#69043 01-31-2008 09:09 PM | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 632 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | OP  "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 632 | To my surprise, another round of treatment is now planned for me--I must be a tougher old boot than I thought!--and want o gather what information I can.
I got through a GemCarb regimen qquite well, just had to miss one lot of treatment for low platelets,was very neutropaenic at one point, but escaped major infections and had little nausea, constipation or hair-loss problems.
Doc tells me this is tougher regime--1 infusion every weeks x4 and has warned me that I will lose my hair this time, nausea can be a bad problem and my skin is likely to be 'bad' with pain and irritation.
If I can keep my strength up to get to Cyprus and back, should start treatment at end of February.
If it buys me a bit more time and eases some of the discomfort and pain in my 'lumps' in neck and mouth, then I'm all for it--but if it totally wrecks what quality of life I have left, that's a different matter!
I always try to look on the brightest side and my stategies for coping with side-effects, plus the medical team are brilliant.
So just out now to canvass opinion on here?
Anyone had this treatment and how gruesome was it?
Am I likely to find it similar to the Carboplatin or is it a totally different ball game?
All experiences and advice appreciated please!
Brenda
Brenda in UK--Diagnosis 30/5/07--undifferentiated carcinoma in right jawbone and muscles. Stage 4
6/7/07--new diagnosis primary is in lung. Finished 4cycles of palliative carboplatin/gemcitabine
therapy September 07
Now dying to live!
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,940 | http://www.taxotere.comI found this ,don't know if it will help. xx
Liz in the UK
Husband Robin aged 44 years Dx 8th Dec 2006 poorly differentiated SCC tongue with met to neck T1N2cM0 Surgery and Radiation.Finished TX April 2007
Recurrence June/07 died July 29th/07.
Never take your eye off the ball, it may just smack you in the mouth.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Well, Brenda - here's to keeping your strength up for that Cyprus trip! I'm glad to hear that you have a great medical team. Your doctor must have faith that you are one tough cookie to be coming up with a new round of treatment for you and I hope it does bring you some good results.
Anne-Marie
CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Brenda,
Did you ask them that question about the expected benefits of this new Tx?
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 632 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 632 | Benefits was something we'd discussed at first appointment--shrinkage, therefore pain relief as well from pressure. 'Buying time'.
Have a wig-fitting appointment for next Thursday.
Brenda
Brenda in UK--Diagnosis 30/5/07--undifferentiated carcinoma in right jawbone and muscles. Stage 4
6/7/07--new diagnosis primary is in lung. Finished 4cycles of palliative carboplatin/gemcitabine
therapy September 07
Now dying to live!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | With your outlook Brenda, I'm sure you will do fine with whatever it is they do. Just go to Cyprus and enjoy.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: May 2007 Posts: 622 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2007 Posts: 622 Likes: 1 | Hi Bren Taxotere was part of my regiment, I do not remember the specific dose but I will tell you, be sure to ask for and take your anti-nausea meds. I was on Kytril, Zofran and Marinol and had few problems. The Marinol also helps with appetite. Drink LOTS of fluids, but you knew that right 
18 YEAR SURVIVOR
SCC Tongue (T3N0M0) diag 06/2006.
No evidence of disease 2010
Another PET 12-2014 pre-HBO, still N.E.D.
�Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. It matters that you don't just give up.�
Stephen Hawking | | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 794 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 794 | Hi Brenda,
I think Eddie's dad takes the taxotere, I've been trying to reach him but his line is busy, if I find anything out, I'll let you know.
What color hair/wig will you be choosing?
As always, I admire your strength, courage and humor at such difficult times....you will always be a superhero to me!
Love,
D
Donna
CG to Mom, dx 4/25/07 with tongue cancer,T3N0,tx began 7/6/07, 31 tx's of IMRT, 8 cycles of Erbitux. Brachytherapy, surgery, left neck dissection and temp trach placed all on 9/17/07, trach removed 10/17/07. ORN of jaw, late effect of radiation symptoms. **lost my beautiful mother on 5/5/11.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 13 Member | | Member
Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 13 | Hi Brenda,
I have had taxotere before - but it was along with two other chemo drugs (cisplatin and 5FU) so I can't say whether the side effects I had were from the taxotere, one of the other drugs or a combination of them all!! But, my side effects weren't too bad - just really tired and felt a bit weak. I have lost most of my hair which I was dreading but it wasn't as bad as I expected.
Anyway, really hope your next lot of treatment goes okay.
Hayey
Hayley, 19. Diagnosed at 18 with cancer of the larynx (T4n2) on 20.11.07 Taxotere, cisplatin and 5FU x 3, carboplatin x 7 and 35 radiotherapy treatments Found out I am in remission on 21.08.08 www.kickingcancersarse.blogspot.com | | |
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