GEMZAR

yangtan

my doctor doesn't use the common ca15.3. it's not accurate for me. I use the ca 19.9 that normally measures liver. Also my met is on the lymph node so the Doc can feel and measure with his calipers. So happy that he can't measure it any more.

I am given booster shots for the red blood and white blood cells. Nothing for platelets. I have no choice butdrink lots of dates tea and eat papaya including the yaky seeds. Folklore has it that papaya leaves tea help but hey where to find that in a urban supermarket. I also realise that when I sleep well blood counts are generally better so I am taking sleeping pills. I am tired most of the time. No matter how I try I still do think about cancer and sleep often is difficult. Many non cancer and healthy people just don't get it. I have decided my time is too precious trying to explain and I just do what I need for me. Hey I have bigger problem than sleeping pill addiction.

yangtan

after four rounds of gemzar/carboplatin, my WBC and rbc tank out. So round five will start next week instead. I am given booster shots for WBC and rbc instead. I am tired and am glad to take a week break. Two more rounds then I will do a pet scan

Dayzeroze

thank you for getting my attention. I have had 2 rounds just Gemzar alone. It's crushing me not knowing if it's working I really hate the " only time will tell " because only time isn't something we see as having a lot of. I really have no side effects except very tired the first couple days

RosesToeses

Hi everyone, I started Gemzar with Taxol 3 weeks ago to try and knock back the mets in my lungs that were giving me trouble.  Has anyone here gotten a rash from Gemzar?  It's popped up both of my Gemzar "on" weeks and I'm pretty sure that's the cause--itchy, red, all over, very unpleasant!  And if you've gotten it, was there a solution?

I go back in on Monday for Gemzar and Taxol again so I'll talk to my onc, but any idea what to expect would be helpful!  My breathing is getting better so I think the chemos are working, I'd hate to give them up, but ugh, that rash!

Dayzeroze

reading everyone is on gemzar and something else has me worried. Why am I only on gemzaf

babs6287

I was only on Gemzar and it was working. It shrank my liver mets so don't worry!

Bab

RosesToeses

Dayzeroze, my onc put me on Gemzar and Taxol because of how quickly the cancer spread into my lungs and how that was effecting my breathing--the plan for me is to consider switching down to one or the other once the lungs clear.  So, it might be a good sign that you started out with Gemzar alone?  Probably a good question for your onc to set your mind at ease.

As for my Gemzar=rash question, started a new cycle this week and my onc has it under control with a higher dosage of decadron on infusion day and some prednisone during the week.  Such a relief to not be red and so itchy!

Hope all you other Gemzar ladies are having a good week!