Gemzar A Go But Bad News

Hi, I went to see my oncologist this morning where I live to set up my chemo regiment. He spent almost a hour with my husband and I.I asked to have a second opinion. They are going to send me to Fox Chase in Philadelphia, PA. After that I will start Gemzar full dose. I asked for the second option because I asked how long do you think I have, I said do you think I will see the 5 year mark, he said no probably half of that time. My husband and I couldn't believe it. He said I will be on chemo the rest of my life and that my body could start to resist the chemo. I’m so angry and upset. I see women on this board and others that are here along time on chemo , and still fighting year after year. I know it's all in God's hands. I'm always praying to the Lord. You ladies have been so good to me , if it weren't for this board I would be lost. I’m just so lost for words. I’m still positive I can beat this. I'm not ready to give up. I’m sure there are a lot of women out there that have reached the 5 year mark being staged 3c or 4 like me. I’m sorry for ranting on it's just so hard to take in all at once.

Teal Hugs, Prayers and Love,

Terry

Isaiah 41:13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

I am so sorry, Terry. That is such hard news to take. Have you thought of a second opinion? It sounds like you are not thrilled with the bedside manner of your doctor and know that others are out there that might be more compassionate or hopeful, if that's what you need. Some people want the cold hard facts and others want to be that 1% that beat the odds. Find a doctor that supports you and your goals. Another thing I have heard good things about is following the anti-cancer diet. It is very strict, but seems to make people feel better and stronger which may help the chemo work better. Absolutely no sugar, which cancer craves. http://www.news-medical.net/?id=32343 There are also other supplements which may be helpful. Do everything you can - acupuncture, diet, exercise, whatever it takes. If you have the will, you can be a stronger patient.

Hi Terry!  I am also sorry to read that you had to hear such disturbing news, as it is hard to take .... but, from personal experience, I can tell you to focus on what positive steps you can take to help yourself.  I am an ovarian cancer survivor, diagnosed in 1998 with Stage 4 borderline serous ovarian tumors w/a low malignant potential.  I was good for 6 yrs after an oophorectomy, but it came back in 2004.  Since then, I've had 2 additional surgeries & have been on 2 different series of chemo, the latest being Gemzar (since 5/08).  It did work pretty well though w/minimal side effects - I worked full-time throughout treatment.  In the last month though, my CA125 went up a bit to 50 & I'm going through testing now to see if the cancer is in fact growing.  They're talking about Avastin for me couple w/another chemo drug, so that's one option to mention to your doctor.

I'd also like to encourage you to go for a 2nd, even 3rd, opinion - you owe it to yourself to do this as drs are all different w/different points of view.  Acupuncture has helped me, too esp., w/chemo induced nausea & pain.  Eating well certainly can't hurt.  I've also come upon a natual healing method that I've been reading a lot about & seriously considering doing as I'm unsure about the Avastin (side effects could be nasty).  Research www.gerson.org --- it seems to be a very intense therapy, but they've posted case studies where they've had success w/ovarian cancer cases.  Get the book, Healing the Gerson Way.  Even if you don't pursue it, there's tons of excellent info in there.

I wish you the best.  You'll have your down moments, I'm sure, but please stay positive, stay motivated to help yourself & go for as many opinions you need.  Take all the info in & then you can make a well-informed decision.  My best to you!!!!

 Kris

 

I am on Gemzar and started taking 3 cycles ago.  Noone knows how much time we have but God.  The way I lok at my cancer which is stage 4 ovarian cancer, is one day at a time.  I would like to be around for many more years.  I just don't know how long I will live through the treatments and the cancer itself.  Don't give up the hope, but keep on praying to God for a healing.  Take it one day at a time and live for the now.  Thank god that you have your husband there to help you through this.  He will need to step up to the plate with you.  Essentially, it will be as though he has cancer himself.  Get a supportive group to help you get through this ordeal.  I do know two other women that have survived beyond the 5 year mark. Believe!  May the Lord Bless you.

 

Debbie

I agree with you about the second opinion.  He has no way of knowing how this treatment will work for you.  If it doesn't work for you, then you will need to try another, but if it does then you won't and you will be in remission. Do you need me tofind you a good dr at Fox Chase?  Where do you live?  I know great drs up at Sloan Kettering.  Speaking of which, Mom (she has IIIC diagnosed 6/06) when her cancer came back after the initial remission she was told by a top gyc oncologist that she still had a chance of a cure- al we needed to do is find the right chemo that worked for her,

 

Find yourself a new dr.  IF you want help contact me..

 

--Message edited by CancerCompass staff. For personal protection, email address removed. Consider private reply. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html--

 

 Hugs,

Kathy

Hi Terry,  I'm surprised your Dr. would tell you that you probably wouldn't live 5 years.  I'd get a second opinion too.  My Dr. has never given me any time frame but I know that the chances of living 5 years with IIIC aren't very rosey.  However, I'm coming up on my 3rd year and living a pretty normal life - feel like I don't have cancer when the Gemzar side effects leave me.  I've been on Gemzar/CarboPlatin 10 months and it is doing a good job keeping the cancer down.  My CA125 is 8 and it was 1800 when I had surgery 3 years ago.  When my Dr.told me I would be on chemo forever, I became very depressed and felt it was time to make up my bucket list.  However, time passed and I'm still here, praise the Lord,  You will have good days and bad days, but you can live with this cancer.  Modify your diet and live every day to the fullest.  Let us know how you are doing.

Good luck, and God Bless.

DG

 

 

On 3/12/2009 ladyjogger31 wrote:

Hi, I went to see my oncologist this morning where I live to set up my chemo regiment. He spent almost a hour with my husband and I.I asked to have a second opinion. They are going to send me to Fox Chase in Philadelphia, PA. After that I will start Gemzar full dose. I asked for the second option because I asked how long do you think I have, I said do you think I will see the 5 year mark, he said no probably half of that time. My husband and I couldn't believe it. He said I will be on chemo the rest of my life and that my body could start to resist the chemo. I’m so angry and upset. I see women on this board and others that are here along time on chemo , and still fighting year after year. I know it's all in God's hands. I'm always praying to the Lord. You ladies have been so good to me , if it weren't for this board I would be lost. I’m just so lost for words. I’m still positive I can beat this. I'm not ready to give up. I’m sure there are a lot of women out there that have reached the 5 year mark being staged 3c or 4 like me. I’m sorry for ranting on it's just so hard to take in all at once.

Teal Hugs, Prayers and Love,

Terry

Isaiah 41:13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Terry -

My heart broke for you. I know what you are feeling, but guess what - the docs are wrong alot of the time!!!!!! I was dx'd stage IV in April 2004. (My gyn lied and said IIIc because he did not have the heart to tell me the truth). I was told by everyone that I had maybe 2 years. Well, April 25th will be my 5th year!!!! I only had one remission of less than  a year after the first treatment with carbo/taxol. I have been on chemo constantly almost for 3 1/2 years. When you wrote your message, I was on vacation in Puerto Rico. I feel pretty good, very little pain mostly controlled with Tylenol, and not too tired. I've lost 25 lbs (due to cutting out the steroids; I had gained 40lbs with them) and I do not look sick at all. So do NOT give up any hope at all. Just keep living, loving, and enjoying your life. I certainly do and I believe that is what keeps me here.

Love & prayers to you,

Diane T.

Terry, let us know how you are doing and what your decision was.  Keep fighting no matter what the Dr. says.

Gayle

Hi all, I am going along the same path as all of you.  I started with a large tumor in th inguinal lymph node (in the groin) it was called 'of unknown primary' but then ctscans found that I was full of abdominal tumors and had Peritoneal Carcinoma. So I was now classified as Stage 4 Ovarian. That was over 3 years ago. Now after 3 major surgeries followed by Treaments with taxol/carboplatin, the next year with carboplatin alone, and the following year with doxol. I insisted on having a break for a couple of months to enjoy the holidays but then unfortunately the ctscan I had in march showed a reoccurence which has metastisised to the liver.      I am fortunate to have an oncologist with a great attitude, which keeps me hopefull. I now have chemo with Gemzar . We can't count on the ca125 for me as it doesn't move much or show relevant results.  So ctscan every 3 months is what shows what is going on. I know I'll be on chemo all my life now but LIFE is the word I concentrate on. Without the trearments where would I be. Bless you all, strive to be as healthy as you can. And be good to yourself.

From Sophie