Jan thinking of uou

Thinking and praying for you too! Hope all is going ok. Trish

When I first found this site and began to read, Jan was one of the ladies who's words gave me such comfort.  I pray for all you ladies everyday. 

Double Whammy said:

Yoohoo!

Thanks for starting this thread, Ro.  Hope Jan is doing well.

Suzanne

You can't get away from us.  Please be ok.

jazzy1 said:

I'm here...

Hi Gang,

I'm still here and sorry not been on the boards as you all know life does get crazy.  Yes I did have chemo# 6 with carbo/doxil beginning of March.  Doc wanted to wait 4 weeks to do a PET/CT to double check the treatments zapped all cancer.  Originally had cancer in 3 areas -- supraclavicula node in left side of neck, one node in chest area, cluster of nodes in pelvic/abdominal area.  PET in Dec, showed 50% decrease in size/strength of node in neck, chest is GONE, abdominal, got a bit smaller and more intense on SUV rating.  All is good as things are going in right direction.  

Scan results this week showed all gone in neck, chest, but that darn abdominal/pelvic area has gotten a bit larger and more intense -- approx 2 cm in size and SUV 6.9.  Doc is scratching his head as I've done very well and for some reason this spot is a stinker to say the least.  One thing he's researching, in '09 with original diagnosis with uterine MMMT stage 3c, cancer did get out in only 1 node in where else -- pelvic/abdominal area, so had external radiation here only.  At times the radiation can cause changes in the area and if have recurrence in same area, difficult to get the new cancer to disolve.  Basically, takes longer.  Lucky me hum?

At this point, doc is suggesting a needle biopsy via Foundation One which does more geometric profiling to guide doc on best treatment...bit different then the usualy assay via say Caris which I had at beginning of both cancers.  The sticker, this area is located at bottom of aorta and many radiiologist might not feel comfortable sticking me with a pin in this area as if get aorta I could bleed out...argh!  So....the minds are working, but  when asked doc his thoughts on how much more chemo if stuck with same carbo/doxil protocol --- 4 more!!!!!!!!!!  This isn't exactly what I wanted to hear, but rather get this last small amount out and have it all done.

Doxil side affects can be fairly intense with skin dryness and rashing, plus mouth sores and the real serious part -- hard on heart.  Right now I've lost 10 lbs and the skin is dry but I've got some good oily type ointment I put on skin a few times per day and NO mouth sores.  Stomach seems to cause cramping and pains on/off as to why not eating as much and thus, weight loss which I do NOT need to have as already small-framed.  Never in my wildest dreams thought I'd have a difficult time keeping weight on...gee!!

Definitely want to hear from others whom have endured a similar experience with a stubborn area not going aways as quickly.  Still seeing my naturopathic-oncologist and we were hoping this scan would show good results all around, so back to the table to keep the body strong if I must endure more treatments.  Feel very lucky to have a great GYN/oncol and naturopath whom bring to the table wonderful insight and I love combining both of them.  Not sure if I'm at the juncture to stop western treatments and rely 100% on naturopathic ways, but know it would be much less harsh on my body.  Have a schedule consult with her this Thurs and love to hear her suggestions and take....she's my idol!!  Damn if she can get past stage 4 ovarian cancer with only lymph node involvement with NO western treatments and still be doing great with no cancer showing after 22 yrs, any of us can do it.

Sorry this is so long, but I can feel I've gotten all you great troopers up to the latest in my journey.  We all know cancer is sneeky, so we just have to learn to be one step ahead of it and it it at the pass.  Not easy, but with great insight and determination we can endure.  Life is good, and right now simply licking my wounds and ready to fight the last remaining nodes.  

Love to all and thanks again for all your support...does mean an awful lot to me!!

Jan

It is good to hear from you.  Sorry you are having a rough time with the one spot. With all the drs help and all the prayers and with your fight you will come through this. You are one of my idols on this site. Praying for you and strength to continue to fight with and without  traditional medcine. Trish

Ro10 said:

Jan so good to hear from you

Glad you finished your 6 th Doxil treatment.  Sorry to hear that the abdominal area did not respond as well as the others did.  I can understand you not wanting more chemo at this time.   I know with my first recurrence I had 7 taxol/Carbo treatments instead of 6.  That 7 th treatment seemed so much worse than when I only had 6 treatments.

will be curious to hear what your naturopath will have to say.  Keeping you in my prayers.

I appreciate your updating us.  Please know how often you are thought of And how many good wishes are sent your way.

jazzy1 said:

I'm here...

Hi Gang,

I'm still here and sorry not been on the boards as you all know life does get crazy.  Yes I did have chemo# 6 with carbo/doxil beginning of March.  Doc wanted to wait 4 weeks to do a PET/CT to double check the treatments zapped all cancer.  Originally had cancer in 3 areas -- supraclavicula node in left side of neck, one node in chest area, cluster of nodes in pelvic/abdominal area.  PET in Dec, showed 50% decrease in size/strength of node in neck, chest is GONE, abdominal, got a bit smaller and more intense on SUV rating.  All is good as things are going in right direction.  

Scan results this week showed all gone in neck, chest, but that darn abdominal/pelvic area has gotten a bit larger and more intense -- approx 2 cm in size and SUV 6.9.  Doc is scratching his head as I've done very well and for some reason this spot is a stinker to say the least.  One thing he's researching, in '09 with original diagnosis with uterine MMMT stage 3c, cancer did get out in only 1 node in where else -- pelvic/abdominal area, so had external radiation here only.  At times the radiation can cause changes in the area and if have recurrence in same area, difficult to get the new cancer to disolve.  Basically, takes longer.  Lucky me hum?

At this point, doc is suggesting a needle biopsy via Foundation One which does more geometric profiling to guide doc on best treatment...bit different then the usualy assay via say Caris which I had at beginning of both cancers.  The sticker, this area is located at bottom of aorta and many radiiologist might not feel comfortable sticking me with a pin in this area as if get aorta I could bleed out...argh!  So....the minds are working, but  when asked doc his thoughts on how much more chemo if stuck with same carbo/doxil protocol --- 4 more!!!!!!!!!!  This isn't exactly what I wanted to hear, but rather get this last small amount out and have it all done.

Doxil side affects can be fairly intense with skin dryness and rashing, plus mouth sores and the real serious part -- hard on heart.  Right now I've lost 10 lbs and the skin is dry but I've got some good oily type ointment I put on skin a few times per day and NO mouth sores.  Stomach seems to cause cramping and pains on/off as to why not eating as much and thus, weight loss which I do NOT need to have as already small-framed.  Never in my wildest dreams thought I'd have a difficult time keeping weight on...gee!!

Definitely want to hear from others whom have endured a similar experience with a stubborn area not going aways as quickly.  Still seeing my naturopathic-oncologist and we were hoping this scan would show good results all around, so back to the table to keep the body strong if I must endure more treatments.  Feel very lucky to have a great GYN/oncol and naturopath whom bring to the table wonderful insight and I love combining both of them.  Not sure if I'm at the juncture to stop western treatments and rely 100% on naturopathic ways, but know it would be much less harsh on my body.  Have a schedule consult with her this Thurs and love to hear her suggestions and take....she's my idol!!  Damn if she can get past stage 4 ovarian cancer with only lymph node involvement with NO western treatments and still be doing great with no cancer showing after 22 yrs, any of us can do it.

Sorry this is so long, but I can feel I've gotten all you great troopers up to the latest in my journey.  We all know cancer is sneeky, so we just have to learn to be one step ahead of it and it it at the pass.  Not easy, but with great insight and determination we can endure.  Life is good, and right now simply licking my wounds and ready to fight the last remaining nodes.  

Love to all and thanks again for all your support...does mean an awful lot to me!!

Jan

Jan,

I am so glad to hear from you. You are in my thoghts and prayers.