Last chemo dose

[Rlenesue]

Hi Ladies,

Just wanted to let you know that I had my last chemo treatment today. 6 treatments of carbo/caelyx. I am supposed to start my Parp Inhibitor within 30 days. Hopefully this will work on me as a BRCA 1 patient and I won't get cancer again. I've heard a lot of good things about it relating to its effectiveness and side effects. I am remaining hopeful and positive. My pet scan from end of April showed virtually no cancer left and all areas where there was cancer have been resolved. My oncologist wanted another pet scan and I talked her out of it...I mean what's the@$_/#!' Point! My ca125 was 100 in May. Will know my Ca125 pre chemo from todays draw in a couple of days. Then one more ca125 to check on PARP efficiency.

[lorraine71-Australia]

Hi, Sounds like a good results so please for you I had Caebo/ Caelyx with good results also but have not had a pro inhibitor yet, I hope the prohibiter gives you the results you want ..

Do you know the one you are on?

Take care Lorraine xx

[Tesla_7US]

Rlenesue, CA125 can drop slightly after chemo ends. Since your CA is not within normal range yet, I would definitely get another scan. Your oncologist is looking out for you. Her concern is proof of her commitment to your treatment. If it were me, I'd jump at the scan and go for it!

[Kryssy]

Hi. Considering where you were a year ago I think you have done amazingly well. So pleased for you and I really hope you get a good life now. I'm not sure if this caelyx is going to be kind to me. First one gave me five days of side effects but they are still here eight days after the second dose and my feet are burning and I have the headache from hell. I'll hang on in there though as it sounds as if the drug does its job.

I would definitely get a PET scan done. They see so much more than the other scans and the SUV readings are very important. PETs are standard for cancer patients in France and I'm grateful as my initial MRI didn't show the extent of the cancer nor the tiny spots.

Please keep posting as you have lifted my spirits this morning and given me the impetus to carry on. Bless you xxxx

[Rlenesue in reply to Kryssy]

So sorry to hear of your severe side effects so quickly after starting the new regimen. Perhaps your oncologist can prescribe cream for your feet. My side effects werent that bad as yours. The chemo headache is active right now...lol . I have experienced skin changes such as peeling and sca bed areas. My oncologist isnt pushing another pet scan on me. She broached the subject and I declined. The last pet scan was just 5 weeks ago showing basically no cancer left and all areas that had issue have been resolved. That scan was pre-chemo x2 so honestly, taking another scan at this point is ridiculous. I guess medical coats are low or free in France but in the USA they are not free.

[Kryssy in reply to Rlenesue]

It's ok, I can do the side effects. Much better than last year. My skin's ok, just had hot feet for several hours so went barefoot all day and their fine now. Feeling a bit better too. Onward and upward.

In France everyone with cancer, or any serious illness, has all treatment, medications, chemo, transport and nursing for free. We can also get help at home if we need it. I don't but a friend has a dust fairy each week at no cost to her. No treatment is denied us, i.e. avastin, and I feel privileged that I'm here as I would never have been able to afford the amount of avastin I've had (which didn't work by the way). No wonder the country is almost bankrupt

[tara108 in reply to Kryssy]

Hi Krissy. So sorry you are suffering bad side effects. My new oncologist said she would lower the dose a bit if I had bad reaction to caelyx so that may be a possibility if you choose to do that. But I was too terrified to try it as I have such a sensitive skin and talked her into carbo/taxol again for my 1st recurrence. Also a tough regime but I feel more confident in dealing with it now 2nd time. Hope your side effects go away quickly. Hugs from Oz.

[Maxjor]

I am ahead of you just slightly. Finished Carbo/Caylex March 16th and started a PARP April 24th. My ca125 was 8 when I started the PARP. I had two ca125s taken so far and it was from 8 the day I started to 7 and then 6. I have my next bloods (every two weeks now) on June 15 then I assume a scan (altho I too, want to talk him out of it if the ca125 stays low as its a good indicator for me). I was very scared of side effects of the PARP and its ALL manageable. And I hear side effects start to get better or go away after the 8th week (I am in my 7th week). Mostly I have fatigue (but swim daily anyway--work, socialize) and some joint pain (which is less common--less than 30% get this so of course, I do) but mostly life is good!!!, I live life normally and NO CHAIR for infusions. Wishing you luck and I am BRCA II and platinum sensitive which is supposed to be good for the PARP treatment. oxoxoxoxo

[Rlenesue in reply to Maxjor]

So glad your side effects from the naparib or the other one, olaparib are manageable, Maxjor. I should be starting the Parp within 30 days, of course, waiting for Medicare approval....lol... so glad chemo is over, though. 6 treatments seem to just take forever... us new jerseyians and new Yorkers want everything now... lol . And, we also speak our minds, don't we? !!

Keep in touch and glad you're out there living your life. Hopefully I'll feel that way soon, too..

[Maxjor in reply to Rlenesue]

I hope you do too. Since we east coasters are tough, I am betting on you to be FINE on it with good results. Hurry up Medicare!

[Elizabethe]

Like Maxjor, I was also scared of the side effects of the PARP (Niraparib in my case). It was hard for the first few months but now side effects have settled down, they are predictable and therefore manageable. Ive been able to help my daughter revise for her A levels, do a few things round the house, get out in the sunshine, even do some (gentle) yoga! I hope this drug works for you - I have found it life changing. There is hope for quality of life after an ovarian cancer diagnosis.

[Rlenesue]

So glad to hear you're doing well on this parp inhibitor, that's encouraging for me. Just glad chemo is done and hopefully my failed implant are will heal now. The chemo opened all the skin where the sutures were are extremely uncomfortable as liquid is coming out and has to be covered in bandages.

Quality of life can only go up at this point.

Thanks for replying, Elizabethe.. you've brightened my day.

[tara108]

Thinking of you and hope your skin heals quickly. Wishing you many more bright days. Hugs from australia.