Doxil is next chemo

[jane65]

The next chemo we're using is Doxil which we'll start this coming Monday, and  I'll have a treatment once every 3 weeks. Hopefully this drug will work and we can start to reverse the progression of the OVCA including the induration.

My oncologist said the induration (ugly lumps and bumps) are an external picture of cancer and what's going on inside my body. It's so gross!

He said I need to have a MUGA heart scan before we can start Doxil,  to be sure my heart is ok and I'll have that test done this Thursday.

I know that several of you have been on Doxil, and I'd really appreciate some tips on how to deal with the side affects, the oncology nurse said loose clothing, and be careful of heat. I'm sure they'll have lots more to say next Monday.

Thanks again for all the support, and help.
Jane

[jane65]

Thank you ladies for your replies and suggestions, I'm seeing my oncologist Monday to have my blood counts checked, and discuss pain medication with him.

I've had a bad week, very fatigued and in pain adjusting the Percocet to take care of that issue. I've been sleeping a lot, too. No hand, foot or mouth issues thankfully.

Sitting at the computer is becoming an uncomfortable due to the lymphedema and induration,  but I'll post when I can.

Take care and be well.
Jane

[yrrek]

Hi Jane, Well I will most likely be starting doxil, or some other chemo as my tumor marker has gone up again.  I am having a CT on Mon.  and will see my Dr. on Thurs.  There are some others he talked about including a pill called form but I think he wants to put me on doxil.  I am sorry to hear of your troubles with induration.  I have a colostomy bag now and I have issues with that, cramping, skin break down and just the whole different way of eating and wearing clothes but I am dealing with it okay. I am hopeful that the doxil will work for us, please keep me posted.  I am now a grandma for the first time, the new love of my life is Daniel and he is so beautiful.  I tell my son that part of my treatment includes holding him at least every other day.  Jane we will press on, I pray that you will be feeling better soon.

[bravely2]

Hi again Jane,
Make sure when you are taking the Percocet that you take one along with an OTC tylenol as well, unless you are taking 2 Percocets at once.  Each Percocet usually has 500 mg tylenol in it, ie: 5/500mg or 7.5/500mg Percocet (can also be 325 mg of tylenol).  Few Drs or pharmacies will tell you to take the extra tyl to get the dose up to1000 mg tylenol per dose.  The oxycontin gives it the extra pain relief quality but you need 1000 mg of tyl to begin worth for it to work well.
I am a dentist and tell my patients about this all the time, but few pharmacies let the pts know.
Rose

[Aussie000]

Hi Jane, I just want to say I hope Doxil is the one to knock this disease down for the longest time yet, you are such a fighter, so caring of others and a lovely lady too, you remind me so much of my mother. Best wishes for a great outcome, I'm praying for you :)   Carolyn

[jane65]

Thank you so much ladies, my husband found Udderly Smooth at CVS and got me the jar.
We also saw it at Bed Bath and Beyond so I'll be ok.
Rose I see your new here, If there's anything I can help you with, any information you need, please don't hesitate to send me a note or message. This OVCA is so difficult to deal with and we all need to ask questions or talk about it.
I've been battling OVCA for 3 years and I'm staged 4B epithelial cancer which metastasized to my lymph nodes and Doxil is my 4th chemo drug.

Gail that was so sweet of you to offer to send it to me, you're quite a nice lady.
I got the lower dose yesterday, my oncologist wanted to see how I reacted to it, and next Monday he wants me in to check my blood count levels.

The Percocet isn't doing great for the pain in the lymph node and induration areas, I need one every 4 hours  even during the night. My oncologist offered me a stronger pain drug, I may have to do that, pain is nothing to deal with if it's not necessary.

Hopefully as the Doxil works, the causes of the pain will be rectified.

Take care Rose, and Gail and feel well.
Jane

[gah_70]

Hi Jane,

I can get Udderly Smooth in the larger jars that come with a pump at my local Walmart.  If you cannot find it and don't mind sending me a private message with your address, I'd be happy to send you some.  Consider it a "Doxil Celebration Gift"...ha!

Hope your treatment went well yesterday...and hope you're getting lots of rest today.

Gail  

[bravely2]

Hi Jane,
I am a newbie here.  Saw you are in NJ and are looking for Udderly Smooth.  I am in NY but have family in & come from NJ.  You might try Harmon stores I have gotten it there.
Hope all goes well for you,
Rose

[jane65]

Hi Kerry,
I agree that the information we get on this site is amazing.

I hope the Doxil works well for you, let me know how you do on it.
Jane

[jane65]

Hi Sherri,
Thanks for your information, it sounds like you aren't having a particularly bad time with Doxil, that's encouraging.
I hope it's the right drug for you and me, and that we both do well and get this cancer stabilized or for you in remission!

Let's keep in touch, good luck!
Jane

[henning]

Best of luck to you Jane, you are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Penny

[sheri938]

HI  AFTER ALMOST 8 MONTHS AFTER THE TAXOL CARBO TREATMENTS I STAYED AT 14 FOR MONTHS THEN IT WENT TO 33 AND I WAS STARTED ON DOXIL, AFTER THE 1ST TREATMENT TO STARTED DOWN SLOWLY THIS WAS MY 3RD LAST FRIDAYS   IT WAS DOWN TO 15 WILL HAVE ANOTHER BLOOD DRAW THIS WEEK, THERE ARE A FEW SIDE EFFECTS BUT NOTHING LIKE THAT TAXOL- BLISTERS AROUND THE WASTE FROM CLOTHING BEING TOO TIGHT, AND BLISTERS IN THE MOUTH, -IT HAS BEEN COOL HERE IN OAKLAND SO HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH OVER HEATING ,I HAD THE HEART TEST BEFORE THE START OF THE DOXIL,BUT THINGS SEEM OK SO FAR-  I SEEM TO HAVE INSOMINA THE FIRST 24 HOURS THEN I SLEEP  THE NEXT 24 AT LEAST, STILL  SHORT ON ENERGY, BUT I'M GETTING OUT AS OFTER AS POSSIBLE,NO PROBLEMS WITH DIET,.-MY BEST TO EVERYONE, KEEP IN TOUCH -AN MAY GOD BE WITH YOU  -OOPS SORRY  about the caps still have my glasses on,best of luck to everyone

[yrrek]

Hi there my name is yrrek, well Kerry and I used to post quite regularly.  I may be starting doxil as well. It is so amazing to get all this info on it.  My marker went up to 33 while on taxol/carbol, we are going to do one more marker and then go from there.  

[gabby55]

hi jane all the info above is what our oncologist told us..to stay cool,no sun etc, well thats ok cause i dont ever sit in the sun,lets do like you said keep each other posted and yes here in canada we call caelyx...but i never had the muga test??what is that?anyways monday is another start and prayfully this will work for us both, they tell me its only 20%chance for me due to my short remiision from this last time,,i keep hoping GOD will step in and and make all of us better,,,until next time love and blessings friend gail...ps r u in usa??  forever grateful to this forum an dits contributors..

[jane65]

Thanks Teresa,
I'll definitely read your Journal I appreciate everything I can learn about Doxil so I'll be prepared. That's wonderful to hear that your cancer free! I hope it lasts forever!

So far we couldn't find Udderly Smooth, but we'll keep looking around, or order it on line.

Jane

[Teresa222]

You might want to go to my Journal and read what I posted about Doxil. It got tougher as I moved forward with the treatments. I've had a good response so far, because I am still cancer free. I go back next week for a three month checkup. This will make nine months remission for me from the Doxil treatments.

[jane65]

Good luck to you gabby,
Do you expect to have the same side effects I may have with Doxil?

Lets keep in touch and see how we're handling it. My oncology nurse said I'll be getting mine through my port, and that I should plan to suck on ice chips or ice pops during treatments.
Also, I should ice my palms, and soles during and after treatments to minimize any side effects.

Feel well, and good luck to both of us!
Jane

[gabby55]

hi its gabby 55 i go on caelyx starting monday,sohope it does well for you and for me...keep posting

[jane65]

Hi Sheri,
Yes, definitely be careful to protect your skin from cuts and scratches. Your immune system is compromised now and you have to be careful of any infections.

The wonderful ladies on this forum have given lots of tips and advice about how to deal with the Doxil side affects, maybe those suggestions will be useful for you too.

Take care and keep in touch with us,

Jane

[sheri938]

oh yes i had to have the sam heart test before the doxil

[sheri938]

hi just finished my 3rd  treatment of doxil  have 3 more to go-my numbers started to climb got up to 33 and so i was put on the doxil i have finished a year of taxol and carbo and surg, total of 9 taxols- so far the numbers went from 33 to 31 and now down to 15 so far, have not lost my hair yet- i'm told  i may not-so far i've not had too many side effects- except the first 24 hours i can not sleep then the next 2 days i sleep- then sort of snap out of the fog,i had a different chemo nurse this time and she told me to make sure and to wear shoes if going to be out side or do garden work,to avoid injuries, i had a small spider bite on my foot and she was very concerned  about it-adv me not to take very hot baths, and to watch  any cuts or   scratches,good luck  and it takes a lot less time for the amount they are giving me,-?keep in touch

[jane65]

Hi Becky,
I hope you're doing better now, your reply to me was very nice to see.

I'll send a message to Deandra, thanks for the suggestion.

Feel good!
Jane

[jane65]

Hi Gail,
Thanks for your tips, I did get that purple  Doxil pack from my oncology nurse, and I'll follow your suggestions. Maybe I can bring a couple of ice pops with me, what do you think?

It sounds like this may be a difficult chemo drug, but if it works, I'll deal with the side affects.
My MUGA scan is this Thursday.

I'm making a list of everyone's suggestions, and I'm sure it will help to make this easier to deal with. The ladies are so kind.

Thanks again,
Jane

[jane65]

Hi Pam,
I messaged you my email address, let me know if you got it.
Thanks to you and to your friend, I appreciate her offer for help.

I wish you both good health,
Jane

[jane65]

I'll call it the Canadian Mounted Police if that would help!

Be well,
Jane