Oxyplatin

LINDA GALE · Regular Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 13

Hello Everyone,

My prayers are with each and everyone of you. As most of you know my husband has metastatic pancreatic cancer. We have done the chemo for 5 months now and his tumor marker has went from 482 to 1636 in 1 months time. The oncologist has stopped the chemo with Gemzar. He's going to check his bone marrow on Monday and if his bloodwork and all is O K, he wants to start oxyplatin. Can someone please give me some information on this. His body is now so weak from the chemo, I just don't know how much more he can take. The cancer is spreading rapidly. The decision is ours but the doctor does not give it much hope of helping. My husband says he is just so tired and is ready for the Lord to take him home. Please someone give me some advice. It's so hard to see him suffer this way. He's in so much pain and some day's can hardly get his breath. Anything you can tell me would be greatly appreciated. This disease is devastating not only to the person who has it but also the caregiver and family. Again you're all in my thoughts and prayers.

Linda Gale

jen67 · New User Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 5

Hi Linda,

Although I am not an expert, and can only tell you what I have knowledge of on a personal level - my aunt she was only 51) tried the platin drug orally - unfortunately it made her even weaker - but that may depend on the reaction in different people. She found the gem didnt make her that ill, but the platin was introduced because the gem wasnt reducing her tumour markers. I beleive it is down to whether you think there is a chance of a result and that the pros and cons should be weighed up. It is only a decision that you and your husband can make. No one can advise you.

You are in my thoughts. God Bless you both.

LINDA GALE · Regular Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 13

Thank you for your reply. I just don't think my husband can take anything that will make him weaker. He is so weak now he can hardly go. Can you tell me a little about your aunt's bout with this monster known as cancer? I just search for all the information I can find on this dreaded disease. God bless you and yours.

Linda Gale

jen67 · New User Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 5

Hi

She was diagnosed with an in operable tumour in March 2006. She had a stent inserted very soon after. In the summer she had chemo with gem and also radiotherapy - the latter for 6 weeks. She was in pain and was on various medication to relieve her symptoms and the pain. In January her markers were down to 200. There was no treatment for a few months - just different meds to help with the symptoms. During the final 6-8 weeks she stated to lose weight rapidly and became quite frail - although she drove her car only 2 days before she died. She had chemo again - the gem and the platin 8-6 weeks before the end - this was the time she lost weight and became so weak. The chemo was stopped at this point - about 3 weeks after starting it. If you want the nitty gritty I would prefer to PM.

I hope this is what you are needing to now about.

skychief · New User Joined: 17 Oct 2007 Posts: 5

Linda, It is so difficult to read these forums, because they seem to lack good news. As I see my brother's condition deteriorate, I keep thinking this is the low point, then I read to find out the downside keeps going. I see some similarities with your husband's condition. At what point do Oncologist level with the patient and start to put "quality of life" over life threatening treatment? I'm rambling through my anger.
My brother was non responsive to 15 wks of Gemzar/Tarceva. 2 weeks on Taxatere/Xeloda so toxic he lost 10 pounds and spent 2 days in hospital for dehydration. Last week an incresed dose of only Taxatere and he went into anaphylactic shock and had to have an injection direct to his heart. Now his doctor is suggesting a drip bag of Xeloda that he wears for days at a time, suggesting it won't be as toxic. My brother has developed severe ascites and needs to get some draining started. His doctor told us he doesn't see any succcess in further treatments, but he'll continue until he is asked to stop. My brother is hesitate to stop treatment, thinking tomorrow things will be better. I guess what I'm asking is" Does quality improve with the termination of chemo?"

LINDA GALE · Regular Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 13

Hello skychief,

Sorry to hear about your brother. My husband was on the Gemzar and Xeloda for many weeks. Finally we stopped it. It was not working. Then we tried the oxplatin and Xeloda. He took only one treatment. The side effects of it was devastating. We are now stopping this. I'm not sure the treatments were really worth it. We were hoping for quantity of life. But now what we're praying for is quality of life. What good is life if you're too sick to enjoy it. I wish I had the answers. We feel the Lord is leading us to stop all treatments so that is what my husband wants to do. I would really love to have him back the way he used to be. But I'm satisfied now with what ever time he has left. We are gonna make the best of everyday and just enjoy it. I pray your brother can do the same. Just spend time with him and enjoy every minute. I know it's not easy for you but just be there for him and tell him everyday how much you love him. You're in my prayers as well as your brother. May God bless you. I'm here if you need to talk.

Love in Christ,

Linda Gale

reenie · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:18 am Post subject: Re: Oxyplatin

Hi Skychief,
So sorry about your brother. So sorry this cruel disease is after another family.
Our situation was a little different because at some point our oncologist was willing to say "no more". When the disease had caused intenstinal obstructions, it was our oncologist who said he could not recommend surgery to correct the problem. He said he would not recommend it if Sam were his brother. Maybe you could ask the Onc what he would recommend for his brother. As it turned out that decision gave us about 4 or 5 good weeks with Sam at home watching home movies, visiting with friends. To answer your question, our experience was the quality of life went up after chemo ended. Did the quantity go down? Maybe. So without out Here is the thing, the oncologist had told us earlier on that with successful chemo, some people get an extra month. A month?!! A month of what?
Every once in a while you hear of someone living a few years- they are usually the ones who have been able to have the whipple procedure. Usually it comes back, but they do get that extra time. For those who are diagnosed stage IV, well, you've read the posts. I only wish the doctors could give you a set of options with very clear outcomes...crystal ball anyone?
I hope this helps- even a little bit. Know that there are people out here thinking of you and your family. Wishing you comfort, Reenie

Wunderchu · Regular Joined: 21 Feb 2007 Posts: 29

here is a recent article on cisplatin ( I know you asked about oxyplatin), although I suppose this article will probably be of very limited help to you:

http://www.cancerfocus.net/how_cisplatin_reaches_the_nucleus/653

Also, I believe God is guiding me to suggest that one makes sure your brother is drinking enough water and eating enough food throughout the day (I know it's hard).
_________________
May God Bless all cancer patients and their families and their caregivers.
God is in control. God is the true healer.
"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain." -Psalm 127:1-3

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