On 9/30/2007
julesfriend wrote:
Hi to everyone,
I'm a concerned friend hoping to find someone who can please give me some information and hopefully some answers about this disease. My story is, my dearest friend has been recently diagnosed with PPC, she's 38 has 2 beautiful daughters 7 & 9 and a wonderful hubby (her sole mate)! They, as a family do everything together and are the most wonderful people you would wish to meet.
It was August this year whilst away on their holidy that my friend had a terrible swollen abdomen with severe pain. This got worse and buy the time they returned home she went to the doctors, who told her it was chronic constipation. She'd been suffering this for a long time , but put it down to her IBS. The medication did not work and she ended up being rushed into hospital. She had scans, bloods, x-rays etc and was told the 3 most frightening words we all dread to hear. YOU HAVE CANCER! Just weeks ago, my friend was the most healthiest person I know on this planet, she does'nt smoke, drink and lives a very healthy lifestyle, (she puts us all to shame!!) and this happens. I just don't get it, how can someone so healthy get this. She has also been told she has 4 tumours on her liver, but her liver functions are good, thankgoodness. From reading some of your messages, quite a lot of you have had surgery, but my friend has only been offered Chemo, does anyone know why this is. Her CA 125 is high, and her abdomen is swelling up with more fluid. She is back in hospital and they have started draining the fluid 5 ltrs so far and have left the drain in. My friend is in so much pain, they have now put her on a morphine pump to make her feel more comfortable. She is on Taxol and Carbolplatin, I hear this is a very tough treatment, but I know my friend will battle through it, she's one tough cookie! I would love to hear from anyone who has gone through this treatment and give us some insight into what will happen next.
God Bless You all and keep well
Bev x
hello Bev:
I was diagnosed with the same type of cancer in Dec. 2004. I had surgery and was in a lot of pain for over a month. (3 weeks in the hospital) Once I started chemo with taxol and carboplatin I did very well, and within 7 treatments, it cleared. Regretfully the cancer came within 6 months and it metastased in my liver. I started a new chemo treatment. This time it was Dioxil. I did very well, some 8 treatments, and again cleared. But once more, the cancer came back within 6 months, now with 2 lesions in my liver. I started a new treatment with Topotekan. I am in the middle of my 4th month treatment. The Cat-scan showed improvement in my liver and I am hoping that it will eventually clear once more.
In my opinion, this is deadly but I am buying time, hoping that they will find a new drug that will be the "miracle drug. I am 54 years old and I live my life to the fullest. Every day counts and I don't worry about dying. I have already lost my grandma, (35 ys old) my mom (40) my sister (45) Grandma and Mom had breast cancer. My sister had ovarian and I had already both. So we have to hope for the best.
If you want to write to me directly, my email address is eberalicia@gmail.com
the best to all of you, caretakers, friends and those who like me are rowing against the current.
Alicia