I survived!

I survived my first treatment of Doxil for ovarian cancer. It is good that I didn't have initial side effects or reactions to the drug. I am still a little bit loopy from the steroids that they give to counteract side effects, but I don't take as many as I did on my previous regimen.

The first session at my new provider was a good experience. The best news is that my gynecological oncologist sees me prior to EVERY chemo session for a check up. I can bring all my questions and concerns to her, and she is so helpful, and really takes time with me and my favorite husband. She really is a gem. Then they draw lab work, and put me in a chemo room - which is just a doctors office with two chemo chairs and a TV. The amenities are not as nice as my previous chemo -(the TV only gets two fuzzy channels) but who needs amenities! :) My new drug will only take an hour to infuse, as opposed to the five hours for my previous chemo regimen. So from start to finish, it should take about 3 - 31/2 hours. I'll bring my laptop next time or something.

Before my next treatment, I need a MUGA scan. It is a scan of the heart. Don't worry- I'm not having problems!! They just need a baseline because Doxil can be really toxic and damaging to the hearts of some patients (cardiotoxic). I believe mine is strong, and will tolerate the treatment well. Also, it is a new test that I have not yet had so I am strangely looking forward to it. I am collecting medical tests and procedures by the way... I think I have all my friends and family beat right now. :) I certainly have them beat for the most procedures in the least amount of time. Nyah nyah nyah!

Now I just have to wait a few days to determine if any side effects will hit. Regardless of side effects, I have to stay out of the sun, and as always - stay away from sick people and crowded places. So if you are sick, please don't breathe on me ;)

Its a 'go'!

This Thursday I will start a new chemo. I just got the confirmation call today (after a message left for me yesterday - telling me I wasn't approved yet. They just wanted to get me all worked up I guess!) :)

I look forward to starting chemo at a new place. I hope it all goes smoothly, with no significant side effects or reactions to the chemo drug. I'll probably be nervous for the next couple of days until I know how the drug will affect me - until I have a session 'under my belt' so to speak. Hopefully it shrinks the ovarian cancer in all of the areas that it has migrated!

There was sad news this weekend - a sales rep for my company passed away from colon cancer. I knew he had cancer, but had no idea it had progressed so rapidly or was so serious. He doesn't work out of my office, and so I rarely saw him, and infrequently talked with him on the phone. Please say a prayer for Rolands family if you are so inclined.

Also my main boss was out of town to attend the surgery for his mother for colon cancer. I don't know how she is doing yet, but she did make it through the surgery.

Finally, my wonderful father in law was diagnosed with prostate cancer. When it rains, it pours I guess. He should be starting treatment (radiation) later this month. I know it is especially hard on my mother in law - because she has had cancer touch her family many times. I am very hopeful that his treatment will be a cure. It sounds like his doctor knows what he is doing.

There was a fairy tale time when there was no cancer in my life. Now it surrounds me and those that I love.

Call from the Doctor

My gynecologic oncologist called me on her first day back from vacation! Wow - what service and dedication. I am impressed. (did I mention how glad I am that I switched docs? :) )

She said that, although she had not reviewed the slides herself yet, cancerous cells were found in the needle biopsy. No big surprise there - it was expected. She didn't say what type were found, but based on the treatment she is suggesting, I believe it is ovarian cancer. Again - no big surprise there!

She wants me to start on Doxil as my next line of chemotherapy, starting next Thursday. It is not set in stone yet, as her office needs to call me to finalize everything. However, this ball is now rolling - and I look forward to having an active treatment regimen going.

I again asked her about surgery, and she again said that it is not recommended at this time. I just hate that I can feel the tumor - or at least feel the things it is pushing out of its way. I wish it were gone. I hope that Doxil shrinks it and the other small growths in my abdomen, down to nothing.

I've been on a bit of an emotional roller coaster since I talked to her - I won't lie about that! Alternately feeling happy that I will be having treatment, and terrified of the treatment and side effects. The good news is that this chemo is reportedly not as energy-sapping as the previous type I was on. I am trying not to worry about the side effects until I know what they will be for me - but it is hard not to. One day at a time, right?

I'll update again when this is all finalized.

CT guided needle biopsy

The biopsy went well. It was truly an interesting procedure. Unfortunately, it was not painless. They didn't knock me out. The nurse said that she gave me an 'anti anxiety' drug and a strong pain killer. I asked her if I looked anxious ;) she said no. Most of the procedure was painless - however, there was a point where I really felt the needle deep inside of me. I asked the doctor later, where the needle was during the time of pain. He thought it was when he was breaching the wall of the tumor. It felt exactly what you would expect an eight inch needle inside you to feel like. Luckily, it was short lived pain.

He did have to repeat the procedure when they found he hadn't collected enough cells the first time. Ouch again! Good thing I'm tough. I remember the whole thing, but it was not traumatic.

Then back up to my room where they observed me for a couple of hours, gave me lunch (the less said about lunch the better!), and then I got to go home! They should have the results in about a week or so. I'll call my doc (who is on vacation this week) and hopefully set up an appointment for next week. Her medical resident and her medical partner stopped in to see me - that was unexpected and appreciated! Once the results are in we can determine which line of chemo to start next.

I had a whole parade of people there too. My favorite husband, my mom and dad, and my medical student. I sure felt important ;)

I'm glad that part is done, and now look forward to a treatment regimen. Look out ovarian cancer - I think this hospital and team may just have your number!

Finally scheduled!!

Finally, my needle biopsy is scheduled! I never thought it would actually happen (well, it was tentatively scheduled for last week, but I kind of knew that wasn't going to happen).

Its funny. I have been waiting for this since March 4. My old medical group couldn't seem to get it together to get me the referral. I switched, and saw my new medical group pcp on Tuesday of this week. So, I get the referral from my NEW medical group on Tuesday. I get the DENIAL from my old medical group today... Something is not right with the sytem!

Oh, and I got a bill today, for my medical records that I asked be sent to my new doc. Nice.

I AM SO GLAD I SWITCHED GROUPS!!

Plus my new group assigned me my very own medical student! OK, he is a first year student, but they are trying a program where the student follows the same patient throughout their medical experience. It is supposed to teach them the patients perspective. Poor kid. He looks so young and innocent. He has no idea what he just got himself into... :)

So, my biopsy is on Monday! I want to dance!! I want to sing!! (I want to puke a little too...) Lets get this thing rolling.

Needles

Tomorrow I go to have my port flushed at my oncologists office. When you have a port, it has to be flushed every three months in order to ensure it is functional, and that it does not become clogged. I will also be telling the staff and my oncologist that I am changing medical groups. I am sorry to be leaving such a kind staff, but I am not sorry to leave that medical group! However, I hope that I am not going to just run into the same problems at the new medical group. We shall see.

Also, I got a call today that they are STILL waiting for the insurance approval for the CT guided needle biopsy of my liver. However, we did set up an appointment for it, for next Thursday. If they won't let me have it done at the university, I'll just wait until April 1 when the new medical group kicks in. I mean, I've waited this long already, whats another week or so? It sounds interesting. I'll be under twilight sedation, and they will insert a needle into me. They will keep putting me in and out of the CT scanner, to make sure that the needle is going the right way. They said it takes about an hour, and that they keep you there for about four hours afterward to make sure nothing important got punctured, except for what they wanted to puncture. ;)

The biopsy will tell us if the suspected cancer on or near my liver is still ovarian cancer, or if it is some other type. That will determine what type of chemotherapy I will get. Doxil or Gemzar or Taxotere - oh my! There is a certain poetry to chemotherapy drug names.

I am in great spirits though. The clouds and fear have lifted - I have not been plagued by them for several weeks. I asked God for a miracle. I don't know if I will get it or not, but the simple action of asking seemed to lift the paralyzing fear from me.

I just wanted to give you all a short update (that really was not so short). I'll let you know when I know, if the needle biopsy will continue as scheduled or not!

Living with cancer

The title says it all. The gynecologic oncologist said that from here on out, I will likely have cancer. The PET scan showed three areas -near my liver, on my colon, and in my upper abdomen. Those little cells sure get around! There was also a suspicious area in my neck (the scan said it could be the thyroid, or vascular). She was not convinced that was cancer.

She said the chemotherapy that I was previously on, did not seem to do a thing to stop or slow the cancer. I am platinum resistant (became immune to the effects), or refractory (never had any effect). What a waste! I hate that I was poisoning my body for no reason.

She said that we can fight it with chemo - all different types of chemo - to hopefully keep it from growing, and possibly shrink it. I would stay on one type of chemo until the cancer decides to ignore it, and then try another. But the implication is that chemotherapy will be my life.

She wants to biopsy (needle biopsy) the mass near my liver, I guess to ensure that it is ovarian cancer, and not a cancer of some other name. I will be switching my insurance to her hospital, where any future chemotherapy I get will be under her direct supervision. I only hope that my insurance company will understand and not be slow to act in changing my coverage.

So, that is where everything stands as far as the game plan. I hope that one of the chemotherapies is especially effective, and knocks this back for a while.

Tonight I am making chili for my company's 'chili contest' that they hold every year. That is more important than worrying about the future -right? ;) In fact, I need to change that title up there to " LIVING with cancer " (because "cooking with cancer" just doesn't sound quite right... ;) )