Doxil Side Effects

So far I have had 3 doses of Doxil.  Different chemo drug and different side effects.

I do get the usual run down feeling and fatigue a couple of days after chemo but that clears up fairly quickly.  The following week is pretty good but then I hit the 10 to 14 days after chemo.  All hell breaks loose.....  This is the period of time where my immune system is at its lowest.  Low blood counts.  Risk of infection.

My mouth develops sores.  Painful sores.  I tend to stay away from anything too hot, too spicy, too hard, too salty, to acidic, etc.  It is like having cankers all over your mouth.  Not pleasant at all.  But I find that popsicles help to numb my mouth for a little while.  I also have something called 'Magic Mouthwash'.  It is basically a topical anesthetic that I gargle with and then swallow.  It numbs my mouth for about an hour.  Feels like when I have been to the dentist and had a tooth pulled.  Helpful especially at night to fall asleep without the pain.  Clears up within a week or so.  Thank God!

There is a side effect that is with me all the time and it developed after my second dose of Doxil.  My hands and feel are experiencing something called 'hand and foot syndrome'.  Hands are constantly very dry, tingly, hot and easily develop cracks if I am not careful with moisturizing.  They can also get painful if I use them to much in a strenuous manner.  Chopping vegetables, vacuuming, taking the dog for a walk, etc.  You get the idea.....  Anything that requires a grip.  My feet are hot and dry as well but luckily not painful and I make it a point to ensure I smear moisturizer a couple of times a day.

My skin in general is not the same.  Quite dry and I have also developed a rash around the arm pit area.  That is itchy and gross looking.  The rest of me has some discoloration especially around the areas of clothing contact ie waistline.  The skin is darker and dryer.  Parts of me appear to have been over exposed to the sun.

The main recommendation for this dry and hot skin is soaking in some ice water and Udderly Smooth Cream.  I call it the cow cream.  Too funny.  This is for cow's udders.  Keeps them smooth and supple!

The other side effect I will not discuss and it involves the back side.

Was in to see the oncologist this past Thursday for my pre chemo assessment and she is going to request a reduction in my next dosage to see if it will help with some of these side-effects.  Next chemo appointment is next Tuesday (10th).  Also a CT Scan will be scheduled for early January.  So far my CA 125 numbers have been going in the right direction and I am currently sitting at 113 which is a drop from 386 in August.  YAY!

In other news my father has developed jaundice.  He needs a stent to drain bile from his liver and they have  taken a CT Scan to determine if he is a candidate.  We should know more this Monday.

Doxil Treatment #3 - November 12th

This past Tuesday I had my 3rd round of Doxil.  All went well and no reactions to speak of with the infusion. I did have more blood work before the infusion could begin because my neutrophils were not at normal level the previous Friday.  If the numbers are not healthy they will not administer chemo.  Luckily the blood work came back normal and we could proceed.

The good news was regarding the CA 125 number.  It is decreasing since we started Doxil and I am sitting at 137 from 386 in August.  The numbers are going in the right direction and this is indeed good news!

My father is doing quite well these days.  He is comfortable and his pain medications are providing good quality of life.  He is a little more talkative and more alert with fewer periods of drowsiness.  His appetite is actually better than it has been but I don't think he will gain back any of his lost weight.  If he can only stay at current weight we will be happy.

Chemo Later

Later on today I will be going to hospital to get my second infusion of Doxil.  After my last infusion I experienced few side effects.  The usual fatigue, nausea and generally blah feeling was there but was short lived.  Let's hope for more of the same this time around.  (or less)

My CT scan is showing signs of disease throughout my upper abdomen.  It is not in one place just sprinkled about.  I am not experiencing any pain and am carrying on with life as per usual.  I should be getting more exercise and attending the Well Fit program at U of W but have trouble getting there for 8:30 am.  I think I need to try and attend later classes.  I just feel I need more than 8 or 9 hours of sleep most days and getting up earlier than 8:00 am is tough.  I know cry me a river......  For so many years I was getting up at 6:30 am to get ready for work!  How things change!

At my last doctor's appointment I was informed of a Doxil drug shortage.  That is concerning in the general scheme of things but our local hospital seems to have a good supply.  I will check on that later.....

My Dad is doing well as well as can be expected.  The radiation treatments have seemed to do the job of alleviating some abdominal pain.  He is more alert these days and participates in conversation. Unfortunately, he is quite wobbly on his legs and we have to be vigilant to protect him from falls.  This is most concerning for my mother who is stressed and tired most of the time.  The CCAC or Community Care Access Centre is helping out more now with a personal support worker attending to my Dad for his showering needs and providing more assistance with light household cleaning. A nurse visits a couple times a week or whenever necessary.

We do what we can but of course we cannot be at their house 24 hours a day.  Luckily Franca is coming to visit for a week.  We are expecting her later today.  It will be great to see her and John and for her to see Dad and Mom.

Chicago!

On September 30th we went to Chicago with Pat and Suzanne for a long weekend.  It was fabulous!  Their waterfront is beautiful and runs for miles.  The city itself was wonderful and exciting.  We stayed at a hotel outside the downtown in a neighbourhood called 'Lakeview' and close to Wrigley Field.  It was just an easy 15 minute bus ride to the downtown area.  We found this to be a positive and enjoyed returning in the evening to relax and then explore the surrounding area to find a place to eat.  Many restaurants to be found and with the lovely summer like weather we had many a meal outdoors.

During our time there we experienced a architectural tour via boat along the river, a tall ship sunset tour on Lake Michigan, a walking art deco architectural tour, and a water taxi ride.  One day we rented the public use bikes and rode along the waterfront.  That was wonderful.  We used public transit the whole time and it was excellent.  We purchased a 7 day pass for $30 bucks and we more than got our money's worth.  We were so fortunate the weather was so great it made the whole time there very enjoyable!

Iconic Sign

Southside view from John Hancock Building

View of Navy Pier 

Cloud Gate at Millennium Park

My crew

A Journey with Doxil has Begun

Yesterday I attended the Chemo Lounge to get my first dose of Doxil.

The chemo nurse had my file online and she knew I have a history of chemo sensitivity so she insisted that I get into a bed.  If something is to go wrong then it is easier to work on me from a bed rather than a chair.  I didn't put up much of a fuss!  Since this is the first time then the regular pre-meds are in order i.e. steroids and antiemetics (Zofran) which were taken at home.  My previous protocol of Taxol and Carboplatin called for copious amounts of more steroid and benedryl to get my body to take the drugs without reaction.  This in turn made me sleep.  This did work for 14 rounds but is now is not an option any more.  As you will recall in my last posts the long infusion of Carboplatin only also brought on an allergic reaction.

Doxil is only one bag of chemo drug and it is red.  Reminded me of a strawberry dacquiri.  Which I would have loved but alas no more alcohol while in treatment.  They say I can have one drink per week but that is hardly worth it.  Perhaps one glass of wine with a special dinner.

Anyway they pumped this red devil into me at the regular infusion rate and nothing happened.  Probably the nurse sitting next to me during the first 10 minutes had something to do with my successful infusion.  Let's hope this keeps up.  Next infusion is scheduled for October 15th.  In the mean time I have a CT Scan scheduled on October 1st with review on October 4th with the doc.

Joys of Summer with Heavy Doses of Dread

It has been a good summer.  Weather has not been great but no chemo.  Still on a rest from carboplatin after having a severe reaction in June.  Making sure to find joy in every day.  Sure is tough especially with my Dad suffering with pancreatic cancer.  He has deteriorated quite a lot and my Mother is still able to provide care at home.  I don't know for how long.  She is adamant that she will keep him there as long as possible.

Dad has just finished 2 weeks of radiation.  Radiation is used to alleviate pain, it is not used for treatment in his case.  There is no treatment for him and the inevitable will occur within 6 months to a year, at best.  The family has come to accept the seriousness of the situation and we try to spend as much time together as possible.  It is a time to make my Dad as comfortable as possible and make his remaining life as pleasant as possible.  It has been very tough for my Mother as you can imagine.

Franca came for a visit in July and we had a lovely time.  During her visit we celebrated Corina's graduation from Conestoga College.  She is a Health Administrator and is working at Stratford Hospital in Patient Registration until her contract is finished.  Tough to find those permanent full time positions!  She will persevere!

Corina's Graduation Day

Graduation

Corina's Graduation Party in July

Franca making herself useful

This past summer we were able to get my Mom and Dad to Pat's cottage for a couple of great weekends.

Mom at the helm

Dad enjoying the cruise

Viewing the Sunset at Cordova Lake

Dylan is at Mohawk College and has just started his program in Applied Music.  We miss him but we hear from him via texts all the time.  I wish I could see him doing the laundry!  :)

As for me....  I have been having some pain in my abdomen which means the cancer is making itself be known.  CA 125 is up to 386 which is up from 40 a couple of months ago.  It never was gone but it was quiet in a sense.  It gave me the time to relax and enjoy the summer without dealing with chemo side effects.  But now I must begin chemo again.

I have been scheduled for the 1st infusion for Monday, September 16th  in the chemo lounge.  Should only take a couple of hours and I will do this every 4 weeks perhaps for 8 treatments.  This time around we are going with pegylated liposomal DOXOrubicin or Doxil for short.

Wish me luck.  I will post my experience with this drug.

Enjoy the weekend!

Ovarian Cancer Walk of Hope - 2013

This year's walk was quite successful.  The participants in the K-W region raised over $75,000 which is more than double last year's efforts!  My team, 'A Late Summer Knight's Dream' raised more than $2700. It was a beautiful Sunday morning and the weather was perfect for our 5 km. walk.   Thanks to my teammates: Caroline Robic, Angie Felgendreher, Carol Dewar and Joanna Mackie.  A special thanks to my husband David for participating as well!  

So many people participated in the walk that they ran out of t-shirts for the registrants!  This is a good problem in that many more people join us on the day of the walk.

Our small but mighty team!

Making sure my toenail colour is perfect!

Ribbon cutting ceremony before the walk