CancerCompass message board discussion started by julesfriend on 9/30/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,16648,0.htm Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ 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                                                                                      julesfriend Sun, 30 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT  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                                                                                      Hi Bev -I  have stage IV Ovarian Cancer that was diagnosed in 4/2004. I did have surgery first (a complete hysterectomy & debulking). Then I went on Taxol & Carboplatin. It was a tough treatment but got thru OK. You do lose all of your hair, and the taxol causes a nueropathy in your feet. There is some pain in your legs too and of course generally feeling  lousy. Never really had problems with nausea as the docs included anti-nausea drugs and steroids with the treatment. As far as your friend not having surgery first - it could be that the doctors want to try and shrink everything before operating. They did that with a friend of mine. Tell  your friend to ask the doctors about taking glutamine starting the day she has treatment and then for the 3 days following. It really helped with the leg pains. I know it is hard to see your  dear friend go thru this. She is very lucky to have such a good friend in you. I get thru my treatments because I have the support of my wonderful family and friends. Make sure she keeps her spirits up and a good attitude. I believe that attitude is a very large part of the fight. My prayers are with her. Please feel free to write me (try a private message) if you have any questions or just need to talk.Diane   Diane t. Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hi Diane, my friend became very unwell on Tuesday night and deteriated very rapidly, she had gone into renal failure, had a DVT in her leg and was showing signs of a bowel blockage. We did'nt think she'd make the night. BUT, 3 days later, she's up in a chair, had a bath and looks like a different person now. I think him upstairs was watching over her, The doctors are really pleased with her progress. Yesterday we were told the blockage was due to a tumour, which is on her peritoneam. It was pressing onto the bowel and blocking it off. They thought surgery was an option, but decided not too and give the Chemo time to take effect to shrink the tumour. This has happend and she has now turned a corner. It's amazing what our bodies can be put through and also, it just shows you to never give up. We are taking it day by day, but she has proved to us she's not a quitter. Every new day, the Chemo will start to do it's job. She just needs to get her strengh back. Her 2nd Chemo will be in 10 days time. All her family and friends are so proud of her.I hope this gives hope to you guys, God bless you all and keep wellLove Bev x julesfriend Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT Sadly, Julie passed away tonight, we thought she had turned a corner and was getting stronger each day, but she took a turn for the worse today and slipped away from us. RIP my darling friend. julesfriend Sun, 07 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT your friend should see a gynocological oncologist 1st off if she is not already she need to be in abig teaching institution or cancer center to get the latest treatments  they may be giving chemo 1st to shrink the tumors so that the surgery will be easier  the liver tumors are probably liver mets not a secondary tumor  i wish your friend the best i will keep her in my prayers Donnamarie Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT  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.comthe best to all of you, caretakers, friends and those who like me are rowing against the current.Alicia  Chalita Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hi AlishaIt's good to hear from someone who has so far overcome this dreadfull disease. I can understand what you must be going through, but your determination and positive thinking have made you a very strong person. I only hope that someday, there is more information widely available about this cancer. We had never heard of it, before my friend got sick. I hope the treatment you are currently having is giving you the benefit of living each day to the full. I strongly advise you to do this.My beautiful friend fought so bravely, but it was too advanced and she slipped away from us, it was her birthday last week. We've named a star after her in her honor. She was an amazing person. As to why you and my friend have got this disease, the question is WHY! what have I done to get this, no one has an answer for us. I was very touched when you sent me your reply. Since using this site, i've been in contact with others like yourself and I wish Juie was here to share her experience with you. Let me know how you are getting on and i'd love to hear from you soon, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,Love Bev x  julesfriend Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT