Just finished cycle 1 of 8 of gem/cis
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Hello,
Just a little update on me. My #16 Gem/Cis was cancelled yesterday because of low white blood cells. Because I had planned a short trip with my family, the doctor is giving me three weeks off before starting chemo, again. I feel good but was really getting tired, so I think I needed this three weeks off, before I start more. I had a little nausea along the way, but the biggest complain was the fatique. My hair was really thinning so this might give it time to start growing, again.
Best wishes to you all.
TheresaHello all,
I am proud to announce that I have finished my 4th cycle of chemo and and now am halfway done! It feels good to say those words. I am very surprised how well I am feeling, especially after a few weeks of not feeling good with my second and third cycles. I am getting a little more tired as time goes but with my hemoglobin being in the low 9’s it is to be expected. My white count has been good, but I have the neulasta to help me with that. Time has flown by and I am glad to say that for once in my life. Time to go and eat some great supper my hubby made me. Keep you all posted.
ShariTheresa,
I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to delaying chemo. I was fortunate to have my tumor resected and negative lymphs. My chemo is adjunctive and part of the reason I only am doing 8 cycles. I think it is a good idea to talk with your UCSF oncologist for a second opinion. I hope this helps.
ShariHi, Shari, and All,
I don’t think I have posted, again, since my CT scan the first of the month. Like you, Shari, I was really anxious, but when it showed no growth or new ones, I took it as good news. Hope you will have better news with some shrinkage.
I had my 15th chemo today of my 8 cycle period. The blood tests all looked pretty good. A few little low but not too low and the CA 19 marker came down again (still very high) but it is going in the right direction. Going in to the thinking that things were looking up, I was feeling pretty good after my week off and knowing only one more to go after today. Then, I was given a schedule for two more months. I told the doctor that I was ready for a vacation!!! BUT he said he wanted to keep going until the CA-l9 stopped going down and was at a stand still. He has ordered another CT scan even though I had one the first of this month. He said they usually have one every two to three months. But before we take a break he wants to see another one. What do you all think? Should I push stopping after my 8-cycles? I hate to get immune to Gem/Cis for I have tolerated it so well.
Just constipation and nausea but not that bad. I have heard that this combination has fewer side effects than other ones. I am planning to call my UCSF oncologist Friday (hoping she will return my call) to see what she has to say. I don’t want my Monterey doctor to think I am going over his head for he is very nice and caring. It seems like most of you who are on and have been on this same treatment, have stopped after 8 cycles or am I wrong?
My white blood cells are low, but not too low to not have the chemo. I have been taking Astragalus (460mg) a day. So, don’t know if that is helping the white cells just enough or not.
This is my sleepless night (because of the steroids) but I think I might have stayed up long enough to sleep the rest of the night. I will try it.
Best wishes to you.
TheresaThanks Cathy and Marion. I feels good to vent to people who know and understand where I am coming from. It makes me feel better to talk about it. I will let everybody know how my scan goes. Thanks again.
ShariShari…..The odds of your upcoming scan to show any type of cancer growths is extremely miniscule and that for various reasons. Pre-test anxieties are part of the game. No reason to apologize and. as Cathy has mentioned…..this is the right place to let it out.
Crossed fingers and best wishes are coming your way,
MarionSharimay-I believe we are allowed a little if not a lot of “nuerotic behavior” when you have or had cancer espaciously cholangio. I have been cancer free for a year and a half and just did my 6 month scans. I was pretty worried but silently, people think its over and everything will be ok. My friends and family were my biggest supporters during all this and still are concerened but just don’t really understand. I panic if I am itchy!! The one thing cc has taught me is “until you walk a mile in there shoes” is a great analogy for life. So feel free to be nuerotic with your cc family!! Lots of prayers- Cathy
Hi everybody,
I haven’t posted in a while, but I have to say that I have been feeling so great on my week off. I haven’t felt this good in quite a while. I officially started my 4th cycle today, almost half way through! My labs look good, my liver functions are all normal and the neulasta has done its job well and my white count has been staying up there. My hemoglobin is starting to get a little low, but I haven’t noticed a difference in how I have been feeling. I am due for my first CT scan since before I started chemo and if I have to be honest I have been feeling quite anxious about it. My first scan after surgery looked great and in my head, especially the nurse in me, is telling me that it is going to be okay. But the patient in me is freaking out a little. I have been good, but knowing that I am close to having a scan is making me a little neurotic about the whole thing. I, of course, have not shared any of my crazy feelings with my hubby, but I do have great friends I can share my anxiety with. I include all of my CC friends in my great friends I am sharing this with. I love my husband dearly, and share most of my feelings with him, but I have been able to work through my diagnosis better than him. I try not to worry him any more than he already is worried about me. Thanks for listening to me and all my crazy worries.
ShariGet after it, sister! Gem/cis made me pork up – I think I gained something like 30 lbs because of all the steroids. The great news is that once you’re off, you’ll start to lose that weight again.
You know, it’s interesting to me how different oncologists regard their role with a patient. My oncologist told me from the beginning that he is my ONLY doctor. I see him for anything, whether it’s for chemo or a runny nose. It works for me, especially since I don’t have to worry about reporting stuff to two different doctors and making sure something doesn’t interact with something else because one doctor doesn’t know I’m taking something. I’m glad your boob is better – it stinks when over and above all the other chemo related stuff you have to deal with, you end up with something like cellulitis.
I can happily say that I am done with cycle 3! A week off then on to cycle 4. Bring it on, I am ready.
Thanks to all for the encouraging thoughts. Theresa, as with you it is about 48 hours post chemo when I feel the worst. My chemo days are Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days I feel the worst. I also have a port and it is the best thing since sliced bread. The nausea meds work well for me and my appetite is hardly affected. I am feeling back to “normal” this week and am staring my 3rd cycle. Thanks again for listening to me vent.
ShariShari….I am frustrated right along with you. I am surprised to hear that the oncologist office did not treat you for the cellulitis. (As if they don’t know how to treat it!)
In my husband’s case the oncologist tended to most medical issues pertaining to the cancer. Go figure.
But, mostly I am happy to hear that you are feeling better.
Best wishes,
MarionShari,
Sorry, you hit “a bump” in your treatment. I am on the same chemo as you and Wednesday I will be having Day 1 of Cycle 7 if white blood cell count is high enough (leaving only 3 more to go). I have had to take 3 little nausea pills and have had some fatique . My hair is still thining but the doctor said I shouldn’t lose all of it.
. At first I had some discomfort with my port, but now, I am so glad that I have it. I don’t know about you, but I seem to feel the worse the 3rd day after chemo. But I am sure each of us have different degrees of the side-effects. My oncologist told me that this combination seem to have fewer side effects than the other combinations.Stay positive.
TheresaDear Shari, so glad you found out quickly and got the situation taken care of. I discovered with Teddy’s doctors that they are very careful not to impede on each other. There were times I found out that the radiologist would talk with the ONC and we didn’t know. The Radiologist also was very careful not to step on the Onc’s toes. Bottom line is you are feeling better!
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