After the travel to MD Anderson the Oncologist there have recommended treatment of Carbo/Docetaxel.

Due to the possibility of my mom getting sick from the side effects of treatment the Oncologist at MD Anderson has arranged for my mother to take the treatments here in Louisiana. They feel she should be near a treating doctor and hospital. After treatment we plan to return to MD Anderson for CT scans to see if the cancer is responding.

My mother is really scared about taking the treatment because of her past experience with Cisplatin/FU5. Hopefully my mom will be able to tolerate this treatment a little better.

We are told this is palliative care and not curative but I hold hope that the tumor will shrink some and give my mother some relief from the swelling and pain.

My mother has been able to eat better lately. Along with the feeding tube she has been taking in a lot more calories and protein. We have been trying to prepare for the new treatment because I know her eating will get worse again.

Thanks for listening. I'm glad to talk about this with people who understand.

Heidi

Hi,

I had cisplatin/taxotere/5FU together/ That was very tough. I later had carbo weekly with radiation. My MO said based on my response to the TPF, I would have no trouble with the carbo. He was right - Did not feel it at all! Carbo is easier than cisplatin. There is a good chance she can cope better. They also can adjust the dose to some amount. Good luck. Don

Thanks Don

The side effects not being as bad sounds encouraging . I sure hope this treatment helps my mom. As we were heading to the hospital for treatment her pain level was pretty bad . She did bring her pain meds with her so that helped some . If this treatment would just shrink the tumor some then my mom could get some relief .


All I can do is pray and ask the good lord for his help

Heidi

I 2nd what Don said. Carboplatin, weekly, was the easiest out of all the chemo's I had. I didn't fare well with the Taxotere (dosetaxel) as part of the TPF Induction Chemo, and was hospitalized. I had it a 2nd time with Erbitux, and the taxotere was stopped around the 4th week due to worsening my neuropathy, causing hand and foot syndrome, conjunctivitis, which may actually have been a blocked tear gland, which Taxotere may cause, but could have been the Erbitux also.

Taxotere is also one of the chemo's which may be helped by cryotherapy by reducing the severity of mucocitis, neuropathy, and hair loss by chewing on ice or drinking a cool beverage during or immediately after the infusion for mucocitis, cooling packs for hands, feet, for neuropathy, and on the head for hair loss.

About 6 months ago, the FDA started having black box warning labels for Taxotere that it may cause alcohol-type intoxication symptoms due to it containing ethanol, and they should keep an eye out for that.

Chemo side effects depends on the type of chemo or combination, the dosage amount, the rate of infusion, the frequency of infusion, co-morbidities, and others, so hopefully this one works out better.

Good luck to your mother.

Thanks Paul

My mom feels pretty good tonight. I noticed after treatment her facial color looked a lot better . My guess is the IV fluids they gave her along with the treatments . So far She is feeling much better. Tomorrow she has to return to get a shot for her white blood cells . The oncologist said this is normal with this treatment .

I thought she would be horribly sick tonight from treatment but instead she is sitting up in bed eating chocolate pudding and talking away with me . I know it's early but so far I'm a happy camper tonight .

Thanks a million
Heidi

Probably so. The decadron (prednisone) also helped me with energy, which your mom may have received, but it raised my blood sugar also.

Good to hear.

Oops Paul

I spoke a little to soon . Mom woke up this morning sick and in a lot of pain . Lips and mouth is already getting sore . I hope it doesn't get to bad and she can continue treatments .

Your poor mother. Good luck with the next round of treatment.

Thanks Alpaca

Yes it's going to be hard on my mother . Trying to get through these treatments again is really hard on her . She is complaining of the swelling on one side of her face . I'm going to have to watch her closely because she's telling me she feels some swelling in her throat also . She was doing pretty good with eating and now it looks like she will have a set back again.

Thanks
Heidi

Sorry, the chemo effects may start a few days after infusion, unlike radiation taking two weeks. Chemo causes just about the same side effects as radiation does, minus the neck burns. Your mom may want to try NeutraSal for dry mouth and Mucocitiis, if approved by her doctors. They have a free program, see their on-line website, and all is needed is a prescription from a doctor. My radiation facility suggested it, so there wasn't much I had to do, and 3 months worth supply arrived at my home in a day. It really helped me.

Some patients seem more susceptible to mucocitis, thrush than others, probably due to co-morbidities, different chemo's, immune system, diet, etc. I think I'm one, so staying in top of oral care is important. My radiation center also sprayed my mouth daily with saline solution to get the gunk out, and at the first sign of thrush was given nystatin swish and swallow.

Hope things get better.

Heidi, I sure hope your Mother is doing a better. Praying for her!

Paul, Thank You for the information on the Neutrasal. I will also be asking about this!

Wishing you lots of blessings for a smooth ride. Hugs.