CancerCompass message board discussion started by Fightingformom on 1/9/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,8722,0.htm Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My Mom was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer.  It has spread and surgery is not a possibility.  We know spread includes colon and mesenteric tissue around the intestines.   She has started a chemo treatment that includes oxilaplatin(sp) and Xeloda(5fu) last week.  The plan is 4 rounds and look at the CT scan.  They are basically trying to control it and prolong her life.  She had fluid from the cancer fill her lung up which caused shortness of breath and pneumonia late Nov 2006 but no other symptoms.  She has lost 20lbs since then but nothing before.  A cluster of cells found in the 2+ liters pulled off of her lung were adenocarcinoma and prompted an abdominal CT scan.  They saw the cancer in that scan in her mesenteric tissue.  They needed to find the origina and were expecting Ovarian.  The CA-125 test was not high enough to say Ovarian so laproscopic surgery was performed on 12/18.  During that surgery they found the cancer on the outside of her colon and a tumor on the top of her stomach.  Several tissue samples were taken and pathology tests were finally completed last week.  They report "appears to be of gastric origin."  The treatment is how I started this message.  I am reading the posts and information on this site which is very informative and somewhat scary about her months to come.   Her first chemo treatment went without nausea and some of the more severe side effects but the anti-nausea drug, Compazine seems to have caused the worst syptoms.  She basically in a trance for 4 days.  Unable to really stay awake.  Her tongue protruded at times.  Her speech was difficult and slurred.  She would just stare with her eyes barely open.  These are side effects that we attributed to the first chemo since tiredness and fatigue are common but it appears Compazine was the problem.  These side effects were not even mentioned to us and I have a concern.  Has anyone else taken or have experience with Compazine?  My Mom was so "out-of-it" that at one point she couldn't control her bowels enough to make it to the bathroom in time.  is that chemo, the Compazine, both.  Since this is all new I don't know enough yet.Also, if cancer is on the outside of an organ does that mean it originated inside? God bless all who are battling this illness.  This site is a blessing with the sharing of information and providing emotional support.  I am looking for as many sources of both as I can find.  Thanks in advance to all who read and can give me some insight. Fightingformom Tue, 09 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT First of all sorry about your mother.  I also experienced bad side affects with Compazine. My Doctor tried other drugs and the one that work best for me is called Ativan.  I would take half a pill to control my nausea.  Best of luch to you. Myboys Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT hi- I took copazine during my treatment of 5fu/lucovI did have dirarhea from the 5 fu, they had to reduce my dosage.The only side effect I had from the compzine was fatigue. It made me very tired, but so did the chemo.Her mouth sores are also probably from 5fu. They used to give me ice to suck on while I was receiving chemo in order to try to avoid the mouth sores. That worked for me.  What do the doctors say.organic yogart helped me alot thru treatment. It not only calmed my stomach but also helped bowel function. Imnotsick Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT Regarding compazine - My husband would not take it after the first few times. He said it made him feel - seperated. The way you described your mom is how he felt. There are many alternatives. Zofran. Kytril (seems to be the best), Emend - It's a three day treatment. They give it to you right before the chemo, and the two following days, along with the Zofran ( every 8hrs) or Kytril (every 12hrs) and it's either or I believe. But, the compazine is tough when you are weak. They all have side effects, tiredness mostly, but ask the doc. Not a lot of doctors know about the Kytril so you can research it, to go to the doctor informed. Just let them know how the compazine makes your Mom feel and you know there are other options.My husband is very sick and weak after chemo and he tolerates the Kytril very well. (He has esophageal cancer, which is at the junction of his stomach and esophagus) Good Luck. Lou38s Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT Thank you all for your insight reguarding compazine....my father is a zombie.....its side effects are almost as severe as the chemo. Very Sad Daughter Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT