cisplatin/gemzar

Hi emom,

My husband also has a diagnosis of Metastatc Bladder Cancer (to the bone in his case). He did 2 rounds of cisplatin/gemzar, and now they switched him to CMV and they are going to do localized radiation too. I was wondering if they offered you any other options?

What medical center/hospital are you going to?

In My Thoughts,
Karen

Hi emom

I can easily recall just how awful I felt going in for the 4th cisplatin - I can't imagine your stregnth!

It has been about 3 months no chemo and fatique is sometimes still a prob. My treatment timeline...
1/29 - dx with bladder cancer
1/31 - 1st turbt
2/14 - 2nd turbt and bipsies for neobladder
3/13 - rc/neobladder
March - also hospitalized for c diff
4/20 ?- port installed
I had another c diff and was hospitolized in here somewhere, but the chemo started 3 days after port was installed.

I know the cancer wore me out- I had blood in urine since Oct '06, was weak with bronchitis and vertigo in Jan before dx'd. The surgeries left me weak as did both c diff episodes. The chemo also made me weak...I guess it has been all year - sure explains my overtime on the couch this year!
I was lucky with my cancer - I was stage 3 at rc in March. It was micropapillary and I had belly button cancer in there, too. Just last week my dr's said my bone tumor and an enlarged lymphnode were benign. I am grateful.
Just be patient with yourself - your stregnth will return gradually. It has been hard for me to wait for it to come back, too. I'll pray for ya, dear, I hope you hit the remission zone!!!! Love, Holly

Thanks so much for responding. I am glad that there is a chance of getting better from the tingling and ringing. I have a noise machine that helps at night. I am actually adjusting to the constant noise in my head, but the hearing loss is another matter. I have hearing loss at the higher frequencies, but the ringing interferes with the regular hearing too! Loud noises about do me in! Isn't it wierd about the weight stuff? I have put on weight- much to my dismay and others have trouble keeping it on! It's crazy...we just can't go by the book, huh? I am really dreading this sixth cycle. If it is anything like the four days of hell I experienced last time...yuck! They will have to have very convincing evidence to get me to do any more!!!

What about the fatigue? Did it take you long to get your strength back? That has really been a hassle for me. I am a constant doer and not being able to climb stairs and walk very far has been hard on me. Especially since I have kids still at home and lots to do, not having strength to go up and down stairs has been so trying for me. Thank God they have electric carts in the stores or I wouldn't be able to grocery shop!

How has your cancer done? Was it metastized? They tell me that if they only get me to 60% reduction then we will probably stop as that is probably as far as we can get. But if it goes beyond the 60%, they might want to do more to see if they can get me into a remission...which they say is rare, but possible. I was at 40% reduction at three months.

Hi emom,

I did 4 months cisplatin/gemzar...both week 1, weeks 2 & 3 gemzar only, then week 4 off. I also had the ringing in my ears bad and the haand/foot neuropathy. Chemowas finished apx 3 months ago - ringing has subsided some but I do have some hearing loss. The tingling went away too. I used to keep a tv or radio on when I slept - it help hide how annoying it was. As far as the fullness - I vomitted everyday the last 2 months. I struggled to keep weight on. I just felt ill even on the good days of chemo. Hope that helps,
Got you on my prayers list, Holly
Hats off to you facing the 6th round is more than I could imagine

I will be having the sixth cycle of my treatment on Nov. 1st. I get the combo of cisplatin and gemzar and then two gemzars (when my blood allows!!) and then off a week. This will be my last cycle unless the CT Scans show great reduction and then we might go a couple more rounds to try to get me into a remission. My question is this. The chemo has caused ringing and thundering in my ears and hearing loss. I have some neuropathy...tingling in my fingers and toes. After this last cycle I have not been able to gain back much strength for stair climbing and walking and exercising. Does this go away after chemo??? I also have experienced a real sense of fullness after I eat, especially if I eat more than a small amount. I have gained quite a bit of weight (about twenty pounds). Some of it is swelling especially in the abdomen area. I am told all these effects might go away and they might not. What are your experiences....I would love to hear from some of you who have had this same chemo regimen.