Adult Granulousa Cell Tumor

On 7/20/2007 freeatlast wrote:

im looking for information on this , i too had cancer july 2 nd i had surgery and am going to be going threw chemo they say they got it all they took every thing out i am still having pain in my stomach relly bad cramps off and on is this normal . i too have bad back achs during the day . have lost alot of weight .if i could get some information on this id like that  any one that  cna help me  out there barbara

I am a 70-year-old female who has had two attacks of granulosa cell tumor, in 2003 and 2006.  In 2006 the surgeon removed four tumors and two feet of small intestines from my abdomen.  (ovarian cancer)  He said there were microscopic cells left behind which meant the cancer would return.

Because granulosa cell is a slow growing tumor, there is no effective chemo treatment against it.  However, chemo was given me anyway, and after 15 days of it, I collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.  Spent one month there, unconscious most of the time.  Had to be resuscitated several times with three tubes down my throat.  It wasn't the cancer which killed me, but rather the damn chemo therapy.

Was sent from the hospital to a rehab facility, where I learned to feed myself and walk again.  Spent three weeks there, and left walking with the aid of a walker.  The chemo, or rather laying in bed unconscious and unmoving for an entire month, had left me completly paralized. 

 I am unwilling to accept the oncologist's opinion -- that the cancer will return and further surgery will not be possible.  Instead I am treating myself with flax oil and a dozen other food supplements.  The most important of these, in my opinion, is a pH balancer. 

 My pH balance was very acid, AS IT IS IN ALL CANCER VICTIMS, and I am successfully raising it so that it will soon be in the normal alkalinity range. 

I URGE YOU ALL TO CHECK YOUR pH BALANCE.  Paper strips to do the checking can by purchased at most any health food store.  Your body cannot heal itself unless your blood pH is balanced!!!

 I hope this helps someone.

martee@comcast.net

Hello! I also had a GCT removed, on July 2 of 2004. My tumor was 31 cm and rupturing when they opened me. I went through 4 rounds of very intense chemo that consisted of bleomysin, cyspaltin and etopside (i apologize for any misspellings). My chemo regimen was one week on (5 days, 5-6 hrs a day) two weeks off. Fortunately by the end of round 4 my CA125 # went to an 11. At my last checkup in April it had dropped to a 9 (YAY!).

3 years later and I remain cancer free!!! Unlike the first responder I did not suffer overly with side effects of the chemo. the most trouble i experienced was with bowel movements and that was mainly due to my inability to eat (i was a bad patient and didn't like all the foods that are good for me). I did lose all of my hair and it definitely all grew back.

I would urge you to follow the regimen as outlined by your oncologist. if for any reason you are not comfortable with what he/she prescribes ask to see another oncologist if at all possible.

I recently had my annual CT Scan and to date I remain tumor free! I am actually getting ready to have my chemo port removed.

I realize that as a GCT Survivor I will be monitored for the remainder of my life and am grateful that my oncologist continues to monitor me to ensure that my Ovarian Cancer does not return.

I hope that this information has helped you and possibly aleviated some of your fears. As for the pain you are experiencing, this is normal as having this type of surgery on your abdomen is major,. give yourself time to heal and don't try to do those things you've been told not to.

Good luck to you and I wish you a speedy recovery. Debbie