Treatment

Hello Barbara,

sorry to have lost touch for a while. I’m glad the Etoposide is giving you good results. I’ve made it through the cisplatin , although I had to miss treatment 6. Now on the Etoposide alone, but on a lower dose, as I’ve had a few issues with my bloods. Ca125 dropped significantly initially but started to rise again when my second round was delay due to my blood levels. Back on track now and completing cycle 2 this week. Feeling so much better on the tablets alone and have my fingers crossed the results of my scan next week are more positive. 
love Suzanne x

Hi Suzanne,

Lovely to hear from you again, and so glad you’re doing ok on the Etoposide tablets. As you say, so much easier to tolerate than the Cisplatin.

I also have a scan booked for next week to see if the Etoposide is still holding back the cancer. CA125 has been pretty stable up to now, so hoping that the scan will show the same. Pretty scary every time though, isn’t it? 

Maybe catch up again next week with results, if you feel like sharing?

Love ️ Bx

I will do. Trying to distract from my appointment next Thursday. I’m finding the lead up to scan feedback quite stressful these days!
Speak soon, love Suzanne x

Hi Suzanne, hope your appointment on Thursday went ok?

My review was sort of ok but, because both the recent scan and blood markers are starting to show a slow & steady increase in the cancer again, my oncologist has now stopped the Etoposide, and I will be starting on a new chemo regime next week.

Disappointing (obviously) but, as she pointed out, better to make the switch sooner rather than later so I’m starting from a better baseline than before (when I had bowel obstruction). Seems to make sense, and at least I’ve had 5 months off from IV chemo up to now.

All the best,

Bxx

Hi Barbara,

I seem to be following in the same path as you. My scan also showed a slight progression. Very disappointing, after having endured the the intensive part of the regime. My Etoposide has also been stopped. I am now on Chyclophosphamide, a chemo tablet taken daily. Well  tolerated by most and taken daily for 28 days. Hopefully, my blood levels will hold up on this treatment. What have they in store for you? 

good wishes Suzanne xx

Hi Suzanne, so sorry to hear you’ve also reached the point where your cancer is starting to progress again - and wishing you all the very best for your new regime. I guess it was always going to happen at some point - and maybe we never are really ready for it .

Anyway, my oncologist has recommended some more cycles of Cisplatin (which I had a good response to before) - this time combined with Gemcitabine, which I’ve not had before. Six cycles will take me up to November, but beyond that I guess it’s all about finding a maintenance drug that can hold the cancer back for some time longer. Think Avastin might still be on the cards for me if I manage to stay clear of bowel obstructions.

All the best, and keep in touch,

Barbara xx