Mom's in Hospital/question about cisplatin

saundra said:

Lisa13Q
Isn't this your Mom's first chemo or has she had carbo/taxol? Did she drink lots of water? Hard to keep down, I guess if she was nauseated. They can lower the dose and increase the time between doses to make it easier. I would talk to the doctors about the dose, choice of chemo, etc. Maybe this is to toxic for her. My doctor says there is no need to ruin quality of life, when I was sick for 10 days on the combination of doxil and carbo. The first dose after my surgery was the worst one for me too because surgery is so hard on the body. Ask lots of questions of her doc... (((HUGS and PRAYERS))) Saundra

HI Saundra, hope you're having a good day. This is my mother's 2nd round and type of chemo. She had taxol/avastin before surgery and it worked very well. There were a few spots still left on her bowel after the surgery and they put in a port and decided to do the cisplatin straight into her abdomen. I think that the doctors did not do a great job of forewarning us about how to handle the cisplatin, which really has nasty nasty side effects as I am learning from so many women on this board. Anyway, had they warned us, we could have set up IV infusions immediately for 2 days later and/or had special electrolyte drinks for her. Therefore avoiding this episode. So my sister is pretty peode right now as she really is good at this and would have done it. Anyway, lesson learned for next time. Mom is still in the hospital, which is good. I think getting her fluids and counts up is necessary. I will be flying out to NY tomorrow to take care of her and give my sister a rest. You bring up a great point about quality of life issues. I let my mother lead this fight and she wants this damn cisplatin. So, we'll try again with the new IV infusion protocol. I hope and pray the doctors will stop it if it gets too hard, as my mother will fight and fight and do whatever it takes, even if she is miserable. The research does show, short term quality of life on the cisplatin is terrible, but long term outcomes are better than with other chemos. As with everything in life, always consequences.. Thanks for your support..I'll keep you all posted. At least she's lucid now. I truly appreciate your posts. Thanks, Lisa

kayandok said:

Lisa,
I'm so sorry for your mom and you!! Having a broken shoulder on top of everything else is so unfortunate!

I had cisplatin/gemzar for 6 cycles ending last June. I have to echo the other ladies in saying it was brutal. I had to stay in the hospital for 4 days for hydration after infusion, I was so sick and none of the anti-nausea or steroids worked. In contrast the carbo/taxol and now doxil seems like a dream.

I would find out if your mom can have carboplatin instead and like Saundra says, over a slower period of time. I hope she recovers quickly and her spirits are boosted by having you there. You are a wonderful daughter!!

Warm hugs,
kathleen:)

Was it worth it?
yeah, that hydration is a huge issue. I will ask why they want the cisplatin, but it's supposed to be a great drug. basically, was the effect worth the hellish process? Not sure it matters anyway, she's going to go with what the doctors say, but I wonder..