Return to chemo

[Grace-53]

So, after only 4 months since the last chemo (cisplatin and gemcitabine) and on Avastin, i am back on chemo. It’s cisplatin and caelyx this time. Ca125 at 165, from 20 after finishing the chemo in January, and pet scan confirming bad news in the pelvic region. The regime is a bit unusual this time - every 4 weeks. Have any of you been on that sort of cycle? I expect to feel rotten the first week and then be ok. Is this a realistic expectation?

My main stress is that the cancer is next to the rectum and i dread the time when it perforates it. How bad is it likely to be?

Wishing you all the best and sending warm hugs ❤️❤️❤️

Grace

[LittleSan]

Ah Grace, I've no experience of Caelyx or rectal tumours but am gutted for you to find yourself back on treatment so soon. I too had to start chemo again within 4 months (weekly Taxol with cederanib starting soon hopefully). The signs are positive that it's working.

Good luck with your new treatment hope it kicks the unwanted lodgers into submission. 💐😘

[Lindaura]

Oh Grace!

That is such disappointing news.

I am so sorry that you got so little respite from treatment.

Now I just finished Caelyx with Carboplatin (for a first recurrence) in April and after the first 10 days, I found it really tolerable.

I just put myself to bed the first week, dealt with all the digestive and nausea issues easily, from what I’d learned in the past, and just gave in to the fatigue. But after 7 to 10 days, I was ready to start walking again, driving again and began on counting on nearly three good weeks every month.

I remained clear headed, I kept my hair, and I could handle almost any task, although I did tire easily, and my walks were short ones.

It also destroyed most of the cancer, with just a tiny 5mm bit left and a CA-125 from 473 down to 15.

From the end of May onwards, I am on the PARP inhibitor Niraparib. And so far so good.

Hopefully, the Caelyx will destroy this new growth of yours and you won’t have that to worry about.

BTW, I am BRCA1 positive, so I am hanging hopes of longtime remission on the PARP.

Best wishes and hugs from the UK,

Laura

[Eriksendi]

So sorry to hear you are back on chemo again. I have no experience of this combination but wish you all the best. My bowel did perforate but believe me you will know if you have a problem there. I am still here to tell the tale almost 2 years later with a ca125 of 9, a bumpy ride though. I have a stoma due to the perforation but am so glad to still be here and be cancer clear. I wish you all the best, we are all different and I don’t think anyone knows what will happen and how we respond to treatments.

[Grace-53]

Thank you,

I hope my current regime will do the trick once again.

Grace

[Elfed]

I was on carbo/ caelex last year, every 4 weeks, I’d have a few days a bit off, then was fine, it was great we’ve got a camper van and went for over 2 weeks away between each treatment, even climbed snowdon between 2nd and 3rd. Hopefully you’re be as lucky as me, no real side effects.

Unfortunately I’m just about to start my 3rd line of chemo which I have to have 2 weeks out of 4 so a bit more tied to Home

[Grace-53 in reply to Elfed]

My first line was every week, so even to have 1 or 2 off is great. We can have a bit of nornal life. Great to hear that you were even able to go on a holiday. In my case, i hope i will be able to keep my favourite pastime going and go to a tango practica every now and then. That is the only thing that keeps me sane.

Thank you for replying and good luck with your treatment.

❤️

Grace

[Travelmonster]

Sorry to hear you are facing chemo again. Wishing you as smooth a journey as possible. Sending hugs

Much love xxxx