Started Ip Chemo Last Week

Well I got my first dose of IP lastThursday, as far as I know Im still in remission but don't want to take any chances. I asked my doc what would HE do if HE were ME...he said taxol in the chest Thurs. Cisplatin in the IP Friday. one week later Doxy in the chest and taxol in the IP...repeat in 2 weeks for 6 cycles. My IP port is placed on a floating rib I think and it wasnt super hard nor super easy to access..I was very concerned because of all the scar tissue I was afraid it wouldnt diffuse across my whole abdomen. Well i watched my left side, where the IP port is, get bigger and bigger and then finally it started to spread. Im a little sore, definately more nauseous than I remember my first cycles of chemo but Im chugging anemetics like a squirrel in a nut factory. Im at work which is soooo much better than staying home like before. I totally love my new doc and his attention to detail, I really feel like Im getting much much better care. Even down to getting pre hydration..which is so basic but my first guy didnt do it. It is so true, you must advocate for yourself...docs just do what they know and unfortunately you dont know how much they know until way far down the road. Im feeling happy that I finally got back on and emailed you guys, we know how it feels....and there is comfort in that I am not alone...listen to Diane T.'s words of wisdom, I dont know her personally but I do know that she has the secret....thanks for listening, colleen

 

On 9/18/2007 Redboots wrote:

Well I got my first dose of IP lastThursday, as far as I know Im still in remission but don't want to take any chances. I asked my doc what would HE do if HE were ME...he said taxol in the chest Thurs. Cisplatin in the IP Friday. one week later Doxy in the chest and taxol in the IP...repeat in 2 weeks for 6 cycles. My IP port is placed on a floating rib I think and it wasnt super hard nor super easy to access..I was very concerned because of all the scar tissue I was afraid it wouldnt diffuse across my whole abdomen. Well i watched my left side, where the IP port is, get bigger and bigger and then finally it started to spread. Im a little sore, definately more nauseous than I remember my first cycles of chemo but Im chugging anemetics like a squirrel in a nut factory. Im at work which is soooo much better than staying home like before. I totally love my new doc and his attention to detail, I really feel like Im getting much much better care. Even down to getting pre hydration..which is so basic but my first guy didnt do it. It is so true, you must advocate for yourself...docs just do what they know and unfortunately you dont know how much they know until way far down the road. Im feeling happy that I finally got back on and emailed you guys, we know how it feels....and there is comfort in that I am not alone...listen to Diane T.'s words of wisdom, I dont know her personally but I do know that she has the secret....thanks for listening, colleen

Hi Colleen: 

I finished 6 rounds of IP chemo 15 mos ago - I'm still in remission.  My doctors were awesome and I am grateful I got this treatment even though it was a very hard treatment to tolerate.  I was wondering why you are getting this IP treatment if you are still in remission.  By the 4th round I found lots of "tricks" to get thru it without it totally kicking my tail.  If there's anything I can answer for you as you go thru this treatment, please feel free to email me: 

--Message edited by CancerCompass staff. For personal protection, email address removed. Consider private reply. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html--

    I went thru all 6 treatments & came thru well - 15 mos later and I'm totally back to myself. Good Luck!   Susan

 

 

 

 

On 9/20/2007 Thebookie wrote:

 

On 9/18/2007 Redboots wrote:

Well I got my first dose of IP lastThursday, as far as I know Im still in remission but don't want to take any chances. I asked my doc what would HE do if HE were ME...he said taxol in the chest Thurs. Cisplatin in the IP Friday. one week later Doxy in the chest and taxol in the IP...repeat in 2 weeks for 6 cycles. My IP port is placed on a floating rib I think and it wasnt super hard nor super easy to access..I was very concerned because of all the scar tissue I was afraid it wouldnt diffuse across my whole abdomen. Well i watched my left side, where the IP port is, get bigger and bigger and then finally it started to spread. Im a little sore, definately more nauseous than I remember my first cycles of chemo but Im chugging anemetics like a squirrel in a nut factory. Im at work which is soooo much better than staying home like before. I totally love my new doc and his attention to detail, I really feel like Im getting much much better care. Even down to getting pre hydration..which is so basic but my first guy didnt do it. It is so true, you must advocate for yourself...docs just do what they know and unfortunately you dont know how much they know until way far down the road. Im feeling happy that I finally got back on and emailed you guys, we know how it feels....and there is comfort in that I am not alone...listen to Diane T.'s words of wisdom, I dont know her personally but I do know that she has the secret....thanks for listening, colleen

Hi Colleen: 

I finished 6 rounds of IP chemo 15 mos ago - I'm still in remission.  My doctors were awesome and I am grateful I got this treatment even though it was a very hard treatment to tolerate.  I was wondering why you are getting this IP treatment if you are still in remission.  By the 4th round I found lots of "tricks" to get thru it without it totally kicking my tail.  If there's anything I can answer for you as you go thru this treatment, please feel free to email me: 

--Message edited by CancerCompass staff. For personal protection, email address removed. Consider private reply. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html--

    I went thru all 6 treatments & came thru well - 15 mos later and I'm totally back to myself. Good Luck!   Susan

 

 

Hi Susan,

What stage ovarian cancer do you have?  My mom probably has stage 3 and is ready to have surgery soon and begin chemo.  Six months of chemo and back to yourself sounds like a miracle...please share your secret.

Thanks,

Debra

 

Hi Debra:

  Miracle is the correct word.  I have always been very into fitness and nutrition and was in my optimal condition when dx with stage 3C grade 3 ov cancer.  Surgery was tough - 7hrs -the cancer was everywhere & 8in of my colon had to be removed.  IP chemo started 3 wks after surgery.  Continuing to work my home-based bookkeeping/payroll service about 20hrs/wk kept my mind active and kind of kept life more normal.  20% of the time it was a nightmare but, the other 80% was such a blessing to have the diversion.  I think it forced me to pull it together when I might not have if I didn't have to.  Also, maintaining about 60% of my fitness program at the Y (where I have lots of co-fitness close friends) kept me feeling much better.  My family, friends, church & medical team were incredibly supportive and helpful and loving.  I would be down for the count only for about 3 days after day 2 (cisplatin IP) - then would begin pulling it together - lightly working out & taking aerobic classes - usually 1/2 of what I was used to being able to do.  Nutrition played a very imp part.  I would consume these smoothies made of 1 cup soy milk, frozen strawberries & blueberries, a banana and lots of fresh-fround p-nut butter the evening home from chemo, then the next morning (it didn't hit me till about 11am the next morning when I would no longer eat/drink anything till a day or two later-mostly slept for 1-2 days)  These smoothies kept my numbers and weight a little more stable.  The rest of the time, my diet was all veg as it had been for many years - but by round 4 the IP chemo gave me neuropathy of my colon and I had to do all vegan - which is still the way it is.  Not bad - don't mind it at all - actually feel good from the vegan diet.  After round 4 & 5 - I asked for an extra week of recovery which worked well for me.  My Oncologist liked the idea - even though it dragged the treatments an extra 2 weeks - I think the xtra week recovery period kept the last two treatments from totally doing me in.  I was feeling pretty good and strong before each of the last rounds.  Apparently it worked so far - I'm 15 mos out with no recurrence.  I wasn't it total remission till the end of the 5th round - so I sure do believe in the IP.  If you have any further ques - I'm happy to share all experiences I had.  I now have a ministry of helping women here thru the treatment by visiting and calling, etc.  Good luck!!!  Hope you're mom does great!  It's a very hard treatment - the hardest from what I've since learned - but doable.  I will keep your mom in my prayers.  Love, susan

Hi Susan,

Thank you so much for your caring and thoughtful reply. Your story is so encouraging.  Two weeks into mom's initial diagnosis, it thrills me to hear you are doing so well!  Eating well/drinking nutritional shakes when you have an appetite before chemo side affects set in is something I will remember and encourage mom to do.

I'm new on the cancer message board and would love to keep in touch. In the meantime, I send you lots of postive energy and continued prayers for your good health.

PS.  You can email me directly at

--Message edited by CancerCompass staff. For personal protection, email address removed. Consider private reply. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html--

 

More thanks,

Debra

Hi Susan, thank you for sharing...I would very much like to ask you some specific questions about IP and your port, Im having a horrible time with it but dont know if its "normal" or not. They dont let you send email addresses in these posts, liability-geez I hate that word- but when you send a private message and you type the address as part of the text it often will go through.

I am also 3C and vegan, but total couch potato and cant believe how fumpy and slack my body has gotten since laying around with this chemo...please email me when you have a chance so I can ask you my questions. God bless, colleen 

sorry, that was susan who went thru the ip!