I was originally taking Gemzar (Gemcitabine) and Docetaxel (Docefrez, Taxotere). I also received Neulasta, which stimulates white blood cell production. You can read about them here:
- http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/docetaxel.aspx
- http://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-drugs/gemcitabine/
- http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Neulasta.aspx
I received Gemzar on Day 1 and Day 8, Docetaxel on Day 8, and Neulasta on Day 9. October 10 – November 28, 2017.
It was determined in December 2017 that this protocol did not work for me. My tumor grew to about half of the original size. As of January 1, 2018, I am in treatment-hiatus as it’s decided what will happen next. I’m pushing for surgery.
January 18 started a new chemo protocol. I am taking Adriamycin (Doxorubicin) and Lartruvo (Olaratumab). I will not get Neulasta this time, unless my bloodwork “proves that I need it” to my insurance…(I think this means my WBC count would have to drop a lot, and maybe even that I would have to get an infection, for my insurance to approve the Neulasta this time).
Like Gem/Tax, this will be a 21-day cycle. I get Olaratumab on Days 1 and 8, and Doxorubicin on Day 1.
- http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/doxorubicin.aspx
- http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/olaratumab.aspx
I am also taking Toprol XL for high blood pressure, Zofran for nausea, Zantac for heartburn, allopurniol to help minimize the chance of developing tumor lysis syndrome, and dexamethasone (only around Day 1 of each cycle). I have one type of lidocaine cream to put on my port an hour before it’s accessed to numb the skin, and another kind of lidocaine cream to use on my abdomen when I get sore from the tumor, or if I pull a muscle in that area, which is easy to do. The first cream was prescribed by Dr. Musgrave before I started the first chemo. The second one was prescribed the palliative care FNP I am now seeing.