CancerCompass message board discussion started by Donna C. on 8/11/2002 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,472,0.htm Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My mom had ovarian cancer and was treated. Now about 8 months later we have found out that it has metastasized into her lungs and there is a growth in her pelvic region and it may be spreading into her lymph nodes. We are sending her to the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Illinois and I would like anyone who knows anything about any of this to offer insight or anything they could share as encouragement. Thank you. Donna C. Sun, 11 Aug 2002 00:00:00 GMT I'm sorry to say that I know little about Cancer Center of America, but I am responding to your message because my mother too has ovarian cancer that has spread (Stage 3C) and presently she is undergoing the traditional chemotherapies - for the 2nd time as she was only off treatment for 4 months when it was clear the cancer was back and gaining ground fast. Please let me know anything you can about Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and if you are female, have you been advised to have your ovaries removed? Julie Julie T. Tue, 13 Aug 2002 00:00:00 GMT My sister's cancer has settled in a lymph node in her spine. What treatment did your Mom have? My sister has no insurance and I am terrified she is not getting the most up to date treatment, but I don't know what to do. Carol R. Tue, 13 Aug 2002 00:00:00 GMT Dear Donna, I am sorry about the struggle regarding you Mother and her health. Here is a little information on my Mother and our situation. I hope that something will help you. My Mother was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in September 2001. She has gone through 9 treatments of chemotherapy and a complete hysterectomy. She has been taking a specially formulated supplement the whole time and standing strong on her faith in God. There are so many options to choose from. The best advice I can give anyone in this situation is to research the options and know the facts. Cancer Treatment Centers Of America is a great source of information, as well as many others. I have received a lot of information from the internet as well as individuals. I believe that the better the attitudes of all involved, the more comfortable the whole process is and the better state of emotions. I also think that it helps to talk with others that are going through similiar things. Julienne S. Sun, 18 Aug 2002 00:00:00 GMT Dear Carol, I read about your sister not having insurance...here is what happened in my Mothers situation and maybe you could do the same thing...a trusted friend of the family sent out a newsletter to all of the family members friends, co-workers, etc. stating the situation of her health and financial situation. She set up a Benefit Account at the bank and people started donating money to the account. Some people gave one time or a few times and others set up a regular withdrawal from their account every month. My Mother was so surprised how many people wanted to help, she was so encouraged by the response. Every month the trustee of the account gives my Mother a list of the people that have donated money. My Mother writes a thank you card and gives them an update on her condition. At any time they can contact the trustee and get an update also. Anyway, maybe this is something that you can do also. It has worked out better than I thought it would when I first heard about it. Julienne S. Sun, 18 Aug 2002 00:00:00 GMT I also have ovarian cancer. I had surgery to remove both ovaries, fallopian tubes and part of omentum. I started taking IP-6 which I order from Paradise Health in Florida. Then I got one treatment of carboplatinum chemo which I had a very bad rection to and have decided not to get any more chemo. I am also taking Green Tea Extract, Grape Seed Extract and Quercetin. My CA-125 cancer blod marker has gone down to 63 and is continuing to drop (normal is 0-35). I am not feeling ill at all, have better than normal energy level and can eat anything. My Dr. was amazed at my apparent recovery and credits it to the supplements, expecially IP-6 and Quercetin. Mary S. Wed, 18 Dec 2002 00:00:00 GMT I too have ovarian cancer that has spread to the lungs. I have been off taxol & carboplatin for 5 months and the nodules are now back in my lungs. I am only 43 years old. They want me to start in on treatments but am thinking of doing the Alivizatos treatment in Mexico instead. I have heart damage, neuropathy and sciatic nerve damage from the chemo so don't want to do the doxin or gemzar which they recommend. If I can find money somewhere, I will go for Mexico. I can't afford it at this point. I am wondering how your mom is doing and what they did for her? Shel A. Mon, 22 Sep 2003 00:00:00 GMT My wife was diagnosed Jan 2004 with stage 3c. Can you tell me what the name of the supplement your Mother took? Penny T. Fri, 14 May 2004 00:00:00 GMT My Mom recently dx stg 4 also. The symptoms which brought her to hosp was ascites tothe abd. She is a young 75 and has been a long term smoker up until just now. She believes in alternative meds and I will provide her with the IP-6 which may help her. The drs are pushing chemo and she may compromise and combine the 2. She is shopping for a wig in prep of the chemo. We have always been poor and she has always put everyone else ahead of her so now we must concentrate on HER. We have a strong family unit and with God's help, maybe a miracle, we can keep her with us for many more years. Any advice, or referrals are appreciated as well as your prayers. We live in Mass. God bless and thank you Momsson Fri, 03 Dec 2004 00:00:00 GMT I have stage 4 ovarian cancer and have had a complete hysterectomy and am on my 4th round of chemo - the cancer has been resistant so far as I have 2 small spots that have not responded to the chemo, the rest is gone so far. I want to find out about the supplements you are talking about or anyone who has info on the alivizatos treatment that a friend told me about. I am also curious about the cancer treatment centers of america and what would be different than what I am doing now. I want to live!! Laurie777ann Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT I read about your story. My Mom was diagnosed with Ovarian CA stage 3c and ever since she's been taking chemotherapy. She only stopped for 4 months, but her CA-125 levels went up, and so she started chemo again. She's been on Carboplatin and Taxol; recently, she was taking only carboplatin. Now, the problem is that even with Carboplatin her CA-125 levels are rising. So, I'm really worried as to what this means. Does this mean she also will not respond to other meds? I wonder how the IP-6 has worked for you... I really need to talk to other people who are also going through the same thing. I feel so lonely, angry, and frustrated. My Mother is becoming more and more withdrawn, it's like I don't know what's going on in her head anymore. I've heard of Gemzar, anybody has any information about it? Please help!! Love, Nay! Nayconfused Fri, 17 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT  On 8/18/2002 Julienne S. wrote:Dear Carol, I read about your sister not having insurance...here is what happened in my Mothers situation and maybe you could do the same thing...a trusted friend of the family sent out a newsletter to all of the family members friends, co-workers, etc. stating the situation of her health and financial situation. She set up a Benefit Account at the bank and people started donating money to the account. Some people gave one time or a few times and others set up a regular withdrawal from their account every month. My Mother was so surprised how many people wanted to help, she was so encouraged by the response. Every month the trustee of the account gives my Mother a list of the people that have donated money. My Mother writes a thank you card and gives them an update on her condition. At any time they can contact the trustee and get an update also. Anyway, maybe this is something that you can do also. It has worked out better than I thought it would when I first heard about it.i also have ovarian cancer. Mine has come back after 3 years and is worse than the first time. It has spread to my lymph nodes and through my body they also told me it was terminal, but couldn't tell me how long i had to live, so i figure that i would be around for a while. I searched for another doctor found one who has put me on another kind of chemo Doxin i have a reation to it with swollen feet and my hands hurt terribly. what i want to know is what is this IP-6. that ive read about? Thank youalsoI Lindy1951 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT HI  sorry to hear about ur mom . my mom is suffering from advanced metastatic breast cancer which has spreaded to liver and bone. She had Gemzar it is a chemo but unfortunately it didnt worked for her. she will start xeloda which worked for her before but she had severe hand and foot syndrome so the doc gave her Gemzar but it didnt work and the tumor bacame bigger. You can talk to ur doctor about gemzar may be it will work for your mom. wish you all  the luck.sonia    Sonia_329 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT