When Ovarian Cancer is no long in remission

 

A couple of days ago I had an appointment with my cancer doctor. It was obvious that my body is no longer responding to the Lynparza chemo drug which I've been taking for the last year to prevent my cancer from returning. The doctor explained that this often happens after taking Lynparza for that long. It has been losing its effectiveness for some time. It only took six months after I stopped having chemo treatments for the cancer to begin returning. At first we hoped that it might remain completely in remission for five years, but that hope faded as my cancer count continued to climb.

Why I am doing updates on my cancer treatments

I have assumed that many of you have felt as I have. You hear that someone has cancer and they ask for your prayers, then there is silence as they disappear into the deep, dark abyss called "Cancer". Probably a year later they reemerge to, hopefully, announce that they are healed. I've wondered what happened to them and worried about what horrors they were going through. The word, "cancer", has filled my soul with fear and dread. This is why I'm sharing my experiences. I hope this will make cancer treatments seem less frightening to you.

Building a Relationship Strong Enough to Withstand Cancer

Building a Relationship Strong Enough to Withstand Cancer

Sept 2021
When I started to write this a year ago, I had no idea what the year would bring.  I was surprised the end of June when I was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer and told that without treatment, I would have only a few months to live. What I thought of most was how I wanted to be with my husband and family. When we celebrated our 49th wedding anniversary a few weeks ago, I cried. I felt so grateful that we were still together and so overwhelmed with all the love and support my husband is giving to me to help me through the cancer treatments. 

As I've read the words I wrote, I've thought of my husband's commitment, love, and faith. He has told me how beautiful I am when I just have a few wisps of hair remaining. He has brought me food to eat, read to me, pushed me in a wheelchair, and done everything he could to help me. As he says, "We're doing this together."

It has been wonderful to have the supportive relationship we have built over these past 49 years to help me make it through these challenging times. Here are some principles which have helped us develop a relationship strong enough to withstand cancer. 

Second Chemo

I had my second chemo dose last Wednesday. I am tired and am doing well, but we had more difficulty this time. 

A few moments after the chemo IV was started, I felt that something was wrong. I started to cough and suddenly felt my face and neck become hot. The nurse, who was caring for another person, turned toward me when I coughed. When she saw my pink color, she rushed over and stopped the chemo IV. She immediately began an IV of Benadryl and steroids.  My back arched into a sharp cramp of pain then my hip flexors cramped. My chest was tightening and breathing was becoming difficult. By then, the Benadryl was taking affect and the cramping quickly subsided. Wow! I'd never experienced an allergic reaction like that before! 

We waited an hour for my reaction to settle down, then the nurse began the chemo IV once again. As soon as it began, my chest began to constrict again. Though I tried to relax, I was frightened -- frightened that I wouldn't be able to breath and frightened that I wouldn't be able to have the chemo treatments. 

My doctor had told me that I only had a few months to live if I couldn't do the chemo. I also knew that the Lord had promised to help me through these treatments. I had to be able to do this chemo treatment. I prayed for help and strength beyond my own. Suddenly, there was a "leap of faith". I felt moved from where I was to where I needed to be. It was as if I had been picked up and actually moved. I've never experienced anything like it before, but I was able to continue with the chemo for three more hours and complete it. I feel that I have been very blessed.

Good News!

Before my first Chemo my cancer marker count (a protein) was over 1500. Before my second Chemo it had dropped to 830 (normal is 125 or less).

Also, my red and white blood cells have not dropped as much as expected, and I have lost the rest of the extra fluid in my body. I have ankles again! Without the extra water, it is evident that I have lost a lot of weight during these last three months of abdominal swelling and difficulty eating. The good news is that I can now eat more normally, so I hope to put the weight back on and get back to a normal weight for me. All is looking very good. 

This a a photo of me the day after my second Chemo and yes, I do still have hair though it is thin, white, and wispy. 

The day after Chemo, I will now have an injection to encourage the growth of my white blood cells. It is painful afterward, but a real blessing that they can get my white bloods cells growing again. 

My First Chemo experience

Last week I was told that I had stage 3c ovarian cancer and only had a few months to live unless I began chemotherapy. Since it was growing so quickly, the doctor wanted me to begin chemo as soon as possible, so yesterday I went in for my first chemo treatment.

1st Chemo - I did wonderfully yesterday. The benadryl they gave me to prevent reactions made me a bit sleepy, but they also gave me anti-nausea pill, so I've just had slight nausea.

Of course, I am very tired at this time. I feel very blessed. It is common (30%) of people who do this chemo have hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions to the medication, but I didn't. With my history of sensitivity it was expected for me to have trouble, but it didn't happen. I feel everyone's prayers and the Lord's support.