Hi --

Asked around to day as to why some folks are getting cisplatin and some are getting other drugs like carbo, couldn' t get a clear answer other than it is apparently a matter of individual dr's opinions. Luckily our MO is a person who listens and is willing to give us the info needed to make informed decisons. It also helps to read the literature!

For our initial wariness re cisplatin, however, I thank our veterinary oncologist as she said she wouldn't give it to our dog because of the side effects. So Twinkie got carboplatin and trotted out after each treatment as happy as a clam. Barry's MO was amused when I said Barry was getting the same treatment as our dog (carbo and concurrent radiation, albeit only with palliative intent for the dog).

Our MO also said, it is the radiation that is doing the major work in this treatment, the chemo just helps it. So missing a cycle or swiching to a somewhat less effective drug may not be as serious an issue as say, missing some of the radiation treatments because the chemo has made you so sick you have to have a break.

Gail