Primary Peritoneal Cancer

I was diagnosed with ppc November 18,2008.  I was hospitalized, and not expected to survive until Christmas.  The only thing my doctors could offer me was chemotherapy.  I have now had three rounds of chemo, and am well enough that I was finally released from hospital January 20,2009. I am scheduled for my fourth round of chemo on February 5, and my doctors are now discussing the possibility of surgery for me. Anyone else out there with ppc? If so...How are you doing? Do you know what our life expectancy is?

 

On 1/27/2009 Bunney wrote:

I was diagnosed with ppc November 18,2008.  I was hospitalized, and not expected to survive until Christmas.  The only thing my doctors could offer me was chemotherapy.  I have now had three rounds of chemo, and am well enough that I was finally released from hospital January 20,2009. I am scheduled for my fourth round of chemo on February 5, and my doctors are now discussing the possibility of surgery for me. Anyone else out there with ppc? If so...How are you doing? Do you know what our life expectancy is?

Hi Bunney! Yep, I have PPC also! I was diagnosed last May (08) did 3 chemos, then surgery, then 3 more chemos. Doc told me if I did do the treatments and surgery, expect 3 yrs (altho also said she had one lady with 10 years). If I didn't do anything, expect 6 months. Took me 2 seconds to decide!! Ha Ha! I also had 2 rounds of IP chemo (straight into the belly) the day after my 4th & 5th IV chemos - but only the two. Way too hard for me tolerate.

Now I'm feeling great! I'm doing everything for myself again also going out for shopping and lunches - 2 or 3 hours are max. I'm still getting tired easily but then I'm also 63 so I think old age has crept in sooner too!!

I believe so much is attitude - is your glass 1/2 full or 1/2 empty? I've always believed in God but He and I have had lots more personal talks now. And I've found the kindness of people has overwhelmed me.

Let's face it, the whole procedure is not fun and there were days I wondered why I was even doing it. But it's given me more time to enjoy every little thing of this life for a bit longer - and I'm taking it!

If you want to know your life expectancy, you MUST ask your doctors the question. I told them not to 'Bulls... Me' right up front - and they didn't. Be open with your docs, ask whatever questions you want/need - it is YOUR life. And demand an answer that satisfies you - keep asking till they get it right!! 

When my docs said surgery, I went with it! Whatever was in there, I wanted it OUT!!

 Have Faith and go one day at a time, one step at a time - you CAN do it!

Blessings, LindaMae

 

 

 

On 1/27/2009 Bunney wrote:

I was diagnosed with ppc November 18,2008.  I was hospitalized, and not expected to survive until Christmas.  The only thing my doctors could offer me was chemotherapy.  I have now had three rounds of chemo, and am well enough that I was finally released from hospital January 20,2009. I am scheduled for my fourth round of chemo on February 5, and my doctors are now discussing the possibility of surgery for me. Anyone else out there with ppc? If so...How are you doing? Do you know what our life expectancy is?

Hi Bunney,

My mother was diagnosed with ppc in October 2008, she is 83 years old and was very active up till this point. Her primary doctor told us that her life expectancy was only 6 months and chemo was the only way to treat her, she was in stage 4. We decided that that was not an acceptable awnser and sought treatment with an onc at Loyola Med center in Chicago. This doctor had a different approach, he  suggested a historectomy with debulking then 6 rounds of chemo.

She will be going to her 4 round next Friday. The chemo treatments have really affected her overall health, she is very tired and has no appetite. she had to make a couple stays in the hospital due to blood clots in her lungs. I'm sure the hospital stays has something to do with with the fatige.

Aside from all of that, the good news is that her CA levels have dropped dramaticly and continue to do so, the CT scans show clear and no signs of any re-growth. Her onc said she could expect at least a good 5 years if all clears up. That is a long time for an 83 year old that is healthy, so we were happy to her that.

You are in our prayers and may God be with you

 

 

 

On 1/27/2009 Bunney wrote:

I was diagnosed with ppc November 18,2008.  I was hospitalized, and not expected to survive until Christmas.  The only thing my doctors could offer me was chemotherapy.  I have now had three rounds of chemo, and am well enough that I was finally released from hospital January 20,2009. I am scheduled for my fourth round of chemo on February 5, and my doctors are now discussing the possibility of surgery for me. Anyone else out there with ppc? If so...How are you doing? Do you know what our life expectancy is?

I was diagnosed with ppc August of 1999 so it's possible to survive long term.  Even though it had spread to my lymph nodes the cancer still hasn't spread to my liver or lungs.  I had surgery and lot's of chemo drugs and I'm still active.

I think it's important to keep a postive outlook. I know it's hard but pay close attention to your symptoms and take all the chemo that's offered to you.  There are a lot of chemo drugs you can be treated with and more coming everyday.  Don't give up!

 

On 1/29/2009 LindaMae wrote:

 

On 1/27/2009 Bunney wrote:

I was diagnosed with ppc November 18,2008.  I was hospitalized, and not expected to survive until Christmas.  The only thing my doctors could offer me was chemotherapy.  I have now had three rounds of chemo, and am well enough that I was finally released from hospital January 20,2009. I am scheduled for my fourth round of chemo on February 5, and my doctors are now discussing the possibility of surgery for me. Anyone else out there with ppc? If so...How are you doing? Do you know what our life expectancy is?

Hi Bunney! Yep, I have PPC also! I was diagnosed last May (08) did 3 chemos, then surgery, then 3 more chemos. Doc told me if I did do the treatments and surgery, expect 3 yrs (altho also said she had one lady with 10 years). If I didn't do anything, expect 6 months. Took me 2 seconds to decide!! Ha Ha! I also had 2 rounds of IP chemo (straight into the belly) the day after my 4th & 5th IV chemos - but only the two. Way too hard for me tolerate.

Now I'm feeling great! I'm doing everything for myself again also going out for shopping and lunches - 2 or 3 hours are max. I'm still getting tired easily but then I'm also 63 so I think old age has crept in sooner too!!

I believe so much is attitude - is your glass 1/2 full or 1/2 empty? I've always believed in God but He and I have had lots more personal talks now. And I've found the kindness of people has overwhelmed me.

Let's face it, the whole procedure is not fun and there were days I wondered why I was even doing it. But it's given me more time to enjoy every little thing of this life for a bit longer - and I'm taking it!

If you want to know your life expectancy, you MUST ask your doctors the question. I told them not to 'Bulls... Me' right up front - and they didn't. Be open with your docs, ask whatever questions you want/need - it is YOUR life. And demand an answer that satisfies you - keep asking till they get it right!! 

When my docs said surgery, I went with it! Whatever was in there, I wanted it OUT!!

 Have Faith and go one day at a time, one step at a time - you CAN do it!

Blessings, LindaMae

 

 

hi again! u really are a woman after my own heart! i am 61 & agree 1000% with everything u say! i have the same attitude with my onc & i think he respects me for it! we have a great relationship! my glass was definitely half full... until last monday when my ca went up: so now until next wed. when i get my scan results, its definitely half empty! as i said to the nurse today: i think the stress will kill me before the cancer!!   harriet

 

Hi Harriet!

You have to keep your glass half-full - it just got 'tipped' for a couple of days. That's to be expected!  Wallow for a day or two, then get back to your old self. Everything about this cancer is a worry and we will worry - whether we want to or not!! My new thing is to wake up with a bolt early in the morning thinking about reoccurance - damn, it pi..ses me off!!

I'm not a 'pull up your boot strapes' kinda girl, I just want to live as best I can for however long I'm to be here.

Hang in there Honey and serve yourself a mimosa in that glass!

Blessings, LindaMae 

 

Harriet, I forgot to ask you what your counts were - want to share? Yes, it does sound like you have a great relationship with your doctor. I love my team!!

PS I have stage 3.

LindaMae

like most of us: 3.200 to begin with, now in the low digits, but seems to be creeping up, quite worrying!

All of you are such an inspiration.  I too have PPC plus beast cancer.  Discovered PPC almost 3 years ago.  Surgery, then chemo in the belly, etc. etc.  At that time I was told I had a 50/50 change of living 5 years.  Well, that was almost 3 years ago and I can tell you I ain't checking out soon.  At 69 I figure I need to see some grandkids grow up.

I had a brief rest from chemo but am back on it and will continue it as long as it works.  The good days outweigh the bad days.

 Keep up the positive messages, and God Bless,

DG

MaryOR,

So you have had this for almost 10 years.  That is great.  Would you share with us about the chemo you have had or are on now? 

 Thanks,

DG