Blood Transfusions

• By tjjakovac
• Posted July 23, 2008 at 9:01 pm

Sorry to hear this Anne. I am also on Carbo/Gemzar and I had my first treatment last Thursday. Tomorrow I have just Carbo alone. Had my blood tests today and they were normal so tomorrow I have chemo again.
I had 2 blood transfusions while I was on Carbo/ Taxol nine years ago. I went in feeling like a dead dog and when I got the blood , wowowowo I felt like a million dollars. Is this the first time that your counts have gone down? If so, that is good. Your counts will go back to normal in due time. I hope Carbo/ Gemzar helps you and myself. Good Luck Therese

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• By DTMEDIC
• Posted July 23, 2008 at 9:58 pm

Hi Anne...my MIL was doing the Carbo/Gemzaar regimen. 1st week Carbo&Gemzar, 2nd week Carbo alone, 3rd week Gemzaar alone...then one week off. She had to have a blood transfusion, the Neulasta AND a transfusion of platelets during EACH of the first two cycles, even though they cut the dose on the 2nd cycle...and she was just SO sick all the time. The last hospitalization her doctor decided that it was just too risky to continue with the Carboplatin and switched her to Gemzaar/Cisplatin. Her CA125 (normally a very good indicator of disease for her) has steadily dropped from 565 to 61 over the course of 3 cycles...so she has 3 more cycles to go, but the side effects and blood effects from the Cisplatin combo have been far less for her...so, perhaps if things get too bad for you, they could switch to Cisplatin. Both Carbo & Cisplatin are platinum drugs, so the effects are generally about the same. GOOD LUCK...Hope you feel better soon :-)

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• By Luann
• Posted July 24, 2008 at 9:48 am

Hi AnneJulia
I think that it is common for certain chemotherapies
to deplete red cells and often depleting platelets.
I was having carboplatin/taxol IV and had cistplatin IP
during my treatment. I had 3 hemoglobin transfusions
and 2 platelet transfusions during the course of my
chemotherapy treatment.
I was unable to have the neulasta because my insurance company wouldn't pay for it.
My magnesium and potassium levels dropped into
dangerous ranges due to the cistplatin and had to
be hospitalized during treatment.
I had to stop the IP treatment after the first infusion
because it was too toxic.
The taxol became toxic so my doctor switched to gemzar at the end of the course of the chemotherapy treatments.
I felt so terrible before the transfusions and the IV magnesium and potassium being given that I thought
that was it...but couldn't believe how much better I felt once I received the blood transfusions and
the other infusions.
The body is amazing and it can heal itself with a little
help from faith, medicine, alternative means, and a positive outlook.
Hang in there....it gets better.
I loaded on goji juice during the course of my treatment too because it builds the red blood cells
and has potassium in it. I continue to drink the goji juice daily.
I was stage lllC at diagnosis and my CA-125 was 1345.
My CA-125 was 7.5 after radical debulking and my first 2 chemotherapy treatments. Post chemo it has been as low as 3.7 and has remained at 4 to 4.6 during this first year post chemo.
Although each of us are different, we are all faced with the challenge of waging war and beating this disease.
Stay strong, fight, and focus on winning the battle.
God Bless!
Luann

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• By annejulia
• Posted July 24, 2008 at 10:21 am

Thank you for all your well wishes and input. I have two more chemo treatments before I stop this combo. I have a bloodtest today to see how my counts are. I was diagnosed with 3c Ovarian cancer two years ago and this will be the first time I will be off of chemo. I will have catscans every two months because the CA 125 was not a reliable tool for me unfortunately. I am looking forward to the break. Thanks again. Annejulia

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• By DTMEDIC
• Posted July 24, 2008 at 5:11 pm

Annjulia,

I was wrong about my MILs treatment regimen...she gets cisplatin/gemzaar, gemzaar alone and then a week off for lab work.

As with Luann, at Monday's treatment she had to have Magnesium, Potassium and Neulasta...so I guess Cisplatin has crummy effects on those areas where the carboplatin is worse on the hemoglobin/RBCs.

I'm quite sure you are ready for a break. I know that my MIL has only been off chemo for a total of 7 months in the last 2 1/2 years. Dx in Feb 06 as Stage IV and has had multiple treatment regimens including 2 trials...I think this one has made her feel worse, but it sure is doing wonders for her CA125.
Prayers for your continued recovery...and for a much needed chemo vacation!!! :-)

Blessings,

Debbie

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