My most recent oncologist got upset with me because I asked him (during video appointment) why he gave me more Gemcitabine than I approved. He claims he cleared it with me on the day of the visit. I sent multiple messages the days prior to my i fusion requesting a smaller dose, with one saying as low as 250. Not being a pharmacist I am unaware of how the infusion amount is adjusted to body weight. I weigh a lot less than in 2020 and my immune system is weaker than in 2020. He and the pharmacist made an enormous mistake. You judge, maybe I am wrong.
1. Dose ordered on 9/11/2020 was 600 mg/m2 and I ended up in hospital being severely neutropenic and needed a platelet transfusion. Good result was my CA125 went down significantly. That is the only reason I kept Gemcitabine as an option, but at their protocol’s reduced rate. There is a protocol to dose reduce for adverse reactions and I expected my second oncologist to follow that. He didn’t.
2. 04/25/23 My second Colorado oncologist, who was supposed to be my safe place (bec other gynonc missed my recurrence in 2021) finally agreed to try Gemcitabine again. By April 2023 Taxol had not been working and switching to Lymparza only caused me more damage, depleting my bone marrow with even small doses.
Remember, I had told both oncologists in Colorado that my gynonc in Seattle told me never to take PARP inhibitors because of my weak bone marrow. Yet these oncs in Colorado pushed and pushed. Now I am extremely weak.
The second oncologist and his pharmacist must not have researched my Gemcitabine history. I begged for small dose in April 2023 from which we could build up, add more, instead of working backwards. I am invisible and don’t matter. If I mattered to them they would have listened. Resuming Gemzar on small doses was part of the treatment plan, second oncologist not even following his plan.
My second oncologist, on 04/25/23, ordered 750 mg/m2 of Gemcitabine! I could be wrong, but this is more than what was ordered for 09/11/2023 (600 mg/m2). If the smaller dose on 09/11/2020 put me in the hospital what could possibly be the reason to give me a larger dose of 750 mg/m2 on 04/23/25? Why???????
If I am wrong, please someone explain…
My second Colorado oncologist never once had a conversation with me about being downgraded to Stage 4B. I have had horrible cancer care at this teaching hospital. How is it that my first gynonc misses my recurrence and my second oncologist gives me too much Gemcitabine? The second oncologist and his pharmacist should not be allowed to practice and if I have to move to get better care, they should have to pay the money for it. I got called names by the second oncologist because I was upset when asking him to justify his dose. I did not use any foul language but he called me beligerant. He wrote that he owed me no answers….as if he was offended. He caused me serious damage. I’m deeply depressed and sad.
I feel blank and it is obvious that I don’t matter anymore. It’s hard to face the new days not being able to get simple cancer care free of medical errors. I am not worthy in their eyes. I am very depressed.
Maybe a 3rd gynonc will care. God keeps me here and it truly is only in Him that I find any hope or peace.
Denise
