| Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 | 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
Last edited by sweetpe1; 01-21-2015 08:17 AM.
Sweetpe Caregiver RE:My Mother Age 70 Non Smoker SCC 3/4/2014 Left rear jaw Mandiblctmy 3/25/2014 35RAD Completed on 06/03/2014 MRI 9/3/2014 25mm lobulated recurrence left mandible/floor of mouth carcinoma 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery MET(s) 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery Not Successful Chemo Recommended 1st Round of Cisplatin Chemo Started 10/20/14 Cisplatin stopped 11/20/14. Side affects to bad. Chemo started again 1/22/15 Carbo/Docetaxel Passed Away April 22,2015
| | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 | 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
Don Male, 57 - Great health except C Dec '12 DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes 1 tooth out Jan '13 2nd tooth out Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT 4-6/2013 CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150 ended 5/29,6/4 All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com | | | | Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 | 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
Sweetpe Caregiver RE:My Mother Age 70 Non Smoker SCC 3/4/2014 Left rear jaw Mandiblctmy 3/25/2014 35RAD Completed on 06/03/2014 MRI 9/3/2014 25mm lobulated recurrence left mandible/floor of mouth carcinoma 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery MET(s) 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery Not Successful Chemo Recommended 1st Round of Cisplatin Chemo Started 10/20/14 Cisplatin stopped 11/20/14. Side affects to bad. Chemo started again 1/22/15 Carbo/Docetaxel Passed Away April 22,2015
| | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | 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.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil 11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp 01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks 06/11 30 HBO 08/11 RND PNI 06/12 SND PNI LVI 08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy 10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux 10/13 SND 10/13 TBO/Angiograph 10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI 12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo 11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO 03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN 09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy 04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site 06/17 Heart Attack Stent 02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 | 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
Last edited by sweetpe1; 01-21-2015 09:53 PM.
Sweetpe Caregiver RE:My Mother Age 70 Non Smoker SCC 3/4/2014 Left rear jaw Mandiblctmy 3/25/2014 35RAD Completed on 06/03/2014 MRI 9/3/2014 25mm lobulated recurrence left mandible/floor of mouth carcinoma 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery MET(s) 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery Not Successful Chemo Recommended 1st Round of Cisplatin Chemo Started 10/20/14 Cisplatin stopped 11/20/14. Side affects to bad. Chemo started again 1/22/15 Carbo/Docetaxel Passed Away April 22,2015
| | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | 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.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil 11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp 01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks 06/11 30 HBO 08/11 RND PNI 06/12 SND PNI LVI 08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy 10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux 10/13 SND 10/13 TBO/Angiograph 10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI 12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo 11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO 03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN 09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy 04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site 06/17 Heart Attack Stent 02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 | 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 .
Sweetpe Caregiver RE:My Mother Age 70 Non Smoker SCC 3/4/2014 Left rear jaw Mandiblctmy 3/25/2014 35RAD Completed on 06/03/2014 MRI 9/3/2014 25mm lobulated recurrence left mandible/floor of mouth carcinoma 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery MET(s) 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery Not Successful Chemo Recommended 1st Round of Cisplatin Chemo Started 10/20/14 Cisplatin stopped 11/20/14. Side affects to bad. Chemo started again 1/22/15 Carbo/Docetaxel Passed Away April 22,2015
| | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 644 Likes: 1 "OCF Down Under, Kiwi" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "OCF Down Under, Kiwi" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 644 Likes: 1 | Your poor mother. Good luck with the next round of treatment.
1996, ovarian cancer surgery + cisplatin and taxol. September, 2007, SCC of left lateral tongue. Excision. October, 2009 recurrence in scar tissue, T1NOMO. Free flap surgery from left wrist - neck dissection. 63 year old New Zealander. No chemo, no RT. February, 2014. New primary in left buccal mucosa. Marginal mandibulectomy, neck dissection, right arm free forearm flap. T1N0M0 but third occurrence and some areas of concern: RT started 8 April and finished 19 May.
| | | | Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 | 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
Sweetpe Caregiver RE:My Mother Age 70 Non Smoker SCC 3/4/2014 Left rear jaw Mandiblctmy 3/25/2014 35RAD Completed on 06/03/2014 MRI 9/3/2014 25mm lobulated recurrence left mandible/floor of mouth carcinoma 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery MET(s) 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery Not Successful Chemo Recommended 1st Round of Cisplatin Chemo Started 10/20/14 Cisplatin stopped 11/20/14. Side affects to bad. Chemo started again 1/22/15 Carbo/Docetaxel Passed Away April 22,2015
| | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | 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.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil 11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp 01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks 06/11 30 HBO 08/11 RND PNI 06/12 SND PNI LVI 08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy 10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux 10/13 SND 10/13 TBO/Angiograph 10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI 12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo 11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO 03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN 09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy 04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site 06/17 Heart Attack Stent 02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
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