I went in for day 8 treatment on my current chemo regimen. With Topotecan, I am supposed to get treatments for three weeks on and one week off. I got day 1 last Wednesday and day 8 today. I was afraid that they might not be willing to do it today because my platelets were right on the border of being at an acceptable level (70,000). My doctor thinks that next week there might be a delay because of low counts, but she also said she thinks I might have to have another transfusion next week as well so I know something will be done next week.
Other things that came up in this appointment made me feel good. My doctor said I was looking really good physically including good color. I was lowered from three liters of oxygen to two in order to hopefully wean me off of it since it apparently is no longer needed but she doesn't want to stop me "cold turkey".
Friday, August 31, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Update 8/15: New Chemo...Still delays
Today was supposed to be day 15 (week 3) of Topotecan, but once again my white count was lower than the minimum to allow treatment. The minimum was 1000 and today I was at 940 compared to last week when I was at 700. When I talked to the doctor today, she told me that she was going to lower the dose next week and start cycle 2 even though I didn't get day 8 or day 15 in cycle 1. She has said that the dose will be lowered each time until the white counts are ok. She said there was one lady who had to get treated at 2 mg compared to the 3.5 I was started with two weeks ago. The recommended starting dose is 4 and my doctor never starts people at that level as very few people tolerate it.
There was one piece of encouraging news...I haven't had a lot of abdominal pain or burping recently so apparently this is doing something as she believes that those symptoms are caused by the tumors growing on the bowel. She also told me that I looked better than she had seen me in months, which was really encouraging. I won't know for sure until she pulls the CA-125 next week. I also have been able to wear the compression stockings to reduce the swelling in my legs and feet, although after a day or two of wearing them I need to take a break from them as it starts hurting.
I just hope the good news continues!
There was one piece of encouraging news...I haven't had a lot of abdominal pain or burping recently so apparently this is doing something as she believes that those symptoms are caused by the tumors growing on the bowel. She also told me that I looked better than she had seen me in months, which was really encouraging. I won't know for sure until she pulls the CA-125 next week. I also have been able to wear the compression stockings to reduce the swelling in my legs and feet, although after a day or two of wearing them I need to take a break from them as it starts hurting.
I just hope the good news continues!
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