Time for reflection

Chemohubbyau
Chemohubbyau Member Posts: 7
in Ovarian Cancer #1

Its hard to believe that we started this journey only 6 months ago, it seems like years have gone by. My arling wife of 37 years (as of a couple of weeks ago) went to the emergency room with a pain in the tummy and vomiting and was admitted. Over the next 4 days all sorts of scans and tests were done leading the surgeon to believe it was gallstones. He asked a retiring gynocologist to assist with a laperoscopy eamination where some marks were detected on her right ovarey, a section f the bowell and her perritoniel lining plus some discolouration of the omentum. The gall bladder was enlarged and they decided to leave it alone and send Beth for treatment of ovarian cancer. Beth was admitted as an outpatient to the gynocology  oncology unit at a Melbourne hospital a couple of hours away. 2 weeks after the laporoscopy we were in the unit for the first of 6 treatments using carbo/taxol. The first treatment went without any hitches with Beth feeling quite sick after 3 days. During the second treatment Beth had a reaction to the drugs, After a short break in administering the drugs it was restarted and she finished a little later than expected. Unfortunately she suffered some pain similar to the reaction after 4 days and had a panic attack. Some diazapan and all was well. We went for a scan after round 2 and had round 3 after which we talked with the surgeons about a debaulking surgery 4 weeks after round 3. A blood test the week before showed her plate levels were to low so a transfusion was needed before we headed back to Melbourne. Surgery day arrived and we were expecting some major surgery but when the surgeon opened her tummy all the spots they were looking for had dissapeared and the surgeons now believed thet the spots found earlier were secondary to a tumor in the gall bladder. The tumor in the gall bladder had been misread as gallstones but had been shrunk by 2/3 with the treatments. After further discussion with the surgeons and medical oncologists it was decided to keep up with the original treatment plan and monitor for future patient treatment. The next treatment was a week before christmas and unfortunately christmas eve was another 7 hours spent in emergency recieving a potassium infusion. The first treatment of the new year went well and we thought we could get thru without the few sickly days but unfortunately while taking a shower Beth feeling a bit dizzy and sat on a chair and fainted. Another trip to the emergengy room and some fluids given and home for a few days of rest. On wednesday we head down to Melbourne for the last round and in a way we are looking forward to it. Over the time we have seen the ca125's drop from 260 down to tier current level of 4. We really cant thank the staff at our local hospital and those at the unit in Melbourne enough. The unit is a specialist oncology unit that only treats 6 ladies each of the 3 days they operate, it has been a very personal and comfortable enviorment. I hope some one can gain some strength out of our journey. I call it our journey as i cant see how anyone could let a loved one make this journey alone.

Comments

  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #2
    THANK YOU FOR SHARING

    Although I know this has been a tough journey for you both, I am happy to read of the progress in the CA125 numbers.  How wonderful to be such a loving and supportive husband.  And, I agree - no one should have to go through this alone.  Please keep us updated.  Your wife's response to treatments is encouraging and hopeful - you will find the strength to continue on!

    Prayers & (((HUGS))),

    Monika

  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #3
    mopar said:

    THANK YOU FOR SHARING

    Although I know this has been a tough journey for you both, I am happy to read of the progress in the CA125 numbers.  How wonderful to be such a loving and supportive husband.  And, I agree - no one should have to go through this alone.  Please keep us updated.  Your wife's response to treatments is encouraging and hopeful - you will find the strength to continue on!

    Prayers & (((HUGS))),

    Monika

    Hi

    I am so glad that your wife's tumor has shrunken and her CA 125 has dropped dramatically into the normal range.  Through the journey of diagnosis, then surgery and front-line chemo (six sessions of carbo/taxol), I have felt so grateful and lucky to have a caring and supportive husband by my side.  I'm sure there were times when my hubby felt completely helpless, but havng him next to me to hold my hand (physically and figuratively) and to get the emotional support from the person who knows me best was and is a priceless gift.

    Wishing you and your wife the best!  Please keep us posted when you can.

    Kelly

  • Chemohubbyau
    Chemohubbyau Member Posts: 7
    #4
    Further down the line

    Well here we are 4 weeks after the final round of carbo and just back from a scan and visit to the oncologist. The scan showed that none of the secondary marks have returned and the gall bladder cancer has shrunk and not causing and problems. We will go back for another scan in 3 months time. We have been blessed with the results and have many to thank for thier support. This site has been a great scource of knowledge from those who actually have been on this journey and not snake oil sellers pushing false hope. Beth is now being watched as someone who had been incorrectly diagnosed with primarilly ovarian cancer which the oncoligists now believe were secondary to the gall bladder. Her treatment with carbo for ovarian had so much success on all seconday tumors and on the gall bladder as well that it maybe used in other cases as a primary treatment for gall bladder as well as ovarian cancer. Again I thank those who have told thier stories and given us hope that the light at the end of the tunnel isnt a train coming at us.        

  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,360 Member
    #5
    Chemohubbyau said:

    Further down the line

    Well here we are 4 weeks after the final round of carbo and just back from a scan and visit to the oncologist. The scan showed that none of the secondary marks have returned and the gall bladder cancer has shrunk and not causing and problems. We will go back for another scan in 3 months time. We have been blessed with the results and have many to thank for thier support. This site has been a great scource of knowledge from those who actually have been on this journey and not snake oil sellers pushing false hope. Beth is now being watched as someone who had been incorrectly diagnosed with primarilly ovarian cancer which the oncoligists now believe were secondary to the gall bladder. Her treatment with carbo for ovarian had so much success on all seconday tumors and on the gall bladder as well that it maybe used in other cases as a primary treatment for gall bladder as well as ovarian cancer. Again I thank those who have told thier stories and given us hope that the light at the end of the tunnel isnt a train coming at us.        

    So glad to hear how your

    So glad to hear how your journey has gone and continued prayers for your lovely wife. 

  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #6
    NoTimeForCancer said:

    So glad to hear how your

    So glad to hear how your journey has gone and continued prayers for your lovely wife. 

    Wonderful news!

    Thank you for sharing your wife's wonderful news!  Celebrate and enjoy your weekend!

    Kelly

  • Alexandra
    Alexandra Member Posts: 1,308
    #7
    Chemohubbyau said:

    Further down the line

    Well here we are 4 weeks after the final round of carbo and just back from a scan and visit to the oncologist. The scan showed that none of the secondary marks have returned and the gall bladder cancer has shrunk and not causing and problems. We will go back for another scan in 3 months time. We have been blessed with the results and have many to thank for thier support. This site has been a great scource of knowledge from those who actually have been on this journey and not snake oil sellers pushing false hope. Beth is now being watched as someone who had been incorrectly diagnosed with primarilly ovarian cancer which the oncoligists now believe were secondary to the gall bladder. Her treatment with carbo for ovarian had so much success on all seconday tumors and on the gall bladder as well that it maybe used in other cases as a primary treatment for gall bladder as well as ovarian cancer. Again I thank those who have told thier stories and given us hope that the light at the end of the tunnel isnt a train coming at us.        

    I am so happy for Beth!

    Chemohubby - you are an amazing rock of a husband we all wish we had. Best of luck to both of you!

  • Chemohubbyau
    Chemohubbyau Member Posts: 7
    #8
    Alexandra said:

    I am so happy for Beth!

    Chemohubby - you are an amazing rock of a husband we all wish we had. Best of luck to both of you!

    The next scan

    Hi all we have had our 3 month scan after treatent and there are 3 spots showing on the liver. They have told us that some more chemo may be needed. This was a bit of a shock as Beth is looking and feeling great and had returned to work as a personal carer. We were told that there is no urgency to start treatment and will be able to have treatment locally. We are now waiting for the oncologist to contact us. We still have a very positive approach to the treatment helped with the knowledge that it will be less harsh than the carbon tax. The treatment now will be for gall bladder cancer so Paddy will be posting in the gall bladder forum as well as in here. The imformation and support gained from this forum have made a very difficult time a little easier to handle. We will let you know how things go. Paddy & Beth

  • kimberly sue 63
    kimberly sue 63 Member Posts: 421 Member
    #9
    I'm glad your journey is

    I'm glad your journey is progressing positively and the cancer is under full control. Best of luck. Kim

     

  • Alexandra
    Alexandra Member Posts: 1,308
    #10
    Chemohubbyau said:

    The next scan

    Hi all we have had our 3 month scan after treatent and there are 3 spots showing on the liver. They have told us that some more chemo may be needed. This was a bit of a shock as Beth is looking and feeling great and had returned to work as a personal carer. We were told that there is no urgency to start treatment and will be able to have treatment locally. We are now waiting for the oncologist to contact us. We still have a very positive approach to the treatment helped with the knowledge that it will be less harsh than the carbon tax. The treatment now will be for gall bladder cancer so Paddy will be posting in the gall bladder forum as well as in here. The imformation and support gained from this forum have made a very difficult time a little easier to handle. We will let you know how things go. Paddy & Beth

    Dear Beth and Paddy

    I am very sorry about the new spots in the liver. How does the ONC know if they are secondary to gallbladder or ovarian cancer, were they biopsied? I hope that the new chemo regimen takes care of them for good and that Beth feels fine and comfortable in the process. It is just another bump on the road.

    Best wishes and hugs to the cutest couple,

    Alexandra

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