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Saundra's feeling better
Sandy's husband Joe here: She had a good night and some good news this morning, her fourth day at Baylor Medical Center with an 'angry' fast-growing tumor (13 cc's). Her bowels started working again this morning after 48 hours, 600 cc stool at 6 a.m., then more 2 hours later. Doctor said this a very good, maybe can remove…
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Saundra's in the hospital
This is Joe, Saundra's husband. She is now at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas with a bowel obstruction -- an angry tumor about grapefruit size that appeared quickly over the last two months (when she had colostomy surgery. It's inoperable. Doctors here are considering doing a carboplatin/taxlol combination, which she…
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A Decision to be made
Hello ladies, I have a difficult decision to make. My oncologist, who did my surgery, is retiring this month. I have to choose a new doc in the group. The one who has the most experience has a very bad bedside manner, so I'm told.. I experienced him once in the hospital and he was pretty nasty. The other Docs are very…
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My mom was diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer and I am terrified.
Hi my name is Chris and I just turned 18, on May 4th my mom wasn't feeling well and went to the hospital only to find out she has stage IV ovarian cancer. I am absolutely terrified and devastated. She is the strongest and greatest woman I know. Thankfully it hasn't spread to any of her "vital" organs. She had a full…
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Bone biopsy results
The biopsy came back that I have myelodysplasia, so we were told no more chemo. Lots of questions asked, but not all the ones I should have asked. Guess we'll have a lot of questions for the appointment with my gyn/onc next week. Randy asked about a bonemarrow transplant and we were told, because I have ovarian cancer, I…
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When to expect hair loss?
I am getting weekly treatments (once a week,every week for 8 wks). Tomorrow will be my 4th treatment and I still have my hair, but the Dr. told me I would definitely lose it all (because of the Etoposide I'm getting). I thought they told me it would start to go around 2 weeks after my 1st treatment. I think I'm starting to…
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Abagovomab as maintenance drug for OVC (new research)
Interim Analysis Supports Abagovomab in Ovarian Cancer Elsevier Global Medical News. 2010 Jun 7, R Hyer CHICAGO —Only 19 serious adverse events potentially related to treatment have been reported from the MIMOSA trial of abagovomab maintenance therapy in 888 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, after a mean exposure to…
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low carb clinical trial
There is a clinical trial in the Bronx that is low carb diet with supplemental shake for people with metastatic cancer: RECHARGE Low Carbohydrate Diet Study for Metastatic Cancer Patient Abstract The two major goals of the RECHARGE Study are to determine: -Whether a very low carbohydrate diet can help participants reduce…
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Local support group......last night's meeting
I joined a lovely bunch of ladies last night for a BD celebration/support group meeting/homecooked Vietnamese dinner. It was great fun and great food. This particular meeting combined patients with all types of gyn cancers - mostly ovarian and cervical. I was delighted to meet a woman who was diagnosed stage III c (ovca)…
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Blood is finally coming up
my white count is finally coming up on it's own, it went from 0.9 to 1.3 in one week. I am on my way to recovery now. Praise God
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oncology conference summary
ovariancancer.org layed out a summary of information given at the recent oncology conference in regard to ovarian cancer. Some interesting information about new drugs, clinical trial results and other information. Check it out at ovariancancer.org
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Sugar and cancer
been reading on the net that sugar is not good if you have had cancer, does anyone know if this is true or not, also is there anythng else beside fresh fruits and fresh veggies that you can not eat
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Update on Mom
Hi everyone. Just wanted to update everyone on Mom's condition. After 4 long months in the hospital, she was released into a nursing care/rehabilitation facility to start trying to get back to a normal life. She was only there for about a month when she started getting pains back in her lung area. We had her go back to the…
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My IP chemo went well!
Had my first IP (cisplatin) wed. It was easier than I thought it would be. Mostly bloated and bored. My dr. Does an inpatient overnight for the cisplatin because of the need for hydration. The nurses pushed 3L saline-- IV then I was to drink an additional liter of water that night. There were no worries about the port, but…
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I really need your help!
My name is Melanie and I just found this board today. I've been looking for something like this for almost 3 years, never thought to look here! That's chemo brain for you! I am stage IV teal warrior. As I have read through your stories I see a piece of me in each of you and I feel like I've known you all forever. I just…
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Linda Dorion
I got a message from Dorion (Linda) via Face Book. She was in the hospital all last week, having fluid (2 1/2 liters) drained off her abdomen. She is suffering from extreme fatigue. Linda....if you see this, we are all praying our hearts out for you and Meghan. Carlene
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New research: AVASTIN added to chemo increases progression-free survival in OVC
This just came out yesterday: Bevacizumab (AVASTIN) Added to Chemotherapy Increases PFS in Ovarian, Related Cancers Elsevier Global Medical News. 2010 Jun 7, N Osterweil CHICAGO (EGMN) - Progression-free survival in women with advanced ovarian or related female reproductive tract cancers was increased by nearly 4 months…
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third Alimpta down, count coming down
Here is an update on how things are going with me. It's been awhile since writing but that's sort of good as nicer weather helps me get out and do some more in yard. I've had my third treatment on Alimpta. So far it's been bringing down the count, slowly. Started at 525, last one came in at 427. So far sides not too bad,…
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cruise/vacation
I booked a cruise for June 27th. I am a bit fearful I may get 'sick' or have a bowel event on this trip. If I were on land and in the US I'd feel a bit at ease. I know a few of the ladies have recently been cruising and on vacation. How did you handle your fear of getting sick? What did your doctor say? Where were you in…
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Mom is Terrified - This is a hard trip
Hi All, By the time you read this, my sister, mother and I will probably be driving into NYC to meet with my mother's gyn/onc for the results of her PET scan. She is terrified....She is convinced that the "suspicious spots" are recurrance... She doesn't want to be in a trial...doesn't want any more chemo as it was so awful…
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I have had a lovely day today
Thought I'd drop by and tell you all about my lovely day. I had money as gifts for my 50th birthday in March and I have been waiting and waiting to get the all clear from my oncologist before I could spend it. My plan was to have a pamper day at a "Day Spa" but I couldn't go whilst I was on chemo. So, I am now 9 weeks post…
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Doxil out
Hi Everyone, Spent a night in the hospital with severe pain after trying to eat lunch. The cancer has spread to an area on my left side and if I eat or drink too fast it causes the cancer cells to press on the abdomenor vice versa. I was told by the ER Dr that I could stay in the hospital where they could make me…
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Chemo #5 and CA125 Results
Chemo #5 today, uneventful BUT, I had my CA125 drawn! Before Surgery, almost 10,000 After Surgery, 7500 After 2 chemos, 86 After 4 chemos, drum roll please.........16!!!!!!!!! If I weren't currently fighting the Benedryl coma drip, I'd do a happy dance! HUGS! Leesa
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The 2010 ASCO Conference and Avastin clinical trial results
Yesterday, Genentech announced results from a Phase III study of Avastin (bevacizumab) that showed women with previously untreated advanced ovarian cancer who received Avastin in combination with chemotherapy, followed by the continuation of Avastin alone, had a 39 percent improvement in the likelihood of living longer…
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Chris McG?
Anyone hear from Chris lately as to how things are going the last few days? If you are around Chris- I am thinking of you and your mom..... HUGS- and prayers... Michele
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Finally beginning to understand the Avastin/No Avastin Issue
I belong to two local support groups, and of course many of the same people are in both. One member, whom I have never met, recently posted that she was going to Illinois (we live in Texas) so she could get Avastin. That made no sense to me, so today I asked some of the other ladies and this is what I found out: Medicare…
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National Cancer Survivor Day
Hello Everyone, today I went to National Cancer Survivor Day at Mercy Hospital in Baltimore. There were many inspiring stories from ovarian cancer survivor's. All stages. There were tons of survivor's. There were stage 2,3, and 4's. They have been okay for years. I was so inspired and moved. Mercy Hospital is a Catholic…
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extreme numbmess in feet by Gemzar/campto
Hello ladies My Mom had extreme numbness in her feet tonight.The side effects of this regimen looks like more than what we expect as her oncologist reassured us that the side effects would be less than Carbo/taxol. She looked so frustrated and discouraged tonight and I am really sad.Is there anything to help this extrem…
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high pulse with first chemo
My mother had her first chemo treatment on Tuesday. She has a power port which is completely under the skin, which is great. She had the combo of carbo/taxo...that may not be completely spelled right,but I am sure you all know what I mean. Anyway, she has been having very high pulse rates since her treatment around 108 to…
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port bleeding
As I already posted, my mom had her port inserted today. Bleeding is an issue with her because of her medications. It has blead through a thick bandage in about 5 hours. The nurse said to call the doctor if she had "excessive bleeding" - well, whats excessive? I have changed the bandage, and if it continues to bleed over…