Hello

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 36 total)
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  • #65217
    ilias
    Member

    Hey Janet…hoping you are well..thanks so much for the kind wishes..she is being treated at the Epworth in Richmond. Both her oncologists have their private rooms at the Epworth.

    She had her Gemzar this morning and has been admitted for 3 nights for observation. I guess this is due to the Cisplatin she will have tomorrow. I must say it is the best she has felt since her whipples in July ( Probably due to the anti nausea infused before chemo).

    She also felt lucky and asked me to buy her a lottery ticket for Tuesday nights OZ lotto $70m draw.

    Here’s to luck and good progress for all CC patients.

    I will keep you posted.

    Cheers
    Ilias

    #65216
    magic
    Spectator

    Ilias,hope it all goes well…..where is she having chemo?
    take care Janet

    #65215
    marions
    Moderator

    Ilias…great news.
    Hugs are heading your way.
    Marion

    #65214
    lainy
    Spectator

    Hi Ilias, sending prayer across the vast ocean to your Mum and family. Thank you for the good update and it looks like she is in good hands and tolerating her chemo well. Looking forward to good Scans in December, wouldn’t that be a wonderful Holiday gift!

    #65213
    ilias
    Member

    Hey all. Mum is lying in bed having Gemzar. Tomorrow she commences cisplatin. Oncologist has referred to it as a local progression. He says it is serious, but confident with the treatment.

    I am hoping all goes well. She will have a scan after her final treatment in December. Please pray for good news.

    Please take care all
    Ilias

    #65212
    ilias
    Member

    Thank you so much Cindy. Take care

    #65211
    cinbfish
    Spectator

    Hi Ilias,
    My name is Cindy. I am on my 5th round of cisplatin and gemzar cocktail. My regimen is 2 weeks on and 1 week off. The first week is the cisplatin and gemzar cocktail. The second week is only the gemzar. The cisplatin is very strong. It takes me about a week to recover from the nausea and weekness. Make sure your mom has good antinausea medication. It will help a lot. I feel very good durring the second and third weeks. The gemzar is not bad at all.
    Stay strong and best wishes for you mom.
    -Cindy

    #65210
    magic
    Spectator

    Dear Ilias,
    I think you should talk to your brother in law the GP and ask him to explain truthfully what the situation is.The switch to the different chemo is apropriate because of the new growths which have occurred when your mum was on the 5fu.It would be best to cross our fingers and hope it has a good effect rather than worry ahead of time.
    Ilias the chemo is not a cure,it just delays the progress of the cancer ……as to how long for is very individual and cant be predicted but realistically this is a terminal illness for your mother.
    I agree with the oncologist to steer away from alternative treatments while on chemo apart from those that bring comfort,a massage is wonderful.
    Discuss with your family the idea of a second opinion but I think the current regime probably would not be changed.
    Take some time off work and spend some quality time with your mum and dad Take care Janet

    #65209
    lainy
    Spectator

    Dear Ilias, I am wondering why a 2nd opinion is not done. There are 2 reasons, one is that another “eye” may have a different idea and #2 is that at least everyone will have peace of mind with the decision made. Gem/CIS seems to be our chemo cocktail of choice around here. I am hoping our Janet checks in with this as she is from Australia.

    #65208
    ilias
    Member

    Hi all

    Oncologist says that Gem/Cis is our last option and nothing else available after this regime. Is this true nthe on oncologist is very quick to shrug us off. He has not even explained how this cycle is administered. I am lost for words.

    I have asked my bros in law to refer us to another onc, but I do not want to disrupt the treatment commencing on Monday.

    I can’t accept that this is our last option and told that if this does not work she will deteriorate quickly and die. I asked about alternative treatments and the Onc got reasonably defensive and told us not to give her b17 as it will have impact on her treatment.

    I would love to hear from any body in OZ or elsewher that has other treatment administered after Gem/Cis. Note that 5FU and radiation had no affect.

    Cheers
    Ilias

    #65207
    ilias
    Member

    Thank you Lainy

    #65206
    lainy
    Spectator

    Dear Ilias, just wanted to wish Mum the best on her new chemo cocktail, which seems to be a very popular cocktail. Ilias, don’t feel the news is the beginning of the end, it may be just a new beginning! Be strong!

    #65205
    ilias
    Member

    Pam & Lindsy. Thanks for all your thoughts and kindness. Mum is being admitted into hospital next MOnday to start her new regime of cisplatin and gemzar.

    Keep you all posted.

    Cheers
    Ilias

    #65204
    daughternlaw
    Spectator

    Ilias- I just wanted to say welcome to this amazing support group. I sadly don’t have a positive story to share. My mother n law was diagnosed on Sept 5 w/ Inoperable, stage 4 CC. She is 66 y.o. She just finished her 3rd round of Oxilplatin/5fu intravenously, but it is now being placed on hold due to her increase in pain, an occluded bile duct, and elevated labs.
    This has been a very hard thing to watch. I am more and more sad as the days go by because for our family, I feel this is definitely the beginning of the end. But this is my experience. Many people on this board have survived years with this cancer. Every person’s body reacts to chemotherapy very differently. There are definitely commonalities from story to story, but the the story themselves are very individual.
    I want you to know that you are not alone. I am so so sorry that you and your family are having to go through this.

    Please keep us posted and I am sending good prayers and thoughts your way!

    Lindsy

    #65203
    pamela
    Spectator

    Hi Ilias,

    I am sorry to hear of your Mom’s new growth. My daughter, Lauren has been on two of the platinum based chemos at different times. She was first on Cisplatin in combination with Gemzar and 5-FU. She is now on Oxaliplatin with Xeloda (the pill form of 5-FU). She has had positive results with both. Please do not give up hope because one chemo or radiation stopped working. This happens to many people. Lauren’s oncologist always tells us that chemo is cumulative and the longer you take one, the worse it will make you feel. So now your Mom is starting a new one and it might help her feel better. Believe me, I know it is easier to fall into the pit of worry, depression, and being all doom and gloom, but it is so much better to remain on top of all this with hope, optimism, and enjoying every moment with your Mom. Take care and hoping for the best.

    Love, -Pam

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 36 total)
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