The preliminary reports are in: my mom has ovarian cancer.

Diseases & Conditions Breast Cancer
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We don't know any details yet. The doctor just told my mom she would be having chemo. She had bc twice (12/7), bladder cancer last year and now this. This disease s#*ks! She has other medical problems due to diabetes, so I know this won't be easy.  I will try to talk to her doctors and get more info.  I am sure they are used to dealing with distant children in Florida. Anyone with some info on ovarian cancer treatments? Please keep her in your prayers. Thanks! Frayda
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Frayda I am so sorry to hear this. I will keep your mother and you in my prayers sweetie. I can't help with any info, sorry, but I am giving you a big {{{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}}. L&H, Gail

 It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth -- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up, we will then begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.   Elisabeth Kubler Ross

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Oh Frayda, I am so sorry to hear your mother is havingto deal with cancer yet again. How old is your mother? I bet she could be about my age, 66? I can't imagine having been through bc 2x, bladder cancer and now this. I will keep you all in my prayers. Yes indeed this darnable disease is a scourage. I wish we could eradicate all forms of it. Just think if the concerntration and money were being spent on medical research instead of being sent to find WMD and terrorists, how much good it would do the world. Hugs MK


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Frayda, I am so sorry to hear this. What a trooper she has already been! Enough is enough!! I will keep your mother as well as you in my prayers. Please keep us informed. In the meantime I will send you gentle hugs and lots of prayers!

L&H
Sara

Sara Dearing
 
Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present!

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Hi Frayda. I am so, so sorry to hear that your mom has ov ca. She has been through so much. I am sending good thoughts and strong prayers, her way. Blessings.

Cindy

Breast cancer has become an epidemic. After all of the these years and billions of dollars donated for research...WHERE IS THE CURE???
http://www.truefacesofbreastcancer.org

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Frayda--I have ovarian cancer.  Two immediate ideas I had were for you to join two boards that I use which are very helpful.  We have people who post there for mothers so you will be at home.  One is Hyster Sisters, which has a Cancer Concerns board.  The other is at acor.org.  This is a list-server where you receive updates once or twice a day listing posts and then the posts, or you can read off the site if you prefer.  There is a 1300 person ovarian list.  We discuss every topic imaginable, from the newly diagnosed "what do I do" to those who have chosen Hospice.  Both boards are free to join and will be helpful.

Do you know what type of ovarian cancer your mother has?  80% is epithelial cell, which is what Ihave.  If it is epithelial, the standard treatment is 6 cycles, three weeks apart, of Taxol and Carboplatin.  Some doctors may add a third drug (such as Doxil or Gemzar) or go to 8 weeks.

Most women respond very well to the treatment.  They get remission.

Even if mom is stage 3 or 4, where 70% are diagnosed, there is good hope for her.  Ovarian tends to recur and be considered more "chronic" than curable at those stages.  I will have had it four years on 3/28.  I have stage 3C.  My initial treatment got me 9 months of remission; the second treatment got me almost six.  Since late August of 2003, except for one month of a Tamoxifen trial (failure) and now one month off to see what happens (Gemzar worked wonderfully and then seems to have failed me) I have been on chemo.  My life is great and I've turned into a big activist for awareness.

There are two websites to which I will direct you--they have excellent information on them.

Ovarian Cancer National Alliance:  www.ovariancancer.org

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition:  www.ovarian.org

If you have more questions, please feel free to e-mail me.  My "fun" e-mail I don't mind giving out is:  hotpantsdotsie@hotmail.com

It's a very frightening diagnosis but the women on the two boards will be very helpful and the information from OCNA and NOCC will be helpful. 

Johns Hopkins and MD Anderson also have excellent information on ovarian cancer.

Ellen--living proof you can live with ovarian cancer.

 

 

 

 

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Sorry to hear about your mom. I have to admit I find working with hospitals in Florida very easy. I have been overseeing my uncle from long distance. They will co-operate in ways you would never get from any hospital in this area. In this area you have to sign papers for your husband to find out anything. So its a wonderful relief to find out how nice they are about it. I will keep her in my prayers. What an amazing woman. L&H Joyce

People are like tea bags, you have to put them in hot water to see how  strong they are!
 
 

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Frayda:

So sorry about your mother's test results and dx.  I will have both of you in my prayers.  She sounds like a fighter.  Hopefully she and you will stay strong.

"Ellen" sounds very knowledgable and helpful.  Isn't it wonderful what on-line help is available to us all for all types of concerns.

Hugs to you.  Hang in there and please keep us up-dated.

Hugs,

 

Candy


Many Blessings for the New Year

 

 

Life may not be the party

 we hoped for,

but while we are here we might as

well dance.
   

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Frayda,
I am so sorry. I will keep you all in my prayers. It proves to me again that cancer is genetic. It has nothing to do with what we do or have done to take care of ourselves. I've had bc twice and a hysterectomy for cervical cancer. It was the beginning of it. Yes, Ellen sounds so knowledgeable and helpful. Please let us know how she is doing. We love you. Di
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Frayda,

I'm sorry your mom is having to deal with this, especially after all she's been through. Sending prayers for successful treatment.

Hugs,

Julie

Do not go gentle into that goodnight,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
~Dylan Thomas

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Frayda,

I haven't been on the board in ages, and I was thinking about you just this morning. I was shocked to see your post. I'm so sorry to hear this news. Even though your mom is in Florida, I'm sure you will be a tremendous support to her. Please know she is in my prayers.

Love and hugs,

Rozanne

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Frayda, all I can do is add my good wishes and prayers for your mother. She obviously is a fighter. So sorry that she has to do battle with cancer yet again. Hugs, Lauri

"Go confidently into the direction of your dreams. Live the life you always imagined" Thoreau
 
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

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Thank you all! She has certainly been through a lot these past few years. Now at 75 she's feeling somewhat defeated, but she is used to following "doctor's orders" so I think she will rally this time, too. Thank you for your help, Ellen. I have checked out 2 of those websites and found valuble info. I wanted to be as informed as possible when I hopefully speak to her doctor later today. I'll keep you posted. You gals are terrific! L&H, Frayda
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Frayda-
SOrry for this latest battle that you will face together, and no doubt, your informed nature will be a giant asset to your mom. And I bet it will help you cope, to get your hands on as much information as possible.
Hang in there, and we'll be there with you!
Lori

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(((Frayda))), I'm so sorry to read this news.  I kept hoping that things would turn out otherwise.  Your Mom has been through so much already, it makes one wonder about the unfairness of life.

I'm going to look only forward to good results for your Mom's chemotherapy.  Sending giant hugs and serious prayers for your Mom and for YOU.  Luci

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me lay an invincible summer.  Albert Camus

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Frayda I was thinking, as I was reading all these posts.. some for a second time, that your mother is a SURVIVOR in every sense of the word. Please give her our love and tell her we all are holding her hands as she goes through this all again. Hugs MK


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Frayda,

I'm so sorry for you and your mom. What an inspiration she is, tho! Battling any type of cancer is hardly easy, but to go through this for the fourth time is amazing. Her cancer may be genetic, but so is the strength in both of you. You're both in my prayers.

L&H<
Rita

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Frayda. So sorry you mom has gotten yet another cancer diagnosis. I will keep Her and your family in my prayers.
Sending strengthening hugs your way.

VICKY
YYYYYY

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Well ladies, all your prayers have helped! The cancer is not ovarian but a low grade peritoneal adenocarcinoma which her doctor says is a very slow growing cancer that is very responsive to chemo.  I asked her doctor to fax me the path report and I will consult my onc at Sloan Kettering, but this seems to be a best case scenerio. Hugs to all of you! Frayda
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Wow, what a gift! Great news, Frayda! Hooray for slow growing cancers that are responsive to chemo! This must be a big relief!

L&H,
Lori