CTCA

Cancer Treatment Centers of America is a fantastic place to receive treatment for cancer. It is truly patient focused. They actually use a holistic approach although this approach centers around toxic drugs. it's a relaxing place to recover.

I appreciate being able to go to CTCA. It’s an experience filled with mixed emotions. It’s like a healing resort – beautiful grounds, comforting facility  intentionally decorated to lift ones' spirit, soothing color scheme, carpeted hallways and offices, open spaces,  a player piano in the lobby, friendly, supportive staff,  fabulous cafeteria with many organic foods, body/hair salon, smoothie bar, Starbucks café, rooftop seating, chapel, library, exercise room, etc. etc.

I have met many people each with their unique stories.  There is a mix of happy and sad stories.

This cancer disease is such a mystery. Many stories contain the words – they got it all. Then it came back. This is a plague that the medical field still can’t quite completely understand or treat successfully.

I see familiar faces each time I return. Some have changed – the skin color is more yellow or gray, people losing weight, people in wheel chairs, more hunched over, frail, etc. I wonder if I will be like that in the future. Going through the fight of cancer, while the body is slowing failing. Ughhh.

I am so very grateful that I feel good. I am gaining weight (because of my overindulgences I am sure). My tumor marker has come done a little since my last visit. It was 294 and now it is 255. It’s slow, but the downward trend is positive. The doctor still wants me to do a few more chemo treatments, but we decided to do avastin only this time. We will see what my blood work looks like after this treatment and figure out is I should stay on avastin only or return to chemo. It’s nice to have break from chemo. I return to the center after Thanksgiving.

Please pray for the many people who I have met here. So many women who are single and going through this alone. It breaks my heart. I don’t think I could do this alone.

One single lady I met belongs to a large church in Oregon and they have only been to visit her once. No one has organized meals for her, help with yard work, or someone to look in on her each week. I just want to invite her to move in with us and let us love her through basic needs. I pray the body of Christ will see the needs of the hurting people right inside their church or neighborhood and begin serving them.

4, 5, & 6...

Chemo 4 went well! I actually stayed awake during the infusion. The first 3 I fell asleep during the whole infusion and then I am so tired afterward that I need a wheelchair down to the front door.

My dear friend Melissa drove up from the Tucson area to be me caregiver! what a blessing she is! Thank you Melissa Bush!! We got to spend some fun time together, reminiscing and talking about our current lives and dreams. I woke up from chemo infusion refreshed and ready to go.I flew home the day after treatment and had lots of energy and an ability to drink much more than usual after chemo.

Chemo #5 was a very similar experience, praise God!! I was without a caregiver, but it was probably my best experience. I knew that God would be with me because he promises that He will never leave me or forsake me. I had an overwhelming peace and joy treatment # 5 that continued during my days of recovery.

Treatment #6 was a special treat...my mom flew in from Indiana and drove with me, Tim and David down to Phoenix. We stopped at Bryce Canyon (of course it was closed thanks to our "government shutdown"). We were at least able to go to the rim and take a look down into the canyon. We drove onto Flagstaff for 3 days not sure what we would do if the Grand Canyon didn't open. Friday night we got word that Arizona was given "permission" to open its National Parks. So we got to spend Saturday, October 12 at the Grand Canyon. This was my 50th birthday!! What a special treat for us.

From Flagstaff we mosied down to Sedona for a quick lunch and Trolley tour. Absolutely gorgeous scenery. god is so amazing. How can anyone deny his existence?

We made it to Phoenix Sunday night. My appointments started at 7 am Monday morning. Ct scan showed a reduction in tumors. Actually the doctor said that he couldn't see any tumors. My CA125 is still higher than normal but down since the last treatment. they are 295. The Dr. is amazed that my numbers are high but my tumors are unseen. He says this chemo is working for me. He recommended 3 more chemo treatments or just continue on Avastin. We chose Avastin. My recovery from chem #6 has been slow and sluggish. More fatigue and more nausea.

We headed back to Salt Lake Tuesday afternoon. We stopped at the Hoover Dam, then stayed in Henderson for the night. I was tired. Sitting in a car sure can wear me out. I didn't get much exercise time in and I think that contributed to my fatigue.

I hope to post pictures soon!

Thanks for continued prayers!!!

Treatment #4 coming up.

What can I say in 5 minutes or less? Thank you friends and followers for encouragement and prayers!!

Going in for 4th treatment. After the 2nd treatment the numbers have come down to 695 from 1320. That is good news. I will have a CT scan Monday Aug 26th to see what the tumors look like on the inside. I still feel the lumps in my armpits. I hope the scan shows so much progress that the doctor will shorten the # of chemo treatments!!! I am supposed to have 6 total.

I truly believe that God can heal me. Whether or not it His will for me to be healed physically on earth or in Heaven I do not know. I am sure that He has His reasons for this trial. I don't like it, but I do trust His will for my life.

How do you live each day as if it is your last? Or, the month or year? What does it really look like when you have daily responsibilities? How to make memories and document them while you do have energy to do it?

After chemo I have about 8-10 days of fatigue, nausea, and depression. I need prayer to drink, drink, drink. I can't seem to even drink a glass of water per day and I NEED 60 oz. per day.

I have gone off the wagon of my wonderful, strict diet. Do I feel better -- not really. My joints ache, I have gained weight and my skin is breaking out again. Time to get back to good nutrition but I am rebelling against the only thing that I think is in my control.  Bring on the Turtle cheesecake and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream!!!

Always appreciating prayers,

:-)

Chemo to begin again

I am heading back to CTCA in Phoenix on Thursday. I hate to start chemo, but I really don't know what else to do!! The doctor says it's so aggressive and we need to reduce the tumors to side track the tingly feeling that has recently started in my lower legs and arms.

The oncologist says I have platinum refractory ovarian cancer which I think means it is resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy -- which is what I had from January to September of 2012. I never reached "remission"  and so that is what our goal is now. He has devised a concoction of Carboplatin (the platinum-based chemo I had before) in conjunction with Gemzar (chemo) and Avastin. Our goal is to get the CA125 down to the "normal range" within 6 treatments and then stay on Avastin for a year. My treatments will be once every 3 weeks, just like before.

They assure me that they have had much success in keeping nausea at bay by using nausea patches, and of course, synthetic medicine. Ughhh! I really don't want this option, but I just don't know enough to do anything else. I am really at the mercy of the doctors.

thankfully my sister will join me at CTCA on Friday.

Appreciating prayers, advice, encouragement, etc.

2nd opinion at CTCA

Cancer Treatment Center of America...so far the experience has been quite good. We have been treated as queen and king. Really. It's a relaxing place, lots of activities planned, good food to eat, smoothies to drink and lots of lattes! Our transportation is free and available to drive us just about anywhere. Our hotel is super nice and just a stone's throw across from CTCA.

We arrived Thursday night. Tests were performed Friday. I have a few pages to share on this blog about the actual details--only cause i want people to know and I want to remember!! but that will be my next blog:-)

Quickly I want to share that my CA125, although tested just under a month ago, is still climbing -  it is now 1,730. WOW!! or UH OH! It's always a surprise to hear a higher number especially when i think I have done a "good" job NOT eating the things I want to eat:-)

The CT Scan shows tumors in my lymph system in the abdomen, in my left neck area and under both arms. This is discouraging (very discouraging) news. It seems that our option is going to include chemotherapy - again. We will meet with another oncologist, the naturopath, the nutritionist and nurse educator on Wednesday for a detailed plan of treatment.

Asking for prayers, as always, to be brave, to live each day, to allow God's will with grace:-)

CA125 still on the rise.... BUT feeling great!!

I had blood work completed again last week. the CA125 has more than doubled since my last doctor appointment. It is now 1489. Another huge disappointment.

I feel pretty good, still watching what I eat, taking supplements and exercising. I have been struggling with sinus issues for nearly 4 weeks, a couple swollen lymph nodes under the arms, fatigue, moodiness and more hot flashes. Is it all connected??? I pray to find someone who can help me:-)

If anyone has suggestions or experience with the phases of stage IV ovarian cancer I would appreciate it:-)

I am at a loss of what (if anything) I can do besides pray that God will continue to be merciful and allow me to stick around long enough to raise David and grow old with my husband!! David will be 4 on May 31st!!

disappointment

Had my blood test and a pet/ct scan on Friday March 8. Met with oncologist at cancer center on Wednesday March 13th.

My CA125 has increased. This was indeed a surprise. It was 469 in January and now it is 583. That is not good news.

The scan shows "activity" on the liver. The "light" that was seen in that area on the scan is rated at a 6. I have no idea what that means. I couldn't even think to ask what that means, since that was not the news we were hoping for. They don't think the activity is in the liver, just on the outside.

They don't see any tumors so that is good news.

I continue on this path of healthy eating, lots of supplements, and exercise.

God is still in control and He is Good indeed!

appreciating your prayers:-)

Trials and joys

We met with the oncologist in January and found out that the CA125 numbers are on the rise. Recall the norm is 0-30 and mine was 469 last month.

Since Christmas I am on a much more stringent diet of raw veggies, low-sugar fruits, beans, and limited grains. No refined sugar, no refined flours, no dairy, and minimally processed foods, although NO processed foods is ideal. (I still like my hummus and stove-top popped popcorn!). coffee is limited too, bummer 'cuz I like the HELP it gives me in the morning.

We have incorporated 5 days of 30-minutes of exercise since Christmas.

I am taking lots of vitamins, Barley greens, and other supplements with hopes of building my immune system which will in turn fight the cancer. Interestingly, I can fight off colds and flu but the cancer is a different monster. I am under chiropractic care in addition to the care of a Naturopath and an avid nutritionist who was able to get rid of a brain tumor growing on the side of her head. I am going through detox programs, learning that the intestinal tract's health is VITAL to healing the body and having a healthy body. I am doing colon hydrotherapy. Boy, my life feels consumed by taking care of ME! David is such a trooper going to doctor appointments with me. He deserves a special treat.

We have been reading an interesting book called Anti Cancer by Dr. David Servan-Schrieber. Excellent book for anyone looking for scientific research on the link between cancer and nutrition.

Vitamin D is one to help fight cancer. Turmeric (along with pepper) is proven to help with inflammation. Inflammation in the body can lead to diseases. We are also watching my intake of alkaline foods to ensure a good balance of  Ph levels. Boy, there is so much to learn. I am convinced that I have no earthly idea of how to take care of this complicated machine called the human body! God of Heaven help me!! Truly.

Trying to find out what my Vitamin D level is was quite an ordeal. My oncologist told me to go to my Family Practioner. My FP told me to go to my oncologist. My onc gyn told me to go my FP. The blood lab said they MUST HAVE an order from my physician. Surprisingly, each doctor told me the exact same thing. Literally, they each said, "I don't want to be responsible for you". WHAT does that really mean?!

Apparently, IF the blood test shows that I have some terrible disease (what can be worse than what I already have?!) then they would have to be the one responsible to watch that condition, prescribe medicine, follow up with me, etc. I am sure it is more complicated than that, but nevertheless it is soooooo frustrating. I just want to know what my Vitamin D level is so that I can get it to a level where my body can try and fight the cancer. Finally the PA at the onc gyn office relented. She said, "...but I have to have a diagnosis for this blood order, what am I supposed to put down?" I told her, "I have cancer!" I wanted to shout, "Are you serious?? REALLY??!!!" It's quite bazaar if you ask me.

So here it is the end of February. I vacillate between energetic and tired, joyous and depressed, overwhelmed and able to manage quite well. I felt this way before being diagnosed! So what's the difference?

It has been 13 months since I was diagnosed. I have had 8 chemo treatments, 1 major surgery and had 2 lymphacelles drained.  Now I'm ready to recover! I do have a CAT/PET scan on Friday, March 8th. I have the same ole right-sided pains bothering me again. Perhaps it's scar tissue? Another lymphacelle?

I am hoping to have the Power Port removed from my upper chest in April, since chemo is not an option for me anymore. Perhaps the neck, shoulder and back pain will go away once the port is removed. I wonder if the port's location on top of the muscle has affected my neck, shoulder and back muscles problems. The massages and chiro care are slowly helping but this neck pain is really a pain in the neck!

I continue to appreciate prayers for us. Tim is an angel and cares for me tirelessly. David puts up with my moodiness and is quite agreeable for a 3 and a half year old. Both are such  blessings! Thank you Lord for your goodness, kindness and daily mercy!