Shelley (MLC) Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Mom's symptoms have greatly improved after only one cycle of carbo/gemzar...she has more energy, no side pain and cough has disappeared. Can the chemo really work this quickly? Shelley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wondermom Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 My mom had a large pluerual effusion and a bad cough when she started chemo. Her oxygen was only at 88% and needed oxygen all the time. About 2 weeks after her first chemo she didn't need oxygen at all and her oxygen level was at 97%! So yes, I believe it can work fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 [shelley (MLC)] Can the chemo really work this quickly? Apparently so with some patients. My lung function was considerably improved after the first cycle of taxol/carbo/avastin and again after the second cycle. After the third cycle, further improvement was minimal and side effects began to increase. This seems to be a fairly typical pattern -- somewhere around the fourth to sixth cycle the side effects start to overshadow the benefits and it's time to make a change. Here's an article by Dr. West on this subject: http://onctalk.com/2007/01/17/duration- ... ng-cancer/ Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ernrol Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Shelley, That’s good. It’s always good to hear about improvement. Stay positive, Ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trish2418 Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Hi Shelley, My persistent cough disappered midway between the first and second chemo treatment. Hoping your mom keeps having good results with chemo. Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Shelley, Glad to hear that the chemo IS working that fast for your Mom. My husband had quick results after a few cycles -- just getting the larger tumor off of his bronchial tube improved his breathing a lot and his bloody cough became clearer mucus. Some people (like my husband) defy the "diminishing returns" effect of chemo and it keeps working long into many cycles of treatment. This has been a blessing for him because his cancer will not stay away and he needs to be on some type of traditional chemo to keep it in check. Prayers for continued success! Welthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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