FYI - MY NEW JOURNEY AGAINST THE OVCA FIGHT! - 33 treatments of radiation, Has anyone had this?

msfanciful
msfanciful Member Posts: 559
in Ovarian Cancer #1
It's been about 9 months of remission for me; however this has been my 3rd remission! LOL!

Seriously, after my last cat-scan (prompted by my ca-125 count rising from 14-23), activity was present once again in those same two para-aortic lymph-nodes near my kidneys. So a pet-scan was ordered.
This is what I don't understand, even though I'm a stage iv, the pet-scan showed no activity except in those 2 nodes.

My oncologist spoke with a specialist in radiology at TxOncology and after my sitting down at the computer with this doctor and having a virtual tour of every cat-scan of my body from 2007 to present, he and my oncologist felt that with 33 treatments of radiation for 5 days a week, this single-beam treatment will destroy these two persistent nodes and hopefully the cancer within them.

I don't know if I should be, but right now I feel optimistic about this particular journey in this fight. The specialists say it is a good thing that my cancer (ovca) can be treated so pin-point and thus perhaps extending life a little longer?

Has anyone out there had this type of treatment? If so, what was the outcome?

I've already had three treatments so far and they have these little x's marked all over my torso :-) still trying to get used to that!

Comments

  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #2
    Sharon,
    WOW! 9 months NED is awesome! I have no experience with radiation, but wanted to wish you the best. I hear the optimism in your post, and am always inspired by your sunny attitude!
    Hugs,
    kathleen
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #3
    kayandok said:

    Sharon,
    WOW! 9 months NED is awesome! I have no experience with radiation, but wanted to wish you the best. I hear the optimism in your post, and am always inspired by your sunny attitude!
    Hugs,
    kathleen

    What Kathleen said.I hope
    What Kathleen said.

    I hope it kicks the soup out of those nodes.



    Carlene

    PS....do you glow in the dark yet?
  • srwruns
    srwruns Member Posts: 343
    #4
    Best of luck...little x's
    Best of luck...little x's all over your body? Well add a bunch of 0's and have lots of kisses and hugs!
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #5
    When I look at your picture
    I feel like I can see so much in it. You are obviously beautiful with a gleam in your eyes and a dazzling smile. I see so much beauty in all the faces on this board; women who are going through so much but still look radiant. I will send good thoughts and prayers that your treatment will eradicate the monster and put you back in remission.

    Karen
  • Rookerbird
    Rookerbird Member Posts: 100
    #6
    Radiation
    Hi Sharon -

    I have had radiation treatment (also through Texas Oncology) but mine was a different type of radiation and for a different reason. My gyn/onc told me while I was in the hospital after my hysterectomy/debulking surgery that they planned six rounds of chemo to be followed by six weeks of radiation. From the get-go, he felt the debulking was not optimal. He described the cancer as very aggressive, and "spattered" everywhere. The radiation was intended as an extra preventive measure after taxol/carbo.

    The radiation I had was across my entire pelvic area. They were targeting two growths in particular, but also wanted to cover additional areas. The machine started at my right hip, and circled around me (stopping at 7 or 8 points along the route) until ending at my left hip. The type of radiation was IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy). I can still see the Tweety Bird poster they had on the ceiling in that room...

    I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you have. But, my experience might not shed any light on what you can expect if you are having a different type/dosage of radiation.

    Your situation sounds VERY promising! It sounds like the radiologist and your onc see persistent disease in a specific pinpoint area, and are confident this will eradicate it in those two nodes for good. You have every reason to be very optimistic about this treatment!

    -Kathy
  • LaundryQueen
    LaundryQueen Member Posts: 676
    #7
    kikz said:

    When I look at your picture
    I feel like I can see so much in it. You are obviously beautiful with a gleam in your eyes and a dazzling smile. I see so much beauty in all the faces on this board; women who are going through so much but still look radiant. I will send good thoughts and prayers that your treatment will eradicate the monster and put you back in remission.

    Karen

    I would be optimistic, too.
    Sharon: I would be optimistic, too. I think you should be "down-staged" to stage IIIc (but I'm not your oncologist). The radiation therapy is done like spot welding--so much more precise with much less collateral damage than radiation therapy used to be.

    Find out if it's OK to use vitamin E oil on your skin in between treatments. I've not done radiation but have read that the oil could help the skin.

    (((hugs)))

    LQ
  • froggy1
    froggy1 Member Posts: 205
    #8
    YES, same thing!
    Hi Sharon,
    'Nice to see you again. I am dealing with my first recurrence. Starting in October,I had 4 carbo/doxil, then three gem/ carbo, as the doxil didn't do much.
    I, too, have nodules on the para-aortic lymph node. My Doc had said if we could get rid of the straglers first, he would consider radiation for the para-aortic.
    Lo and Behold, my PET after the first treatment series showed the growth on the para-aortic was the only thing left.
    I am doing 20 radiation treaments for a month and four chemo(cisplatin).(I have to ask why only 20) My Doc feels the chemo enhances the radiation. I do not know the result yet. I have the same x's on my body.
    They did say they can't do a diagnostic for a while after the radiation, as it shows up as hot spots.
    My CA125 is a bad indicator. When my cancer returned, it was only a 16. I had a CAT for a potential bowel blockage and the cancer showed up.
    Best of luck to you, 'hope you get good results. Ginny
  • tjpt16
    tjpt16 Member Posts: 27
    #9
    Your Radiation
    Hi Sharon,

    I'm new to this discussion board. I too have stage 4. Mine is clear cell. Last June and July I had IMRT radiation at MD Anderson on a tumor in one of my para-aortic lymph nodes. It was just a tiny bit that was left after debulking surgery in April. They couldn't get it because it was stuck to my aorta. I also had a lymph node in my neck zapped with IMRT at the same time. All evidence of the one in my neck was gone after radiation. That little para-aortic one was stubborn though. So more chemo for me.

    I think you will do really well and the radiation will get rid of everything. Your docs seem very confident. The most painful part of the process for me was having to hold my arms above my head for about 30 minutes. How is that for you?

    Trying to figure out a different chemo. What has worked for you?

    Hang in there, My Dear.
    Teresa
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #10
    stay optimistic!
    I haven't had radiation, but I share your attitude.... and why not!
    (((XXXXXXX)))) Maria
  • Cafewoman53
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    #11
    Sharon
    You were active on this board when I first joined and I always liked your posts but that beautiful smile is really something ! Your Dr sounds great and I hope this treatment works for you, good luck
    Colleen
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #12
    srwruns said:

    Best of luck...little x's
    Best of luck...little x's all over your body? Well add a bunch of 0's and have lots of kisses and hugs!

    Hi srwruns,
    I like the
    Hi srwruns,

    I like the comment abouts xoxo's just had to say you made my day! :-)
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #13
    srwruns said:

    Best of luck...little x's
    Best of luck...little x's all over your body? Well add a bunch of 0's and have lots of kisses and hugs!

    Hi srwruns,
    I like the
    Hi srwruns,

    I like the comment abouts xoxo's just had to say you made my day! :-)
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #14
    Cafewoman53 said:

    Sharon
    You were active on this board when I first joined and I always liked your posts but that beautiful smile is really something ! Your Dr sounds great and I hope this treatment works for you, good luck
    Colleen

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • djinco
    djinco Member Posts: 87
    #15
    I am optimistic for you...
    and happy also. This treatment sounds like it will do the trick. I love your positive attitude. Take care.

    Love,
    Betty

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