I haven't seen any mention of Taxotere and I'm wondering what other people's response has been. I'm incredibly glad to have found this website. Cancer has taught me how alone I can really feel - even in a crowded room.
I just turned 47 (last year) when diagnosed. Of course the first thing I did was start researching on the internet. Wow, what a poor idea that was. I could literally look at my kids and start crying as I imagined leaving them before Jr Prom or first day of Middle School. I had the Whipple Surgery the first of December. Surgeon said I was a stage III, he got everything he's pretty sure, clean margins, and out of 17 lymph nodes he pulled only 3 were positive. He seemed very positive. I was in the hospital for 10 days total with Whipple. I have little memory of the winter but I do know I was in the hospital a couple of times. I had a stent put in the biliary tract. Anyway, like I said, little memory except LOTS of pain. I wish that memory would go away!
My port was placed the day after Christmas. A PET Scan was scheduled for 3rd of Jan but my insurance wouldn't pay for it and I can't pay for it so that was never done.
I started chemo with a mix of Gemstar and Taxotere. Had quite a few of the side effects lists. In fact I think I had all of them. I'm bald, all my fingernails are falling off, had huge amounts of edema. It's been great. I missed a couple of sessions which, of course, lowers the efficacy of the treatment. Eight weeks of this.
Next was the 6 wks of radiation in conjunction with IV 5-FU. As much as I hated carrying around the pump I have to say the side effects weren't near as bad. Until I finished radiation. Then the diarrhea hit and lasted several weeks.
I should mention here that I have 2 kids left at home, a husband who does not work, and mine is the only income. So, I've been trying to work through all this. Not doing the best job of it but trying none the less.
I knew I had a radiation follow up and a surgeon follow up left but not sure what else.
I was at work when calls came in to get me scheduled for PET scan and next day oncology appt. Seems the cancer marker lab (CA19-9) that I had asked for had a little surprise. A normal response would be <37, my last response was 98. The current response: 1250. I don't even know how scared to be! I know I'm terrified.
So as I was sitting here writing this I got a call from the oncologist. My insurance declines to pay for my PET scan. They say that there has been adequate response from CT and it's cheaper so they don't want to pay for PET unless we can prove it's necessary?!!?
Needless to say, I'm scared. Anyone who has advice - both general and specific to Taxotere - I'd love to hear from you! Thanks, Cal