confused about makeup

misspokey
misspokey Member Posts: 25
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi. Let me start with my story, trying to be brief. I'm 47 and was diagnosed in Oct. with OvCa stage III C. I went to urgent care with somewhat bad pains in left side, thinking possibly appendicitis. I've never been in the hospital and never even had a blood test. Had been thinking that should start going to have me blood pressure tested, cholesterhol, etc but too busy with parents and other family going to drs. Then I got the big news. Yes, there was question about my appendix but worse news, tat looked like had ovarian cancer. Was hospitalized a couple days for observation, then worked out that a oncology gyn, one of two from Sacremento to Portland, Oregon (she's here in Eugene), had an opening for the coming Tues. So not so much time to think or worry about it, which was great. She was shocked when te report came back it was cancerous, she just knew wasn't. So I was totally de-bulked, including having my appendix removed. Then about a couple weeks later started my chemo treatment-one week of Taxol IV with Cisplastin IP, next week Taxol IP, then a week of rest, then continue for total 6 week cycle. My counts went from 600 some down to 11 as of in Apr. Just had another one but won't hear it until Mon. My drs are pretty confident with how I am doing but there is always the percentage they give you, which I am planning on being in the smaller percentage of not recurring. I have heard of a few that have gone several years not recurring.
I finished my treatments Mar. 12 and glad of it. Feeling so much better that food tastes so much better and gaining more energy although still tire out at times. Sometimes I forget why I should tire out and get frustrated that can't do all I used to, or when things don't go quite right, mostly from being over tired.
It is a real challenge and confusion reading up on all the info on the net. My mom thinks I read too much but I feel it is more helpful to know some info, know what's going on, what to expect or maybe to expect. My oncologist doesn't really say all that much, just that I am on track and doing well, and things to be expected. My counts are climbing as my hemoglobin was down to about 10 some and is slowly climbing up so not quite so anemic. For the most part I don't feel that bad, like I thought I would, just have some minor odd feelings, in fingers, hands, muscles in arms when lift up, feet. Thinking maybe my muscles are waking up from less activity. Also seems my fingers are plumping up (my face for most of treatment) after the chemo stopped, some of my rings hardly fit now. My dr said being some anemic can shift fluids around.
Anyway I have stopped using plastic bottles and reheating in plastic in micro. But then finding lots of info on web about bad stuff in makeup, such as parabens. So I got rid of anything with parabens and replacedwith others. Then read that so many other bad stuff out there, it's hard to find makeups or sunscreens that don't have something that they say might or could cause cancer. So what is one to do? Skip all the makeup and sunscreen entirely, or use what seems to be the least bad and not worry too much about it?
Another thing we've been dealing with (my sister has been my and our parents caregiver during all this and she's the 'chief cook') is trying to cut way back on white flour, and sugar. So we bought a bread maker and she makes some bread using different flours. But some foods you just can't do without white flour. And even though it's not good for you, it is hard to never eat out again or not any one else's foods that might not be good for you. I feel I need to enjoy life too and trying to do mostly the best I can at home. Then there is sugars, trying to stay as much as can away from refined. Using stevia and agave syrup when can. Has been quite a chore for my sis but has come up with some good things-and some not so good, trial and errors. Also trying sucanat for the brown sugar. At times I get all into it and reading or at least printing to read later, info on all this and concerned about what to do or not do, then other times more relaxed and just do the best I can and still enjoy life.
I have a great support team, my oncologist/gyn, my oncologist, my parents and sister as well as my family at our Kingdom Hall. With all the love and support from them as well as going to our meetings and in the ministry, I have not really had much time to think about my problems. Plus I have a wonderful hope of a reserrection if worse comes to worse.
It just seems like one big dream, happening so fast, but then that is good as now looking back seems to have been so fast in getting through those 18 weeks of treatments. My chemo nurses were so good and that really helped in those troublesome weeks. Now that spring is here, or rather supposed to be here, that helps. My hair is growing back in about an inch long. I packed up all my 'chemo clothes', including my scarves and some of my hats. I still wear my wig when going 'out' but feeling good about my hair coming in as well as lashes and brows. I too have some of that hair on the face.
I guess I've gone enough but wanted to give my story, good or bad.

Comments

  • rasunshine
    rasunshine Member Posts: 28 Member
    make-up
    You can find organic make-up, body lotions and soaps in health food stores, some Walmarts and online at www.eco.com, or some other online sites. They are very nice and actually better for you. If I were you I would have an Immune Reactor test done and that will tell you specifically what food items and chemicals to stay from. It will be your personal blue print of your immune cells. People give up or stop eating certain foods and they are the wrong ones. You will know the right ones only by doing the test. A Naturalpath or Chiropractor should be able to help you with that. Also pick up some PH testing paper and test the FIRST urine in the AM. You need to keep your body in an alkaline state. And that can be hard to do. The more alkaline the more oxygen to your cells. Cancer cannot live in an oxgenated state. You can get a list and an alkaline diet online. Organic is the best, but if your area is not a good supplier, then fresh, not canned.
    Take care, stay well, and remember to let the sun shine in.

    Let go and Let God,
    RASUNSHINE
  • misspokey
    misspokey Member Posts: 25
    tumor marker up
    Now maybe a little set back. Last tumor marker went up from 11 to 20. Not quite the news I wanted to hear. I had gone down steadily since surgery and all through chemo, slowed down, now doubled up. Still in the 'ok' zone but they decided to do another test in a month rather than the two month appt. I had. We'll see. Hopefully it can go up and down a little, just not over. Guess I'll take what comes though, and trying not to worry or dwell on it.
  • MichaelaMarie
    MichaelaMarie Member Posts: 163
    misspokey said:

    tumor marker up
    Now maybe a little set back. Last tumor marker went up from 11 to 20. Not quite the news I wanted to hear. I had gone down steadily since surgery and all through chemo, slowed down, now doubled up. Still in the 'ok' zone but they decided to do another test in a month rather than the two month appt. I had. We'll see. Hopefully it can go up and down a little, just not over. Guess I'll take what comes though, and trying not to worry or dwell on it.

    CA-125 Marker
    Hello misspokey,

    Don't be too worried about your number, as there are many other reasons that can cause the number to go up like having a cold, some infection, etc. I know it is not easy to not worry, but like you said, you are still in the 'normal' zone. What was your number prior to surgery?

    There is a lot of information on the marker number on the internet, just google it.

    MM
  • Cindy54
    Cindy54 Member Posts: 452

    CA-125 Marker
    Hello misspokey,

    Don't be too worried about your number, as there are many other reasons that can cause the number to go up like having a cold, some infection, etc. I know it is not easy to not worry, but like you said, you are still in the 'normal' zone. What was your number prior to surgery?

    There is a lot of information on the marker number on the internet, just google it.

    MM

    Miss Pokey
    From the general sound of your post. it seems like all is progressing pretty well for you. I hope that you continue to heal as the days go by.

    One of the things that a lot of people who have had cancer and become a survivor try to do is take better care of themselves. After the initial shock, a lot of folks are more aware of just what we put into our bodies and how we treat them. This is a good thing. But a lot of folks tend to go overboard a little in spending lots of time looking for all the things that could potentially lead to this illness or that. Sometimes too much information is not a good thing. Every day we hear on the news of another thing that could be harmful to our health. If we avoided everything they said was bad for us, what would be left? There are a lot of things on this earth that will harm us, heck, even the air that we breathe is not always good for us. The health food stores are full of natural soaps, make up, etc, that can help if you are really worried about things. But I have known people who took all the precautions in the world and ended up with heart disease, cancer, strokes. There are people who never smoked and got lung cancer. I had a friend who believed that deodorants had metal in them and this led to breast cancer so she would never use it. She had a heart attack at the age of 32.

    We can take all the precautions we want, but this life is what it is. We can spend our time trying to protect ourselves or we can just live. I don't mean we have to take chances with our health and if there are little things we can do to help ourselves, this is only common sense. But to go out of my way to avoid things that could potentially harm me? Well, I personally don't want to waste what time I have left on that. I am not saying it is time wasting, please don't get me wrong. I just don't want my time to be so consumed by worrying about what could potentially harm me that I have no time left to enjoy this life I have. I do things in moderation. I do watch for additives in my foods, I like to cook and just enjoy my foods the way God intended them...free from all the preseratives. But beyond this, I just try to enjoy things.

    You will find what works best for you. And I really wish you well in your recovery. Cindy
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    I'm with Cindy!
    I was soooooo happy when my eyelashes began to come back after chemo a few weeks ago, and thrilled to start layering on the Maybelline to make my new baby eyelash stubs look longer and blacker. I eat organically as much as I can, because I have always been an organic gardener, but I am not going to obsess about every little thing and ruin the small joys of every day life like Rita's Frozen Custard, and Great Lash Mascara! And I can hardly wait until my new hair is a full inch long and I can get my chemo curls colored. I just can't live life afraid when each day is now so incredible precious.
  • misspokey
    misspokey Member Posts: 25
    thanks for all the imput
    Hi. Thanks for all the imput. That really helps. I went to my primary dr to check blood presure and she also reassured that my number can fluctuate, and that even if taken twice in one day probably not the same. Would have just been a little less semi-down if the chemo nurse would have stated that and not just the part of moving the next test up a month. But spose they get so busy and don't realize what it sounds like on the other end, thinking we realize that already. So I am back to my self again trying to do the best I can and not thinking or searching all the info about it, enjoying my somewhat called 'spring' weather. Is nice to be able to come and see what other ones like me have to say on the subject as the drs just know what is in the books but most times never have to deal with the situations. Thanks again. Wanda