Doxil side effects

I thought I had posted this last week but apparently it got lost in cyberspace.

I have some actual side effects now. I'm super sensitive to heat and have developed a heat rash that goes from my armpits to about mid-thigh. My oncologist has me using an over the counter antifungal powder which is helping. He suggested Gold Bond, Lotrimin or Monkey's Butt. I'm using Gold Bond because I already had some. I might have to buy some Monkey's Butt just so I can say I have Monkey's Butt. LOL.

Doxil #2 side effects

I had my second Doxil treatment on on the 5/30. At first I felt great but the past few days I've felt really punky. I'm not sure if it's from the chemo, issues with my ostomy or the constant rain.

My ostomy bags keep leaking and apparently I'm developing a sensitivity to the adhesive in the Hollister bags that I have. I'm going to switch to Nu-Hope after having tried a sample. They stayed on and didn't irritate my skin. After only about a week, it was starting to heal. They actually make a non-adhesive bag system that I hope to switch to. It's held in place by an O-ring and a belt. I spoke to one of their ostomy nurses and she said it would be better if my skin is intact before I try it.

Doxil #1 side effects

It's been a little over a week since my first Doxil treatment and my side effects have been minimal. I had a couple of days where I just felt like sleeping but they were also hot with high pollen counts so I'm not sure what caused the tiredness. My guess would be that it was a combination of all three. I'm definitely more sensitive to temperature than before and more prone to sunburn so I'll have to be extra careful this summer.

If that's as bad as it gets, I'll be thrilled.

Doxil chemo #1

Today was my first dose of Doxil. It only takes about 2 hours vs 5 hours for Carbo/Taxol. So far, I don't have any side effects. We'll see how the next few days are.

2nd round of chemo

I'll be starting the Doxil chemo on May 2. I don't have a full schedule yet but my oncologist said it would be once every 28 days for 6-8 treatments.

More updates

I know I haven't been keeping this updated like I should, but it's a rough couple of months.

My husband passed away on February 26. Please don't ask me to talk about it. It's just too painful right now. I've had to give up our apartment because I couldn't afford it and even if I could've, I couldn't handle being there anymore.

I found that not only did the tumor not shrink on the Carbo/Taxol, it actually grew! My oncologist had some tests done on samples from my tumor. It's what's called platinum resistant. He was thinking about starting me on Doxil, so I had to have an echocardiogram to make sure that my heart is healthy. Thankfully it is. My oncologist and I talked about it and decided that we'd try Doxil next. There were other options, but the side effects were more severe. I'm waiting for my new schedule. All I know is it will be once every 28 days for 6-8 cycles with weekly blood tests.

ER follow up

I went back to the ER per instructions to get my finger rechecked. They said it looks better and to keep soaking it and taking the antibiotics. I was in and out in about a half hour.

Paronychia

That's the medical term for an infection near a fingernail or toenail. I'm suppose to soak it several times a day in hot water and Epsom salt. They also gave me Keflex. I'm so glad to be back home.

Infected hangnail

I had a hangnail that tore and is now infected with a red line going to my wrist. I called my oncologist who told me to call my primary. She told me to come to the ER for IV antibiotics because she wasn't sure oral antibiotics would work because of the chemo. So I'm waiting to be called back.

Last chemo

I know I haven't been posted much, but I get tired of posting about the side effects all the time. Anyway, today was the last chemo. I have labs in 2 weeks & Dr. Ryu the week after that. I'm guessing that he will want more tests. Fun, fun