New reccurance thoughts

lizper

Hi lady's, I keep on thinking about my Mom's recurrence, I was wondering those who have had recurrences....has cancer spread more or in the same places than in the beggining? How hard was it to get into a remission?? I've been thinking of this a lot lately. I`d like to her some stories. Thanks to all and many prayers to you all.Liz

floridajo

Lizper,
I don't know if my cancer had spread when I went back on chemo, but I have had 2 recurrences already, and seem to do well for a while, and during the chemo itself. The Doxil gave me 13 months of remission and the Gemzar...well I'm not sure there as I got too sick while on it. Sorry I couldn't give you a more uplifting story, but thats part of this disease, we're all so different yet we're the same...Glad to hear your Mom is well..(((hugz)))...Joanne

paula2

You know, Liz, the variables are so many that it makes predictions for remission time and success in treatment, very impossible. I mean, every one of us has a different story with the same drugs and similar diagnosis, ie stage 111c recurrences responding to a drug like doxil or gemzar in a completely different manner. I just found out I can't depend on Gemzar as my numbers started climbing again. Others have gotten really sick from it and others have had some remission or at least maintenance time. This drug really wrecks the blood count levels, so it's amazing that we can get enough in us. All of these drugs are considered as (badly put, sorry), salvage therapy. They are intended to keep us alive until the next available combination or trial is accepted for human use. We are so optimistic to be able to have these few things available to extend our lives, but quality of life becomes an issue. I have lost a friend to ovca, who fought hard for years and when the drugs stopped working, she accepted it and let go with some time for peaceful good byes. I finally understand a little more about pain meds, through her, as quality of life really becomes an issue if you are in chronic pain.

Surrounding your Mom with love and attention, as you do, she is getting the best medicine of all. The recurrences may show up anywhere....mine are consistently in the liver, lower abdomen and pelvic area. Some people can have surgery, others not. Will to survive, age of the body, God's will, who knows how long we have and why? We just keep the faith that we are doing everything we can to live in peace and love on this earth.
Blessings to you and your Mom and your family.
I hope she is enjoying the baby.
Paula2

lizper

paula2 said:

You know, Liz, the variables are so many that it makes predictions for remission time and success in treatment, very impossible. I mean, every one of us has a different story with the same drugs and similar diagnosis, ie stage 111c recurrences responding to a drug like doxil or gemzar in a completely different manner. I just found out I can't depend on Gemzar as my numbers started climbing again. Others have gotten really sick from it and others have had some remission or at least maintenance time. This drug really wrecks the blood count levels, so it's amazing that we can get enough in us. All of these drugs are considered as (badly put, sorry), salvage therapy. They are intended to keep us alive until the next available combination or trial is accepted for human use. We are so optimistic to be able to have these few things available to extend our lives, but quality of life becomes an issue. I have lost a friend to ovca, who fought hard for years and when the drugs stopped working, she accepted it and let go with some time for peaceful good byes. I finally understand a little more about pain meds, through her, as quality of life really becomes an issue if you are in chronic pain.

Surrounding your Mom with love and attention, as you do, she is getting the best medicine of all. The recurrences may show up anywhere....mine are consistently in the liver, lower abdomen and pelvic area. Some people can have surgery, others not. Will to survive, age of the body, God's will, who knows how long we have and why? We just keep the faith that we are doing everything we can to live in peace and love on this earth.
Blessings to you and your Mom and your family.
I hope she is enjoying the baby.
Paula2

I know what you mean, my Mom's blood counts get so low with this combo that chemo has to wait. She gets so so tierd too, but still manages to have all the strength and energy in the word to play with her grandson and even babysits for me on weekends when I go out with my husband it's really incredible she is such a strong woman!!!
If I may ask was the friend you lost to ovca a stage III??? How old was she??? But what I really would like to hear is how long did she live with this disease???? At first I had faith and was expecting her to be one of the few to not have any recurrences and be happy ever after, now that she is facing one I just can`t believe we are going thrpough this and I sometimes ideal that she is going to outlive this and be o.k. and other times I realize that this is it. I don't know if I`m expressing myself clearly...I always thought my Mom would live at least to be 85. When I hear people who have lived a little longer I grab onto that, and no longer wish that she gets cured (as I know that is impossible) but beg God that she lives o.k. for many years.
Blessings to you too. And yes, she is enjoying my baby so so much.
LIZ

paula2

lizper said:

I know what you mean, my Mom's blood counts get so low with this combo that chemo has to wait. She gets so so tierd too, but still manages to have all the strength and energy in the word to play with her grandson and even babysits for me on weekends when I go out with my husband it's really incredible she is such a strong woman!!!
If I may ask was the friend you lost to ovca a stage III??? How old was she??? But what I really would like to hear is how long did she live with this disease???? At first I had faith and was expecting her to be one of the few to not have any recurrences and be happy ever after, now that she is facing one I just can`t believe we are going thrpough this and I sometimes ideal that she is going to outlive this and be o.k. and other times I realize that this is it. I don't know if I`m expressing myself clearly...I always thought my Mom would live at least to be 85. When I hear people who have lived a little longer I grab onto that, and no longer wish that she gets cured (as I know that is impossible) but beg God that she lives o.k. for many years.
Blessings to you too. And yes, she is enjoying my baby so so much.
LIZ

Liz, Again, there are so many different stories out there about people surviving cancer and even recurrences, for years and years and others who let go early on. How can we possibly know. I just celebrated 6 years and have had 4 or 5 recurrences. I'm 61 and healthy otherwise. My friend was closer to a stage 4 and in her 40's. She had such a strong will to live and surprised the doctor's by surviving happily for 4 years. Her bladder was involved and she wore a bag and still played tennis in her last year. I cannot compare myself or anyone to her situation, but I do know that when the chemo quits working, I will have to accept that and learn what I can to be peaceful about death. Your Mom is living today, and it sounds like she's doing a fantastic job of it. As are you, and bless you for wanting more time with her on this earth. I imagine she has a beautiful connection with your baby. Can you take some movies? Lot's of photos, anyway, of them together and make her a present of an especially good one.
I love every minute that my grandbaby is in my life and appreciate so much, the photos that greet me from everywhere in the house. Mine lives in Florida and is just a year old. The light of my life...he came to Calif for his 1st birthday and I felt so honored. My son has always been my joy and now I have all this extra love from his little family. So much to be thankful for.

Do your best to live in the moment, as your Mama is doing. Get the most from the time you have together. None of us know how long that can be, but we do know how to love the moments of joy and even the ordinary every day communications. Good luck to you Liz. Try not to worry.
Paula2

lizper

paula2 said:

Liz, Again, there are so many different stories out there about people surviving cancer and even recurrences, for years and years and others who let go early on. How can we possibly know. I just celebrated 6 years and have had 4 or 5 recurrences. I'm 61 and healthy otherwise. My friend was closer to a stage 4 and in her 40's. She had such a strong will to live and surprised the doctor's by surviving happily for 4 years. Her bladder was involved and she wore a bag and still played tennis in her last year. I cannot compare myself or anyone to her situation, but I do know that when the chemo quits working, I will have to accept that and learn what I can to be peaceful about death. Your Mom is living today, and it sounds like she's doing a fantastic job of it. As are you, and bless you for wanting more time with her on this earth. I imagine she has a beautiful connection with your baby. Can you take some movies? Lot's of photos, anyway, of them together and make her a present of an especially good one.
I love every minute that my grandbaby is in my life and appreciate so much, the photos that greet me from everywhere in the house. Mine lives in Florida and is just a year old. The light of my life...he came to Calif for his 1st birthday and I felt so honored. My son has always been my joy and now I have all this extra love from his little family. So much to be thankful for.

Do your best to live in the moment, as your Mama is doing. Get the most from the time you have together. None of us know how long that can be, but we do know how to love the moments of joy and even the ordinary every day communications. Good luck to you Liz. Try not to worry.
Paula2

Thank you for you positive thoughts. Thank the Lord for your six years I sure do hope my Mom lives as much. What stage were you dx?? Have you had many surgeries? Tks again for sharing, God bless. LIZ