Hello everyone,
I returned from MD Anderson on March 13th.
Overall, we believe it was a great trip.
My CA125 blood test showed number 7 (the lowest number possible).
My doctored explained to me that there was a discrepancy between 2 radiologists (reading the CT scans).
The first radiologist saw a change where my uterus use to be. There is a grey band at the bottom of that area.
My doctor did not see what she saw and received a 2nd opinion. The 2nd radiologist did not see a change.
A second doctor along with the Chairman agreed with my doctor to keep me on the anti estrogen hormone,
Since my CA125 was so low (the lowest!). We will see in June if there is a change, hopefully not!
Today, my prescription (Letrozole) was approved! Yeah!!
It took forever (2 appeals). I feel like I have just closed a chapter in my life!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Talking with the Doctors at MD Anderson
Louise is in Houston talking to the Doctors at MD Anderson today.
The news we got from the Doctor is AWESOME!
They told us chemo is not the preferred course for Louise’s type and grade of cancer. They are recommending hormonal therapy. What they have found is that when treating low grade ovarian cancer, is that the cancer does not respond to chemo therapy.
Or in other words chemo does not slow the growth of the cancer.
After testing Louise's tumor they found that about 95% of the tumor cells have estrogen receptors and therefore she is a very good candidate for anti-estrogen hormonal therapy.
We are very excited that Louise will not have to put her body through chemo… or at least we have a different option to research.
The hormone they are recommending is Letrozole. So I’m off to read about Letrozole…
It would be a big understatement to say Louise is very excited to here someone has a different treatment option. Chemo has never resonated with Louise.
Hubby
The news we got from the Doctor is AWESOME!
They told us chemo is not the preferred course for Louise’s type and grade of cancer. They are recommending hormonal therapy. What they have found is that when treating low grade ovarian cancer, is that the cancer does not respond to chemo therapy.
Or in other words chemo does not slow the growth of the cancer.
After testing Louise's tumor they found that about 95% of the tumor cells have estrogen receptors and therefore she is a very good candidate for anti-estrogen hormonal therapy.
We are very excited that Louise will not have to put her body through chemo… or at least we have a different option to research.
The hormone they are recommending is Letrozole. So I’m off to read about Letrozole…
It would be a big understatement to say Louise is very excited to here someone has a different treatment option. Chemo has never resonated with Louise.
Hubby
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
I am officially on the Kangen Water
Hello everyone,
I am officially on the Kangen Water as of last Friday when the SD501 arrived at my house. In the middle of the summer I tested my acidic/alkaline level and it was extremely acidic. Between drinking the Kangen water and eating a diet of fish, nuts, fruit and mainly raw vegetables, my levels are where they are supposed to be.
It has been 4 weeks since I have received my cancer news. The initial shock is over and I am feeling extremely strong from all of the positive changes and work I have implemented! I read in one of many of my new books, that a strong support system helps survivors.
That means I will live forever!
I love all of you very much!
Louise
I am officially on the Kangen Water as of last Friday when the SD501 arrived at my house. In the middle of the summer I tested my acidic/alkaline level and it was extremely acidic. Between drinking the Kangen water and eating a diet of fish, nuts, fruit and mainly raw vegetables, my levels are where they are supposed to be.
It has been 4 weeks since I have received my cancer news. The initial shock is over and I am feeling extremely strong from all of the positive changes and work I have implemented! I read in one of many of my new books, that a strong support system helps survivors.
That means I will live forever!
I love all of you very much!
Louise
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Life-saving cancer drugs not approved by the FDA
Here is a very good read on the FDA and cancer treatments...
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_6839/is_/ai_n28491556
Thank you Heidi
Hubby
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_6839/is_/ai_n28491556
Thank you Heidi
Hubby
Monday, November 17, 2008
The first Sencond Opinion
Hello All,
Well, Louise got a "second" opinion from Cedar-Sani hospital in cali.
They are recommending the same treatment as University of Colorado.
Louise will be leaving for MD Anderson on Nov 25. They want to look
at the pathology slides from UC and also take their own cat-scan along
with a few other test. We are hoping MD Anderson will give us a little
different treatment plan then the one they’ve been telling us since before
the operation.
Cheers.
Well, Louise got a "second" opinion from Cedar-Sani hospital in cali.
They are recommending the same treatment as University of Colorado.
Louise will be leaving for MD Anderson on Nov 25. They want to look
at the pathology slides from UC and also take their own cat-scan along
with a few other test. We are hoping MD Anderson will give us a little
different treatment plan then the one they’ve been telling us since before
the operation.
Cheers.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Pathology Consult with University Colorado Hospital
Colorado University November 7, 2008
Dr. Kian Behbakht and 5th year attending resident, Embry
Louise C. Young (40 years old)
Type of Cancer is a well Differentiated Serous Carcinoma with Papillary Serous Carcinoma with Psammomaodies.
Stage Four - The cancer moved to the outside of the abdominal wall.
Grade One - How the cells look and behave. Grade one is a low Grade or Well Differentiated cancer cells still look a lot like normal cells. They are usually slow growing which is good!
My cancer has not affected my liver, lung or brain which is the first areas of migration.
My cell type is a typical type of ovarian cancer but the new location (outside abdominal wall) is unusual in Ovarian Cancer pattern of migration. It has been called Sister Mary Nodular.
My cancer which was outside the abdominal wall near the bellybutton region was removed. It's size was about 3x2x1 centimeters, not including the small sample piece from the previous biopsy (3 weeks ago).
The cancer found outside of the abdominal wall is the same cell type as the approximate hundred nodules found inside. The nodules that were attached to the abdominal wall were less than ¼” in circumference. They where all removed by shaving them down to the surface (less than 5 millimeters in depth).
Dr. Behbakht believes my current cancer is a different type of than my previous occurrence of twelve years ago. My sample slide from back in 1996 were not kept past 10 years so there will be know way to test.
Dr. Behbakht feels I am not a candidate for IP (direct chemo to the inside abdominal cavity) for my additional cancer located outside the abdominal wall would not be treated sufficiently. Which he believe would grow out of control.
His suggested treatment plan is Carboplatin/Toxol. This chemo would start six weeks from my operation (1st week in December).
There is a clinical trial at CU for an extended chemo (Taxol or similar) for an additional 12 months called GEG212. This trial has been researched only for a year half and there are no results. After chemo I would be monitored by CT Scans or Petscans.
Dr. Behbakht recommends that I stay off all Estrogen. I have been prescribed a low dose synthetic estrogen which I've been taking for the passed twelve years. I started taking Orthofes and a few years ago I switched to Prefest (estradiol / norgestimate tablets). These are a 1mg estradiol and 1mg estradiol/ .09mg norgestimate tablets.
Dr. Behbakht told us that the ovarian Cancer cells have an estrogen receptor which may or may not aid in the growth in cancer cells. He feels I should not continue taking estrogen for this reason. His thought are "why risk growing the cancer".
Dr. Behbakht's team feels it's a good idea for me to have the Genetic test for ovarian cancer. The thought is that if it comes back positive, then I can have my daughters tested. This would be done at the Breart Center which is a Hereditary Cancer clinic 970.848.1030.
Dr. Kian Behbakht and 5th year attending resident, Embry
Louise C. Young (40 years old)
Type of Cancer is a well Differentiated Serous Carcinoma with Papillary Serous Carcinoma with Psammomaodies.
Stage Four - The cancer moved to the outside of the abdominal wall.
Grade One - How the cells look and behave. Grade one is a low Grade or Well Differentiated cancer cells still look a lot like normal cells. They are usually slow growing which is good!
My cancer has not affected my liver, lung or brain which is the first areas of migration.
My cell type is a typical type of ovarian cancer but the new location (outside abdominal wall) is unusual in Ovarian Cancer pattern of migration. It has been called Sister Mary Nodular.
My cancer which was outside the abdominal wall near the bellybutton region was removed. It's size was about 3x2x1 centimeters, not including the small sample piece from the previous biopsy (3 weeks ago).
The cancer found outside of the abdominal wall is the same cell type as the approximate hundred nodules found inside. The nodules that were attached to the abdominal wall were less than ¼” in circumference. They where all removed by shaving them down to the surface (less than 5 millimeters in depth).
Dr. Behbakht believes my current cancer is a different type of than my previous occurrence of twelve years ago. My sample slide from back in 1996 were not kept past 10 years so there will be know way to test.
Dr. Behbakht feels I am not a candidate for IP (direct chemo to the inside abdominal cavity) for my additional cancer located outside the abdominal wall would not be treated sufficiently. Which he believe would grow out of control.
His suggested treatment plan is Carboplatin/Toxol. This chemo would start six weeks from my operation (1st week in December).
There is a clinical trial at CU for an extended chemo (Taxol or similar) for an additional 12 months called GEG212. This trial has been researched only for a year half and there are no results. After chemo I would be monitored by CT Scans or Petscans.
Dr. Behbakht recommends that I stay off all Estrogen. I have been prescribed a low dose synthetic estrogen which I've been taking for the passed twelve years. I started taking Orthofes and a few years ago I switched to Prefest (estradiol / norgestimate tablets). These are a 1mg estradiol and 1mg estradiol/ .09mg norgestimate tablets.
Dr. Behbakht told us that the ovarian Cancer cells have an estrogen receptor which may or may not aid in the growth in cancer cells. He feels I should not continue taking estrogen for this reason. His thought are "why risk growing the cancer".
Dr. Behbakht's team feels it's a good idea for me to have the Genetic test for ovarian cancer. The thought is that if it comes back positive, then I can have my daughters tested. This would be done at the Breart Center which is a Hereditary Cancer clinic 970.848.1030.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The Hospital where the Surgery (debulking) was preformed.
http://www.uccc.info/conditions/cancer/gynecologic-cancer/ovarian/index.aspx
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