Update and thanks for the prayers

Lisa13Q
Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
First of all, thanks for all the prayers......I really appreciate it. Results: My mother's liver tumor grew an inch over the past 2 months. Neither the PARPS or Doxil worked for her. They are pulling her from the trial and placing her on Taxol. I don't know if the doctor was just being nice but we asked if this was the end of the line for my mother and surprisingly, Dr. Kathy said, "no". She relayed that she had clients have crummy CT scans for awhile and then seen improvement. Dr. K also said she had not given up hope that something could help to control the progression. I just wonder if she would have been honest with us. Has anyone tried Taxol after failure with Doxil and/or other second line treatments? Was the doc just trying to make us feel better? Anyway, Mom is going to Florida for her Taxol so she can at least be in warm weather. She also says she feels relieved to be out of the study because now she doesn't have to go in every week. I feel fairly calm today. I am so tired of this process. Isn't that selfish? I don't even have the damn disease. I do have to say I hate it today more than I ever have. I truly truly hate cancer, and the slow degradation to spirits that it causes in everyone it touches. Warmest regards and prayers to you all. Lisa

Comments

  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #2
    so sorry!
    Your news brought tears to my eyes...for all of us. It can be so depressing and I think sometimes we get used to being disappointed. Too bad the PARP didn't work. Did you ask if they were seeing much success? I think Dr. S encouraged me to leave my trial even though I didn't meet the true progression guidelines as stated in the trial protocol because he knew it wasn't going to work for me and didn't want to waste my time.

    Well, I guess we gotta have hope something will slow it down or whats the point? I will be on taxol next IF the avastin/cytoxan regimen doesn't work. Has Mom's hair grown back? Did the Doc say why she was bypasing Gemzar and Topo? Is that the only area that grew? No new areas? Is Mom still symptom free? Being symptom free is such a huge part of this disease. Hold onto that as long as you can!!!! I've been dealing with daily abdominal pain for weeks now and its increasing. It still scares me more then it is painful. I now have to decrease my food intake and starting to avoid eating...well...when I can. I SO enjoy eating!!!

    Keep us updated on Moms progress!!!
    XOXOXOXO
  • jloe
    jloe Member Posts: 174
    #3
    nancy591 said:

    so sorry!
    Your news brought tears to my eyes...for all of us. It can be so depressing and I think sometimes we get used to being disappointed. Too bad the PARP didn't work. Did you ask if they were seeing much success? I think Dr. S encouraged me to leave my trial even though I didn't meet the true progression guidelines as stated in the trial protocol because he knew it wasn't going to work for me and didn't want to waste my time.

    Well, I guess we gotta have hope something will slow it down or whats the point? I will be on taxol next IF the avastin/cytoxan regimen doesn't work. Has Mom's hair grown back? Did the Doc say why she was bypasing Gemzar and Topo? Is that the only area that grew? No new areas? Is Mom still symptom free? Being symptom free is such a huge part of this disease. Hold onto that as long as you can!!!! I've been dealing with daily abdominal pain for weeks now and its increasing. It still scares me more then it is painful. I now have to decrease my food intake and starting to avoid eating...well...when I can. I SO enjoy eating!!!

    Keep us updated on Moms progress!!!
    XOXOXOXO

    Prayers for Mom
    Lisa,
    I hate this too (as if anyone likes this)! I lost both of my parent to the dreaded big "C" and now I have been fighting OVCA for 5 years. Sometimes I think that it is harder for the caretaker/supporter to go through this than than the one who has it. I told my husband that at least when I'm going through tratment I feel like I'm doing something about it. Sitting on the sidelines watching is extremely difficult and makes you feel helpless. I'll be at MSK with an appointment with with Dr. S this month to look at trial options if there is a fit for me at this time. I will not be changing doctors but may be participating in a clinical trial there.

    Maybe we'll all be sitting there waiting to see doctors, going to chemo or getting tested for something at the same time. I wish your mother and you all the best that we can hope for!
  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #4
    Lisa, that is NOT selfish!
    Lisa, that is NOT selfish! I went thru throat cancer last year and my husband suffered thru w/me, thank God. The caregiver also gets tired from all the running and doing everything for the loved one with this da... nasty disease. You would not be human if you didn't. Caregivers may not have this stinking disease but they suffer with us who do. Don't be so hard on yourself b/c you care for us means more than any words or gift could ever express. Hang in there and stop beating yourself us. Where would we be w/o our caregivers?!!!!!
    God bless you,
    deb
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #5
    jloe said:

    Prayers for Mom
    Lisa,
    I hate this too (as if anyone likes this)! I lost both of my parent to the dreaded big "C" and now I have been fighting OVCA for 5 years. Sometimes I think that it is harder for the caretaker/supporter to go through this than than the one who has it. I told my husband that at least when I'm going through tratment I feel like I'm doing something about it. Sitting on the sidelines watching is extremely difficult and makes you feel helpless. I'll be at MSK with an appointment with with Dr. S this month to look at trial options if there is a fit for me at this time. I will not be changing doctors but may be participating in a clinical trial there.

    Maybe we'll all be sitting there waiting to see doctors, going to chemo or getting tested for something at the same time. I wish your mother and you all the best that we can hope for!

    trial
    What trial are you looking at and what Doc are you going to see???
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #6
    Dear Lisa,
    so sorry to hear about the tumor growth. Is it just the one tumor in the liver? Taxol should work well on that tumor. Will she get the dense dose? After coming off the doxil, I went on dense dose taxol and carbo and have been very pleased with the results.

    I think the thing we all struggle with, whether we are the patient or care giver, is how to fight this without letting it take over our life and spirit. Fighting it takes so much time and energy, it is hard to NOT let it take over everything! I pray you can find a peace and balance, so this disease doesn't own you.

    Do something for Lisa today!

    Hugs,
    kathleen
  • vj1
    vj1 Member Posts: 150
    #7
    lisa
    No your thoughts are NOT selfish they are normal. Everyone is affected with this disease, not just the patient. Keep up the good work and give your Mom a hug from me.

    Verna

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