TAnn Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Thank you to everyone for all the love and support. As usual, I've been overwhelmed by the kind words and offerings of support from all my friends here. Well, my doctor is finally back from "baby leave" and we met with him on Wednesday. I've decided not to go for a phase I trial, for many reasons. I'm starting a new chemo tomorrow. Gemzar/Carboplatin. I'll have the Gemzar and Carbo, then in 1 week just the Gemzar and 1 week off, then start all over again. The pain in my abdomen from the new spread is giving me fits. I went to the pain management department yesterday and they put me on Methadone. 2.5mg twice a day. I started it last night and it didn't even touch the pain. I'm a difficult patient to treat because so many of the narcotic meds either don't work or they make me sick! I took my dose this morning and waited about 2 1/2 hours and then went ahead and took my old reliable Advil Liquigels. That at least took the edge off the pain. Sometimes I wonder how we are expected to take all this torture. My hope is that the chemo will at least reduce the fluid in my "belly" and help with the pain. The pain center said the next step would be to have a "nerve block". At this point, I'm willing to try anything. I'm nervous about this chemo, please keep your fingers and toes crossed for me.... TAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamasbabygirl Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 I am so glad you posted with an update, I was worried. I am glad that there are some options to help with your pain. EVERYONE HERE FIGHTING THIS BEAST HAS MY UTMOST REPSPECT AND LOVE FOR HANGING IN THERE AND PUTTING UP WITH THE SUFFERING! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francesbean Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Keeping my toes and fingers crossed for you TAnn! Much love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindi o'h Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 so glad to hear from you, Teri. Crossing everything that you get some relief from pain and out of control cells. Rooting for you all the way! Cindi o'h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treebywater Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 (((((TAnn))))) I'm so glad to hear from you, but so sad the pain is so awful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eppie Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 ((((((((TAnn)))))))))))) Hugs and healing, Eppie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Sending good luck, positive vibes and lots of prayers your way!!! Hope your pain gets under control and the treatments go well!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Lot's of prayers and well wishes. I pray the new chemo will destroy all the bad guys and you'll be on the road to recovery and healing. It's amazing how OTC meds seem to work better than the scripts. The Advil worked for the pain in my legs. Hmmm, what is going on. Support of the drug companies, lol Glad it has helped your pain. Please keep us posted, you were missed... Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieD Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Terri, Really sorry to hear about all the pain. Is it from the fluid? I agree to do whatever it takes to relieve the pain. The rest we are just about used to tolerating. I had the Gemzar/Carbo first go around. Wasn't as bad as the Alimta. It helped the fluid around the pleura and casused some shrinkage. Kept me stable which is what we want. Keep the chin up and good luck with it. God Bless. CharlieD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 I hope you get some relief. My mom was on Carbo/Gemzar and tolerated it very well. My understanding is that it is supposed to be "gentler" on the body than other chemos. I believe it was chosen for my mom b/c she is fluffy and diabetic and the dr wanted to make sure her body could tolerate chemo and the combo did the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palves Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 TAnn - good luck. My dad had both plus a third one as part of a Phase II trial. He tolerated all very well. Occassionally a feeling of unease on Sats (treatment was Weds maybe ?) but otherwise felt pretty good (see the sig). If I remember correctly he would have been as Group 3 from http://www.cancer.gov/search/ViewClinic ... id=2061798 "Patients will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. Patients in group one will receive an infusion of gemcitabine on days 1 and 8. They will also receive an infusion of carboplatin on day 1. Patients in group two will receive gemcitabine as in group one and a 3-hour infusion of paclitaxel on day 1. Patients in group three will receive paclitaxel as in group two and carboplatin as in group one. Treatment in all groups may be repeated every 3 weeks for up to six courses. Quality of life will be assessed periodically. Patients will be evaluated every 3 months." Paula Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 TAnn, You have many prayers for this regimen to be effective and quick...quick with some pain relief. You are awesome, TAnn, a true example of how to battle this beast. I have prayers also that this time you catch a much needed break and can feel a bit better and gain some on this disease. I hope you will believe that you will thought of and prayed for every day. I am sorry you must gear up for this again. Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 TAnn~ Gemzar was very successful for John. When diagnosed he had two large tumors and the gemzar took care of one of them. I hope it works for you as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Prayers for the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchurchi Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 TAnn, I pray that your pain subsides, nothing worse than living in constant pain. Alan and I will cross everything possible and through in a prayer or two that this new chemo is successful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchurchi Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 TAnn, I pray that your pain subsides, nothing worse than living in constant pain. Alan and I will cross everything possible and through in a prayer or two that this new chemo is successful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 TAnn, I'm praying that the new chemo combo will work for you. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 TAnn, I am so sorry to hear about the pain you are in. Please know that prayers are on their way for you for controlled pain and shrinkage of tumors. Love, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patkid Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 TAnn, Lots of hugs and lots of concern. Love Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 The pain in my abdomen from the new spread is giving me fits. I went to the pain management department yesterday and they put me on Methadone. 2.5mg twice a day. I started it last night and it didn't even touch the pain. I'm a difficult patient to treat because so many of the narcotic meds either don't work or they make me sick! I took my dose this morning and waited about 2 1/2 hours and then went ahead and took my old reliable Advil Liquigels. That at least took the edge off the pain. Sometimes I wonder how we are expected to take all this torture. My hope is that the chemo will at least reduce the fluid in my "belly" and help with the pain. The pain center said the next step would be to have a "nerve block". At this point, I'm willing to try anything. TAnn I'm very sorry to read about your setback. I have a couple of suggestions re: your viscera pain. I'd urge you to request a consult with a hospital-based clinical pharmacist. The pain management dept. may have a clinical pharmacist on staff which would be even better. Explain your situation and maybe he or she can sort this out and get you some better pain relief. Advil and related products usually are ineffective against viscera pain and deep soft tissue pain generally speaking. The fact that this isn't so in your case, along with the poor response with narcotics, would be important to discuss with a drug expert such as an experienced clinical pharmacist. There are several combination products to consider and, if necessary, a specialty prescription product can be compounded for you. Also, some narcotic analgesics cause less gastrointestinal side effects than others. That would seem to be an important consideration in your case. Have you tried Demerol alone or in combo ? Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnmynatt Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 TAnn, Charlie had Gemzar and Carbo as his very first treatment and it was very successful. When he had Gemzar later on he got a fever the first night, which is a fairly common side-effect. Wishing you well and praying for success and for pain control! Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calintay Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 ((((TAnn)))) Many hugs for you and prayers being said for this chemo to be easy on you and h*** on this beast! I wish you all the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jang Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 TAnn - Wishing you the best and hoping that this new treatment will be just what you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 I say special prayers for you each day, TAnn. I'm hoping the chemo works and isn't too hard on you. I have to say that Gemzar alone is very easy on me. Hope it works out that way for you, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamataca Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Add my prayers to the group...we're going to start a convoy! We'll get the message up there. It really stinks that you are having to deal with all of the pain. I pray you are able to take the edge off, and work toward some real healing! Keep us posted! Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.