Carbo Taxol 3 week cycle experience?

 Good afternoon “BluesMama”

 Hope you’re not too blue today, even though neither of us are excited to be on a chemo regimen.  My regimen seems to be the same as “Soup’s”.  This is the third series of Chemotherapy treatments consisting of Carboplatin & Paclitaxel (Taxol) since my diagnosis in November of 2012.  The regimen consists of 6 treatments, each one being at 3-week intervals.  Usually I have a CT scan after the 3^rd treatment to check its effectiveness. 

 Each time this regimen has “quieted the spread” for a while.  That period of time when the cancer is not running rampant seems to last for about a year.  So I consider that a good period of progression free survival (PFS) which is the most a Stage IV Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer Stage IV patient can hope for. 

 Like Soup said, she took her anti-nausea pills on a regular basis.  Now there are a multitude of symptoms that one can have when taking either of these drugs, so although I’ve probably given you the links before, I will list them again.  No two people will experience the same side effects.  I’ve never had a nausea problem except when I took one injection with Neupogen.  I was so sick for two days that I couldn’t think of eating.  So I asked my doc to never give me that again.  And there as well, some people have no ill effects with Neupogen, but I did.  After each of my treatments, I return the following day for a “Neulasta” injection and also hydration.  I’ve never had a low WBC as a result of this regimen.  Also I wrote a letter to “Brian” once in things I had found helpful. I will put that link here as well.

 Now I’ve found a product known as “BIOTENE”.  (Prices will vary greatly depending on where you buy it.  I get mine from COSTCO for the large bottle for $8.49.) Or you can mix up your own formula with water and baking soda as I outlined in my tips to Brian.  Biotene is an oral mouth rinse that my dentist recommended.  I use it frequently during the day.  I brush my teeth after meals and use a SOFT toothbrush to massage my gums.  That’s important too.  My oncologist advised me to keep something in my mouth that was in the “cold category” because the colder, the better.  That keeps the chemo was circulating as well where it doesn’t need to go in the first place.  It can cause damage to the gums, and cause the teeth to loosen in time.  My husband had firsthand experience with that as a result of his Carboplatin-5FU regimen.  And in talking with others, he isn’t the first one.  Ultimately implants were necessary, so don’t want to scare you, just try to eat cold things at least for the first 24 hrs. after treatment.

 And no doubt the TAXOL has probably resulted in hair loss right away.  Mine started the second week.  And so the third time around, I didn’t bother to go to the beauty shop, I just shaved it off myself.  Now try not to worry about things that MAY happen—we’ve got enough present-day problems.

 I would much prefer the latter treatment.  Sounds like our treatments are identical, except my series last for 6 weeks instead of 4.  Hydration is very important.  You may find that you have an extremely dry mouth with this treatment, and it’s important that your mouth be moist at all times. 

 And I would ask for the white blood count “booster” injection, either of Neulasta or Neupogen.  I started having intense pain a couple of hours after I got that first shot of Neupogen, and had to go to the ER to get an injection for severe pain up and down my spine.  I never had that after switching to Neulasta.  And no I don’t own any stock in Neulasta!

 Hopefully, you will see a big reduction in the CA-125 marker during this time of treatment, and I would wish for you a long period of time when the cancer is “pooped out” instead of you!   It’s a New Year, and I wish a long period of progression free survival for all of us!

 Love Loretta

 ___________________________________________________________________

1. 
   
   http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/carboplatin.aspx
   
   

 “…The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking Carboplatin:

 Low blood counts (including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets)

 Nadir: Meaning low point, nadir is the point in time between chemotherapy cycles in which you experience low blood counts.

 Onset: None reported
Nadir: 21 days
Recovery: 28 days

•  Nausea and vomiting usually occurring within 24 hours of treatment
• Taste changes
• Hair loss
• Weakness
• Blood test abnormalities: Abnormal magnesium level…”

 _________________________________________________

 2.  http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/taste-changes.aspx

 Helpful things to counteract side effects

_________________________________________________

3.   http://www.chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Taxol.aspx

 “…The following Taxol side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking Taxol:

• Low blood counts.  Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease.  This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.
• Hair loss
• Arthralgias and myalgias, pain in the joints and muscles. Usually temporary occurring 2 to 3 days after Taxol, and resolve within a few days.  
• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling of the hands and feet)
• Nausea and vomiting (usually mild)
• Diarrhea
• Mouth sores
• Hypersensitivity reaction - fever, facial flushing, chills, shortness of breath, or hives after Taxol is given.  The majority of these reactions occur within the first 10 minutes of an infusion.  Notify your healthcare provider immediately (premedication regimen has significantly decreased the incidence of this reaction)…”

 ______________________________________________

 4.  http://chemocare.com/contact.aspx

 “…Have questions about chemotherapy? - Call the Cancer Answer Line at Cleveland Clinic – 1-844-268-3901…”

 Note to BluesMama – I’ve never called this line but it seems to be open to anyone who has a question, and I certainly don’t think it should it cost anything.  I’m putting it here based on the excellent info they provide on the chemocare.com sites.

 ________________________________________________________

  5.  http://csn.cancer.org/node/301646

 “BRIAN from the North~Things I learned during my chemo treatments~Hope it will B helpful 2 U & Mom~Wishing her all the best!”__________________________________________________

  ________________End of references______________

Loretta says it all:) I didn't mean to have mine sound like a walk in the park, but it was worth it. I haven't been to the dentist since finishing chemo and all of this is a strong reminder that I need to get there!

bluesmama said:

I have gum recession too...

I had to go to a periodontist and she confirmed what I feared. The cisplatin destroyed my gums and there's bone loss. It's quite severe. But she said not to worry about tooth loss and we'll start treating the issues when I'm done with chemo. Interestingly enough, I haven't had a cavity in 20+ years. Unfortunately, I can't keep cold things in my mouth. Too sensitive.

How long was it before your hair started to fall out? I want to plan a shave my hair party and it appears the hair loss typically begins around the 10-14 day mark after my infusion. Your experience? How about your nails? Did they fall out? 

 Hey there “BluesMama”-  It's Loretta again

 You’d better plan that hair party no later than a week after your first infusion because “Taxol” wastes no time.  I’d like to make a suggestion.  You know how we used to have “baby showers”.  Now I’m no longer getting invitations to baby showers because I’m 78 and move in a different circle of friends.

 First they should take you out to lunch.  They I suggest they accompany you to visit a Shoppe that specializes in wigs, hairpieces, hats, scarves, turbans, etc.  I think they should buy you a beautiful turban, but they should get together and not choose the same color.  They will be happier to see that they have given you something that will benefit you.  Frankly, I don’t know that your friends will be too happy about seeing you lose your hair, unless they’re going to shave their head as well.  For me, the first time around, it was not a “happy occasion.”  I had hoped that it would just get thinner, but each time I brushed it, it came out in clumps.  So I finally went to the beauty shop and had it shaved.  But by the third time around, I just shaved it myself.  I suggest you save a sample so, if you get a wig, you can match the color.  Or better yet, go down to a wig shop now, try on some wigs and get at least one that makes you feel as pretty as you probably are.  That’s what I did.  But it was not a particularly happy day.  I didn’t look forward to losing my hair.

 Another thing that I have done.  All through my cancer experience, I have had my husband turn on the camera and I have recorded honestly my thoughts about how I’m feeling, or the things I am not looking forward to.  I had him make a tape while I was at the wig Shoppe.  And during my devotional time, I’m writing notes, and it is interesting how I felt about things from one year to the next.  I am now entering my 5^th year of survival (though not progression free) and am pleased to still be alive.  And like my friend, Soup, it hasn’t been a walk in the park, but so far it’s been worth it.  There will no doubt be a day when things change, and the Lord will have to let me know when it is no longer worth it.  But I’m not there yet, and neither are you, so live today and enjoy and appreciate the things you can still enjoy despite the cancer which we so despise.
  

 At the oncology lab, there is always a place with hats, wigs, scarves and knit caps are displayed.  They are free.  There are different groups of church ladies that knit caps in all sizes, and bring them to the lab and donate them.  I have written them a letter of thanks, because I have several of their knit hats.  At home I don’t want to wear a wig, and most of the time, I wear one of those knit hats.  Now sometimes my head starts to sweat and I yank the hat off.  Then in a little while, I feel chilly and I put it back on. 

 Now don’t know about you, but I was so weak from the first series back in early 2013 that I couldn’t walk up and down our driveway twice without having to sit down or lay down.  My husband had to push me in a wheelchair when we got to the lab for infusions.  There was a good distance to where I checked in at the front desk, to where I went to the lab for my CBC, then down another hall to see the oncologist prior to my “all-day” infusion.  I’m sure you have a medi-port.  Egads if you don’t, request one.  But first there were some preparatory drugs I was given before the separate bag of Carboplatin was given, and then another bag of Taxol.  All in all, it was no less than 6 to 7 hours on the day I went to the lab. 

 (A note to my friend “Soup52”.  I read between the lines in your post.  I know what you mean by “being tired.”  Now I’m into my third series and am very fatigued.  Getting up and down out of the chair requires a lot of energy.  I ask my husband to “go and get” things for me that normally I would have gotten for myself.  I have to turn sideways to see your picture, but I do think you’re seated in a recliner, and I see an infusion pump beside you.  So no, I didn’t think you made it sound like a piece of cake.  You’re just being kind and don’t want to scare the “newbies” too much.  Granted, all do not respond in the same way, but I’m the type who wants to know the worst thing that could possibly happen, and then pray it doesn’t happen to me.  But if it does, it won’t take me by surprise.  I always “overdo” instead of “under do”.  That’s often a curse.  My husband often says, “Loretta that’s not necessary.”  And I say, “Well, maybe not for you, but I think I should do this or that.”  Once I took a trip to the Holy Land.  The tips on packing said, “If in doubt, leave it out!”  Nope not me, “If in doubt, I threw it in.”  And after a few changes from one airport to another, I said, “I shouldn’t have packed so much!”  So I’m guilty of trying to “put everything in” even on one of my posts here. )

 Now back to how I compensate when coping with cancer.  I have purchased several “pretty colored canes” because I have some neuropathy in my left leg that did not go away after the first series of treatment.  (This 3^rd time around, I’m experiencing more tingling in my hands and finger tips.)  So around the house, I can catch myself before I fall, but I’m not vain enough to risk falling out on the sidewalk.  I bought some beautiful colored canes from CVS pharmacy.  Let’s see I love animal print, so I have an animal print, a floral one, a black, a teal, a gold, and a cobalt blue one.   Now at almost 78 (birthday Feb. 12^th) and with what used to be white hair, I’m not going to be mistaken for Marilyn Monroe.  

 And as for not being able to keep cold things in your mouth, Biotene makes a mouth Jel, as well as toothpaste & a liquid that helps with keeping the mouth moist.  Mouth sores can be a problem too, as well as problems with the teeth and/or gums.  Do you have a favorite kind of hard candy to suck on, or a favorite chewing gum that you could chew that would keep the saliva glands working?  Sometimes I wake up during the night and my mouth is parched.  So I just regularly use the mouth rinse several times a day and even at night should I awake. 

 And can you request that a hydration treatment be scheduled for you after each infusion?  I return the following day for hydration and a booster injection of Neulasta to keep up my white blood cell count.

 While I’m throwing in everything but the kitchen sink, I will tell you that I’m on Coumadin for blood clots that have developed in both legs.  They both did not occur at the same time, but I noticed that my leg was a bit swollen, felt warmer than the other one, and seemed to be a bit “splotchy” as to the color of my skin.  An ultrasound is the only way to definitely determine if you have a blood clot.  Mine are located below the knees.  At home I wear a support sock that comes up to the knee.  That helps.  This can happen so just pay attention to your lower extremities.  But sometimes my legs and/or feet will swell for a couple of days and then everything is okay again.  Don’t be afraid to call your doctor or nurse anytime you feel something is out of the ordinary.  They can help to allay your fears. 

 Believe it or not, I may sound like I’m falling apart, but I still have a lot of good things going for me.  I can still see, hear, and enjoy my family and friends.  I have a good rapport with all my doctors and they have “always” worked me in if I thought I needed to see them.  I still am in my right mind, and have a good sense of humor.  God’s presence and peace are very real in my life.  One time in my life, I didn’t know how to interact with those of my friends that had been diagnosed with cancer.  I visited with them, cooked for them, cleaned their house, etc. but always felt there was a “wall between us” as far as understanding how they felt.  Of course, I felt sorry for them but still felt as a loss as to how best to be a comfort to them.  Now I know.

 And I would say one more thing about friends that have been diagnosed with cancer.  Instead of saying, “If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.  I’ll be glad to do it.”  Why not take a look around and, if you see absolutely something that you can do, and if you’re a close friend of that person, why not reword the request?  Can you take them somewhere they need to go?  Can you cook their favorite food? In other words, look around, and if you know there is definitely something that you could do to help, why not JUST DO IT!  Knowing what I know now, I would probably say something like, “I’m not here just to visit.   I want to help.  Then name something you would like to do that you know needs doing.  They will probably say, “Oh no you don’t have to do that.”  And I would say, “Well, I know I don’t HAVE TO, but I WANT TO.”  Well—that’s just me. 

 Many things have to go undone once we’re coping with cancer, and few of us have help like “The Elves and the Shoemaker” that appear in the night while we sleep, and do all the things we need doing.  At my house, I’ve solved some of the problems of housekeeping.  A simple sign like, “You can touch the dust, but please don’t write in it!” works well!  I am blessed to have a husband who works right alongside me all day long.  He helps with all the chores every day, and drives me to all my doctor’s appointments and stays with me all day during my infusions.  And I know that everyone doesn’t have that luxury, so I really am blessed and thank God for a helpmate that is still alive after being diagnosed with advanced Esophageal Cancer himself back in 2002! 

 And “BluesMama” stressing out over your gum issues is understandable, but it will have to WAIT for certain.  For anyone else who might read this and is on the verge of having chemo, hopefully your doctor has advised you to have your dental checkup done PRIOR to starting chemo. 

 Although you can’t keep something cold in your mouth, to ward off mouth sores as much as possible, brushing your teeth often, massaging your gums, and keeping your mouth moist is basic maintenance.  My husband didn’t lose his first tooth till about 4 to 5 years afterward.  One day he was eating an “Almond Joy” and bit down on the almond.  Out popped one of his FRONT TEETH!  By Christmas we taped him singing “All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth!”  For a time he wore a partial plate, till so many fell out there was nothing left to fit them on.   So then we tried “Fixodent”.  Well, perhaps it might “fix a dent” but it certainly didn’t last all day!  And it’s not a good idea to keep the “Fixodent” and the “Toothpaste” lying next to each other on the counter top.  I’ve almost brushed my teeth with it more than once.  But we don’t need that anymore, although I want even begin to tell you what it costs for implants.

 And don’t believe those ads on TV that show a person going in and out of the dentist’s office in one day, bragging about their new set of teeth.  It’s quite a long time between the beginning visit and the final fit!  So I wouldn’t be a good TV commentator for that company.  Maybe the commercials don’t run on your station but they do on ours, and I say, “That’s certainly a false advertisement.”  My husband’s face looked like he had the mumps.  It was a painful process.  The dentists were amazed that his face was not also black & blue.  Thankfully, the gums were in good shape, otherwise implants would not have been possible.  Now as for me, I know that tooth loss is a possibility but when I think about it, I put it on the back burner because it is not something I can do anything about TODAY!

 Now while we’re talking about hair loss, it may mean more than just what is on top of your head.  I have absolutely no eye lashes, and only a faint resemblance of eyebrows.  I don’t have to worry about shaving my arms and legs anymore. 

 It wouldn’t hurt for you to take in as much protein as you can in your diet.  I’ve gone recently through a period where the food tasted bitter, but that only lasted about a week or so.  I like Milk and that is good for you.  As for my fingernails—no they didn’t drop off, but they are “brittle” and break off easily, so keeping them short works better for me.  But all those things can grow again.  So when you don’t like what you see on the outside, think of it as a sacrifice in order for your “insides” to get rid of the cancer. 

 My dear mom passed away at age 99 back in 2013.  She had a good sense of humor.  She described beauty like this, and when I put on my makeup in my 10X magnifying mirror, I have to agree.  She said “Beauty is like a rose.  First we are like a lovely rosebud with dew dripping from its petals.  And one by one, the rose begins to open up.  Then little by little, they begin to wither and drop off—and before you know it, you’re just an old “seed pod!”  These days, I take a look in the mirror and say, “Oh mama, you’re right.” And I realize that I’m one of the “older” ladies who post on this site.  All I have to do is look at some pictures of me in my younger years to know that fixing my hopes on looks is pure vanity.  I’m down to the last petal—the dew drops are no longer falling. 

 I’m also reminded of another birthday card my friend sent me a long time ago.  It read like this:  “I asked the Mirror on the Wall, Who is the fairest of us all?”  (Inside the message read—“She said it wasn’t anybody we knew!”  --- Now the consolation is that God looks on the heart and physical beauty really is only skin deep.  But God sees every teardrop that falls and that’s a good thing!  But we don’t mind wrinkles in our old age, we would just love to be cancer free, but that’s beyond our control.    Thank God for Vaseline Intensive Care-Advance Repair for very dry skin!  Thankfully, I’m glad tattoos weren’t popular in my youth, because only God knows where that lovely flower would be today—probably down on my kneecap!  So do what you can while you can, remembering all the while that…

 “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass—It’s about learning how to dance in the rain!”

 Love Loretta

 P.S.  While I write here, my husband “William” and I have been interacting with patients on the Esophageal Cancer site for years.  I remembered this one particular fella, who called himself “FunGuy” because he told us about his problems with his teeth.  Others came along and told about their own problems with teeth damage due to chemotherapy.  But hey, it’s worth losing all your teeth if it would mean a trade-off for years of being cancer free.  So here is his story if I haven’t depressed you enough!  That is not my purpose here—I really mean to inform but not depress you.

 http://csn.cancer.org/node/230868

mama, I was concerned about cuts too.  My wig shop used an electric razor to buzz it all off so it was peach fuzz that all fell out after the chemo.  I had used a t-shirt on evenings and weekends wrapped around my head and then I would use the t-shirt to rub my head when it was itchy.  I still remember how much it itched!  There are videos out there on out to make a turban out of a t-shirt.  I went to Goodwill's 99 cent Sunday and would look for designer t-shirts because they have the best colors.  

Miss Loretta does remind me about losing my hair EVERYWHERE.  No shaving was nice.  

Loretta, that is wonderful that your ca125 is going down! Cheers!!

LorettaMarshall said:

"Bluesmama"~U probably won't B nearly as ill w/new chemo regimen

 Good afternoon “BluesMama”

 Hope you’re not too blue today, even though neither of us are excited to be on a chemo regimen.  My regimen seems to be the same as “Soup’s”.  This is the third series of Chemotherapy treatments consisting of Carboplatin & Paclitaxel (Taxol) since my diagnosis in November of 2012.  The regimen consists of 6 treatments, each one being at 3-week intervals.  Usually I have a CT scan after the 3^rd treatment to check its effectiveness. 

 Each time this regimen has “quieted the spread” for a while.  That period of time when the cancer is not running rampant seems to last for about a year.  So I consider that a good period of progression free survival (PFS) which is the most a Stage IV Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer Stage IV patient can hope for. 

 Like Soup said, she took her anti-nausea pills on a regular basis.  Now there are a multitude of symptoms that one can have when taking either of these drugs, so although I’ve probably given you the links before, I will list them again.  No two people will experience the same side effects.  I’ve never had a nausea problem except when I took one injection with Neupogen.  I was so sick for two days that I couldn’t think of eating.  So I asked my doc to never give me that again.  And there as well, some people have no ill effects with Neupogen, but I did.  After each of my treatments, I return the following day for a “Neulasta” injection and also hydration.  I’ve never had a low WBC as a result of this regimen.  Also I wrote a letter to “Brian” once in things I had found helpful. I will put that link here as well.

 Now I’ve found a product known as “BIOTENE”.  (Prices will vary greatly depending on where you buy it.  I get mine from COSTCO for the large bottle for $8.49.) Or you can mix up your own formula with water and baking soda as I outlined in my tips to Brian.  Biotene is an oral mouth rinse that my dentist recommended.  I use it frequently during the day.  I brush my teeth after meals and use a SOFT toothbrush to massage my gums.  That’s important too.  My oncologist advised me to keep something in my mouth that was in the “cold category” because the colder, the better.  That keeps the chemo was circulating as well where it doesn’t need to go in the first place.  It can cause damage to the gums, and cause the teeth to loosen in time.  My husband had firsthand experience with that as a result of his Carboplatin-5FU regimen.  And in talking with others, he isn’t the first one.  Ultimately implants were necessary, so don’t want to scare you, just try to eat cold things at least for the first 24 hrs. after treatment.

 And no doubt the TAXOL has probably resulted in hair loss right away.  Mine started the second week.  And so the third time around, I didn’t bother to go to the beauty shop, I just shaved it off myself.  Now try not to worry about things that MAY happen—we’ve got enough present-day problems.

 I would much prefer the latter treatment.  Sounds like our treatments are identical, except my series last for 6 weeks instead of 4.  Hydration is very important.  You may find that you have an extremely dry mouth with this treatment, and it’s important that your mouth be moist at all times. 

 And I would ask for the white blood count “booster” injection, either of Neulasta or Neupogen.  I started having intense pain a couple of hours after I got that first shot of Neupogen, and had to go to the ER to get an injection for severe pain up and down my spine.  I never had that after switching to Neulasta.  And no I don’t own any stock in Neulasta!

 Hopefully, you will see a big reduction in the CA-125 marker during this time of treatment, and I would wish for you a long period of time when the cancer is “pooped out” instead of you!   It’s a New Year, and I wish a long period of progression free survival for all of us!

 Love Loretta

 ___________________________________________________________________

1. 
   
   http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/carboplatin.aspx
   
   

 “…The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking Carboplatin:

 Low blood counts (including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets)

 Nadir: Meaning low point, nadir is the point in time between chemotherapy cycles in which you experience low blood counts.

 Onset: None reported
Nadir: 21 days
Recovery: 28 days

•  Nausea and vomiting usually occurring within 24 hours of treatment
• Taste changes
• Hair loss
• Weakness
• Blood test abnormalities: Abnormal magnesium level…”

 _________________________________________________

 2.  http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/taste-changes.aspx

 Helpful things to counteract side effects

_________________________________________________

3.   http://www.chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Taxol.aspx

 “…The following Taxol side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking Taxol:

• Low blood counts.  Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease.  This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.
• Hair loss
• Arthralgias and myalgias, pain in the joints and muscles. Usually temporary occurring 2 to 3 days after Taxol, and resolve within a few days.  
• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling of the hands and feet)
• Nausea and vomiting (usually mild)
• Diarrhea
• Mouth sores
• Hypersensitivity reaction - fever, facial flushing, chills, shortness of breath, or hives after Taxol is given.  The majority of these reactions occur within the first 10 minutes of an infusion.  Notify your healthcare provider immediately (premedication regimen has significantly decreased the incidence of this reaction)…”

 ______________________________________________

 4.  http://chemocare.com/contact.aspx

 “…Have questions about chemotherapy? - Call the Cancer Answer Line at Cleveland Clinic – 1-844-268-3901…”

 Note to BluesMama – I’ve never called this line but it seems to be open to anyone who has a question, and I certainly don’t think it should it cost anything.  I’m putting it here based on the excellent info they provide on the chemocare.com sites.

 ________________________________________________________

  5.  http://csn.cancer.org/node/301646

 “BRIAN from the North~Things I learned during my chemo treatments~Hope it will B helpful 2 U & Mom~Wishing her all the best!”__________________________________________________

  ________________End of references______________

  

Nothing like having poison pumped into your veins. I hurt so bad everywhere i had soft tissue. It was horrible the day I lost my hair and I had my husband shave my head. It fell out exactly 2 weeks after my first treatment. I work a corporate job so I was mortified. I did not have the luxury of sitting around and resting. My company did not pay for a medical leave and I am the main source of income for our family. I am having a lot of trouble dealing with what I look like when I see myself in the mirror as well as anger over the whole situation.

Right before I found out I had both uterine and ovarian cancer, my life had finally evolved into the perfect life. Cancer was a rude awakening for me. I went to a regualr check up and had endometrial cells present. I was told that a simple hysterectomy would fix everything an I would go on. During the surgery the pathology said different. It said I had 2 independent clear cell tumors, one in my uterus and the other in my fallopian tub. I was then told I would need both radiation and chemo. I was shocked how it could go from an ordinary hysterectomy to now I have Lynch Syndrome and now all my kids and siblings must be tested. I am not a happy camper; however, God placed 2 women in front of me who have been through the same exact thing; but were stage 4 and they are still alive. I just want to live and have my life back.