Comments on: Ovarian cancer: positive thinking http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/19/ovarian-cancer-positive-thinking/ Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:13:33 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Rachel http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/19/ovarian-cancer-positive-thinking/#comment-15951 Rachel Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:08:19 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=237#comment-15951 In honor of September being National Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, this Friday, September 18, 2009 at 12:30 PM, we will be holding our Third Annual Live Webcast on Ovarian Cancer. The webcast will be held at the Omni Parker House Hotel (60 School Street) in Boston in the Press Room. Coalition members, survivors and doctors will be answering your questions. To view the live webcast, visit www.ovariancancerawareness.org and click under the event “Live Webcast” where it states, “click here to watch.” You will then be asked to log in with your name. The live feed will begin at 12:00 PM and the broadcast will start at 12:30 PM. In honor of September being National Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, this Friday, September 18, 2009 at 12:30 PM, we will be holding our Third Annual Live Webcast on Ovarian Cancer. The webcast will be held at the Omni Parker House Hotel (60 School Street) in Boston in the Press Room. Coalition members, survivors and doctors will be answering your questions. To view the live webcast, visit http://www.ovariancancerawareness.org and click under the event “Live Webcast” where it states, “click here to watch.” You will then be asked to log in with your name. The live feed will begin at 12:00 PM and the broadcast will start at 12:30 PM.

]]> By: Patt http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/19/ovarian-cancer-positive-thinking/#comment-5782 Patt Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:06:18 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=237#comment-5782 I was very faithful in seeing my Ob-Gyn every year. I saw him in January 2004 and was given a clean bill of health and in June 2004 after seeing a general practitioner for a bladder infection, (he found a large cyst) I was diagnosed with 3C ovarian cancer. Before I could see a new Ob-Gyn the cyst had ruptured and I had emergency surgery. I was referred to a Gyn-Oncologist and he performed debulking surgery. I then had 8 rounds of Carbo-Taxol (every six weeks). Two years after completing the Carbo-Taxol my CA125 had risen so they started me on Doxil which I receive every 4 weeks. I just had my 27th infusion of Doxil. My CA125 is rising slowly now up to 70.1. I hope to have at least a few more Doxil infusions before I must switch to another drug. I have been more than fortunate as I only had mild side affects to the chemo and never missed a day of work. I do believe a good positive attitude along with strong support and prayers from family and friends is why I have done so well. I pray for all that suffer from this horrific disease and that some day SOON they will find a cure. I was very faithful in seeing my Ob-Gyn every year. I saw him in January 2004 and was given a clean bill of health and in June 2004 after seeing a general practitioner for a bladder infection, (he found a large cyst) I was diagnosed with 3C ovarian cancer. Before I could see a new Ob-Gyn the cyst had ruptured and I had emergency surgery. I was referred to a Gyn-Oncologist and he performed debulking surgery. I then had 8 rounds of Carbo-Taxol (every six weeks). Two years after completing the Carbo-Taxol my CA125 had risen so they started me on Doxil which I receive every 4 weeks. I just had my 27th infusion of Doxil. My CA125 is rising slowly now up to 70.1. I hope to have at least a few more Doxil infusions before I must switch to another drug. I have been more than fortunate as I only had mild side affects to the chemo and never missed a day of work. I do believe a good positive attitude along with strong support and prayers from family and friends is why I have done so well. I pray for all that suffer from this horrific disease and that some day SOON they will find a cure.

]]> By: Cathie http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/19/ovarian-cancer-positive-thinking/#comment-5259 Cathie Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:07:53 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=237#comment-5259 I am so thankful to find this blog. I had surgery Aug, 08, for a large Ovarian tumor. The surgery was extensive, as I believe it usually is. They said the tumor was somehow "contained" although on the outside of the ovary. The pathology was good after the surgery. I am now going for my 3rd month of chemo. I don't know how anyone could work during this regimin. I have been pretty sick the first week of treatment and lost 8lbs by the end of that week for the first 2 months. I feel like I spend the best part of the month trying to regain the weight so I won't lose ground for the next round. I seem to have more memory problems than usual and that is also a concern. There is a history of Cancer in my family so I guess I was not too surprised at the age of 61 when I found that I have Cancer. In spite of that the diagnosis has hit me like a ton of bricks. I had to sell my business and my life consists of the fight to survive. At this stage I am hoping to "get through" the chemo and have some good time in remission. I am not afraid to die but I am very fearful of an extended illness. While in Chemo I have met women who are in their 3rd and 4th round of Chemo. I don't know how anyone does it except that Chemo seems to be the only choice if you are fighting to survive. I am so thankful to find this blog. I had surgery Aug, 08, for a large Ovarian tumor. The surgery was extensive, as I believe it usually is. They said the tumor was somehow "contained" although on the outside of the ovary. The pathology was good after the surgery. I am now going for my 3rd month of chemo. I don't know how anyone could work during this regimin. I have been pretty sick the first week of treatment and lost 8lbs by the end of that week for the first 2 months. I feel like I spend the best part of the month trying to regain the weight so I won't lose ground for the next round. I seem to have more memory problems than usual and that is also a concern. There is a history of Cancer in my family so I guess I was not too surprised at the age of 61 when I found that I have Cancer. In spite of that the diagnosis has hit me like a ton of bricks. I had to sell my business and my life consists of the fight to survive. At this stage I am hoping to "get through" the chemo and have some good time in remission. I am not afraid to die but I am very fearful of an extended illness. While in Chemo I have met women who are in their 3rd and 4th round of Chemo. I don't know how anyone does it except that Chemo seems to be the only choice if you are fighting to survive.

]]> By: Kathleen http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/19/ovarian-cancer-positive-thinking/#comment-4175 Kathleen Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:07:42 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=237#comment-4175 My mom was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer at age 62 after taking Hormones for Hot Flashes years earlier. This was in 2000. The cancer was found outside the ovarian area by the liver but not in it. My mom went through Chemo and was cancer free. Then last year in 2007, the dr's noted a new growth stating it was cancer but just as big of a pencil eraser. In 2008 September they scheduled surgery for her to remove three small tumors and go back through chemotheraphy. Unfortunately on last week she has surgery and found that it is now in her liver. They didn't know that so when they opened her up to get the stomach cancer, the cancer was in the liver and there was no liver specialists. Now we must wait and get a liver MRI and move forward. It's terrible watching your mom suffer. My mom was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer at age 62 after taking Hormones for Hot Flashes years earlier. This was in 2000. The cancer was found outside the ovarian area by the liver but not in it. My mom went through Chemo and was cancer free. Then last year in 2007, the dr's noted a new growth stating it was cancer but just as big of a pencil eraser. In 2008 September they scheduled surgery for her to remove three small tumors and go back through chemotheraphy. Unfortunately on last week she has surgery and found that it is now in her liver. They didn't know that so when they opened her up to get the stomach cancer, the cancer was in the liver and there was no liver specialists. Now we must wait and get a liver MRI and move forward. It's terrible watching your mom suffer.

]]> By: Angie http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/19/ovarian-cancer-positive-thinking/#comment-3681 Angie Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:31:52 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=237#comment-3681 Karen - Good luck with your treatments and in just plain dealing with ovarian cancer. Your words give encouragement to others with this nasty disease. I had to laugh because I was one of those people who thought they had to stay positive all the time or I would have a recurrence. I found it is impossible to stay positive all the time, but a person must certainly try to stay positive as much as possible or we will end up in the looney bin. I was diagnosed in November 2006 with Stage III ovarian cancer and have had three major surgeries, plus chemo, plus radiation since then. Only 1% of women with ovarian cancer have the type I have and it is chemo resistant - so no more chemo for me! This isn't a pleasant thing to live with, but I find I think about it less and less everyday. As with everyone who is stricken with something like this, all of my priorities have changed and what happens to other people is much more important to me than what happens to me. Thanks, again, for your words. We need to all stick together and conquer this thing! Karen – Good luck with your treatments and in just plain dealing with ovarian cancer. Your words give encouragement to others with this nasty disease. I had to laugh because I was one of those people who thought they had to stay positive all the time or I would have a recurrence. I found it is impossible to stay positive all the time, but a person must certainly try to stay positive as much as possible or we will end up in the looney bin. I was diagnosed in November 2006 with Stage III ovarian cancer and have had three major surgeries, plus chemo, plus radiation since then. Only 1% of women with ovarian cancer have the type I have and it is chemo resistant – so no more chemo for me! This isn't a pleasant thing to live with, but I find I think about it less and less everyday. As with everyone who is stricken with something like this, all of my priorities have changed and what happens to other people is much more important to me than what happens to me.

Thanks, again, for your words. We need to all stick together and conquer this thing!

]]> By: Donna C. Mullen http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/19/ovarian-cancer-positive-thinking/#comment-3669 Donna C. Mullen Tue, 30 Sep 2008 21:20:51 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=237#comment-3669 I lost my very beautiful,active, talented Mother to ovarian cancer seven years ago. I think of her every day and will always marvel at her bravery. She never thought of herself except to express disgust that she could not do more. She was diagnosed with stage 1V at 78 and was given two years, but because of her determination and courage she lived almost three. It is a terrible disease and I am so happy that people are talking about it and bringing awareness to it. My Mom suffered for six months before her doctor did anything. He kept sending her home and said she had a virus!!!!! That still haunts me!! My heart goes out to all who are fighting this nasty disease and I pray there will be a better method of detection for OV soon. I get checked every 6 mos. and do what I can to be proactive and I hope all women who read this and have a history are proactive. Right now that is all we have!! I lost my very beautiful,active, talented Mother to ovarian cancer seven years ago. I think of her every day and will always marvel at her bravery. She never thought of herself except to express disgust that she could not do more. She was diagnosed with stage 1V at 78 and was given two years, but because of her determination and courage she lived almost three. It is a terrible disease and I am so happy that people are talking about it and bringing awareness to it. My Mom suffered for six months before her doctor did anything. He kept sending her home and said she had a virus!!!!! That still haunts me!! My heart goes out to all who are fighting this nasty disease and I pray there will be a better method of detection for OV soon. I get checked every 6 mos. and do what I can to be proactive and I hope all women who read this and have a history are proactive. Right now that is all we have!!

]]> By: Madelynn http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/19/ovarian-cancer-positive-thinking/#comment-3657 Madelynn Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:38:02 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=237#comment-3657 Dear Kathy: Thanks for your kind, supportive words and for sharing your mother's story. I'm sure her passing was a terrible loss for all of you. It sounds like you did all you could for her. She had to be the one to decide how much she was willing to endure. That's the same decision we all have to make. I wonder a lot about that, and what it is like to die of this cancer. Can I ask how she was near the end? I'm very sorry to learn that ovarian cancer runs in your family. Two of my sisters have had breast cancer, and one of my sisters died this year of a brain tumor. I'm considering genetic testing, if only to add the results to our family medical history. Dear Kathy:
Thanks for your kind, supportive words and for sharing your mother's story. I'm sure her passing was a terrible loss for all of you. It sounds like you did all you could for her. She had to be the one to decide how much she was willing to endure. That's the same decision we all have to make. I wonder a lot about that, and what it is like to die of this cancer. Can I ask how she was near the end? I'm very sorry to learn that ovarian cancer runs in your family. Two of my sisters have had breast cancer, and one of my sisters died this year of a brain tumor. I'm considering genetic testing, if only to add the results to our family medical history.

]]> By: Madelynn http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/19/ovarian-cancer-positive-thinking/#comment-3655 Madelynn Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:20:26 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=237#comment-3655 Reading all your notes lets me know that I am not alone. I have to say that during my treatment, the overwhelming feeling I had besides the usual ones, was gratitude. The doctors and the nurses spent their lives preparing and helping strangers like me, and they do it with such patience and compassion. One of the after-effects that I had was an incisional hernia from the original surgery. In my support group, I found out that was pretty common. I had the surgery for that this past January, and they opened up the same incision again to fix it.I wish us all good news and the strength to still find some joy in life. Reading all your notes lets me know that I am not alone. I have to say that during my treatment, the overwhelming feeling I had besides the usual ones, was gratitude. The doctors and the nurses spent their lives preparing and helping strangers like me, and they do it with such patience and compassion. One of the after-effects that I had was an incisional hernia from the original surgery. In my support group, I found out that was pretty common. I had the surgery for that this past January, and they opened up the same incision again to fix it.I wish us all good news and the strength to still find some joy in life.

]]> By: Grace http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/19/ovarian-cancer-positive-thinking/#comment-3638 Grace Sun, 28 Sep 2008 17:44:26 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=237#comment-3638 Dear Madalin: I would like to offer a little advice, and just to let you know there are people out here and you are not alone. I am a Registered Nurse and had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2003. (Had chemo, surgery and radiation) and had a lot of other unrelated things wrong with me also at the time. I was 53, and so quit work for good. Whether you take time off from work will depend on these things in my opinion 1. Do you have family and friends who will come by and make up for the camaraderie you might miss that you currently have at work? 2. Some chemo causes an incredible fatigue that is hard to believe, and you might want to sleep a lot--at work you probably could not take naps, so keep that in mind. 3. If you are going to sit at home and worry and find you do not have as much fatigue, then I would go back to work. 4. Do you depend on your work solely for income and insurance? Do they have short and long term disability to care for you during your treatment period? If so, then I would take the time off, rest and good nutrition is very important and struggling with work and chemo treatments, going to the store, fixing snacks, etc. plus dealing with possible fatigue could be tough. You can always go back to work if your disability plan with allow you to come and go. I would talk to my PR person and find out what your disability rules are. These are just some ideas, I wish you the best and may God bless you! Grace Dear Madalin: I would like to offer a little advice, and just to let you know there are people out here and you are not alone. I am a Registered Nurse and had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2003. (Had chemo, surgery and radiation) and had a lot of other unrelated things wrong with me also at the time. I was 53, and so quit work for good. Whether you take time off from work will depend on these things in my opinion
1. Do you have family and friends who will come by and make up for the camaraderie you might miss that you currently have at work?

2. Some chemo causes an incredible fatigue that is hard to believe, and you might want to sleep a lot–at work you probably could not take naps, so keep that in mind.

3. If you are going to sit at home and worry and find you do not have as much fatigue, then I would go back to work.

4. Do you depend on your work solely for income and insurance? Do they have short and long term disability to care for you during your treatment period? If so, then I would take the time off, rest and good nutrition is very important and struggling with work and chemo treatments, going to the store, fixing snacks, etc. plus dealing with possible fatigue could be tough. You can always go back to work if your disability plan with allow you to come and go. I would talk to my PR person and find out what your disability rules are.

These are just some ideas, I wish you the best and may God bless you! Grace

]]> By: Judy http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/19/ovarian-cancer-positive-thinking/#comment-3626 Judy Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:40:40 +0000 http://cnnpagingdrgupta.wordpress.com/?p=237#comment-3626 I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in August 2004 at age 51. After reading all these posts I still just shake my head that ovarian cancer is so often ignored by the press! I went to a support group immediately and it was SUCH a help. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in August 2004 at age 51. After reading all these posts I still just shake my head that ovarian cancer is so often ignored by the press! I went to a support group immediately and it was SUCH a help.

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