Significant Progression-Going On Doxil

[KDR]

So, the results are in:
Brain MRI, clear.
Lung and liver progression. Not insignificant in size. Starting Doxil tomorrow.
Would love some feedback on Doxil, if you can. It's supposed to be very anti-cancer-strong.
Thanks,
Love,
Karen

[StephN]

KDR -
There's that crapstick again!
Are you having Doxil alone or with Herceptin??

I recall some presentions on trials at San Antonio regarding the two drugs.
No time to look them up now, but there were some good results. Be one of those patients!

[Redwolf8812]

No experience with Doxil, but praying...

:-) Penny

[donocco]

The most important side effects of Doxil are hand foot syndrome and bone marrow suppression. The hand foot syndrome occurs in a high percentage of patients. The hair loss is more moderate than with Adriamycin. Doxil is a Liposomal form of Doxirubicin (Adriamycin). Strong CYP2D6 inhibitors like Bupropion, Prozac and Paxil can increase the serum levels so if you are taking any of these antidepressants make sure the oncologist knows. Buproprion is Wellbutrin

Paul

[carlatte7]

Just checking in with some prayers and happy thoughts.

[Cat]

No personal input on doxil but many wishes for some relief ftom the stress this all brings. I do know it was one of the options my onc talked about and I felt he was confident in it.
Best of luck and hang in there.
Cathy

[SoCalGal]

KDR, I know nothing of the regime except to echo what you said - supposed to be kick ass. Also wanted to say I'm with you all the way - prayers, wishes and hopes for this to do some real good!

[Ceesun]

No experience with doxil, but adding my prayers. Cathy

[BonnieR]

No experience but joining in the love and support circle. We have your back. Keep the faith

[CoolBreeze]

I haven't been on it but a friend of mine was. She did have the hand/food syndrome so if there is any preventatives for that, you might look into it. It also reduced her cancer. She was even planning a vacation while taking it.

Good luck, I hope it is successful for you and also easy to take.

[Pamelamary]

Good luck with the Doxil, Karen! Keep strong.
Best wishes.... Pam

[Carol Ann]

Echoing everyone above, Karen.

CA

[Coux92]

May this be your magic potion! I hope you tolerate it well and it kicks ass as SoCoGal says!! Stay Strong.
I'm praying for you,
Elizabeth

[MaineRottweilers]

I have no experience but I want you to know that I am praying for you and I am certain that treatment this is going to do the trick for you.

[Bunty]

You are a survivor Karen, so this is another step in your life that you will get past. I have no personal experience of Doxil, but from what others are saying, it sounds like a good one. Sending you a big hug from me......
Marie x

[anna4969]

Hi Karen

I don't post very often but read often. I am very sorry to read about this. I am praying for you too. I haven't any experience with Doxil but I did have 5-FU, and that too, can cause significant hand foot syndrome. I had very, very little of it and I think that was because I held ice bags in my hands and set my feet on ice bags while I received the infusion, thus possibly preventing the leaking of the drug into the capillaries in the hands and feet. Also, I was religious about putting Aquafor on my hands(palms especially) and feet(soles especially) every night before bed. I wore socks on my feet as Aquafor can get pretty messy. With my hands, I just tried to be mindful to not touch too much of the bedding. I think both of these things helped immensely. Please let me know if you have any questions about it. Praying for you.

[Pray]

Hoping and praying the doxil works! Gods blessings to you and yours��

[michka]

Hoping for you Karen. Sending strength and hugs. Michka

[tricia keegan]

Karen I had Doxil or Adriamycin as its known, a strong drug but effective, my side effects were sinus's, anxiety, (take the meds for this as I didn't) and queasy but never vomited as I took the anti nausea drugs. I also had hair loss and fatigue, it was tough but glad I did it and hope you find it tolerable.

[mamacze]

Somehow you knew in your heart of hearts.
And now here it is.
So here you go- one tender foot in front of the other:
Doxil - I know it is often used for ovarian cancer. I found this discussion board on how to prevent side effects - http://csn.cancer.org/node/201083
Keep us updated and hang in there Angel
XOXO

[KDR]

Yes! I took the daughter of the The Red Devil yesterday. I am good with it! I think it's going to work!
Thank you everyone for thinking of me. I can't help but think I caused some of this on my own: Navelbine was not oncologist first choice, and neither was trial. But I bucked Doxil, I don't know why. It's a top-tier drug. I didn't want to lose my hair again. Yes, really! But I won't! I indulged in sugar and wanton eating, no weight gain, but just doing what I want to do. I forgot how good I'd been with my food: Whole Foods only, no sugars, no white foods. I messed up. O.K., so back to kale, nuts, vegetables, fish, olive oil. Back to caring. Know I can't play with this delicate balance. (See last sentence: July 2010 of signature).

Love to you all. Onward and upward. Back to NED.
Thanks for all, Karen

PS, Just printed all that information, Angel, and I'll be putting it to good use.

[caya]

Good luck Karen, hoping that Doxil is the magic bullet for you!

all the best
caya

[JennyB]

Good Luck Karen,

I'm raising my green smoothie to you this mornning!

[Becky]

Hey darlin'. I am also thinking about you and do often. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

[mamacze]

Thinking of you…any updates???? How are you doing - please I hope you are not feeling any hand/foot yuck-ness. Did I say I am thinking of you?? Even my daughter is asking how you are doing…XO

[sassy]

Karen see Lani's post re hand foot syndrome--maybe worth a try!

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=61402

Hang in there and know we are here for you.

I had Adriamycin and found it was not as hard as Taxol, if that's any comparison.

[Mtngrl]

Karen,

I'm so sorry you've experienced progression. I pray that Doxil knocks the cancer back into NED land.

Sending warm wishes and love.

[KDR]

Hi, all,
I'm going for my second infusion this coming week. I find it tolerable thus far. No news to report as I've only had one dose. Doxil is dosed every three weeks. So, Wednesday, the day before my birthday, I'm getting another dose.

Someone PMd me that the CD47 trial was starting up within the next 30 days. Anyone have more news on that?

I am more than hopeful on this regimen. There is neuropathy, but that's about it. Will let you all know how it's going. Just busy with 10-year-old who has not gone to camp yet!

Thanks for your wishes and comments.

Love
Karen

[Redwolf8812]

Thanks for keeping us updated, Karen. I continue to pray for all of us. Happy early birthday!

:-) Penny

[Lisalou]

Glad to hear that you are tolerating the Doxil well. Good luck with the next infusion!

[Carol Ann]

Great news, Karen, Happy Birthday and Happy 4th!

CA

[embur102]

Go, Karen, Go!!!

Dance like we are all watching, 'cause we are, and cheering you on every step of the way!!!!!

Cancer-be-damned!

[carlatte7]

Glad to hear your new plan is tolerable for you. Continued prayers!

[KDR]

Thank you, thank you!

Karen

[Jackie07]

Happy Birthday! Karen.

Glad Doxil is tolerable.

Thanks for the updates. Sending you good vibes.

[Aussie Girl]

Dear Karen,

I haven't been on the site for a while. Sorry to hear about the progression and hoping the red devil's daughter is a hot dance partner.

Happy Birthday

Aussie Girl (Diane)

[norkdo]

We have your back Karen. Please stay strong. Nora

[Mtngrl]

In your corner, Karen. You're not alone.

['lizbeth]

Watching for good news, wishing that this will be your magic unicorn. Sounds very positive and it seems that you have a good feeling about this treatment.

You are one tough cookie!

[KDR]

Well, I got my first CEA back yesterday and it wasn't the news we expected. I am retesting on Friday. Although there was a "slowing" in the curve of the upward trend, it was still upward.

Thanks for keep up with me.

Karen

[Carol Ann]

Oh Karen I am sorry. :( Hoping that as you continue treatment the results will improve. This sucks!

Carol Ann

[Pamelamary]

Not the best of birthday news - let's hope the slowing down speeds up.
Best wishes and all digits crossed.... Pam

[sassy]

Hoping that slowdown is the beginning of the turn! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

[michka]

Karen, I am still hoping that this means your treatment is starting to work. When I started TDM1 my CA15.3 and ACE kept going up but the scan showed a big improvement. The markers went down just after. There was a kind of a flare phenomenon. I keep my fingers crossed hoping that it is what is happening. Hugs. Michka

[MaineRottweilers]

They are only numbers. You are strong, willful, beautiful and precious. You, with our will, and God's help will make this work. Numbers don't mean a thing. Live on! <3

[mamacze]

Michka may be on to something - how was Friday’s retest??

[Mtngrl]

Karen,

Thinking of you and praying for peace, wholeness, and healing.

[Bunty]

Hi Karen, it's still early days yet, and slowing in the curve is good. I also think Michka might be on to something. Sending you prayers and positive energy.
Marie

[KDR]

Friday test: Numbers up, again. This is really a rollercoaster.

Now, I am looking into integrative oncology. Have some new plans. Will discuss with primary oncologist in the beginning of week. Getting little one off to camp, she is so excited. Her first time! For three weeks, I will focus on a new path, getting Karen back on track and NED. Been missing NED.

Thanks for checking in. Please continue to do so.
Love
Karen

[Carol Ann]

Hi Karen! So glad your daughter will be having a wonderful time at camp ... and you'll have some time to concentrate on YOU and figure out a new gameplan to get back to NED!

You will make it happen! Behind you 1000%!

Carol Ann

[Mtngrl]

Dear Karen,

I'm so sorry to hear your disappointing news. Happy for your daughter, though.

Praying that NED comes home soon.

[michka]

Karen, I was hoping for better news. Time for another plan and a new dance with NED. I am thinking of you. Hugs. Michka

[embur102]

Continued prayers, love and light as you journey toward NED!

[Pray]

You and your family are in my prayers�� Gods blessings��

[Coux92]

Oh Karen, I hope you find your Magic potion and NED soon!

[laura4252]

I have been on treatment vacation since Feb 2014, & the lung mets are progressing so I start Doxil and Herceptin next week. I'm trying the cold caps, and thank you Mamcazi from Berlin, CT for the link to how to prevent side effects. I'll let you know it goes.

[Catherine]

Karen, how are you?

[KDR]

I am great, thank you!!

[Carol Ann]

Glad to hear it, Karen! :)

Carol Ann