Doxil for recurrence

Hello everyone. My name is Ann and I live in southern california. 64 years of age and about to retire at the end of this month. Chasing cancer seems to be my life's work these days.I am new to this board and would like to hear from you. I had breast cancer 9 years ago which was treated with lumpectomy and radiation which I tolerated well. This last March I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC Ovarian cancer. I took Carboplatin & Taxatere for 2 cycles before my hysterectomy.My gyno/oncologist/surgeon removed everything possible in- cluding my appendix =). Discovered that primary tumor was peritoneal but takes same treatment as Ovarian. Continued the same chemos through the summer without too many side effects. Just SLOW hair loss and numbness in my feet. Ca 125 had been going down and got to 11 before it slowly started going back up to 52. Right around Election time I discovered some swollen tender lymph nodes by my collarbone and base of my neck. Biopsy showed Ovarian caancer cells in the biopsied node so instead of talking about maintainenance dose for first cancer all of a sudden we are talking about doing Doxil for recurrent Ovarian which is a polite way to say metastases. =( Anyway I have had only one cycle of it and second one this coming Tuesday the 16th. My hands and feet are OK so far but I've had a little rash on my underarm and under the band of my bra. Have been advised to use hydrocortisone cream and wear light weight cool cotton cami style bra

So, ok now. I am fortunate to have my original BC support group and attend two others in Long Beach. One for women's gyno cancers and another for different cancers, both men and women. Some of us go to both.

Even if you are a little shy about sharing, the groups can be incredibly helpful and supportive. Sometimes I need support and sometimes I give it =) . Thanks to all our friends, families, neighbors, and work friends as they try to help us through these tough times. I hope the New Year brings us success and understanding.

Hugs,

Ann

On 12/14/2008 kayaxrus wrote:

Hello everyone. My name is Ann and I live in southern california. 64 years of age and about to retire at the end of this month. Chasing cancer seems to be my life's work these days.I am new to this board and would like to hear from you. I had breast cancer 9 years ago which was treated with lumpectomy and radiation which I tolerated well. This last March I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC Ovarian cancer. I took Carboplatin & Taxatere for 2 cycles before my hysterectomy.My gyno/oncologist/surgeon removed everything possible in- cluding my appendix =). Discovered that primary tumor was peritoneal but takes same treatment as Ovarian. Continued the same chemos through the summer without too many side effects. Just SLOW hair loss and numbness in my feet. Ca 125 had been going down and got to 11 before it slowly started going back up to 52. Right around Election time I discovered some swollen tender lymph nodes by my collarbone and base of my neck. Biopsy showed Ovarian caancer cells in the biopsied node so instead of talking about maintainenance dose for first cancer all of a sudden we are talking about doing Doxil for recurrent Ovarian which is a polite way to say metastases. =( Anyway I have had only one cycle of it and second one this coming Tuesday the 16th. My hands and feet are OK so far but I've had a little rash on my underarm and under the band of my bra. Have been advised to use hydrocortisone cream and wear light weight cool cotton cami style bra

So, ok now. I am fortunate to have my original BC support group and attend two others in Long Beach. One for women's gyno cancers and another for different cancers, both men and women. Some of us go to both.

Even if you are a little shy about sharing, the groups can be incredibly helpful and supportive. Sometimes I need support and sometimes I give it =) . Thanks to all our friends, families, neighbors, and work friends as they try to help us through these tough times. I hope the New Year brings us success and understanding.

Hugs,

Ann

Hi Ann,

I am Nancy and I have/had stage 3c ovairan cancer. I am 49 years old and I just had my first dose of Doxil last week.

 I was operated on July 07 and had Chemo Sept.07 - Jan 08, with Taxol and Cisplatin. I only had cisplatin on first cycle due to a reaction to it. Kidney's started to fail. I was hydrated for 12 days in hospital and then a week later I was started on Carboplatin and taxol. I had 7 treatments. One extra due to a loss of treatment when kidneys failed. I lost all my hair back then, but it came back better than before. I had BAD neuropathy in hands and feet, more in feet. I still have a little in feet. A matter of fact, I lost my balance on Labor day and fell and broke my ankle, have 9 pins and rod and plate in foot. I am walking on it now with an air cast but it was just ANOTHER thing to deal with. I fell on a carpet in my house. So becareful.

My CA 125 was up to 6000 when I had surgery. Had hysterdectomy and dubulking, after chemo it went to 28. June and July of -08 I was in remission and in August my counts started going up. I am now at 170. Had CT scan and it showed a 4mm tumor in my gut. So I am now having chemo again, with doxil.

I have not had any problems, but I do get many hot flashes and I am very tried. I am getting doxil once a month, my next treatment is Jan 9.

I also had stage 0 breast cancer and had lumpectomy and radation for that Feb 08 - June 08. I am clear of that right now. I am taking Femara a hormone drug for preventing Breast cancer from coming back. Its also know now to prevent Ovarian cancer but thats a new study. It did not work for me though.

Doxil is for recurrence of Ovarian cancer and it does take two to three treatments before you will see counts go down. Rash is normal after fist treatment and wearing light and lose clothing is a good thing to do. More side affects occur after the second or third treatments. Hand, feet syndrome is most common as well as sores in mouth. Rinise your mouth out twice a day, with Baking soda 1 teaspoon mixed with a quart of water and keep gums clean, using soft brush. Drink cool liquids and lesson the hot fluids. Suck on ice pops or chips of ice. Stay away from spicey foods. This helps prevent sores.

For hands and feet, keep them cool, run or soak in cold water a couple times a day and keep body cool too. Don't do anything that causes hard pressure on hands or feet either. Wear cotton socks not nylon. It affects inside of hands and bottoms of feet. You can also use encurine cream on hands and soles of feet to keep them moist. On body too.

I have been reading a lot about this and I have a doctor in family, my sister who has been a great help. I go to Sloan Kettering here in Long Island NY. My Sister is in CA too. I have a great doc Oncologist and he tells me everything I need to know. He talks with my sister too. I am blessed.

Family and friends are a great support and they are the best medicine around.

I am sorry to hear about you and your reocurrence, hopefully doxil will do it. Keep your chin up and think positive, it the only way to fight this. We will too.

Hope to hear from you again. and anyone else going through this, I would love to hear how your doing. We can share our stories.

 Good luck Tuesday ANN,

Nancy

On 12/14/2008 PigNm wrote:

 

On 12/14/2008 kayaxrus wrote:

Hello everyone. My name is Ann and I live in southern california. 64 years of age and about to retire at the end of this month. Chasing cancer seems to be my life's work these days.I am new to this board and would like to hear from you. I had breast cancer 9 years ago which was treated with lumpectomy and radiation which I tolerated well. This last March I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC Ovarian cancer. I took Carboplatin & Taxatere for 2 cycles before my hysterectomy.My gyno/oncologist/surgeon removed everything possible in- cluding my appendix =). Discovered that primary tumor was peritoneal but takes same treatment as Ovarian. Continued the same chemos through the summer without too many side effects. Just SLOW hair loss and numbness in my feet. Ca 125 had been going down and got to 11 before it slowly started going back up to 52. Right around Election time I discovered some swollen tender lymph nodes by my collarbone and base of my neck. Biopsy showed Ovarian caancer cells in the biopsied node so instead of talking about maintainenance dose for first cancer all of a sudden we are talking about doing Doxil for recurrent Ovarian which is a polite way to say metastases. =( Anyway I have had only one cycle of it and second one this coming Tuesday the 16th. My hands and feet are OK so far but I've had a little rash on my underarm and under the band of my bra. Have been advised to use hydrocortisone cream and wear light weight cool cotton cami style bra

So, ok now. I am fortunate to have my original BC support group and attend two others in Long Beach. One for women's gyno cancers and another for different cancers, both men and women. Some of us go to both.

Even if you are a little shy about sharing, the groups can be incredibly helpful and supportive. Sometimes I need support and sometimes I give it =) . Thanks to all our friends, families, neighbors, and work friends as they try to help us through these tough times. I hope the New Year brings us success and understanding.

Hugs,

Ann

Hi Ann,

I am Nancy and I have/had stage 3c ovairan cancer. I am 49 years old and I just had my first dose of Doxil last week.

 I was operated on July 07 and had Chemo Sept.07 - Jan 08, with Taxol and Cisplatin. I only had cisplatin on first cycle due to a reaction to it. Kidney's started to fail. I was hydrated for 12 days in hospital and then a week later I was started on Carboplatin and taxol. I had 7 treatments. One extra due to a loss of treatment when kidneys failed. I lost all my hair back then, but it came back better than before. I had BAD neuropathy in hands and feet, more in feet. I still have a little in feet. A matter of fact, I lost my balance on Labor day and fell and broke my ankle, have 9 pins and rod and plate in foot. I am walking on it now with an air cast but it was just ANOTHER thing to deal with. I fell on a carpet in my house. So becareful.

My CA 125 was up to 6000 when I had surgery. Had hysterdectomy and dubulking, after chemo it went to 28. June and July of -08 I was in remission and in August my counts started going up. I am now at 170. Had CT scan and it showed a 4mm tumor in my gut. So I am now having chemo again, with doxil.

I have not had any problems, but I do get many hot flashes and I am very tried. I am getting doxil once a month, my next treatment is Jan 9.

I also had stage 0 breast cancer and had lumpectomy and radation for that Feb 08 - June 08. I am clear of that right now. I am taking Femara a hormone drug for preventing Breast cancer from coming back. Its also know now to prevent Ovarian cancer but thats a new study. It did not work for me though.

Doxil is for recurrence of Ovarian cancer and it does take two to three treatments before you will see counts go down. Rash is normal after fist treatment and wearing light and lose clothing is a good thing to do. More side affects occur after the second or third treatments. Hand, feet syndrome is most common as well as sores in mouth. Rinise your mouth out twice a day, with Baking soda 1 teaspoon mixed with a quart of water and keep gums clean, using soft brush. Drink cool liquids and lesson the hot fluids. Suck on ice pops or chips of ice. Stay away from spicey foods. This helps prevent sores.

For hands and feet, keep them cool, run or soak in cold water a couple times a day and keep body cool too. Don't do anything that causes hard pressure on hands or feet either. Wear cotton socks not nylon. It affects inside of hands and bottoms of feet. You can also use encurine cream on hands and soles of feet to keep them moist. On body too.

I have been reading a lot about this and I have a doctor in family, my sister who has been a great help. I go to Sloan Kettering here in Long Island NY. My Sister is in CA too. I have a great doc Oncologist and he tells me everything I need to know. He talks with my sister too. I am blessed.

Family and friends are a great support and they are the best medicine around.

I am sorry to hear about you and your reocurrence, hopefully doxil will do it. Keep your chin up and think positive, it the only way to fight this. We will too.

Hope to hear from you again. and anyone else going through this, I would love to hear how your doing. We can share our stories.

 Good luck Tuesday ANN,

Nancy

Nancy-

How kind of you to respond so quickly!! Truly unfair for us to have breast cancer and the ovarian comes along =( I had genetic test for BRCA 1&2 gene mutation and I don't have it. Just lucky, I guess. My daughter is in NY City and I am here in Orange County. Can hear Disneyland fireworks each night=)

I wish you luck on your journey. Thanks for all the hints about coping with side effects.

Hugs,

Ann

On 12/14/2008 kayaxrus wrote:

 

On 12/14/2008 PigNm wrote:

 

On 12/14/2008 kayaxrus wrote:

Hello everyone. My name is Ann and I live in southern california. 64 years of age and about to retire at the end of this month. Chasing cancer seems to be my life's work these days.I am new to this board and would like to hear from you. I had breast cancer 9 years ago which was treated with lumpectomy and radiation which I tolerated well. This last March I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC Ovarian cancer. I took Carboplatin & Taxatere for 2 cycles before my hysterectomy.My gyno/oncologist/surgeon removed everything possible in- cluding my appendix =). Discovered that primary tumor was peritoneal but takes same treatment as Ovarian. Continued the same chemos through the summer without too many side effects. Just SLOW hair loss and numbness in my feet. Ca 125 had been going down and got to 11 before it slowly started going back up to 52. Right around Election time I discovered some swollen tender lymph nodes by my collarbone and base of my neck. Biopsy showed Ovarian caancer cells in the biopsied node so instead of talking about maintainenance dose for first cancer all of a sudden we are talking about doing Doxil for recurrent Ovarian which is a polite way to say metastases. =( Anyway I have had only one cycle of it and second one this coming Tuesday the 16th. My hands and feet are OK so far but I've had a little rash on my underarm and under the band of my bra. Have been advised to use hydrocortisone cream and wear light weight cool cotton cami style bra

So, ok now. I am fortunate to have my original BC support group and attend two others in Long Beach. One for women's gyno cancers and another for different cancers, both men and women. Some of us go to both.

Even if you are a little shy about sharing, the groups can be incredibly helpful and supportive. Sometimes I need support and sometimes I give it =) . Thanks to all our friends, families, neighbors, and work friends as they try to help us through these tough times. I hope the New Year brings us success and understanding.

Hugs,

Ann

Hi Ann,

I am Nancy and I have/had stage 3c ovairan cancer. I am 49 years old and I just had my first dose of Doxil last week.

 I was operated on July 07 and had Chemo Sept.07 - Jan 08, with Taxol and Cisplatin. I only had cisplatin on first cycle due to a reaction to it. Kidney's started to fail. I was hydrated for 12 days in hospital and then a week later I was started on Carboplatin and taxol. I had 7 treatments. One extra due to a loss of treatment when kidneys failed. I lost all my hair back then, but it came back better than before. I had BAD neuropathy in hands and feet, more in feet. I still have a little in feet. A matter of fact, I lost my balance on Labor day and fell and broke my ankle, have 9 pins and rod and plate in foot. I am walking on it now with an air cast but it was just ANOTHER thing to deal with. I fell on a carpet in my house. So becareful.

My CA 125 was up to 6000 when I had surgery. Had hysterdectomy and dubulking, after chemo it went to 28. June and July of -08 I was in remission and in August my counts started going up. I am now at 170. Had CT scan and it showed a 4mm tumor in my gut. So I am now having chemo again, with doxil.

I have not had any problems, but I do get many hot flashes and I am very tried. I am getting doxil once a month, my next treatment is Jan 9.

I also had stage 0 breast cancer and had lumpectomy and radation for that Feb 08 - June 08. I am clear of that right now. I am taking Femara a hormone drug for preventing Breast cancer from coming back. Its also know now to prevent Ovarian cancer but thats a new study. It did not work for me though.

Doxil is for recurrence of Ovarian cancer and it does take two to three treatments before you will see counts go down. Rash is normal after fist treatment and wearing light and lose clothing is a good thing to do. More side affects occur after the second or third treatments. Hand, feet syndrome is most common as well as sores in mouth. Rinise your mouth out twice a day, with Baking soda 1 teaspoon mixed with a quart of water and keep gums clean, using soft brush. Drink cool liquids and lesson the hot fluids. Suck on ice pops or chips of ice. Stay away from spicey foods. This helps prevent sores.

For hands and feet, keep them cool, run or soak in cold water a couple times a day and keep body cool too. Don't do anything that causes hard pressure on hands or feet either. Wear cotton socks not nylon. It affects inside of hands and bottoms of feet. You can also use encurine cream on hands and soles of feet to keep them moist. On body too.

I have been reading a lot about this and I have a doctor in family, my sister who has been a great help. I go to Sloan Kettering here in Long Island NY. My Sister is in CA too. I have a great doc Oncologist and he tells me everything I need to know. He talks with my sister too. I am blessed.

Family and friends are a great support and they are the best medicine around.

I am sorry to hear about you and your reocurrence, hopefully doxil will do it. Keep your chin up and think positive, it the only way to fight this. We will too.

Hope to hear from you again. and anyone else going through this, I would love to hear how your doing. We can share our stories.

 Good luck Tuesday ANN,

Nancy

 

Nancy-

How kind of you to respond so quickly!! Truly unfair for us to have breast cancer and the ovarian comes along =( I had genetic test for BRCA 1&2 gene mutation and I don't have it. Just lucky, I guess. My daughter is in NY City and I am here in Orange County. Can hear Disneyland fireworks each night=)

I wish you luck on your journey. Thanks for all the hints about coping with side effects.

Hugs,

Ann

 ANN, I had genetic testing too, I was negative in all departments. My sisters request as she would be tested too if I was postive.

I read messages every day here its very sad but it also helps. I feel lucky in some ways and not so in others.

I response to stories that I can relate too. Talking or writing about it helps. Its good to do. Helping others by giving them pointers, makes me feel good. I don't mind. I learned so much in the last year that I surpise myself sometimes. I give Thanks to my family and more so my sister.

Have a good day, talk soon Nancy

Hi Ann,

 I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer Stage 3c in Oct 2001. I had a hysterectomy, and chemo, Carboplatin and Taxol.  I had a recurrence in September 2006, and went on chemo again and for a third time in Jan 2008, taking Cisplatin and Gemzar.  I developed an allergic reaction to Gemzar. I stopped treatment in May, the chemo did not reduce the tumor. I took the summer off, no treatment.  In September a CT scan found an increased growth in my abdominal tumor, a small mass in my right lung and some scarring on my liver.  I started chemo again, in October, Doxil once a month.  After the second treatment, I developed mouth sores, which were reduced by the "magic mouthwash" and staying away from coffee and spicy food.  I also developed the Hand and Foot syndrome.  When I walked, it felt like I had open sores on my feet. My hands became red and tender.  I use Udder Cream and Bag Balm which can be purchased at most drug stores for less than $7. At night I put it on my hands and feet and use gloves and socks when I sleep.I also keep cold packs on them when I rest to help reduce the pain. I was supposed to have another dose last week but my oncologist decided to wait until the symptoms had subsided.  I had a CT scan last week and just found out that the cancer is stable so two rounds of Doxil did not reduce the cancer. My oncologist wants to discuss other chemo options. I am going to wait until January to give it more thought.  I am not going to let this cancer beat me. I am 56 years old and still work full time. I cannot afford to retire although my oncologist tells me I should go on disability.   I have lived with it for 7 years and know that I will need treatment for this chronic disease periodically. I have never been in a support group but am uplifted by knowing there are people on this site I can communicate with. 

Hello Sue Ellen-

I am so sorry you are going through this also! I have my second Doxil this week and have no noticable side effects so far. Tiny bit of rash in bra band area. Nothing in mouth or on hands or feet so far. Wondering how long it will be till I am tested...how?? to see if it is working on the tumors. Will ask at next appointment. Knew this might be a chronic disease but had no idea it would recur so quickly!!!

It does help to be able to talk with other "sufferers". No one else in my support groups are actively in chemo but they have all been for sure =(. I will be thinking of you and your journey.

Hugs,

Ann

On 12/15/2008 sue_ellen wrote:

Hi Ann,

 I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer Stage 3c in Oct 2001. I had a hysterectomy, and chemo, Carboplatin and Taxol.  I had a recurrence in September 2006, and went on chemo again and for a third time in Jan 2008, taking Cisplatin and Gemzar.  I developed an allergic reaction to Gemzar. I stopped treatment in May, the chemo did not reduce the tumor. I took the summer off, no treatment.  In September a CT scan found an increased growth in my abdominal tumor, a small mass in my right lung and some scarring on my liver.  I started chemo again, in October, Doxil once a month.  After the second treatment, I developed mouth sores, which were reduced by the "magic mouthwash" and staying away from coffee and spicy food.  I also developed the Hand and Foot syndrome.  When I walked, it felt like I had open sores on my feet. My hands became red and tender.  I use Udder Cream and Bag Balm which can be purchased at most drug stores for less than $7. At night I put it on my hands and feet and use gloves and socks when I sleep.I also keep cold packs on them when I rest to help reduce the pain. I was supposed to have another dose last week but my oncologist decided to wait until the symptoms had subsided.  I had a CT scan last week and just found out that the cancer is stable so two rounds of Doxil did not reduce the cancer. My oncologist wants to discuss other chemo options. I am going to wait until January to give it more thought.  I am not going to let this cancer beat me. I am 56 years old and still work full time. I cannot afford to retire although my oncologist tells me I should go on disability.   I have lived with it for 7 years and know that I will need treatment for this chronic disease periodically. I have never been in a support group but am uplifted by knowing there are people on this site I can communicate with. 

Hi Sue ellen,

 Don't give up on the Doxil, it takes more than two to three treatments for it to start reducing CA 125 counts and working on tumors. If it stablize than next treatment should show things going down.

I am Nancy and I am on Doxil also, just had first treatment on 12/10/08 and my next one is Jan 9. I have a recurrence, a small 4 mm tumor in my gut. I was in remission for two to three months but my counts started to go back up. Ct scan showed this growth and now on doxil.

I had stage 3c ovarian Cancer found in June 2007 and had surgery and started Chemo in Sept. 2007 until Jan 08. I had rection to cisplatin and got switched over to carbonplatin with taxol. I had cisplatin and Carbon platin IP not IV. Taxol was IV. Had IP port put in when I had surgery, it was recommend and studies showed chemo going into stomach direct was better than through vien.

They believe if I did not have kidney reaction to Cisplatin, and stayed on it I most likey would not have this recurrence. But who really knows.

I go to Sloan Kettering in Long Island NY and they are really great there. My Doctor is up on all the new studies and told me that doxil does take more than two treatments to start really working. So hang in there.

Hope things work out for you and I learned something from you too, about side affects and prevention or treatment for them.

I wrote a message to Ann too, and my story is out there somewhere Just wrote one Asking how Ann made out tuesday with her second treatment.

I am not working and not planning on going back. I cannot see myself working with all treatments and testing and side affects. I can just manage house work as it is. I don't know how you do it.

Just thought I would write and say hello and send my wishes out to you, take care Nancy

Hi Ann/All, I was diagnosed with peritoneal cancer (OVC) stage 3 in 1/06, had 4 treatments with Carboplatin & Taxatere, surgery, and 8 more treatments with Carboplatin & Taxatere--once a month. After this I received 10 treatments with taxoterene, one a month. My last treatment was in 6/08. Since then my C125 has gone from 7 to 59 and a ct scan showed reoccurrence in my abdomen. My doc is considering treatment with Doxil.

 One of my concerns is the first sets of chemo affected the muscles and joints of my legs and I have constant pain and considerable difficulty walking. I was wondering if others had this problem and how Doxil affected this. I see my oncologist on 12/22 for a conference and to establish treatment.

Thanks and Merry Chhristmas, Barb