DM_K

Hi evolo, thank you for thinking about me.  I didn't met criteria for the clinical trial, I needed a lesion to be 1 cm bigger; crazy.  I started Doxil and Avastin and have only 1 more Avastin treatment and 3 more Doxil treatments.  I just had my midpoint CT scan yesterday.  I continue to have a paracentesis every 2 weeks and getting anywhere from 1.5 to 2 liters taken off.  It hurts more and more everytime it's done with scar tissue forming and my abdominal lining is getting thicker from having it done.  I'm told it can take several chemo treatments to dry up the fluid, we'll see I guess.  I was hospitalized several times the last few months with bowel issues, mostly constipation and dehydration (needing magnesium and potassium a lot too), that caused extreme pain but I seem to have that under control now with taking 2 tabs of senakot twice a day.  I'm also seeing a physical therapist to help relieve pain and strengthen my pelvic floor.  I've had horrible back pain (probably from abdominal fluid pressure) and some edema in my upper thighs, pelvic region.  I'm not taking any pain meds for fear of getting constipated again, I would rather deal with the pain than go through complications caused from constipation, that is the worst.  I couldn't eat or barely drink anything.  I have lost over 20 pounds (that I really couldn't afford to lose) since April. 

Hopefully the CT scan shows that the chemo is doing it's job, if not, I suppose, on to the next plan.

Thank you for asking about me.

ConnieSW said:

Appreciate the update

We do fret when we don't hear from folks, don't we?  Hope the scan is good news. 

Thank you Connie!  I will know the results Thursday and will post an update.  I wished I felt more positive about it but not seeing the ascities improve makes me wonder if the chemo is working.

TeddyandBears_Mom said:

Thanks for updating us DMK. I

Thanks for updating us DMK. I truly hope you get much better news than you are expecting! Looking forward to hearing back whatever that news is. Remember, we are all here for you.

Love and Hugs,

Cindi

Hello Ladies, Cindi thank you for your encouraging words.  Unfortunately it was what I pretty much expected in so many words, the cancer is advancing.  As my gyn/onc put it, "it's stable but increasing."  He cancelled my chemo today and thinks I should only continue doxol and avastin if I have to wait for phase I immunotherapy clinical trial more than 5 days because of potential side effects when the cancer is still increasing, which I apparently meet criteria for clinical trial now since it has spread to my liver and I now have more "stuff" as my gyn/onc put it.

I could actually feel the cancer growing and with having the malignant ascities for as long as I have I suspected that it would eventually spread to my organs.  I'm still ready to do what I can, I feel strong enough at the present time, things may change down the road but right now just taking day by day and being grateful for what I DO have.

Love and Hugs, Dawn

It's not the news anyone wants to hear. I'll hope along with you that you can join the clinical trial straightaway. May your strength continue and the path ahead be clear. 

I'm glad you reconnected with us, Dawn, but sure wish the chemo had worked for you. Luckily, there are more treatments that can be tried and as we've learned, not everything works for everybody. Please keep us updated and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Eldri

I just had my third treatment in a phase I clinical trial immunotherapy drug. I was NED at the end of December. In April I had several tumors in my abdomen and one on my liver and one in my peritoneum.I was shocked at how aggressively I recurred this time.  I started the trial in May. It's so much easier than chemo and radiation with far fewer complications and side effects for me. I had a scan a week ago and have had very little growth of the tumors. It is too soon to know if immunotherapy will work for me but I have been able to do so much more physically than I could when I had chemo. I hope you have similar or better results with it too.