On 7/13/2007
Tishthedish wrote:
On 7/13/2007 Bear man wrote:
My wife was diagnosed with primary peritoneal cancer on June 1. She has had the debulking surgury where they removed 98% of the tumor and has started her first chemo series. Before she had the chemo she was retaining a lot of fluid. Three litres from her abdomen and twice have had 21/2 litre removed from around her lungs. She has a stage 4 cancer.Since her first chemo the fluid has stoped accumulating. Our Dr. has told us this type of cancer responds well to chemo but seems to always come back. I am interested in any information others might share with us. She seems improved after the first chemo but she is still weak and very tired. Will this get better with more treatments ? We appreciate any feedback we might recieve. Bearman
Hi Bearman, I am so sorry you are having to ask for this kind of information. My Prayers and Best Wishes and Huge HUGS are being sent to your wife, you and family. I do understand what you all are going through right now!
In April, '06 after exploratory surgery for possible inflammation, I was diagnosed with Stage 3c Primary Peritoneal Cancer. I had extensive debulking and a hysterectomy of everything except the cervix. I did not have any fluid buildup. I went through 6 cycles of chemotherapy, a combo of Carboplaten and Taxol. It was not as bad as I had heard it could be, thanks to the great anti-nausea drugs. One of the worst things was the drug reaction I experienced around the 4th treatment, of burning pain at the infusion sites on both arms. I wish I had been given the option to have a port put in before I started the treatments. I did develop low white and red blood cells due to the chemo and I had to give myself injections for a few days after each treatment which did help. But, believe me, it was one of the hardest things to do, to use a needle on myself! I also have some minor neuropathy in both feet and in right hand. It was hard to loose all hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes! I had a couple of great wigs and many great scarves. However, it was very nice not having to shave legs or underarms! hee
Your wife will most likely experience fatigue and need to rest a lot. I found I felt good the day or two after tx, but the third day I started to feel very tired and sometimes sick to my stomach. The nurses always had good suggestions to make my feel better. I would also experience some bone, muscle pain, especially when I started doing the injections. The doctors and nurses are very good about pain management, so make sure your wife lets them know when and if she has any. One thing to know, pain medication causes constipation big time! Tell her to drink water, water and more water. Stool softeners are good to take and I found drinking prune juice every other day helped me. First and foremost, always check with the doctors and nurses. They are there for her and you.
Yes, this cancer can and probably will come back. I am in "Remission" right now. However, my CA-125 is "creeping" up. If it doubles the "normal" number, we will look into my joining a phase 3 clinical trial of Thalidomide versus Tamoxafin. I see my gyno/oncologist every 2 months. It is very hard waiting for the results of all the exams and blood tests. I feel like I have a bomb inside and I don't know if and when it will explode! I am trying to use my mind to take control of my body and I am always telling my immune system to seek and destroy all cancer cells! I visualize my "defender" cells shooting ray guns that vaporize "enemy" cells!
I can't describe the feelings of intense fear, disbelief and anger and the question, what did I do to cause this! I felt when I was given the diagnosis of the big C! I always worried about Alzheimers (sp). I never gave a thought to cancer. No female family member that I know of, had been diagnosed with any kind of cancer. I am the kind of person who needs to know all. However, I have found my "researching" to be a "double-edged" sword! I have read some horrifying and mind numbing facts and statistics regarding this disease. I do know that I am not a statistic and I will be "the exception to the rule"! I have found that I have deep reserves of strength and courage I didn't know was there. I am very thankful that todays science and technology is helping the scientists and doctors to find new treatments that will hopefully cure or keep us in "Remission" for many years to come. I am aiming at 25+ years myself!
Wow! I am sorry! I didn't mean to do such a book! I do hope that something I have said is of some help to you all. Please let me know how she is doing and I hope both she and I will find many more people to talk to about this relativley rare cancer.
sincerely, Tish