This weekly protocol of Taxol will be easier to handle I think. During infusion I did not have any reactions but of course the good people at the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre know of my spotty past with chemo reactions and had matters well in hand. I received a variety of pre meds to ensure nothing would interfere with the chemo. As usual I mostly slept through it and was released to go home within 3 hours. This is quick for me.
After chemo I experienced minimal side effects ie. nausea, vomiting, etc. There was some headache the day after but nothing I can't handle with some medication. Let's just hope this weekly Taxol does the job it is supposed to!
I am still dealing with the ascites which is really dragging me down. The fluid in the abdominal is very uncomfortable making it hard for me to walk or stand. I spend most of my time sitting down to ease the pressure off my back. This does not help with the fact that I plan to be living in my bathing suit in a few weeks in Mexico.
The good new is that I have an appointment for a paracentesis tomorrow and it cannot come soon enough.
UPDATE: Today the imaging department called and asked if they could move my appointment up to 3:00 pm. I said most certainly and thanked them profusely. Appointment went well and they removed 5 litres of fluid. That's 10 pounds thank you very much........ I am feeling quite tender in the belly and trust it will heal and tighten up very soon. Maybe not Kim Kardasian tight but hopefully will not remain like a pillow or something. yuck.....
Monday, November 24, 2014
Thursday, November 20, 2014
The November 7th scan is showing stable disease which means the visible disease has not changed significantly since the September 29th scan. This is good news. The only problem at this point is the development of ascites. As usual this fluid accumulated very rapidly. I know my clothes started to feel tight on November 7th and by the November 17th appointment at Princess Margaret I could not wear my regular clothes. Elastic waist bands are the fashion of the day.
At the meeting on November 17th we discussed the CT Scan results which were favourable but we needed to deal with the ascites and talk about start of trial. Starting the trial right away would help with the ascites but would interfere with our holiday in December. Once I start the trial I have to adhere to the protocols and appointments which means frequent travel to Toronto. If we just treat the ascites then I can wait until the new year to begin trial and focus on that. I chose to wait to start the trial and my best option right now is to start weekly chemo of Taxol for 3 weeks. The usual protocol is one infusion every 3 weeks so I will be getting a third of the infusion every week for 3 weeks. You get the picture. This is a stop gap measure and I should hopefully experience minimal side effects. The best part is I can have this done at Grand River Cancer Centre and I do not need to travel to Toronto until the new year.
I met with my oncologist at Grand River on the 19th (appointment previously booked) and we discussed the more immediate treatment plan. She is in agreement and started the ball rolling to get the chemo scheduled this week. We discussed potential issues such as low blood counts and maybe some hair loss. We will deal with issues as they come up. She also wants to schedule a paracentesis. A paracentesis will be a relief I can tell you! I look about 7 months pregnant and it is not very comfortable. Walking any distance is physically taxing.
So far my chemo is scheduled for this Friday on the 21st. Still waiting to hear about the paracentesis. Hoping it might be today!
We are getting dumped on with snow and it is cold.........
At the meeting on November 17th we discussed the CT Scan results which were favourable but we needed to deal with the ascites and talk about start of trial. Starting the trial right away would help with the ascites but would interfere with our holiday in December. Once I start the trial I have to adhere to the protocols and appointments which means frequent travel to Toronto. If we just treat the ascites then I can wait until the new year to begin trial and focus on that. I chose to wait to start the trial and my best option right now is to start weekly chemo of Taxol for 3 weeks. The usual protocol is one infusion every 3 weeks so I will be getting a third of the infusion every week for 3 weeks. You get the picture. This is a stop gap measure and I should hopefully experience minimal side effects. The best part is I can have this done at Grand River Cancer Centre and I do not need to travel to Toronto until the new year.
I met with my oncologist at Grand River on the 19th (appointment previously booked) and we discussed the more immediate treatment plan. She is in agreement and started the ball rolling to get the chemo scheduled this week. We discussed potential issues such as low blood counts and maybe some hair loss. We will deal with issues as they come up. She also wants to schedule a paracentesis. A paracentesis will be a relief I can tell you! I look about 7 months pregnant and it is not very comfortable. Walking any distance is physically taxing.
So far my chemo is scheduled for this Friday on the 21st. Still waiting to hear about the paracentesis. Hoping it might be today!
We are getting dumped on with snow and it is cold.........
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
I am bummed out. I cannot go into the SOLO2 clinical trial. After completing 6 rounds of Cisplatin and several trips to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to provide blood samples and a CT Scan the researchers have told me I cannot proceed. My CA 125 numbers have been trending up since the 4 th infusion of Cislplatin which means the cancer is active. The trial specifically requires the CA 125 be below 35 and stable. Mine is not..... They are now considering me to be Platinum Resistant.
The good news is they have another trial for me. First off, they have recommended more chemo treatement using the drug Gemcitabine pending the results from another CT Scan which is scheduled for November 7th. If the scan shows an increase in size of cancer from the September 29th scan then chemo is probably on the table. If the scan shows little difference then we can probably wait a bit longer and rescan in another month or 2. I am hoping for a bit of a reprieve from chemo. I need the time to get more healthy and strong. I feel like a rag doll.
In addtion to the chemo they have given me information regarding a new trial that combines Gemcitabine chemo treatment with another drug which is taken orally. The trial is called 'A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Phase II trial Compaing Gemcitabine Monotherapy to Gemcitabine in Combination with AZD1775 in Women with Recurrent, Platinum Resistant Epithelial Ovarian, Primary Peritoneal or Fallopian Tube Cancers.' Quite the mouthful!
So this is where I am. It is the usual wait and see.
The good news is they have another trial for me. First off, they have recommended more chemo treatement using the drug Gemcitabine pending the results from another CT Scan which is scheduled for November 7th. If the scan shows an increase in size of cancer from the September 29th scan then chemo is probably on the table. If the scan shows little difference then we can probably wait a bit longer and rescan in another month or 2. I am hoping for a bit of a reprieve from chemo. I need the time to get more healthy and strong. I feel like a rag doll.
In addtion to the chemo they have given me information regarding a new trial that combines Gemcitabine chemo treatment with another drug which is taken orally. The trial is called 'A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Phase II trial Compaing Gemcitabine Monotherapy to Gemcitabine in Combination with AZD1775 in Women with Recurrent, Platinum Resistant Epithelial Ovarian, Primary Peritoneal or Fallopian Tube Cancers.' Quite the mouthful!
So this is where I am. It is the usual wait and see.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Ovarian Cancer Walk of Hope
Sunday, September 7th 2014 was a glorious day with lots of sunshine and wonderful fellowship. Our team 'A Late Summer Knight's Dream' raised almost $4500 and we were the second highest fund raisers in the area! Next year we are going to do better!
Update: I wanted to share this newspaper article about our Walk. It was a surprise to me when they asked for an interview. I am pleased with the final result.
http://www.kitchenerpost.ca/whats-on/walking-for-hope/
Update: I wanted to share this newspaper article about our Walk. It was a surprise to me when they asked for an interview. I am pleased with the final result.
http://www.kitchenerpost.ca/whats-on/walking-for-hope/
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| Survivor's Ribbon |
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| Most of my crew |
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| Angie and Joanna |
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| Angie, Me and Joanna |
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| Caroline and Me |
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| Elaine, Caroline, Katrina and Me |
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| Joanna, Katrina, Elaine and Caroline |
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| Margery, Marilyn, Mom and David |
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| My Teal Toes! |
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Solo2 Clinical Trial
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is a busy place. I had to wait an hour to get my bloodwork done and then found out I was in the wrong place. I have a port-a-cath and should have gone to Ambulatory Care for blood work. Next time.
My appointment was for 10:30 but did not see doctor until 12:30 pm. They are quite busy seeing the multitudes. We left Princess Margaret at 2:30 pm. We were there a full 5 and 1/2 hours. I hope you never have to see an oncologist or the inside of a cancer centre. Chances are you will because as people live longer their cells go haywire and cancer develops.
This was considered a first meeting and after discussing my medical situation the doctor seemed to think that I may be a suitable candidate for the Solo2 clinical trial. This was not before he had to leave several times to confer with various researchers. Seems most of my ducks are getting in order: recurrent ovarian cancer, favourable response to a platinum drug (Cisplatin), BRCA2 carrier (they need to still see my genetic report from 2011), and CT Scans show some visible evidence of disease (they will have to verify this more).
They also decided I should finish up with my chemo treatments. Usually a course of chemo is 6 infusions. I have 2 more to go. The study requires patients to begin the trial within 8 weeks of chemo ending. Therefore, my last chemo should be the week of September 22nd and if accepted into trial I would begin no later than week of November 17th. That is according to my calculations.
The drug they are testing is Olaparib. As I stated in a previous post it is a drug that inhibits a cancer cell from repairing itself. It is considered a maintenance drug which keeps the cancer from growing so that it lengthens the period of 'remission'. That is what we are always trying to achieve although technically I have not been in remission since 2011.
Solo2 is a phase III trial and they are recruiting 264 people all over the world. Because the researchers have not yet decided whether I qualify they wanted me to get registered in case the study closes between now and November. If the study closes then I can still participate. Of course they still have to definitively accept me into the study and I have to consent. I was given a 23 page Study Information and Consent Form to read. It is quite extensive in introducing the study, its purpose, a thorough explanation regarding its experimental status, charts explaining how often I need to visit hospital for tests and follow ups, all the potential side effects, my responsibilities as a participant, confidentiality, risks, etc. I can drop out of study at any time.
On the one hand I hope to be accepted into this trial. It is cutting edge science and could help me to attain some degree of remission. Cost is picked up by drug company (AstraZeneca). This study, if successful, could provide oncologists with another tool for maintenance treatment in future ovarian cancer cases. On the other hand it is experimental. Long term side effects are unknown. Side effects while on drug could be unpleasant but maybe not. At least with chemo my experience is a week of unpleasantness and a couple of weeks of normalcy of sorts. And I could end up in the placebo group and get no benefit at all. I still have several questions I want to ask of my assigned trial nurse and I have some time to fully consider this trial.
My appointment was for 10:30 but did not see doctor until 12:30 pm. They are quite busy seeing the multitudes. We left Princess Margaret at 2:30 pm. We were there a full 5 and 1/2 hours. I hope you never have to see an oncologist or the inside of a cancer centre. Chances are you will because as people live longer their cells go haywire and cancer develops.
This was considered a first meeting and after discussing my medical situation the doctor seemed to think that I may be a suitable candidate for the Solo2 clinical trial. This was not before he had to leave several times to confer with various researchers. Seems most of my ducks are getting in order: recurrent ovarian cancer, favourable response to a platinum drug (Cisplatin), BRCA2 carrier (they need to still see my genetic report from 2011), and CT Scans show some visible evidence of disease (they will have to verify this more).
They also decided I should finish up with my chemo treatments. Usually a course of chemo is 6 infusions. I have 2 more to go. The study requires patients to begin the trial within 8 weeks of chemo ending. Therefore, my last chemo should be the week of September 22nd and if accepted into trial I would begin no later than week of November 17th. That is according to my calculations.
The drug they are testing is Olaparib. As I stated in a previous post it is a drug that inhibits a cancer cell from repairing itself. It is considered a maintenance drug which keeps the cancer from growing so that it lengthens the period of 'remission'. That is what we are always trying to achieve although technically I have not been in remission since 2011.
Solo2 is a phase III trial and they are recruiting 264 people all over the world. Because the researchers have not yet decided whether I qualify they wanted me to get registered in case the study closes between now and November. If the study closes then I can still participate. Of course they still have to definitively accept me into the study and I have to consent. I was given a 23 page Study Information and Consent Form to read. It is quite extensive in introducing the study, its purpose, a thorough explanation regarding its experimental status, charts explaining how often I need to visit hospital for tests and follow ups, all the potential side effects, my responsibilities as a participant, confidentiality, risks, etc. I can drop out of study at any time.
On the one hand I hope to be accepted into this trial. It is cutting edge science and could help me to attain some degree of remission. Cost is picked up by drug company (AstraZeneca). This study, if successful, could provide oncologists with another tool for maintenance treatment in future ovarian cancer cases. On the other hand it is experimental. Long term side effects are unknown. Side effects while on drug could be unpleasant but maybe not. At least with chemo my experience is a week of unpleasantness and a couple of weeks of normalcy of sorts. And I could end up in the placebo group and get no benefit at all. I still have several questions I want to ask of my assigned trial nurse and I have some time to fully consider this trial.
Friday, August 15, 2014
4th Treatment of Cisplatin
Yesterday I had the 4th and perhaps the last infusion of Cisplatin. My oncologist received correspondence from Princess Margaret in reply to her inquiry regarding my good results from Cisplatin. My CA 125 numbers have been steadily decreasing from a high of 597 in May to 60 on August 11th! Very good response which means I am platinum sensitive! Also, my CT Scan is showing shrinkage in my tumours which is also good.
Princess Margaret would like to speak to me regarding the Solo2 Clinical Trial. This trial is for women with recurrent disease and with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Just waiting to hear for an appointment. I am quite happy to hear about this but also full of questions. It is a double blind study so I may end up in the group without actual medication just the placebo.
Next few days will be quiet while I relax with my side effects. Right now I am still wired from the medications but I know I will be crashing later today and dealing with some nausea. Good thing I have some great meds for that!
Update: Appointment for Princess Margaret is August 25th. That was quick!
Princess Margaret would like to speak to me regarding the Solo2 Clinical Trial. This trial is for women with recurrent disease and with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Just waiting to hear for an appointment. I am quite happy to hear about this but also full of questions. It is a double blind study so I may end up in the group without actual medication just the placebo.
Next few days will be quiet while I relax with my side effects. Right now I am still wired from the medications but I know I will be crashing later today and dealing with some nausea. Good thing I have some great meds for that!
Update: Appointment for Princess Margaret is August 25th. That was quick!
Saturday, July 26, 2014
3rd Treatment of Cisplatin
Just before my last treatment on July 22nd I met with the oncologist as we always do. My CA 125 is now 150! As you will recall this number was 597 back in May. This is wonderful! Cisplatin is doing the job of knocking down the cancer and we will go the full 6 rounds. I should be finished up by end of September.
Treatment of Cisplatin is not easy as I have talked about in the the past. I am admitted to hospital for a couple of days in order to get pre medications into me for 24 hours before we start chemo. This is to prepare my body to accept (fool) the chemo otherwise I react severely and this is dangerous. I have been on this hyper sensitivity protocol for all 3 infusions. I must comment that the medical personnel that take care of me while in hospital are fabulous. They know me and know my situation. I am under constant care and during my 6 hour infusion of chemo they are close by in case I react.
It is now the 4th day after chemo with Cisplatin. My constant headache has finally left me and I feel somewhat normal this morning. The nausea has decreased considerably and I can manage to eat a regular meal. Cisplatin has been the hardest chemo to deal with so far. It may also be because of the pre meds as well. I am very lucky to bounce back fairly quickly after my chemo treatments. The tiredness and fatigue is very real but I am able to pace myself throughout the day with small rest periods so that I am not completely non functional. Good nutrition and mild exercise is very helpful.
Treatment of Cisplatin is not easy as I have talked about in the the past. I am admitted to hospital for a couple of days in order to get pre medications into me for 24 hours before we start chemo. This is to prepare my body to accept (fool) the chemo otherwise I react severely and this is dangerous. I have been on this hyper sensitivity protocol for all 3 infusions. I must comment that the medical personnel that take care of me while in hospital are fabulous. They know me and know my situation. I am under constant care and during my 6 hour infusion of chemo they are close by in case I react.
It is now the 4th day after chemo with Cisplatin. My constant headache has finally left me and I feel somewhat normal this morning. The nausea has decreased considerably and I can manage to eat a regular meal. Cisplatin has been the hardest chemo to deal with so far. It may also be because of the pre meds as well. I am very lucky to bounce back fairly quickly after my chemo treatments. The tiredness and fatigue is very real but I am able to pace myself throughout the day with small rest periods so that I am not completely non functional. Good nutrition and mild exercise is very helpful.
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