3rd August 2007
Jen,
The only thing I can tell you is that taxol/carboplatin is a very good chemo regimen for squamous cell carcinoma. Do be aware that there may be quite a bit of pain/malaise in the few days after the chemo infusion, and have your Dad be prepared with painkillers. This is from the taxol...the carboplatin can cause nausea, but that's usually easily preventable with an infusion of either Zofran or Kitrel right before the chemo and pills for about 3 days afterwards.
The pain from the taxol starts, usually, somewhere between 24-36 hours after the chemo infusion and lasts for about 3-4 days. The intensity varies from patient to patient. There may also be some neuropathy caused by the taxol, but it will eventually go away, although it may take quite some time after treatment is finished.
That 5-year survival rate? Well, I read the same thing when I was first diagnosed and thought..."heck, that stinks." Then one day shortly afterwards it dawned on me...someone has to be in that 20%, why not me???
And, thank God, today it is nearly 6 years since I finished all treatment. Hope for the best, visualize the best, pray a lot, and try to stay strong. Positive thinking might not be a cure in itself, but it sure helps a person get through the process and, who knows...maybe it can help cure us? Positive thinking helps the immune system stay stronger, and a strong immune system is the body's best cancer-fighter.
Good luck and God bless. Do keep us posted on your Dad's progress.
Ruth
The only thing I can tell you is that taxol/carboplatin is a very good chemo regimen for squamous cell carcinoma. Do be aware that there may be quite a bit of pain/malaise in the few days after the chemo infusion, and have your Dad be prepared with painkillers. This is from the taxol...the carboplatin can cause nausea, but that's usually easily preventable with an infusion of either Zofran or Kitrel right before the chemo and pills for about 3 days afterwards.
The pain from the taxol starts, usually, somewhere between 24-36 hours after the chemo infusion and lasts for about 3-4 days. The intensity varies from patient to patient. There may also be some neuropathy caused by the taxol, but it will eventually go away, although it may take quite some time after treatment is finished.
That 5-year survival rate? Well, I read the same thing when I was first diagnosed and thought..."heck, that stinks." Then one day shortly afterwards it dawned on me...someone has to be in that 20%, why not me???
And, thank God, today it is nearly 6 years since I finished all treatment. Hope for the best, visualize the best, pray a lot, and try to stay strong. Positive thinking might not be a cure in itself, but it sure helps a person get through the process and, who knows...maybe it can help cure us? Positive thinking helps the immune system stay stronger, and a strong immune system is the body's best cancer-fighter.
Good luck and God bless. Do keep us posted on your Dad's progress.
Ruth