Guidance (Caelyx & Maintenance)

[Amer87]

Hi

(sorry if my sharing turns out to be long)

Im new to this forum and i have read what you share here and i hope you are feeling much better now... I also hope you can give me some advise, if it is not too much to ask

My mum was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer in 2012, she had her uterus and ovaries removed and had 6 sessions of Taxol/Carboplatin chemotherapy and Thank God she got cured.

Unfortunately in October 2017, the Ovarian Cancer came back and was much more aggressive and spread all over, she resumed the carboplatin/taxol chemotherapy and added to that was Avastin.. she then had a very bad reaction to carboplatin on the second chemotherapy cycle and the doctor stopped it and continued the remaining 4 only taxol and avastin, and thankfully she had her CA125 drop to 5.3 and then up to 12.3 and is now stable.

After the 6th chemo cycle, the doctor said we should continue a year solely of Avastin as a maintenance drug, but unfortunately after two time of Avastin she had a rash and a lot of scratching.

However, my Mum underwent a CT scan and it showed that there is no change since her first CT scan in January 2018, she has a tiny cyst on the liver, cyst on the left kidney, mild acititis, peritoneal nodules representing carcinosis, and the doctor said he would continue with either Gemzar or Caelyx but with a 3 month rest before continuing. We do not know what to use since everyone experience with each is different.

Does anyone know/had such an experience before?

I apologise for the long post, but it is so frustrating to go through this again and i cant start wondering how my mother feels!! she is determined and motivated to push through all of this..

Wishing you all the best.

[Lyndy]

Hi Amer87

I haven’t experienced this but it is not unknown for a treatment to be unsuitable and for something else to be tried. Hopefully your Mum will be able to have a real rest if the cancer is under control.

She will need to eat well and boost herself up for the new treatment but it is also a good time to have some fun and get out a bit more.

I found chemo quite isolating so doing some nice things in good company may also help your Mum set up for the next lot of treatments. Good luck to you both xx

[Amer87 in reply to Lyndy]

Hi Lyndy..

Thanks for your support and sharing..this is the second mediciine after carboplatin to give her sude effects..its frustrating..the doctor told her to rest and try a new medicine..but she thinks its best to take another opinion, hoping for the best..

God Bless and thanks again

[Flamingobeef18]

Hi there

I have two daughters and understand that my illness is sometimes more difficult for them than me.

I am about to start my third line of chemotherapy because my second came to an early stop when I had a severe reaction to the carboplatin last summer. Recently I have felt really well and although I know this is a temporary reprieve from treatment I have loved my “time off for good behavior “.

I have spent lots of quality time with my daughters and it has been wonderful not having to think about sickness all the time. It is natural to worry about the future but do not forget to enjoy now.

As far as which drug next I would be guided by your mums consultant after all that is what he is paid for.

All the very best.

Juliax

[Amer87 in reply to Flamingobeef18]

Hi Juliax,

Thanks for your support and taking the time to share..i wish you all the best on your third libe of chemo..the doctor told her to take a 3 month rest and then return to Gemzar/caelyx..God bless you and hope all goes well for you!!

[Nicky100]

Hello.

Sorry to hear about your mum. It sounds as though she has had a rough time.

You’ll find plenty of ladies here who are kind and supportive, you are in the right place.

Had your mum been offered surgery? Or has she had a second opinion. If I were you, that would be my first port of call if you have questions or doubts. They could for example, remove the lesion from her liver, but not many surgeons will offer it.

Email me if you need support. Love and hugs Nicky xx

[Amer87 in reply to Nicky100]

Hi Nicky,

Thanks a lot for your kind and supportive words..well one of the doctors just ignored the cyst part and said she should take a 3month rest and then he will resume with gemzar/caelyx. He also said the the progress was that her CA125 has not changed for 2 months..On the other hand, she will be seeing 2 other doctors bext week..since it is easter and all doctors are on leave..

Happy Easter and God Bless..

[Nicky100 in reply to Amer87]

Take care and good luck

[chrissapam]

Ithink I have good results with Caelyx....but its very individual and Ithink some really rate Gem. Hope you get good results...love Chris x

[Amer87 in reply to chrissapam]

Thanks chris...

So it seems like trial and error..i hope she responds to either at this point!!

Wish u the best..