HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Dad will start Gemzar and Carboplatin next week

chrisy · 01-04-2013, 06:26 PM

Marcia,
Sorry you are having to deal with this, and from a distance as well. I haven't had that combo (although I think it will be "next" on the list) so I can't comment directly.

I did have Carbo/Taxol/Herceptin as my first chemo and found that combination very tolerable, but then so much depends on your overall health and when I had taxol then taxotere this year I was miserable. So you just don't know.

Gemzar does not challenge hair, but can hit blood counts pretty hard. But it is generally thought to be an "easier" chemo. Carboplatin is supposed to be rougher, and neuropathy can be an issue.

Best bet is to google these for side effects, but keep in mind the list is always longer than seems necessary because it includes EVERYTHING ever reported. And most importantly, everyone does respond differently, so you don't know how your Dad will react. You can be prepared to recognize the S/E IF he experiences them, but don't claim them ahead of time,

Blessings to you and your dad.
Chris

01-04-2013, 06:26 PM	#2
chrisy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 3,207	Re: Dad will start Gemzar and Carboplatin next week Marcia, Sorry you are having to deal with this, and from a distance as well. I haven't had that combo (although I think it will be "next" on the list) so I can't comment directly. I did have Carbo/Taxol/Herceptin as my first chemo and found that combination very tolerable, but then so much depends on your overall health and when I had taxol then taxotere this year I was miserable. So you just don't know. Gemzar does not challenge hair, but can hit blood counts pretty hard. But it is generally thought to be an "easier" chemo. Carboplatin is supposed to be rougher, and neuropathy can be an issue. Best bet is to google these for side effects, but keep in mind the list is always longer than seems necessary because it includes EVERYTHING ever reported. And most importantly, everyone does respond differently, so you don't know how your Dad will react. You can be prepared to recognize the S/E IF he experiences them, but don't claim them ahead of time, Blessings to you and your dad. Chris __________________ Chris in Scotts Valley June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?" 9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++ 10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response! 04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED 04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial 06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin 01/08 Progression in liver 02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial 08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1 02/09 Continue NED 02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED 12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver 07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:( 12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:( 03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial 5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!! 8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!) 9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3 11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc 11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go. 2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go. 3/13 TACE procedure