Latest Chemotherapy discussions http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/cancer-treatments/conventional-treatments/chemotherapy/1,0,129,123,89.htm Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Chemotherapy is a treatment option chosen by your oncologist in order to control the spread of cancer cells in your blood stream, therefore eliminate metastases possibilities, or eradicate carcinaemia in cases of recently operated and removed tumors, or aleviate from symptoms that accompany rapidly expanding tumors that are pressing on organs causing dysfunction among other clinical symptoms. Because Chemotherapy Drugs owe their drastic effectiveness to the fact that they interfere with the cancer cell’s proliferation cycle, in most cases, it is almost impossible to differentiate cancer cells as their target from rapidly dividing healthy cells like those of the hair follicles, the skin, the mouth mucosa , the nails, the endothelium of the gastrointestinal tract, blood, bone marrow, kidneys and liver. The Chemotherapy Drugs through the blood stream reach every single point of the body and express their activity by “killing”. We will not get into micromolecular analysis details here, but you should know that the hair-loss you’re experiencing due to Chemotherapy, may be an unpleasant effect, but it should be considered “welcomed” in terms of your overall disease’s treatment and its desired results. Chemotherapy induced Hair-Loss is as temporary as its cause. Once your Chemotherapy Sessions are over, the follicles cells will start dividing again giving birth to new hair which will eventually grow to what is called “chemotherapy hair” in a time-period of six months since your sessions are over. This new hair is often grey and curly, but pretty soon the quality of the hair returns back to normal and in some cases, depending on your attitude towards caring for yourself, your nutritional habits, and your psychological status, you can help yourself look again MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN EVER ! What we can’t stress enough here, is that each situation derives its principal meaning to us from the way we interpret it and the emotions we choose to link to it. So, if I link my Chemotherapy Hair-Loss to the emotions that overwhelm me when I see my bald image in the mirror, I can’t help myself from getting sunk into a dark blurry sea of absolute despair and helpnessness. But if I link my Chemotherapy Hair-Loss to the emotions of triumph and joy over defeating the disease and securing my health and my Life so I can enjoy everything I want when back to normal soon, then I can practically ignore this temporary situation, shield myself emotionaly against it and use my sense of creativity, aesthetics and humor to overcome it . In the first option, the disease has totally got me, I’m lost, my psychic energy is being wasted in as many directions as my fears and insecurities. In the second option, I’m the absolute ruler of things, and I deliberately focus my psychic energy towards winning and reaching the desirable results. We all have experienced times we had to drive our car in a heavy merciless rain, with limited visibility and terrible traffic conditions. But the thought of getting home soon, didn’t let us quit driving and collapsing half way home. You’ll get home sooner than you think, and everything will be absolutely fine.          This Article is brought to you by www.EuWig.com  (Beautiful Hair Anyway !)   http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25752,0.htm Euwig Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT I was dx with MMMR in Feb. 08 (I passed a tumor!).  I had my hysterectomy/oophorectomy, and though cancer was found in the washings, there was nothing in the lymph nodes, which is a total blessing.  Stage IIIAI'm just finishing up chemo--last treatment Fri., June 25 (taxol/carboplatin, with taxovere instead of taxol for the last/sixth treatment (low hemoglobin count).Maybe because the chemo is now over, I am very anxious to be up and about again--my chemo made me have orthostatic hypotension and neuropathy.  I've been out of school since Feb. 28, and am tired of my bed, the tv, books, and the computer.  God willing, I fully intend to recover from this stuff, (I get to do radiation for six weeks, too) but would like to have at least a couple weeks of normal summer before I (intend) to go back to teaching on Aug. 6.  Maybe it's just the light at the end of the tunnel, but I can't wait to be able to get around and just even shower more frequently.  I shouldn't complain, and I'm trying to be positive through this whole process, but it's getting on my nerves.  Especially when my sister comes to help out and sees the "bottom drop out" on the usual Tuesday after my Friday treatment.Sorry, I know I should "run with patience, the race that is set before us," but sometimes it's just hard!!! http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25621,0.htm MaryLee4983 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Has anyone ever tried Tarceva while diagonsed w/ end stage lung cancer? Was everyone in good health when they started this med?If they give you 2-4 months isn't that considered end stage?What's the differece between stage 4 and end stage?Please help,Thank you. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25391,0.htm Marie1973 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT After 3 courses of Gemcitabine+Taxotere/Gemcitabine, 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off, my CT showed encouraging result.  My largest tumor shrunk back and all smaller ones are stable in size.  I believe that's a good sign since LMS is slow in responsiveness.  There is a big risk for me to undergo lung surgery.  My doctor suggested that I continue the chemo (and hope for the best).I'm keeping my fingers crossed.Share your progress.  I'd love to hear from you all. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25293,0.htm Iceman Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT I have stage 4 CA but my primary CA in the lung was removed, as well as a brain tumor in the temporal lobe that was mets.  This was done in 1/07. I then had radiation to my head and have been taking Tarceva since 5/07.  I seem to tolerate the Tarceva fairly well - it mostly makes me tired, even since I tried taking it at night instead of the morning.  It does cause GERD so I have to watch my diet.  I went through months of a mild rash followed by extremely dry flaky skin that seemed to by cyclic, but that has thankfully subsided.  My problem is hair regrowth.  The radiation was done over a year ago - I had 4 weeks of tx to my head only. My hair has grown back everywhere but the top of my head - picture Bozo the clown, and that is what I look like (only with brown hair).  Taking the Tarceva may be contributing to my problem, but my doctor won't let me stop it; she did allow me to change the schedule to ev. other day Tarceva to encourage growth, but there is very little difference after 5 wks.  I live in Florida and wearing a wig every day for over a year has really gotten me down.  I know I am lucky to be alive, and thankful I haven't had any problems so far.  But I would really like my hair back!  Has anyone else experienced this?  And if so, how long before you finally got all the hair back.    http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25252,0.htm Cathy53 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT My husband is 47 yrs old and was diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer the tumor is 4cm in the head of the pancreas , we are taking 5fu and radiation for 5 weeks, I keep seeing things about gemzar but not about f5u, is 5fu just used as  a palliative tx.?? the tumor is unresectable because it is wrapped around the artery and vein. any comments on this would sure help me thanks monica http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25086,0.htm sweetgirl45 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT My husband just started his first treatment of Alimta 2 days ago after trying Tarceva for only 3 days and having bad side effects. Does anyone know if you loose your hair with Alimta? We have had conflicting reports. The doctor said yes, in two weeks, the nurse giving it said not at all. And this is the same office! He will be doing treatments every 21 days. My husband has already done 68 radiation treatments to 2 tumors, one in each upper lung lobe. While doing the radiation they found he has mets to the back bone. We hope the Alimta will alleviate the bone pain soon, but it has only been a few days and he is wiped out. Any feedback from anyone who has Alimta experience will be greatly appreciated! http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,24938,0.htm Nadeene Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT I have not had any sutent for10 days now and I still do not taste . My food all tastes as if it was made without salt; Sweet is ok, Has anyone ,never gotten their taste back, enjoying really great food has always been one of my greatest pleasures, I dread to think not only do I now live in pain but will my eating pleasure be taken away as well ; I really need an answer, http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,24888,0.htm bobtail Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT I will be starting chemo (doxorubicin) next week.  I guess my hair will all fall out (big deal) so had it all cut off last week.  Has anyone had experience with a prescription drug called Emend?  Am also supposed to receive an injection of Neulasta the day after each chemo treatment.  Had a mastectomy on 5/1 and am recovering well.  Am now awaiting results of PET/CT fusion test.  Any experiences/suggestions will be most welcome, I can't seem to find much info on this monster.  Any ideas?ThanksDianne http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,24410,0.htm Dianne40 Tue, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT My mom was diagnosed with stage IV adenocarcinoma in January of 2008.  She has a very large tumor in her right lung, lesions on both adrenal glands as well as a small lesion in her brain.  She has undergone radiation to her entire brain as well as three cycles of carboplatin and taxol.  She tolerated all of these treatments very well.  Unfortunately, so did her cancer.As a second line of treatment, her oncologist put her on Alimta.  We were told that the side effects for this particular type of chemotherapy are minimal.  She tolerated the first two cycles very well; however, the last two cycles have been horrible.  She is in a lot of pain and is incredibly weak.  She also has neurological symptoms - she is incredibly forgetful, confused, etc.  She mixes up names of people frequently.  Since she tolerated the first cycles of Alimta so well, my fear is that it is the progression of her cancer causing these symptoms and not the chemotherapy.Can the side effects of chemotherapy be cumulative?  In other words, are they more likely to occur and/or occur to a greater degree with each subsequent cycle?  I am searching for any reasons that may help to explain why she has gotten progressively and rapidly worse other than the progression of the cancer.  We have a CT scan, MRI, etc. as well as a second opinion at Sloan-Kettering coming up in a couple of weeks.  Any feedback from anyone who has undergone a similar situation would be very much appreciated!  Thank you! ~Mandi : ) http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,24154,0.htm baybeam Sun, 18 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Just wondering if anyone has run into side effects from the Decadron that is given prior to the start of some chemo regimes???.Mom took if prior to first chemo of carboplantin and taxol and now has to take it, although a much lower dosage ,prior to Alimpta chemo. She seems to get sick to her stomach, have alot of chest pressure , increase in blood pressure (dramatic increase)and feel really crappy even before the chemo starts.Anybody have any similar reactions? The chemo is toxic enough but this stuff makes it much worse. She has had her first Alimpta treatment this past Monday and felt ok till  Thursday and today even worse. They say this would be gentler than previous chemo but I don't know.   http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23889,0.htm MOMS GIRL Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT i would love to donate several diffrent wigs that i have to anyone who may need it. please let me know. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23861,0.htm yaaemickey Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT A 10-year old cancer patient got a neck pillow (Sunshine Pillow) as a gift from his classmate.  The pillow offered a lot of comfort when he was going through his chemo treatments.  It is more than a stuffed toy to him since he also uses it in car when traveling to and from hospitals.  Hearing how the little pillow comforts him, tears fill my eyes... http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23666,0.htm sharonx Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi Shari, I hope this gets to you. I'm new at this website. I do like this regimen the best. I have given this recommendation to patients who have failed regenecare which is a prescribed cream. I would have your son try that 1st and if it's not working, or he needs additional hydration - use the green tea serum and epidermal repair. All these products can be purchased via the internet. The epidermal repair is costly, but I think is worth it. Usually the Erbitux rash is primarily on the face/scalp, and sometimes continues on the chest/back. I would use these expensive creams/serums on the face/head only. I hope this is helpful. Tell your son to hang in there -- we've seen great results with the Erbitux!Nicole http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23271,0.htm nikkikd Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT My mom who is 55 years old passed on April 17 early in the morning. The whole family came. And actually it is quite devastating that she is gone. Her wake is Saturday. This is really hard right now. But I want to thank all that has given me support, encouragement, and good tips. Everyone has been wonderful and I hope I can help anyone with any questions for cervical cancer like others have helped me. Thanks and God Bless.Rest in Peace...Pamela Doyle, My Mother, My FriendDani http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23193,0.htm Danid1 Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT Does anybody know if there is a problem taking alpha lipoic acid, selenium, b complex while taking gemcitabine with oxaliplatin? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23161,0.htm Brazilian Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT i was just wondering if anyone knew if when putting in the chemo port(into the chest) the doctors use a camera to see what they are doing? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23126,0.htm justtobe822 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT My father was diagnosed with a real fast moving cancer (started in his stomach and moved to his liver) 8 weeks ago. He has been under the care of Dr. Fuchs at Dana Farber in Boston. Recently he had surgery on his stomach to insert a couple tubes and is now on a feeding tube. Needless to say his diagnosis is grim but I'm praying and hoping for the best. Today, he is being transported to the hospital due to his ports leaking.Question...is it common for ports to leak ? Thanks.        http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,23078,0.htm buch69 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT My father just started chemotherapy two weeks ago and Im wondering how I can prepare myself and more importantly, help him as the weeks progress. He is scheduled for three weeks on and one week off for a total of twelve weeks. Every Monday he goes. The first week, he was fine and didnt feel anything. His bloodwork was perfect. This week he was fine until Thursday. Since then he has not been well at all. He is flushed, has diarrhea, some slight bleeding from the nose (doctors think this is allergy related more than chemo related) and sick to his stomach. He had pretty much decided he was NOT going to be sick because he is Superman and so strong. Now that he feels bad, he is really depressed. I am scared of what next week is going to be like if he already feels this bad so soon. He is taking a mix of Taxol and Ciplastin(sp).As background, my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer the day after Christmas. Never smoked, perfect health except for high blood pressure, very fit and active is my dad. It was a very small tumor (less than 1.5 cm), had not spread, clear margins, doctor labled it 1A--it was only found because he had pneumonia which according to doctors was completely unrelated. We went to many doctors after the surgery was done and most said my dad did not fit the profile for chemotherapy. However, talking with other people who had been through similar circumstances and even some people on Cancer Compass who had experience with themselves and family members, we opted to do it. We want to do any and everything we can to make the chances of recurrence as slim as possible. Anyway, my dad stays with me after his treatment and I am a little nervous now that he has been feeling so bad. With only two treatments under the belt, what will happen next week? Or a month from now? What can I do to prepare and help him be prepared or able to handle it better mentally?Any suggestions or thoughts would be greatly, greatly appreciated.All the best,Candace   http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,22970,0.htm Candy11275 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT After Chemo (FU5, oxyplatin, leikovorin, avastin) I get horrible pains in both calves while standing or walking.  I cannot walk for 3 days. Pain goes away if I sit or lie down.  The oncologosts are saying they have never heard of this.  It has happened four times the day after chemo..it has to be related.  Anyone else ever experience this???? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,22750,0.htm ckeenan Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT My 67 year old mom has a GBM IV. Diagnosed and surgery completed on 11/9/07. She completed 6 weeks of radiation and started temador on 11/25/07. For 163 lbs she was given the proper mg but she was kept on it CONSECUTIVELY for 3 1/2 months until she nearly died.  Her new doctors call her a walking miracle. After having her white blood count drop to a 200 and her ANC to a 24 (0 = extremely high risk of infection,          1500 = low enough risk to go home) we were so close to losing her. She is a fighter and after 3 times in the hospital (the last one being 3 weeks) she, is home.  Sleeping a lot, but making progress. My biggest lessons so far: 1. The first mistake was her seeing an oncologist not a neuro-oncologist. Please, please, please do NOT make this mistake. 2. Get a 2nd opinion.  Ask questions.  Don't be dazzled by a fancy hospital in a major metro area like we were.  Her oncologist almost killed her.  3. Keep a consistent care giver. The rotation of her children (1 week at a time) didn't allow us to see every little sign of her slipping.  4. Your loved one may be weak and fragile but, the human touch is so powerful. Don't forget to stroke your loved ones hair/head, massage their hands, arms or feet. Make sure to tell them how much you love them (a hug says it all!)   They need our encouragement even when the statistics aren't so favorable. All my best to you and yours, delana     http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,22090,0.htm spunkylady Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT My husband dx 10-10-07 is on the 5 days of Temodar and 25 days off.  His dosage is 1 250 mg pill with a 100mg pill daily. He is 6.1 and weighs 230.  From what I have heard from others, I wonder if that dosage is too low?Can anyone share any insights about dosage of 5-day Temodar?Thanks youRhonda http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,21963,0.htm BoRhonda Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Hi   I found a sore on the side of my tongue. Is their anything I could but on it to clear it up? It's hard to eat with it there.I've been brushing my teeth with baking soda three times a day. Would that of caused it? Please help me. Thank you1                                 Rose http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,21920,0.htm HORSE1 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Dear Friends,We seek some guidance, encouranging outcomes or  useful advice  regarding the above chemo treatments.  My hubby can choose to have irrinotecan or go onto the research programme and any one of the 3 will be chosen for him - just like a flip of a three sided coin.My hubby and I have just returned from hospital having received a blood transfusion - 3 units of blood.  Yesterday we were given results of 2 recent scans.  Not good - cancer aggresively growing (larger on the liver and bigger in the rectal area.  This is after recent radiotheraphy. (lLast session was first week in Jan).The first chemo (oxaliplatin and capacitabine) 9 doses 1 dose every other week was stopped in August due to the hopeful possibility of a liver resection.  This proved to be a 'no no' due to additonal small lesions on the liver found while in surgery, these had not shown up on the scan.Then while still in hospital it was discovered that the tumor had returned proving the course of chemo had not been successful in the rectal area.  Yes, it made the lesions shrink on the liver but little did we know the tumor at the bottom end was continuing to grow.  The original operation to remove the tumor (took place March 07) which also involved hubby having a colostomy which cannot be reversed he is so strong and coping fantastically I love him so much and want us to get through this.From here on we want to stop or manage the cancer from spreading further.  Which treatment do we go for?  We have been advised of the possible side effects and have documentation telling us about all the options.What was also mentioned as an option was stopping the treatment - but as my husband said that would be like just throwing the hat in and we have come this far always trying our very hardest to be positive.We are both 48 and met when we were both 16 and got married at 21.  We have been blessed with 2 beautiful teenage children after a long hard wait.  My hubby is self employed and he is still managing to do some work when feeling up to it.  I work in a school every morning as well as supporting my hubby.  He says he prefers to keep active as it takes his mind of the cancer and he can forget about the pain.For pain relief he is on fentanyl 25mg patches, oxynorm 20 mg 3 times a day and solpadol 6 to 8 per day.  As well as taking daily liquid zeolite, flax seed oil, noni juice, Coenzyme Q10 60 mg, grapeseed extract 50 mg, B-complex +Vit C high strength vitamin tablets and flax seed oil capsules and I'm still waiting for the essaic tea to arrive from Canada which I believe helps and thank you for the web address to order it from.   He has lost about 28lb since first diagnosed last year.  Of recent his appertite seems to be improving Thank God although I want him to eat more. I would love to go to a healing mass with my hubby and children and perhaps a visit to a holy shrine and pray to God for a miracle we need one.After coping so well to date we are on a bit of a downer.  Can any one help with some encouragement and guidance regarding our next step on this journey.  The children are just great and coping so well.  Its just mum and dad (us) that are flagging at the moment.  We were really hoping and praying for some light a the end of the tunnel yesterday, but not to be.  Everything we are told seems to be negative of late.  Please help and God Bless to all on this journey.Dolores p.s. We are supposed to ring the hospital tomorrow as to our next step.p.p.s I have read that irinotecan and panitumumab can be effective for controlling the cancer having read an email from this message board from Mary - All New To This Journey. - Fear is a reaction.  Courage is a decision. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,21739,0.htm DHWPH Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT My Mother has Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma. Starting in Sep she was treated with Carboplatin and Taxol. She was also given a experimental drug called Bevacizumab. The treatment ended for the other 2 chemos in Jan but she continued on Beva. She was told in feb that for now she is cancer free. No sooner did she get that news that everything changed. She has lost her memory,cant even name her 4 children.She does the strangest things,mixes everything up. She can't walk without help. She has become a different person. She has had CAT scans, MRI and many other tests. No one can find anything. I read an article on drugs.com that said this drug can cause a rare neuro disease. Has anyone heard about this??? Has anyone had any experience like this?? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,21632,0.htm mlrdist Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT