What is the experience of a patient taking Gemzar chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer?

[marc r]

My mother is 78 yo. She would rather have quality than quantity of life. She does not want to spend her final time of time feeling sick from chemo, and losing her hair. What is likelihood of these side effects? Thank you.

[tinmuning]

Hi. Got this from [url=http://www.chemocare.com/bio/gemzar.asp]Gemzar & Gemzar Side Effects - Chemotherapy Drugs[/url]. Hope this will help.

The following Gemzar side effects are common (occurring in more than 30%) for patients taking Gemzar:
Flu-like symptoms (muscle pain, fever, headache, chills, fatigue)
Fever (within 6-12 hours of first dose)
Fatigue
Nausea (mild)
Vomiting
Poor appetite
Skin rash
Low blood counts. Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease. This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.