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Chemo update
Haven’t written in a while, so thought I would post an update.
The good news is that after three 3-week chemo cycles (Cisplatin and Gemzar once a week for two weeks, off for the third in each cycle), two of three tumors have reduced about 20% in diameter (no advice on the third).
My brilliant oncologist was pleased, so I am too, at least cautiously. He now thinks I should be able to tolerate six cycles. The more the merrier, or so I gather — so long as the tumors continue to shrink and my kidneys remain strong enough to take the strain.
For a treatment that mostly consists of sitting around and being poisoned strategically, the cycles pass quickly, with lots of diversions (not even counting the day of the East Coast earthquake): visits from various counselors, complementary massage sessions, tests of this and that, shots to boost white cells, transfusion to increase red cells. Some weeks (right after hurricane Irene, for example) my weekly blood work report came in late, so we were late getting to the chemo (I get three hours of saline first to help my kidneys tolerate the Cisplatin). Another day, I was kept late to get a unit of blood, which runs slowly. So a typical chemo day, which starts around 9 a.m. can easily run until 5 or 6 p.m. (Some patients have even longer days, so I am not complaining.)
The first two cycles were relatively uneventful, but the third has been tough, with significant nausea, poor appetite, fatigue, fluid retention, and weakness. Medications help with the nausea, not so much with the other problems, so I have to keep after them myself.
— Kathleen15 Replies-
Thanks, everyone — and best wishes and hopes for all here.
— Kathleen
It sounds like you have had quite a time of it. I hope all goes well for you with your April checkup. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings….Jean
Kathleen, you are sure an inspiration to all of us. I am wishing you a good report in April and I will be thinking of you. Please keep us updated.
Nancy
Nancy S
Ta CIS
dx Ta 11/06
dx Ta CIS 10/07
Oh Kathleen…sorry to hear that you have gone through so much! I must say that I truly admire your spirit!!
With that courage and gumption you are going to do really well!Sara Anne
Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator
It has been a long time since I last posted — two days after completion of my fourth chemo cycle (October 27) I had a stroke that affected my right side, mostly on the leg below the knee.
All things considered, it was a mildish stroke. I never lost consciousness, and in fact didn’t understand it was a stroke for three or four days. (Thought it was something to do with my crumbling right knee. Silly, I know — guess the stupidity was probably a stroke symptom.) But I have lingering speech problems (word finding, especially), cannot walk without a walker, and still have physical therapy.
After a stint in our local hospital I found a spot at what turned out to be an excellent acute care stroke rehab facility (St. Vincent’s hospital in Bridgeport, CT). After about a month there, I transferred to a sub-acute place here in town (it was hard to find one with an available bed — maybe I got points for being local). Turned out it was also excellent, with 2.5 hours a day of therapy plus something on Saturdays. Came home to visiting therapists just before Christmas, which went on for a few weeks. Then I graduated to my regular physical therapist (have gone to them for four years).
You may wonder what about my bladder CA and the anticipated two more cycles of cisplatin + Gemzar. About that we shall see. Strokes make them nervous (there is some question whether chemotherapy brings them on). I passed a quarterly checkup (CT, bone scan, x-rays, bloodwork, etc.) in January. Only one tumor remained, and it was much reduced in size and wizened looking. Next quarterly checkup is early April. Needless to say I would be very happy to have that last tumor disappear as well.
Meanwhile, being an optimist, I have been collecting medical approvals to have my right knee replaced. All involved believe that it will enable me to walk sooner (even though it will certainly add some recovery time, and another few weeks of special rehab). I see the neurologist at the end of March; his opinion carries a lot of weight. Meanwhile, I am including exercises for my foot, ankle, on up to the thigh, hoping to accelerate the healing process. Tentatively scheduled for late April, right after my next quarterly post-chemo workup.
Just thought I’d let you know what’s going on, even though it isn’t strictly a tale of bladder cancer.
Hope you are all well.
— Kathleen
Thanks, Carla — appreciate the optimistic news.
As someone else mentioned, you should be able to get CT (and other) results almost as soon as your doctor does. The easiest way is to have the doctor or radiologist list you among CCs on the report (at least that is easiest here in Connecticut).
I hate waiting myself.
Really am glad to hear about Jim’s success. Think I’ll clip out your message and stick it on the wall.
— Kathleen
Thank you. I feel the same way — that every piece of good news is welcome!
— Kathleen
Carla,
My fingers are crossed for Jim’s CT. Just so you know, if you sign for it you can get the report directly. If you prefer to wait for your uro to read it and tell you, you certainly can. I never want to wait so I get the report (which is almost always done within 24 hours of the CT). I also get a copy of the scan on CD and go home and look at it. I never can figure anything out from it but so far there hasn’t been anything to figure anyway.
If anything, I will probably quit getting the cd of the images but I will always get the actual report (analysis) from the radiologist. I can’t wait for my doc to get it and then have an appointment.
Mike
Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results….distant mets
2/2014 ct result…spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph system
My opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of ABLCS or anyone else. I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV.
You can do this! Jim did the 6 weeks post RC/IC and did fine. Just took some time to get his enegy back and he was good to go. His chemo too this point has kept him cancer free until proven otherwise. So, we are among those who it really did the trick for. He had another CT today and we will get results within the next week or so. So, keep up the good work with the treatments. They do help!
Wishing you The Best. Every Little peice of good news is to be applauded.
Go For it!
George
Light a man a fire and he is warm for an evening.
Light a man ON fire and he’s warm forever.08/08/08…RC neo bladder
09/09/09…New Hip
=
New Man! [/size]
Best of luck for successful treatment!!!
Mike
Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results….distant mets
2/2014 ct result…spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph system
My opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of ABLCS or anyone else. I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV.
CatherineH wrote:
… hope that those nasty old tumors continue to be bombarded until they decide to just go away!
What a great idea. Thanks.
— Kathleen
Thanks. Appreciate the encouragement. (Not tempted to quit in any event.)
— Kathleen
Happy to hear your first two cycles have had a positive effect. Sorry this one has been a rougher ride but hope that those nasty old tumors continue to be bombarded until they decide to just go away!
I wish you continued positive results with your treatments and as Anita said, “hang in there” and know we are all cheering for you!
Best wishes… CatherineTURBT 1/21/10 at age 55
Dx: T2aN0M0 Primary Bladder Adenocarcinoma
Partial Cystectomy 2/25/10
Vanderbilt Medical Center
Nashville, TN
Kathleen,
Glad to hear that two of three tumors have shrunk. Hang in there with the treatments.
Anita
Anita
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