UncleDoug Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 After 4 cycles of chemo with carboplatin and VP-16 I had my first CT scan to check for any changes. The result is a 40-50% reduction in size of my Adrenal tumor. I start my next cycle of chemo tomorrow. My question is whether this reduction is normal or should I be hoping for a more substantive shrinkage? Is there such thing as a "normal" reaction to the chemotherapy after just a few cycles of infusion? I would appreciate any information from someone who has been there, done that. "Uncle" Doug Russell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Hi, UNCA, We have no idea on a 'norm', but we rejoice in any shrinkage (other than the Seinfeld Rendition of Shrinkage). It sounds like you are a poster child for how to weather chemo!! Keep it up, Doug, you are an inspiration and joy to us!! Love Pat and Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindseysmom Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Hi Uncle Doug, That's great news. Mine shrunk about 50% at first. But I was doing a combo chemo and radiation. Here's to continuing shrinkage. Best Wishes, Dee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doughnut Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 What Katie B said. Great news! Dee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Uncle Doug, I think that is great news.I hope the upcoming continued chemo keeps yielding the same uplifting results for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Sounds like great news to me!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kel M Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Ditto on the great news! Glad to hear the chemo is working out. Kel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 There is no norm since each person is a different case and reacts in their own way to specific chemo. The shrinkage is definitely good news at this point, since you have more to go. I wish for you total disappearance of those buggers. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggiesmom Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Doug, I had chemo and radiation at the same time and I think 50% shrinkage sounds pretty darn good. I kind of remember that number around 1/2 way thru the process. I would think your chemo plan is working. Rejoice! Joanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addie Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Shrinkage is always good...at least when the topic is cancer! My onc did NO scans during my 6 cycles of carbo and VP-l6...maybe because he didn't want me asking him, "Is this normal?" At the end of the 6 cycles though...I was NED. For a while. As you know, I'm now after it again with Topotecan and after 3 cycles, I was 50% reduced...but after 6 cycles....either stable OR slightly reduced. I have 4 liver tumors left...but my pancreas appears clean and at least a couple of the liver tumors were slightly smaller. BUT...my onc is happy w/ results and I feel good! So...Uncle Dougie....take what you've gotten as a gift, AND good news and keep up the good attitude and your journaling. It's all good at this point and as others have said, we all respond differently...so "normal" is a pretty hard thing to determine from one person to the next. And anyway, people like you and I may not have EVER been entirely normal - cancer or no cancer - ya know what I mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted June 29, 2005 Share Posted June 29, 2005 Uncle Doug, This sounds like great news. It's something you can't really compare to the response of others , but it sounds like those tumors are headed in the right direction. Wishing you the best. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancy c Posted June 30, 2005 Share Posted June 30, 2005 Doug, I feel any shrinkage is worth rejoiceing. Mike did 18 months of chemo with no shrinkage. But it did slow down his spreading of his cancer. Anyway--I THINK IT"S GREAT NEWS!!!!! BE HAPPY!!!! God bless,Nancy C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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