holding treatment too long???

On 4/12/2007 Jena1 wrote:

Hi all, My 60 yr. old father was recently diagnosed with state IV Pancreatic Cancere, inoperable, and with cells also in his liver, however no tumor there. He is not a canditate for radiation due to the cells in his liver. He started Gemzar and Tarciva 2 weeks ago. He became incompasitated with exhaustion, (two weeks into the treatment) unable to stay awake or move, spiked a temp. of almost 103. We took him to the ER last Friday and he just got out of the Hosp. on Monday.  They treted him with a broad spectrum antibiotic, and IV fluids, etc.His blood counts were all low, and therefore they stopped all treatment. He is just tomorrow starting the Tarceva again, and they are putting a port in him on the 23rd, and starting the Gemzar again. My question, is I know this a horrible agressive cancer, it seems to me that is too long to wait to start Gemzar again. I know they want him to get strengthened , but can't they give him Iron or other blood boosting shots, and get started! Any opinion from someone who has experience  here, would be appreciated, feel free to email me,

God Bless You all,

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My Dad was diagnosed with stage IV which had spread to the liver last October. He reacted very badly to the Gemzar (bad fevers). After 3 attempts over 3 weeks they stopped Gemzar and started him on Xeloda only treatment (which is an oral form of chemotherapy). This has given him a very good 5 months with minimal side effects. Maybe that is an option that you can discuss?

My mother in law also has inoperable panacreatic cancer.  She, too was on Gemzar & Tarceva.  To give the Gemzar, there has to be a certain level of health.  At each chemo appointment, blood work is done to determine whether or not the patient is well enough to administer the drugs.  White blood cell counts, hemoglobin levels and iron levels are just some of the things that are monitored.  If you ask at the next oncology appointment or chemo treatment, I'm sure you can find out your father's test results are.  The nurses & staff should be able to explain to you what results are most important and what things might need to be followed up on or treated.  (Yes, there are shots that they can administer to your dad for certain deficiences, but it still won't mean that they will give him his Gemzar that day.)

Your father will also need to be well enough to have the port line installed.  My mother in law had it done and considers it to be a godsend!  It will make adminstering chemo much easier.  If your dad needs hydration, he can also get it through his port line.  When my mother in law was admitted to the hospital for a liver abscess, most meds were given through the port line.

A word of advice: we've been struggling through this for almost a year now.  My mother in law lives with us now and I'm providing most of her care.  My mother in law cannot safely be left alone at this point as she is terribly weak & not very lucid.  I have children & a job, but I'm glued to my house.  My sister in law brings her young kids and visits just about every weekend- an additional strain on my family and resources.  I am under a tremendous amount of stress.  My husband is following his sister's wishes and is holding off hospice care.  The delay of hospice is keeping help away from my mother in law, but it is also straining my marriage and who knows how much pain this is all causing my kids.   If the subject of hospice is ever brought up, please don't hold out!  Whoever is caring for your father is likely wilting under the pressure.  If you can help relieve the burden of care in any small way, please do!  Even something small is a huge help.  Good luck!