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Ben's Chemo not working......

cat22
0 Recommendations

Hi. We got the results of Ben's MRI after Cycle 2, very little change. WE were crushed. I REALLY thought he would get a good response. Now RC is probably out of the question. We expected far more, considering he was getting 3 different chemos (Taxol, Gemzar and Carboplatin). We saw the Specialist at UCSF today, and her recommendation is chemo AND radiation, probably Cisplatin, as his Nephrostomy tube is keeping his creatinine level down. We will be getting another CT Scan, and another top to bottom bone scan before determining the course of action. The only other option in her mind, was MVAC, but given he had very little response to the new "gold standard" and his counts were hit pretty good from the beginning, she feels it would be difficult for him (he's 66). What do any of you know about different types of radiation treatment being offered for T4 BC?

Sad, and even more scared,
Cathy

Explore topics in this discussion:

Cancer Taxol Surgery Pain Carboplatin Radiation therapy Bladder cancer

35 replies

lsh

Cathy,

I am so sorry that ya'll got bad news today. I know nothing about radiation treatments for bladder cancer. But I do know that at the clinical trial program I went to at MDAnderson not very long ago, the doc talked about dose dense MVAC which is a clinical trial they have going. Maybe if they watched his counts very carefully, that would be possible? Daveyo did it before his RC and maybe he can give you some info on it.

Lynda

sunshine604

Oh Cathy, my heart goes out to you and Ben. We always need hope, and when some of it is taken away from us it's so hard. Hope you get some good info from the group.
Eileen

cat22

Thanks, Lynda. We'll definitely be looking at all options. I don't know which option would best if there is not a "curative" option. The Oncologist said "hopefully curative" but not in a way that was very encouraging. IMRT is now being offered for BC and the facility where Ben has been getting his chemo was one of the first to use it several years ago for other cancers, so we'll be talking to his Oncologist on Thursday.

cat22

cat22

Thank you, Eileen. We still have hope. Will feel better if the new bone scan and CT scans are clear.

cathy

Cheyenne

I have you and Ben and his family and friend in my prayers. I wish you the best with the follow up scans.

mendo_lady

Oh......

I am so saddened to hear this news. I will hang strong with you and Ben through the next set of scans and like Eileen says, hope is what gets us through.

If you need anything in the next few days, please...

Nancy

cat22

Nancy, Cheyenne. Thanks. We fiercely cling to hope. I've been reading through some of my Cancer books, and finding promising information on radiation. We will not give up, not one bit.

cathy

Karego

You and Ben will be surrounded by all of us, sending our support to you in the only way we know. Prayers for strength and hope for stronger measures that will slow the progression of the tumors.
Karego

cat22

Karego, yes, Prayers and Hope. Thank you for your prayers. We will get through this.

Cathy

Tagmike

Hi Cathy, will join my prayer list to those who have gone before. Here is some compelling info on IMRT amd BC
Good Luck to you and Ben

http://www.hughescancercenter.org/content.cfm?id=316

cat22

Thank you, Stevehead! I'm going to read it right now....
Cathy

luvcntrym

Hi Cathy.....Sorry to hear that the chemo is not working. I know how you feel, I've been there. My husband had chemo and radiation before having his RC. He was clean for a few months but the BC came back. As you may know, he also had 5 lymph nodes on his neck which he was receiving radiation for. The radiation did work on the neck. It's hard to suggest what you should do because every situation is different. I would just listen to the doctor and see what he says and if you're not certain, then see another doctor for 2nd opinion. Good luck and my prayers are with you......Mary

cat22

Mary,

Thank you for your kind words. I know your husband had a tough time with BC. I am again, so sorry for your loss. I'm trying to learn as much as I can as fast as I can, and learning REALLY quick, to appreciate today. Thank you for your prayers. My prayers are with you as well.

Cathy

roadrunner

Cathy,
As the eternal optomist I will send you some prayers,,,and hope the treatment they now suggest will make a difference.,,keep us informed,,,,

Cleveland Ohio
is with you,
many prayers coming your way,

Ginger

cat22

You're always there, Ginger. Thank you!

Cathy

momofive

Aww Cathy I'm so sorry for your bad news. I will keep you both in my prayers. This disease just breaks my heart in so many ways. You're right though to hang onto H-O-P-E it will keep you positive and where there is hope there is a cure!!

God Bless,
Kelley

Cheyenne

Cathy, I so wish everything were better. I know you will not not give up on hope and love. And my prayers are with you both.

loonym

Cathy, I'm terribly sorry to hear this. When I went through my radiation it was external beam therapy. As the weeks went by the gradually increased the intensity and also began shooting me from more angles. Toward the end they did intensity modulated radiation therapy at a pretty hefty dose. It's tough for me to say if it helped or not for certain but I feel that it probably slowed the growth.

georgiaE

Cathy,

I am so very sorry for your news on the chemo. My husband Ed had an RC just 3 months ago and last thursday after his 3 month cat scan, was told that his prognosis is grim. The bladder cancer is now in his liver and stomach. He starts MVAC next thurday and his oncologist has only set up one session, I guess to see how he does. I feel your pain . We are both so lucky to have these wonderful friends on this site. Ed's oncologist said he would set it up for Ed to go to the trial at MD Anderson for the dose dense MVAC, but not only is it brutal, but you have to travel there every 2 weeks. I read where a man from Alabama drove there 32 times last year and it was a 600 mile drive each way. Before Ed's chemo before his RC, it only worked somewhat. It was cisplatin and gemzar. We have to fight and there is always hope for a miracle.

Much love,

Candon

nancynursez637

Cancer really does suck, so sorry to hear of this development. You have excellant attitudes and are arming yourself for the battle, Best of luck and many prayers for your journey ahead.

Nancy

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Researchers are looking for bladder cancer survivors to complete a telephone survey. Click here for more information.

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Information for those newly diagnosed with bladder cancer from BCAN.

Bladder Cancer Basics for the Newly Diagnosed
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BCAN's November Patient Forum in San Francisco
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Saturday, November 7, 2009
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Presentations from BCAN's May 2009 Patient Forum
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