Cabo / doxil / avastin

[Lind58]

Tomorrow I am taking my mom for her first infusion of carbo/doxil/avastin. My sister typically would take her during her first chemo rounds and I would do after care. Should I be prepared with anything? I plan to be with her all day tomorrow, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - she’s a nurse practitioner and plans to go back to work on Monday. She lives with my dad and my sister and I live within 45 minutes. Just wondering when the symptoms kick in and if I should be prepared with anything.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[LesleyGB]

Hi! I have never had doxil, having instead carbo, taxol and avastin. Apart from tiredness and aching for a few days I was okay. One anti-sickness drug (ondesteron?) did cause horrible constipation, so I didn't take it again. I only took the drugs for three days as the hospital said I should, but needed nothing else between cycles. We all differ and the long list of side effects is frightening but of course they warn you about absolutely everything. Hair started falling out after a few weeks but just hacked it all off! I would have been perfectly okay to go into work as usual but lockdown started so my uni was closed. Hope your mum manages the treatment well and the outcome is positive. Good luck!x

[Spongebobby]

Hi Lind although I wasn’t in the same treatment my worse days were 3,4,5 after the chemotherapy then I started to feel more like myself…my taste and smell went strange for a few days following the treatment as well. I would strongly advise taking the anti sickness tablets even if mum doesn’t feel sick as this will hopefully avoid any nausea as well… plenty of rest when she’s fatigued and also lots of water to flush the chemo through the system… good luck to you all, although it wasn’t a nice thing to have done, think I’ve had much worse hangovers if I’m honest!! Xxx

[Tillymint61]

I was OK for the first three days think that was the steroids! I also took the Domperidone anti sickness as a matter of course for three days. Plenty of water and other fluids too. After three days had a couple of aches and pains and abnormal fatigue which I initially tried to get through without giving into it but subsequently went with it and just rested up when it happened. Unlike normal tiredness it made me feel ill. By day 6 I felt fine. I wasn't working so was fortunate to be able to go with what my body was telling me. Sending Mum my best wishes.x

[SASSY196]

My experience would be symptoms kick in just at time your mum planning in going to work, day3. Like others drugs control first few days ( sickness etc) after that my main symptom is fatigue, not normal tiredness but complete exhaustion. Like Tillymint I no longer try to fight this because just makes it worse Tiredness worse days 3-10. I am social work manager and decided not to work as too tiring, so I just do what I want with each day, but every one different and your Mum may have different experience. Avastin caused my lots of joint aches, Epsom salt baths, yoga helpful. Hope goes well. If in UK don't expect to be allowed with her for chemo as visitors not generally allowed unless high level of care needed.

[delia2]

Hi. The main thing with doxil is heavily moisturizing the hands and feet for a week and dealing with possible mouth sore—so mild toothpaste, mouthwashes with warm salt water or bicarbonate. I felt mild nausea and fatigue days 3-7 but that’s me.

[Luci22]

Hi, I have some advice from my mom's experience. She felt pretty well after her treatment but was extra tired on the second and maybe 3rd day so slept longer and rested.

Because of the extra medications they give (anti-nausea, etc) she became constipated and that was a big problem for her. We kept a natural laxative (over the counter) on hand and if she didn't have a bowel after 2 days, she took it at night. She ate prunes too, anything to ensure she'd remain regular.

Also, keep on hand the phone number for the chemo nurses (or whatever they give you as their contact) in case she gets any worrying symptoms that you want to call them about. It's good to have on hand even if you won't need to use it. I hope it goes well for your mom! All the best. Luci