Ovarian cancer Stage 3 survival information

My cousin has Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. Would like to know the survival info, statistics for this co ndition.

On 12/21/2008 Manju wrote:

My cousin has Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. Would like to know the survival info, statistics for this co ndition.

 

 

Hi Manju,

I am Nancy ans I am also fighting Stage 3c ovarian cancer. I am now 49.  It was found late june of 07 and I had a hysterdectomy and dulking in early July followed by Chemo Sept 07 - Jan 08.  I went into remission for the summer, than my counts, CA 125 starting climbing again. I had a CT scan and I have a new growth 4 mm on my peritoneal, lining of abdomen.

I am now on chemo again but a different drug than before. Doxil. I had taxol and cisplatin in 07 but had reaction to cisplatin and got put on Carbonplatin. I also had an IP port put in under my breast, for chemo to be put into it instead of IV. Carbonplatin was IP and taxol was IV. IP gets the chemo right into abdomen where cells are. 

Ct 125 is a blood test which is a high factor in detecting if ovarian cancer is present. Noraml is 35.

You ask a very hard question and it all depends on each persons cases and what kind of treatment you receive and drugs. It is fightable but is a chronic problem that one has to keep on top of all the time, so it doesn't get to the point of being fatal.

Staying positive and talking about it is the best advice and also reasching your options for treatment. Going to a well known Cancer center is your best bet or your cousins. I am not a doc but have it myself and have learned  a lot from it.

Just to give you a positive, my CA 125 was 6000 after my surgery, and it went down to 28 after chemo. Slowly. As ovairan cancer does, in many cases, returns and My CA 125 is now 170. My doc did not fool around when it was climbing and when it got to 85 he was thinking chemo. He tried hormone treatments first for four weeks, only because this new growth is a low grade, early stage. My count went up and he got me on chemo right away. Some drugs or treatments work on some people and not on others everyone is differnet. Some drugs take more treatments than others before you see the results. Trail and error is what a good doc will do. But He/she will always be keeping a close watch on you all the time.

Find out what your cousin has been through, IE Surgery, what kind, her 125 count, What chemo has been suggested and so forth. Write back and I or someone may have or have gone through same treatments and give some tips. Good luck and stay in touch. Medicine has come a long way and if I had this three years ago I would most likey not be here today but who knows.??

Chins up there, theres help out there. Nancy

On 12/21/2008 Manju wrote:

My cousin has Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. Would like to know the survival info, statistics for this co ndition.

 

 

I am a stage 3 ovarian cancer survivor since 1991.  I had surgery, chemo and radiation.  I had a reoccurance in October and had a tumor show up in my right chest wall.  Had it removed and waiting on doctor to decide what to do next.  So I have survived it and so can she.    Cindy

Thanks Nancy and Cindy. The information you have provided is very importnat. My cousin is a strong person and I am sure the information I will give her will strengthen her resolve to stay strong and work on the problem and live a good life.

Thansk a lot

Regards,

Vinod

On 12/22/2008 PigNm wrote:

 

On 12/21/2008 Manju wrote:

My cousin has Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. Would like to know the survival info, statistics for this co ndition.

 

 

Hi Manju,

I am Nancy ans I am also fighting Stage 3c ovarian cancer. I am now 49.  It was found late june of 07 and I had a hysterdectomy and dulking in early July followed by Chemo Sept 07 - Jan 08.  I went into remission for the summer, than my counts, CA 125 starting climbing again. I had a CT scan and I have a new growth 4 mm on my peritoneal, lining of abdomen.

I am now on chemo again but a different drug than before. Doxil. I had taxol and cisplatin in 07 but had reaction to cisplatin and got put on Carbonplatin. I also had an IP port put in under my breast, for chemo to be put into it instead of IV. Carbonplatin was IP and taxol was IV. IP gets the chemo right into abdomen where cells are. 

Ct 125 is a blood test which is a high factor in detecting if ovarian cancer is present. Noraml is 35.

You ask a very hard question and it all depends on each persons cases and what kind of treatment you receive and drugs. It is fightable but is a chronic problem that one has to keep on top of all the time, so it doesn't get to the point of being fatal.

Staying positive and talking about it is the best advice and also reasching your options for treatment. Going to a well known Cancer center is your best bet or your cousins. I am not a doc but have it myself and have learned  a lot from it.

Just to give you a positive, my CA 125 was 6000 after my surgery, and it went down to 28 after chemo. Slowly. As ovairan cancer does, in many cases, returns and My CA 125 is now 170. My doc did not fool around when it was climbing and when it got to 85 he was thinking chemo. He tried hormone treatments first for four weeks, only because this new growth is a low grade, early stage. My count went up and he got me on chemo right away. Some drugs or treatments work on some people and not on others everyone is differnet. Some drugs take more treatments than others before you see the results. Trail and error is what a good doc will do. But He/she will always be keeping a close watch on you all the time.

Find out what your cousin has been through, IE Surgery, what kind, her 125 count, What chemo has been suggested and so forth. Write back and I or someone may have or have gone through same treatments and give some tips. Good luck and stay in touch. Medicine has come a long way and if I had this three years ago I would most likey not be here today but who knows.??

Chins up there, theres help out there. Nancy

Hi Nancy,

My sister is battling ovarian cancer. She had treatment for 6 months-carboplatin-but it did little for her tumors. She is about to start on a new treatment-more aggressive-once a month. However, our concern is her attitude. She will not get out of bed, cries everyday, and has some memory loss. We can not even let her know about the upcoming treatments, as she breaks down emotionally.

Could you give me some advice of how to help her mentally. I know this is a difficult question and that you, too, are dealing with much stress. But your attitude is so different than my sister's. You sound so positive. I would appreciate any ideas of how to lift her spirits. My heart breaks for her.

Thanks,

Madeline

On 12/27/2008 maded wrote:

 

On 12/22/2008 PigNm wrote:

 

On 12/21/2008 Manju wrote:

My cousin has Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. Would like to know the survival info, statistics for this co ndition.

 

 

Hi Manju,

I am Nancy ans I am also fighting Stage 3c ovarian cancer. I am now 49.  It was found late june of 07 and I had a hysterdectomy and dulking in early July followed by Chemo Sept 07 - Jan 08.  I went into remission for the summer, than my counts, CA 125 starting climbing again. I had a CT scan and I have a new growth 4 mm on my peritoneal, lining of abdomen.

I am now on chemo again but a different drug than before. Doxil. I had taxol and cisplatin in 07 but had reaction to cisplatin and got put on Carbonplatin. I also had an IP port put in under my breast, for chemo to be put into it instead of IV. Carbonplatin was IP and taxol was IV. IP gets the chemo right into abdomen where cells are. 

Ct 125 is a blood test which is a high factor in detecting if ovarian cancer is present. Noraml is 35.

You ask a very hard question and it all depends on each persons cases and what kind of treatment you receive and drugs. It is fightable but is a chronic problem that one has to keep on top of all the time, so it doesn't get to the point of being fatal.

Staying positive and talking about it is the best advice and also reasching your options for treatment. Going to a well known Cancer center is your best bet or your cousins. I am not a doc but have it myself and have learned  a lot from it.

Just to give you a positive, my CA 125 was 6000 after my surgery, and it went down to 28 after chemo. Slowly. As ovairan cancer does, in many cases, returns and My CA 125 is now 170. My doc did not fool around when it was climbing and when it got to 85 he was thinking chemo. He tried hormone treatments first for four weeks, only because this new growth is a low grade, early stage. My count went up and he got me on chemo right away. Some drugs or treatments work on some people and not on others everyone is differnet. Some drugs take more treatments than others before you see the results. Trail and error is what a good doc will do. But He/she will always be keeping a close watch on you all the time.

Find out what your cousin has been through, IE Surgery, what kind, her 125 count, What chemo has been suggested and so forth. Write back and I or someone may have or have gone through same treatments and give some tips. Good luck and stay in touch. Medicine has come a long way and if I had this three years ago I would most likey not be here today but who knows.??

Chins up there, theres help out there. Nancy

 

Hi Nancy,

My sister is battling ovarian cancer. She had treatment for 6 months-carboplatin-but it did little for her tumors. She is about to start on a new treatment-more aggressive-once a month. However, our concern is her attitude. She will not get out of bed, cries everyday, and has some memory loss. We can not even let her know about the upcoming treatments, as she breaks down emotionally.

Could you give me some advice of how to help her mentally. I know this is a difficult question and that you, too, are dealing with much stress. But your attitude is so different than my sister's. You sound so positive. I would appreciate any ideas of how to lift her spirits. My heart breaks for her.

Thanks,

Madeline

Hi Madeline, 

      Sorry to hear about your sister, how old is she and did she have any surgery yet, and what kind?  Do you know what chemo is coming up in the next aggressive treatments?  What stage cancer is it? how many tumors? where are they, if not removed?

Sorry for all the questions, but it gives me a little more information on what she will be going through.

My best suggestion is get her to a minister or some sort of counsel, she has to get herself out of bed and start dealing with having cancer. Bring some one to house if needed.

She has to talk about her feelings and get the hurt out, so she can be postitive about things, its hard to do and I do have my down times, but find ways to help get me moving again. I email with a long time minister and good friend of family since I was 3. He is my cheerleader. Gets me through hard times and prays ALways. Believing in GODs help is PRICELESS!

Don't pity her, give her support and encourage the fact that medicine has come a long way in fighting cancer and there are many out there still alive after many years. She has to be a fighter to get through this. Feeling sorry for herself is going to get her no where. There's many cancers much worse to have and be glad she has Ovairan. Having a hysterdectomy with dubulking is hopefully what she has had by now.????

Cisplatin and taxol and doxil are other drugs used. Any drugs with a Platin on end of them are very powerful. Cisplatin is the higher end of Carbon platin. She has to drink drink and drink plenty of water especially with cisplatin if thats what the next drug is. Doxil is more for recurrences. Like what I am in. There are other too but these are what I am knowledgeable on.

Has she lost her hair yet?  More aggressive drugs usally causes hair loss and that is hard to handle. She has to get a grip on things before that happens. If it has NOT happened yet! Get her a short hair cut, A new look. less to fall out the better,. Shave it off if it falls out at a slow rate. Less stress. Once she has got a better handle start buying a wig unless this has already happened. Take her out shopping for a new look. Make it a fun day. I lost my hair and it regrew better than before. Curly, thicker. I love it.

There is a program out by the American cancer society, called, Look good feel better. They talk about and teach you  about makeup and wigs, or things to wear on your head. You get a whole bag of good makeup.  Everyone there is in the same boat, and different stages of treatments or cancers. They help you feel good about yourself by wigs or hair do's and makeup to cover things up, eyebrows and eyelashes, and paleness. I went and loved the program. Some let guests come in and sit in but do not do or say anything, but some don't. Ask when you call the American cancer society to see if any places allow guests to sit on side. Your sister may need some one there with her, let them know that.  I believe they do it in all states. Hositals and cancer centers should have classes.  Take her if she has not lost hair yet. Its best to go before hair loss, it helps. They sell wigs there too.  They may even have support groups for her to go too. I know they do, just have to find out where and get her there. She sounds she needs it.

Positive talk with her keep the bad side low key, but don't hide it from her. Changes to body, A NEW ME new LOOK  wow! Get family and friends to send cards, happy thoughts good wishes we are praying for you,. no pity. Gifts that are tresurable are good up lifters, I received many. She is the same person inside no matter what happens, she should know that. Make her feel good about HER. It helps.

Courage, inspire, love, Prayer, positive thinking, Family togetherness, Friends, support, hope ,dreams, care and joy to live every moment to the fullest.

 Thats what it takes. Keep me posted and let me know what has happened so far. I am here if you have any questions. Nancy

On 12/27/2008 PigNm wrote:

 

On 12/27/2008 maded wrote:

 

On 12/22/2008 PigNm wrote:

 

On 12/21/2008 Manju wrote:

My cousin has Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. Would like to know the survival info, statistics for this co ndition.

 

 

Hi Manju,

I am Nancy ans I am also fighting Stage 3c ovarian cancer. I am now 49.  It was found late june of 07 and I had a hysterdectomy and dulking in early July followed by Chemo Sept 07 - Jan 08.  I went into remission for the summer, than my counts, CA 125 starting climbing again. I had a CT scan and I have a new growth 4 mm on my peritoneal, lining of abdomen.

I am now on chemo again but a different drug than before. Doxil. I had taxol and cisplatin in 07 but had reaction to cisplatin and got put on Carbonplatin. I also had an IP port put in under my breast, for chemo to be put into it instead of IV. Carbonplatin was IP and taxol was IV. IP gets the chemo right into abdomen where cells are. 

Ct 125 is a blood test which is a high factor in detecting if ovarian cancer is present. Noraml is 35.

You ask a very hard question and it all depends on each persons cases and what kind of treatment you receive and drugs. It is fightable but is a chronic problem that one has to keep on top of all the time, so it doesn't get to the point of being fatal.

Staying positive and talking about it is the best advice and also reasching your options for treatment. Going to a well known Cancer center is your best bet or your cousins. I am not a doc but have it myself and have learned  a lot from it.

Just to give you a positive, my CA 125 was 6000 after my surgery, and it went down to 28 after chemo. Slowly. As ovairan cancer does, in many cases, returns and My CA 125 is now 170. My doc did not fool around when it was climbing and when it got to 85 he was thinking chemo. He tried hormone treatments first for four weeks, only because this new growth is a low grade, early stage. My count went up and he got me on chemo right away. Some drugs or treatments work on some people and not on others everyone is differnet. Some drugs take more treatments than others before you see the results. Trail and error is what a good doc will do. But He/she will always be keeping a close watch on you all the time.

Find out what your cousin has been through, IE Surgery, what kind, her 125 count, What chemo has been suggested and so forth. Write back and I or someone may have or have gone through same treatments and give some tips. Good luck and stay in touch. Medicine has come a long way and if I had this three years ago I would most likey not be here today but who knows.??

Chins up there, theres help out there. Nancy

 

Hi Nancy,

My sister is battling ovarian cancer. She had treatment for 6 months-carboplatin-but it did little for her tumors. She is about to start on a new treatment-more aggressive-once a month. However, our concern is her attitude. She will not get out of bed, cries everyday, and has some memory loss. We can not even let her know about the upcoming treatments, as she breaks down emotionally.

Could you give me some advice of how to help her mentally. I know this is a difficult question and that you, too, are dealing with much stress. But your attitude is so different than my sister's. You sound so positive. I would appreciate any ideas of how to lift her spirits. My heart breaks for her.

Thanks,

Madeline

Hi Madeline, 

      Sorry to hear about your sister, how old is she and did she have any surgery yet, and what kind?  Do you know what chemo is coming up in the next aggressive treatments?  What stage cancer is it? how many tumors? where are they, if not removed?

Sorry for all the questions, but it gives me a little more information on what she will be going through.

My best suggestion is get her to a minister or some sort of counsel, she has to get herself out of bed and start dealing with having cancer. Bring some one to house if needed.

She has to talk about her feelings and get the hurt out, so she can be postitive about things, its hard to do and I do have my down times, but find ways to help get me moving again. I email with a long time minister and good friend of family since I was 3. He is my cheerleader. Gets me through hard times and prays ALways. Believing in GODs help is PRICELESS!

Don't pity her, give her support and encourage the fact that medicine has come a long way in fighting cancer and there are many out there still alive after many years. She has to be a fighter to get through this. Feeling sorry for herself is going to get her no where. There's many cancers much worse to have and be glad she has Ovairan. Having a hysterdectomy with dubulking is hopefully what she has had by now.????

Cisplatin and taxol and doxil are other drugs used. Any drugs with a Platin on end of them are very powerful. Cisplatin is the higher end of Carbon platin. She has to drink drink and drink plenty of water especially with cisplatin if thats what the next drug is. Doxil is more for recurrences. Like what I am in. There are other too but these are what I am knowledgeable on.

Has she lost her hair yet?  More aggressive drugs usally causes hair loss and that is hard to handle. She has to get a grip on things before that happens. If it has NOT happened yet! Get her a short hair cut, A new look. less to fall out the better,. Shave it off if it falls out at a slow rate. Less stress. Once she has got a better handle start buying a wig unless this has already happened. Take her out shopping for a new look. Make it a fun day. I lost my hair and it regrew better than before. Curly, thicker. I love it.

There is a program out by the American cancer society, called, Look good feel better. They talk about and teach you  about makeup and wigs, or things to wear on your head. You get a whole bag of good makeup.  Everyone there is in the same boat, and different stages of treatments or cancers. They help you feel good about yourself by wigs or hair do's and makeup to cover things up, eyebrows and eyelashes, and paleness. I went and loved the program. Some let guests come in and sit in but do not do or say anything, but some don't. Ask when you call the American cancer society to see if any places allow guests to sit on side. Your sister may need some one there with her, let them know that.  I believe they do it in all states. Hositals and cancer centers should have classes.  Take her if she has not lost hair yet. Its best to go before hair loss, it helps. They sell wigs there too.  They may even have support groups for her to go too. I know they do, just have to find out where and get her there. She sounds she needs it.

Positive talk with her keep the bad side low key, but don't hide it from her. Changes to body, A NEW ME new LOOK  wow! Get family and friends to send cards, happy thoughts good wishes we are praying for you,. no pity. Gifts that are tresurable are good up lifters, I received many. She is the same person inside no matter what happens, she should know that. Make her feel good about HER. It helps.

Courage, inspire, love, Prayer, positive thinking, Family togetherness, Friends, support, hope ,dreams, care and joy to live every moment to the fullest.

 Thats what it takes. Keep me posted and let me know what has happened so far. I am here if you have any questions. Nancy

 

 

 

Thanks, Nancy for your quick and thoughtful response.

I left out a lot of information. My sister had breast cancer about 10 years ago. She had a double mastectomy and then reconstruction.  During this recent bout of ovarian cancer, she had an infection in her prosthesis and it was removed.

She had a hysterectomy and debulking in June. She, was in the hospital for 2 months after the treatment of carboplatin. She did lose her hair, which had, also, happened with the breast cancer. This was very devastating to her.

Her second treatment was with taxil and cystplastin-I'm not sure what the next treatment is. She just had a mugger test to check her heart-but I do know it is a more aggressive treatment.

My sister does pray, alot, and has a lot of little treasures that surround her. However, she will not see anyone for support. We have all tried. My mom has been caring for her and she, too, tries to get her out of bed. She is 53  years old (celebrated her birthday yesterday)-

We are working on getting a nurse to come into the house to get her up. It has been very difficult as she refuses to see anyone.

I am encouraged my your attitude and will work on trying to get my sister to accept what is going on-and to deal with it. We all have hope for her, she just has given up-

Thanks for your support.

Madeline

On 12/27/2008 maded wrote:

 

On 12/27/2008 PigNm wrote:

 

On 12/27/2008 maded wrote:

 

On 12/22/2008 PigNm wrote:

 

On 12/21/2008 Manju wrote:

My cousin has Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. Would like to know the survival info, statistics for this co ndition.

 

 

Hi Manju,

I am Nancy ans I am also fighting Stage 3c ovarian cancer. I am now 49.  It was found late june of 07 and I had a hysterdectomy and dulking in early July followed by Chemo Sept 07 - Jan 08.  I went into remission for the summer, than my counts, CA 125 starting climbing again. I had a CT scan and I have a new growth 4 mm on my peritoneal, lining of abdomen.

I am now on chemo again but a different drug than before. Doxil. I had taxol and cisplatin in 07 but had reaction to cisplatin and got put on Carbonplatin. I also had an IP port put in under my breast, for chemo to be put into it instead of IV. Carbonplatin was IP and taxol was IV. IP gets the chemo right into abdomen where cells are. 

Ct 125 is a blood test which is a high factor in detecting if ovarian cancer is present. Noraml is 35.

You ask a very hard question and it all depends on each persons cases and what kind of treatment you receive and drugs. It is fightable but is a chronic problem that one has to keep on top of all the time, so it doesn't get to the point of being fatal.

Staying positive and talking about it is the best advice and also reasching your options for treatment. Going to a well known Cancer center is your best bet or your cousins. I am not a doc but have it myself and have learned  a lot from it.

Just to give you a positive, my CA 125 was 6000 after my surgery, and it went down to 28 after chemo. Slowly. As ovairan cancer does, in many cases, returns and My CA 125 is now 170. My doc did not fool around when it was climbing and when it got to 85 he was thinking chemo. He tried hormone treatments first for four weeks, only because this new growth is a low grade, early stage. My count went up and he got me on chemo right away. Some drugs or treatments work on some people and not on others everyone is differnet. Some drugs take more treatments than others before you see the results. Trail and error is what a good doc will do. But He/she will always be keeping a close watch on you all the time.

Find out what your cousin has been through, IE Surgery, what kind, her 125 count, What chemo has been suggested and so forth. Write back and I or someone may have or have gone through same treatments and give some tips. Good luck and stay in touch. Medicine has come a long way and if I had this three years ago I would most likey not be here today but who knows.??

Chins up there, theres help out there. Nancy

 

Hi Nancy,

My sister is battling ovarian cancer. She had treatment for 6 months-carboplatin-but it did little for her tumors. She is about to start on a new treatment-more aggressive-once a month. However, our concern is her attitude. She will not get out of bed, cries everyday, and has some memory loss. We can not even let her know about the upcoming treatments, as she breaks down emotionally.

Could you give me some advice of how to help her mentally. I know this is a difficult question and that you, too, are dealing with much stress. But your attitude is so different than my sister's. You sound so positive. I would appreciate any ideas of how to lift her spirits. My heart breaks for her.

Thanks,

Madeline

Hi Madeline, 

      Sorry to hear about your sister, how old is she and did she have any surgery yet, and what kind?  Do you know what chemo is coming up in the next aggressive treatments?  What stage cancer is it? how many tumors? where are they, if not removed?

Sorry for all the questions, but it gives me a little more information on what she will be going through.

My best suggestion is get her to a minister or some sort of counsel, she has to get herself out of bed and start dealing with having cancer. Bring some one to house if needed.

She has to talk about her feelings and get the hurt out, so she can be postitive about things, its hard to do and I do have my down times, but find ways to help get me moving again. I email with a long time minister and good friend of family since I was 3. He is my cheerleader. Gets me through hard times and prays ALways. Believing in GODs help is PRICELESS!

Don't pity her, give her support and encourage the fact that medicine has come a long way in fighting cancer and there are many out there still alive after many years. She has to be a fighter to get through this. Feeling sorry for herself is going to get her no where. There's many cancers much worse to have and be glad she has Ovairan. Having a hysterdectomy with dubulking is hopefully what she has had by now.????

Cisplatin and taxol and doxil are other drugs used. Any drugs with a Platin on end of them are very powerful. Cisplatin is the higher end of Carbon platin. She has to drink drink and drink plenty of water especially with cisplatin if thats what the next drug is. Doxil is more for recurrences. Like what I am in. There are other too but these are what I am knowledgeable on.

Has she lost her hair yet?  More aggressive drugs usally causes hair loss and that is hard to handle. She has to get a grip on things before that happens. If it has NOT happened yet! Get her a short hair cut, A new look. less to fall out the better,. Shave it off if it falls out at a slow rate. Less stress. Once she has got a better handle start buying a wig unless this has already happened. Take her out shopping for a new look. Make it a fun day. I lost my hair and it regrew better than before. Curly, thicker. I love it.

There is a program out by the American cancer society, called, Look good feel better. They talk about and teach you  about makeup and wigs, or things to wear on your head. You get a whole bag of good makeup.  Everyone there is in the same boat, and different stages of treatments or cancers. They help you feel good about yourself by wigs or hair do's and makeup to cover things up, eyebrows and eyelashes, and paleness. I went and loved the program. Some let guests come in and sit in but do not do or say anything, but some don't. Ask when you call the American cancer society to see if any places allow guests to sit on side. Your sister may need some one there with her, let them know that.  I believe they do it in all states. Hositals and cancer centers should have classes.  Take her if she has not lost hair yet. Its best to go before hair loss, it helps. They sell wigs there too.  They may even have support groups for her to go too. I know they do, just have to find out where and get her there. She sounds she needs it.

Positive talk with her keep the bad side low key, but don't hide it from her. Changes to body, A NEW ME new LOOK  wow! Get family and friends to send cards, happy thoughts good wishes we are praying for you,. no pity. Gifts that are tresurable are good up lifters, I received many. She is the same person inside no matter what happens, she should know that. Make her feel good about HER. It helps.

Courage, inspire, love, Prayer, positive thinking, Family togetherness, Friends, support, hope ,dreams, care and joy to live every moment to the fullest.

 Thats what it takes. Keep me posted and let me know what has happened so far. I am here if you have any questions. Nancy

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Nancy for your quick and thoughtful response.

 

I left out a lot of information. My sister had breast cancer about 10 years ago. She had a double mastectomy and then reconstruction.  During this recent bout of ovarian cancer, she had an infection in her prosthesis and it was removed.

She had a hysterectomy and debulking in June. She, was in the hospital for 2 months after the treatment of carboplatin. She did lose her hair, which had, also, happened with the breast cancer. This was very devastating to her.

Her second treatment was with taxil and cystplastin-I'm not sure what the next treatment is. She just had a mugger test to check her heart-but I do know it is a more aggressive treatment.

My sister does pray, alot, and has a lot of little treasures that surround her. However, she will not see anyone for support. We have all tried. My mom has been caring for her and she, too, tries to get her out of bed. She is 53  years old (celebrated her birthday yesterday)-

We are working on getting a nurse to come into the house to get her up. It has been very difficult as she refuses to see anyone.

I am encouraged my your attitude and will work on trying to get my sister to accept what is going on-and to deal with it. We all have hope for her, she just has given up-

Thanks for your support.

Madeline

Hi Madeline,

So are these new tumors since surgery in June? If so, its a recurrence?
Do you know if breast cancer and this Ovarian cancer are the same type of cancer or different.  its Something to find out.

Also if you are younger or older you should have your sister tested for Brac genetic testing, to see if it runs in family. If she is positive you should be checked regularly. Just some advice. Ask her doc about genetic testing, for your sake.

I had a small stage contained breast cancer in Feb. 08 and had a lumpectomy, and I am clear right now. Being its been ten years since her breast cancer that a GOOD thing, they may not be connected. But should be asked. Does or has she taken any hormone drugs to prevent breast cancer from returning? Like tomoxifen or femara?

They say 5 years without recurrences is a great sign.

If this is a recurrence new tumors since surgery, hysterectomy, than I think she may be will be put an a drug like me, Doxil or something like it. If doxil it takes at least three treatments before you see signs if its working. Don't give up. If they checked her heart it just may be Doxil, they do, check your heart out before they give that drug, GOOD doctor! I am guessing here.

My sister is a doctor and I know things through her. She has guided me through this and has HELPED BIG TIME.

Big problem you face is getting her emotions and state of mind corrected. Giving up is not the answer to living. You may need to get strong help in there to get her turned around. Nurse may not do it.

Good luck and will pray for her. Sorry for so many questions just trying to help out there. Keep me posted. I can ask my friend minister his advise if you want me too? He drives for the American cancer society, and is very supportive to cancer patients. He calls us hero's . Having courage and believe and hope, and JUST doing or going through all the treatments and strange drugs being put into our bodies in order to LIVE! Willness to LIVE is the POWER!  Nancy

Hi,

I am Ariel, from Philippines.  Just last dec 15, my sister, 30 years old, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.   last dec 25, we were told that it is in stage 3c. 

Our entire family was and is still devastated.  My father who is by the way a Baptist minister is by far the most affected.  I was able to get a loan, hopefully this gets us far enough for her to fully recover. 

this thread is so positive and I am picking up a lot of things here.  As the eldest among four, I have to keep the family morale in tact and at the same time get our acts together.  You know, sometimes the anxiety and frustrations get in everybody's nerves.  this affects our capacity to maintain a positive environment for my sister. 

I'd really love to hear from all of your experiences.  this will help me encourage my sister to fight on.  she'll be having her 1st chemotherapy early january 2009, afterwards, i believe much of her reproductive organs will have to be removed.  I know this is devastating for someone, young and unmarried who's still hoping to bear children someday, but thats just how it is. 

Pls pray for us.  My sister needs to be positive and she has to fight on, us on the other hand needs to support her morally and financially.  I know God will provide.

On 12/28/2008 aye_brother wrote:

Hi,

I am Ariel, from Philippines.  Just last dec 15, my sister, 30 years old, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.   last dec 25, we were told that it is in stage 3c. 

Our entire family was and is still devastated.  My father who is by the way a Baptist minister is by far the most affected.  I was able to get a loan, hopefully this gets us far enough for her to fully recover. 

this thread is so positive and I am picking up a lot of things here.  As the eldest among four, I have to keep the family morale in tact and at the same time get our acts together.  You know, sometimes the anxiety and frustrations get in everybody's nerves.  this affects our capacity to maintain a positive environment for my sister. 

I'd really love to hear from all of your experiences.  this will help me encourage my sister to fight on.  she'll be having her 1st chemotherapy early january 2009, afterwards, i believe much of her reproductive organs will have to be removed.  I know this is devastating for someone, young and unmarried who's still hoping to bear children someday, but thats just how it is. 

Pls pray for us.  My sister needs to be positive and she has to fight on, us on the other hand needs to support her morally and financially.  I know God will provide.

 

Hi Ariel,

         Its good to have a minister in the family it helps, also a supporting brother like yourself.

I have ovarian cancer stage 3c and had my hysterdectomy July of 07, I was 48 then. I went throught chemo Sept.07 - Jan.08.

I did not have chemo before surgery, I went striaght to surgery and than had chemo. This is something new and my doctors wanted to get in there fast to remove the masses. MAKE sure your sister has a debulking during surgery, its where they go through the adbomen and take any cancer they can see out, besides the mass.or masses. Then the microscopic cancer will be killed off by the chemo. My doctors an Oncologist and a GYN went through all my oragans and got all they could see. Another point is have a GYN and a oncologist do surgery.

Its bad enough when your my age, but when youre only 30 that really STINKS! 

Other things to consider is, the doctors many suggest it, is having a IP port put in, so that the chemo can go directly into belly. Its not a port for taking blood or putting chemo into viens it has the chemo go right into the adbomen.  I had it. They say in some cases it helps.

If she has bad viens then she also may want a IV port put in so she does not need a needle stuck in her every time for chemo, they also can take blood from it. Something to be aware of.

The Chemo drugs used for Ovarian cancer the ones I know of are Taxol, cisplatin and a sister of cisplatin carbonplatin. I have had all three.

Cisplatin is powerfull and that is what I had put into the IP port. I had a reaction to it and got put on carbonplatin instead. She has to drink lots of water and stay hydrated while on chemo. She can eat what she feels like, getting protien in is good along with vegs, fruit, but wash it well first. Staying away from spicey foods and caffine and cut back on sugars. I had craving for peanut butter and choc. and juck food, for some reason.

Everyone is different though and reacts differently. Side affects: She will lose her hair, which is a nasty thing to happen. She may want to get a short hair cut now and go look at wigs. I looked at it as a NEW LOOK- A New ME> It helps. Being positive is Best. Prepare her for it so its not a shock. Getting it short now, makes less to fall out later. If it falls out at a slow rate shave it off so its speeds it up and not as pain ful. Emotionally that is.

They should give her lots of predrugs like steroids and drugs to stop her from getting sick. They are all worth it. Emends, zofran, are two which I was on.

I was not sick, just had light headness and indigestion. They gave me prilosec oct for it which helped.

She may be tried  alot and could get a bit of neuropathy from taxol if thats what they give her. Aches and pain in joints and muscles but tylenol helps that. Stay away from Advil's and anything with in that family.

The support of family and friends are the best, and all keeping a positive feelings when around her, will help her. Don't hide things from her but tell her to prepare her.

I am back on chemo now, I have a recurrence, a 4 mm tumor in my adbomen. I was in remission for about three months but it return which is common. I am on Doxil. A drug for recurrence.

She may have bad night sweats after her surgery, get doctors to give her something for it. Its from a early menapaus. SP? 

The way or the most common way they judge for ovarian cancer is a blood test called a CA 125. 35 and below is normal. Mine was 6600 when first dx. its now 170. It went below normal for awhile but then went up again, and here I am going through chemo again.

Its a chronic diease and you have to be monitored all the time. Even when in remission. Its very hard to face having it, but you have to be a FIGHTER and BE Positive and take everything bad and find a good side to it. Hair loss, New LOOK with Wig, and when it grows back, it comes back better than before.  I always say I am not alone and It could be worse. Medicine has come a long way and there is many drugs out there to fight this. Its called trail and error. If one don't work try another.

Talking about it really helps and I email with a close friend who also is a minsiter, Methodist, which he calls himself my cheerleader.

Having a sister who is a doctor is also very helpful she has guided me through this every step of the way. I learn from her.

I will pray for your sister and keep me posted on what is going on and if you have any questions feel free to ask. God be with you and your family and most inportant youre sister.

                                      Nancy