"Treatment Plan Was Gemzar & Cisplatin"
Well I had 2 rounds of chemo. The first being Gemzar & Cisplatin. The second treatment was just the Gemzar. I started 1/16 and on Tuesday 2/26 I broke out in a rash on both arms and on shins. I put a call into Dr. Vaughns nurse Barbara and explained the best I could what it looked like and she suggested to put cortosine cream on it. If it did not look better to call back. The next day I still had the rash but figured it just take time to clear up what do I know. By that evening my wife is an LPN she checked it out and it was red, bumpy, and felt warm to her touch and looked nastier. She put the call into my Oncologist Dr. Vaughn who suggested I go over to the ER and get checked out this was Wednesday. Any rash with chemo better to be safe then sorry. The ER Dr. checked me out and also put a call into Dr. Vaughn and then came back. I gather after discussing what rash looked like to Dr Vaughn he sent me home with steroids and benaderyl and this seemed to help some. Now Friday I was due for my 3rd round just the Gemzar and I still had the rash. Dr. Vaughs nurse saw me first who is very well qualified MSN-CRNP, and I know she did not like what she saw. Then Dr. Vaughn came in and I could tell from the look in his eyes either did he. So Dr. Vaughn, his nurse Barbara, and the pharmacist all had a meeting and decided I had allergic reaction to the Gemzar dang. I would of not got a treatment that day anyway between rash and my platlets fell to 43,000 they have to be 50,000 mimimum. The only good thing that came out of this I was only getting the Gemzar and next week off they counted it as a cycle. Now this is my new treatment plan.
High Intensity MVAC- Methotreate-Vinblastine-Adriamycin-Cisplatin
www.chemocare.com/bio/list_by_acronym.asp?acronym=MVAC
Now since the Adriamycin can be toxic to the heart muscles Dr. Vaughn has odered a MUGA Test to check out my heart since it has been awhile since I had an Echo Cardiogram. I'll say this they do not miss one thing at Univ of Penna to be on the safe side.
heartdisease.about.com/cs/otherriskfactors/l/blmuga.htm
So after this test and I don't expect having any probs since I just been in OR 3x since Sept. I will start this Wednesday and go 3 days a week.
Week 1 Wed-MTX Thurs-Vin,Adria,Cis, Fri-Neulasta.
Week 2 Off
Week 3 Same as Week 1
Week 4 Off
Neulasta this is what it is
www.neulasta.com/patient/about/about_whitecell.jsp
I was bummed with this allergic reaction but we all know this is bumpy road I am walking so I can continue to fight and think positive and this is a nice backup plan I think and so does my Dr. and wife. If all goes well with this I am sure sometime during week 4 I hope to get an appt with Dr. Malokovichz and get on with this surgery. Best Wishes & Thanks All For Your Support , Joe
