Ovarian Cancer-best friend

From Anna,

Hi all, One of my best friends was recently told she has Stage 2 Ovarian Cancer.  She said she would have 6 rounds of chemo.  Just had her 1st one on Dec. 2 of this year. I know nothing about this cancer.  Does 6 rounds sound right for Stage 2 of this kind of cancer? Oh yeah she's already had surgery for the cancer.   I read somewhere on the Internet that the survival rate for this kind of cancer is 70% in Stage 2. I also know that her life is in the Lord's hands and that 70% is just a guess.  But does that number sound pretty right to those of you dealing with this kind of cancer?

I've also been told that finding it early like her Dr. did is rare.  Is that true to?

My father has cancer so I know that I'm asking questions that may not have pat answers.  I'd still like to know.  I've known this girl over 30 years and this just shocked me when she emailed me and said she had this cancer.

Your friend,

Anna

Yes it is unusual that your friends cancer was found so early. Most Ovarian cancer is discovered at stage 3 or 4 as there are so few symptoms. She has a good start and will get on well. However to be realistic ov. cancer is known to be recurrent in many cases even in stage 1 and 2. The usual treatment is surgery (hysterectomy) and six sessions of carbo/taxol. Then a scan to see what is happening. CT scans do not register some tumours if they are small so you may have a PET CT scan which is nuclear based and gives more information. I live in the UK so don't want to saqy too much as I presume you are American. There are some very good support websites for your friend if you want to respond. I was diagnosed with 3C two and a half years ago and had two lots of chemo. Have to start again in Jan. Love Margo. My name is vixen on the site as Margo had been taken and I like foxes.

From Anna,

Hi Margo, Thanks for responding.  I hope though that Karen's doesn't return.  I won't be surprised if it does though.

Your friend,

Anna

six sessions of carbo/taxol

From Anna,

Hi again Margo, Is this what my friend is probably taking for chemo treatment?

Your friend,

Anna

 

On 12/6/2008 Anna9563 wrote:

From Anna,

Hi all, One of my best friends was recently told she has Stage 2 Ovarian Cancer.  She said she would have 6 rounds of chemo.  Just had her 1st one on Dec. 2 of this year. I know nothing about this cancer.  Does 6 rounds sound right for Stage 2 of this kind of cancer? Oh yeah she's already had surgery for the cancer.   I read somewhere on the Internet that the survival rate for this kind of cancer is 70% in Stage 2. I also know that her life is in the Lord's hands and that 70% is just a guess.  But does that number sound pretty right to those of you dealing with this kind of cancer?

I've also been told that finding it early like her Dr. did is rare.  Is that true to?

My father has cancer so I know that I'm asking questions that may not have pat answers.  I'd still like to know.  I've known this girl over 30 years and this just shocked me when she emailed me and said she had this cancer.

Your friend,

Anna

Anna,

    I was diagnosed with Stage II ovarian cancer in October 2007.  It was a total shock to me.  I could not urinate and that is how they found mine.  I then had a total hysterectomy.  Six weeks later I started my chemo of carboplatin and taxol.  I, to, had six rounds of chemo.  One treatment every 27 or 28 days.  I went in at 8 am and stayed until around 2 pm while they gave me my chemo.  I was fortunate and did not get sick with mine.  I had some side effects but did not throw up.  I did, however, lose my hair exactly two weeks after my first treatment so your friend may want to be prepared. Actually you will lose hair all over your body including eye lashes and eye brows.  I found the best bet for a wig was the internet.  I had bought a wig but did not like it.  I then found a couple of websites for wigs and ordered me one from Raquel Welch....it cost me around a $100 but it was worth it.  I had found a wig so much like my real hair alot of people only thought I had my hair cut.    I stopped wearing my wig a couple of months ago and my hair is coming in fine.....curly and thick....I am actually starting to get compliments on my short hair...lol.  I had my last chemo treatment the end of March.  The doctor is doing a monthly CA125 lab test and it has stayed low so that is a good thing.   I go back to the doctor next week for a check up....everything so far so good.  I actually feel better at times than I did before.....guess I should had the hysterectormy done sooner.  Tell your friend good luck and to hang in there!  It will be over sooner than you think.  If I can be of any help let me know.

 

Cathy

I

 

On 12/6/2008 Anna9563 wrote:

From Anna,

Hi all, One of my best friends was recently told she has Stage 2 Ovarian Cancer.  She said she would have 6 rounds of chemo.  Just had her 1st one on Dec. 2 of this year. I know nothing about this cancer.  Does 6 rounds sound right for Stage 2 of this kind of cancer? Oh yeah she's already had surgery for the cancer.   I read somewhere on the Internet that the survival rate for this kind of cancer is 70% in Stage 2. I also know that her life is in the Lord's hands and that 70% is just a guess.  But does that number sound pretty right to those of you dealing with this kind of cancer?

I've also been told that finding it early like her Dr. did is rare.  Is that true to?

My father has cancer so I know that I'm asking questions that may not have pat answers.  I'd still like to know.  I've known this girl over 30 years and this just shocked me when she emailed me and said she had this cancer.

Your friend,

Anna

Hi Anna,

    I am Nancy and have/had ovarian cancer stage 3c, had surgery in July 07 and had 7 rounds of chemo Sept. 07 - Jan 08. I had cisplain and taxol on first cycle and had kidney problems, from Cisplatin. They switched me to Carbonplatin and taxol after that and had an extra round to make up for lasped time waiting for kidneys to get back to normal. 6 rounds is about right. 

I went into remission in June 08 and in August my CA 125 counts went back up again. Had Ct scan and they found a 4mm tumor which is the smallest a CT scan can pick up. I am now on Doxil, once a month.

I lost my hair back in 07 after second treatment, it came out pretty fast, my advise to your friend is have her hair cut short now, losing hair is pretty hard to face. The shorter it is the less to fall out. If it falls out slow, best bet is to shave it off to lessen the emotional grief of it. Save a piece of hair though for color. Go wig shopping with her and try to make it a fun thing, one way to look at it, is with a wig you never have to worry of having a bad hair day.  Its easy in morning to just put it on and go. Change can be good if you can think that way. It is hard. It does grow back, better than before. I have thicker and curlyer hair now. It was stright and very thin hard to do anything with. Now I love it. Except for the gray.

 There is a web site TLC I think that has tons of things in it for cancer paients, wigs, turbans, scarfs, hats, that you can buy. I got most of my things through them. Except for wig, I got at a local store.

The best thing that keeps me going through this is Family and Friends being there and supporting me and Praying. As a Friend, just be there for her, let her now she can talk to you, cry with you, share her feelings, and help her do things, or take her places when shes able, don't let her turn away in fear or feel uncomfortable being around you or others, as many sometimes do.  She is still the same person inside and out, but she has an illness which is treatable and these days the survial rate is very good. You have to be a fighter and keep saying, I am going to get through this, and God is with me. She cannot give up HOPE and thats where Family and friends are the best medicine.  

My Sister is a doctor out in CA and she has been a great help in helping me understand things and prepares me for up coming treatments. I am in Long Island NY and I go to Sloan Kettering, which I highly suggest.

I had a IP port put in under my breast when I had surgery, and had chemo put in to my gut through this port. Its was for Chemo only. There is also a port for taking of blood and for getting IV's instead of getting a needle every time. I did not get that one. There is studies out about having IP chemo, they gave me, Cisplatin, and carbonplatin that way. Taxol was IV. The IP way the drug gets right into affected area and kills whats left. A mix of IP and IV was said to be the right way of going when I started Chemo.

There are a lot of drugs out there today to help ovarian cancer patients and they will keep trying differnet drugs until one or two works for her. Catching it early is a Good thing, but the need for chemo is still there.

The CA 125 count is the thing to watch, normal is 35, anything above that is saying something, is not right.   I had a count of 6000 at time of surgery and went down to 28 after chemo. Its now back up and is at 170. I just keep fighting and Praying.

IF You have or she has any questions feel free to ask me, as I can even ask my sister if needed. She guided me through this and I am Blessed.

I wish your friend the best of luck and will pray for her. Chins up it could be worse.  Nancy

From Anna,

Hi Cathy, Thank you for responding. Another friend of mine and Karen's told me Karen had some bloating in stomach and her legs tingled and that's how they found hers.  

Your friend,

Anna

From Anna,

Hi Nancy, Thanks for all your info. I know some about chemo and the ports as my Dad has had Multiple Myeloma, a bone and blood cancer for going on 11 years.  But not about the things to do with ovarian cancer.  I've heard its rare to catch it as early as they did Karen's.  I may ask you questions as things go along.  I did learn some things from your post.  

Your friend,

Anna

 

On 12/13/2008 Anna9563 wrote:

From Anna,

Hi Nancy, Thanks for all your info. I know some about chemo and the ports as my Dad has had Multiple Myeloma, a bone and blood cancer for going on 11 years.  But not about the things to do with ovarian cancer.  I've heard its rare to catch it as early as they did Karen's.  I may ask you questions as things go along.  I did learn some things from your post.  

Your friend,

Anna

 

Hi Anna, I am in remission of overian cancer for three years. I had six treatments of chemo. I was in stage 1c  and I had a total hysterectomy. My Doctor said there was a 70% or 75% chance to stay in remission for five years. That is a good prognosis..

 Pat

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