Update Gemzar and Abraxane

Hi. I've had 7 treatments of the newest combination of Gemzar and Abraxane. My tumor marker dropped from 210 down to 99. I had a CT yesterday and the results are"Stable". I've had some small growth of nodules in both lungs and an increase of nodules in both lungs. But the cancer in the pancreas, diaphram and lympnode has not increased. White blood cells are dropping, so I'll start with the neupogen shots to bring them back up. I feel good. My main problem is the numbness in my feet and fingers. Cramping in the arches of my feet. And muscle and joint pain in random parts of my body. I also lost my hair with this chemo combination.

I'm doing well so far and have really improved from when I was first diagnosed on 12-20-10. So, it will be 24 months in December!! Which is amazing since they only gave me 3-5 months to live when this all started.

My advice is to think positive, don't dwell on the cancer and what if's. Thank God for everyday. Keep active, do things you enjoy. Sleep when you need to. Drink fluids often.

Have a blessed day, Karen

Karen,

Sounds great. How did your doctor get approval for this combination? Are you in a trial? Our doctor refuses becauses he says not approved FDA. What state do you live in and does insurance cover this? Medicare? Arguring with doctor tomorrow need back-up.. Thanks.

Been given 3-6 months twice, guess they were wrong!!!!!

On Nov 27, 2012 10:56 PM shelby1 wrote:

Karen,

Sounds great. How did your doctor get approval for this combination? Are you in a trial? Our doctor refuses becauses he says not approved FDA. What state do you live in and does insurance cover this? Medicare? Arguring with doctor tomorrow need back-up.. Thanks.

Been given 3-6 months twice, guess they were wrong!!!!!

I live in Wisconsin. I'm not on a trial. My Doctor is Doctor Anthony Philipps. He says it is approved, but not all insurances cover it.  The office phone number is 920-729-5833. ( That's Neenah Wis.) I have Net Work Health. I've received the Gemzar and Abraxane combo since Sept. 25th. 7 treatments so far. It's supposed to be given 3 weeks on 1 week off. I couldn't handle that. I go 2 weeks on 1 week off. Treatments 1 and 2 were really rough. , I had a fever for days and had lots of joint and muscle pain. But, it got better. I drink more water...and take fever reducer when the random pains start. Actually I feel really good.

Karen,

Thanks!!!!! off to doctor in one hour!!!!!!!

Shelby, Good luck with your Doctor Appt. Let me know how it goes.

Hi Karen,

Wonderful news! I do believe that a positive attitude is so very important! Keep up the good fight! Thanks for sharing the info on your treatment, it could save some one of our lives!!  Praying for you & all the others on this board! God Bless! Candy

Karen

Scan next week, argument week after. Thanks!

On Nov 27, 2012 8:28 PM Harts wrote:

Hi. I've had 7 treatments of the newest combination of Gemzar and Abraxane. My tumor marker dropped from 210 down to 99. I had a CT yesterday and the results are"Stable". I've had some small growth of nodules in both lungs and an increase of nodules in both lungs. But the cancer in the pancreas, diaphram and lympnode has not increased. White blood cells are dropping, so I'll start with the neupogen shots to bring them back up. I feel good. My main problem is the numbness in my feet and fingers. Cramping in the arches of my feet. And muscle and joint pain in random parts of my body. I also lost my hair with this chemo combination.

I'm doing well so far and have really improved from when I was first diagnosed on 12-20-10. So, it will be 24 months in December!! Which is amazing since they only gave me 3-5 months to live when this all started.

My advice is to think positive, don't dwell on the cancer and what if's. Thank God for everyday. Keep active, do things you enjoy. Sleep when you need to. Drink fluids often.

Have a blessed day, Karen

Wonderful news, Karen! I am thankful to hear this! I will pray God continues to bless you! Have a wonderful Christmas with your grandbaby:):)

Love and Hugs<3

On Nov 27, 2012 8:28 PM Harts wrote:

Hi. I've had 7 treatments of the newest combination of Gemzar and Abraxane. My tumor marker dropped from 210 down to 99. I had a CT yesterday and the results are"Stable". I've had some small growth of nodules in both lungs and an increase of nodules in both lungs. But the cancer in the pancreas, diaphram and lympnode has not increased. White blood cells are dropping, so I'll start with the neupogen shots to bring them back up. I feel good. My main problem is the numbness in my feet and fingers. Cramping in the arches of my feet. And muscle and joint pain in random parts of my body. I also lost my hair with this chemo combination.

I'm doing well so far and have really improved from when I was first diagnosed on 12-20-10. So, it will be 24 months in December!! Which is amazing since they only gave me 3-5 months to live when this all started.

My advice is to think positive, don't dwell on the cancer and what if's. Thank God for everyday. Keep active, do things you enjoy. Sleep when you need to. Drink fluids often.

Have a blessed day, Karen

My husband is on GAX (gemzar, abraxance, xeloda).  He has always done 2 weeks on -- 1 week off -- this was the protocol that was given to him right from the start.  He also is losing his hair but at last scan - the tumors are either shrinking or gone.  He was dx 8/2010 stage IIb- had the whipple -- but mets came back to his lungs and now in his muscle on has back.  He has been on gemzar, gemzar/radiation, gemzar -- came back to lungs about a year and a half ago and is now stage IV.  He then started on folfox and folfirinox (for a total of 16 treatments) -- this stopped working so he started on GAX -- the GAX appears to be working so far - with only minimal side effects (fatigue, hair loss, some mouth soreness, a little nausea and some adversity to some foods)  He just finished his 6th treatment.  Bless you all fighting this beast. My husband     - fortunately - has never had reoccurrence to the pancreas, or pancreatic bed or liver.  THe docs gave him 6 months -- but they did not say he had six month - they said statistics show ...... major difference.  He just passed 2 years since dx in August and we are praying that he is able to continue down this road.

cheycodysophie, wonderful news!! I pray it continues to shrink and disappear.

All of us are so different in our diagnoses and the way our doctors are treating us. All we can do is our research, hope for a good doctor and pray for healing.

I am Stage #4 PC well differentiated adenocarcinoma diagnoned 12-20-10.

Blessings to us all, Karen