. A HIGH CA-125 is in the THOUSANDS: readings like 1800 or 1300. If you go to the Ovarian Cancer Discussion Board on this website, you'll see a thread on CA-125s where people talk about crazy-high CA-125s. It'll make you feel better about your initial reading, especially when you read how their chemo kicked those high numbers down to CA-125's of 7 and 10. Please don't let that throw you. It's the CA-125 at the END of treatment that counts! ((((Ro))))

Extra hugs to ((((((Deanna)))))) for the head bumps; and ((((((Teresa))))) for the blues and thatscary taxol reaction; and ((((Peggy))) for strength to care for her hurting husband; and ((((Marge))))) for the aching joints and weak feelings; and for ((((all my UPSC Sisters & Uterine Cancer Sisters)))) fighting the good fight and trying not to worry.

In the darkness, you can see the stars!