Stage IV chemo plan. Experiences to share?
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Stage IV chemo plan. Experiences to share?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Stage IV chemo plan. Experiences to share?

  • Post
    • March 28, 2019 at 4:04 pm
    DZnDef
    Participant

      Hi all,

      After a stressful two weeks a plan of action has been agreed to with my team.  I will be starting chemo likely around April 10th.  Specifically three agents:  Carboplatin, Abraxane and Avastin.  Anyone have experience with this combo or individual ones to share or advice on what I might expect?  My stage IV was very indolent when it was first discovered so chemo would not have been appropriate at that time.  However, after various treatments it has sped up a bit (especially the tumors that continue to respond to BRAF/MEK treatment.  Every time I have taken a break from that treatment in the past (twice so far), I have gotten really fast tumor growth.  My newer tumors that are resistant to BRAF/MEK seem to grow and spread at a moderate pace.  I’m hoping it’s fast enough to interest the chemo.  It seems odd to hope for fast-growing cancer, but that’s what chemo is most effective on.

      So I am very happy to have a plan in place.  If you have any experience with any of these drugs, please share.

      Cheers!

      Maggie

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    • Replies
        • March 28, 2019 at 4:32 pm
        Casitas1
        Participant

          Hi Maggie, I was prescribed Carboplatin and Paclitaxel (low dose) by the Rock Star back in 2015 after failing Ipi/nivo. At that time I had tumors in jaw bone, node and soft tissue cheek(golf ball size). After three weeks of chemo my cheek tumor became partially necrotic. We immediately started Pembro and all tumors started melting away after first dose. I remain NED today. The side effects were minimal at the lower dose. The little hair i had fell out and had sour taste in mouth.

          Best, Paul

            • March 28, 2019 at 4:45 pm
            DZnDef
            Participant

              Hey Paul, thanks for the feedback.  I’ve done both Pembro and Nivo and don’t appear to be a responder to either at this point.  Evidently, though, that can change after doing other treatments.  Congrats on your NED status!  I look forward to joining you there before too long.  Thanks for your response.

              Cheers!

              Maggie

              • March 31, 2019 at 3:55 pm
              Dympsd
              Participant

                Amazing! Love hearing good feedback

              • March 30, 2019 at 3:34 pm
              sister of patient
              Participant

                Hi Maggie – Just want to wish you well and tell you I'll have fingers (toes, eyes – everything 🙂 crossed for you!!! Take care!

                Barb 

                  • April 3, 2019 at 11:42 pm
                  DZnDef
                  Participant

                    Barb!  Thank you so much for your kind words.  I am thrilled to read that Leisa is doing well (per your profile update).  I hope she continues to do well.  How is she doing apart from melanoma?  Is her vision improved at all?  Did she suffer any lasting effects from her brain bleeds or the WBR?  It’s great to win the battle (and hopefully for Leisa, the war) but it can still leave us with some battle scars.  I hope hers are minimal.

                    Cheers!

                    Maggie

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