CDC Symptom Diary Card

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Medications to treat Ovarian Cancer, returning to OC

Hello Family,


Last night I had a nightmare.  One of my old managers from the 1990's was in my dream and in the dream I was crying because I was being harassed.


It was so strange.  I was in a library that looked like a giant shopping mall.  I kept running from section to section because I was being chased by her, literally being forced to move because I wasn't "allowed" to educate myself.  I was forbidden to read or research information about my condition.  I guess I was trying to find out more information about a situation I was in, and she didn't want me to know my rights.  


It was like a game of hide and seek.  She would find me and make me leave the area and I would sneak back in and be caught again.  This happened over and over and over and over.  


When I'm on chemo my dreams are always very colorful and detailed and full of strong messages.  I always remember them in some way and often will continue the dream the next night.  


I'm literally remembering this dream as if it actually happened.  


I feel like it sums up a lot of life experiences for myself and so many others.  We get bullied all throughout our lives on different levels.  As kids, it's the bully who makes fun of you.  As you age, it turns into an awkward work situation or fellow parent on the school board or landlord from hell.  


We never really know though how significant these instances are until later in life.  I've had slumlords make my life very difficult and complicated.  I remember clearly the gal in school who gave me a hard time, changed me forever.  


As a patient, I remember a few health professionals who could use a lesson in decency.


Maybe my dream was a summation of all those experiences of when I could have either stood up for myself or researched something just a little more and gave myself more protection.  I didn't though, and when I did stand up, I always chose what seemed to be the "wrong" fight.


Now I am much much much better at choosing my battles.  I am more careful not to poke the wrong bear. I still make mistakes, but I make them less often.


All else is forgiven and tomorrow there will be a new battle.  Maybe I just needed a dream to collectively gather all of those moments in time into one event and just let it go.  


Cancer is enough for now.


On a different note, I came across a list of possible medications to treat OC and thought it would be good to re-issue it, thank you WebMD.


I know I saw this several years ago, but was too overwhelmed to really consider anything other than what was recommended by my fabulous gyn-onc, Dr. G.  I know I have been given the best chemo options considering my overall medical health.  I really trust my doctor.


For those of you who are new to ovarian cancer, this list may be useful just so that you are aware of all the options.


My recurrence is turning out to last longer than I had hoped, as my new Lipodox treatment plan continues into November.  I don't qualify for any trials because my medical condition is too complicated with having rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  RA is an auto-immune disease that effects multiple systems in the body, not just the joints.  


I feel fortunate that I have the Lipodox option and that SCCA  http://www.seattlecca.org/  was able to obtain this important medication.  The Doxil crisis sadly left many people without critical treatment. I AM so blessed. 


Love you ................ 


WebMD: Better information. Better health.

Considering taking medication to treat Ovarian Carcinoma? Below is a list of common medications used to treat or reduce the symptoms of Ovarian Carcinoma. Follow the links to read common uses, side effects, dosage details and read user reviews for the drugs listed below.
Your search for Ovarian Carcinoma returned the following treatments.
DRUG NAMEINDICATIONWhat's this?TYPEWhat's this?USER REVIEWS
Arimidex Oral  528 User Reviews
Femara Oral  376 User Reviews
tamoxifen Oral  350 User Reviews
Xeloda Oral  110 User Reviews
AVASTIN IV  110 User Reviews
hydroxyurea Oral  50 User Reviews
Hydrea Oral  48 User Reviews
anastrozole Oral  43 User Reviews
megestrol Oral  32 User Reviews
Taxotere IV  28 User Reviews
cisplatin IV  25 User Reviews
letrozole Oral  24 User Reviews
carboplatin IV  21 User Reviews
Adriamycin IV  19 User Reviews
Megace ES Oral  17 User Reviews
Gemzar IV  16 User Reviews
Doxil IV  15 User Reviews
cyclophosphamide Oral  11 User Reviews
gemcitabine IV  11 User Reviews
docetaxel IV  9 User Reviews
Megace Oral Oral  9 User Reviews
leuprolide SubQ  7 User Reviews
bevacizumab IV  5 User Reviews
cyclophosphamide IV  5 User Reviews
capecitabine Oral  4 User Reviews
topotecan IV  4 User Reviews
paclitaxel IV  3 User Reviews
melphalan Oral  3 User Reviews
doxorubicin IV  3 User Reviews
etoposide Oral  2 User Reviews
Alkeran Oral  2 User Reviews
Adriamycin PFS IV  1 User Reviews
Hexalen Oral  1 User Reviews
Hycamtin IV  1 User Reviews
Docefrez IV  Be the first to review it
Alkeran IV  Be the first to review it
melphalan IV  Be the first to review it
altretamine Oral  Be the first to review it
thiotepa Inj  Be the first to review it
doxorubicin liposomal IV  Be the first to review it
Onxol IV  Be the first to review it
Lipodox IV  Be the first to review it
Lipodox 50 IV  Be the first to review it

FIND A DRUG:

by name or medical condition or shape/color (Pill Identifier)

Monday, July 23, 2012

Aurora Memorial: We must make a change: National training program required prior to purchasing a gun of any kind.





http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/07/23/us/20120723_SHOOTING.html?smid=pl-share

My deepest condolences to the families of the victims, survivors and families of the survivors of the shooting in Aurora Colorado.  My home state and America and people around the world mourn your loss.  God Speed and Peace Be with You.

I propose that all people who purchase guns be required to have completed a training course prior to making the purchase.  This should be a Federal requirement, and a national registry of all people who have taken the gun safety course, gun ownership and current residence must be streamlined into one system.

Nobody needs to buy a gun in a hurry and nobody should be able to buy a gun without prior training on safe operation, handling and ethical and legal use of their weapon.

If the shooter would have been required to get to physically present himself to a training program operator, pass an exam and get a license that is certified and notarized,  he never would have passed.

I am not a fan of taking away our right to bear arms, but owning an assault rifle is ridiculous.

We need a license to drive a car.  We need a license to operate machinery.  In this country, you must pass a test to be a notary public.  Guys who work construction can't operate a forklift without going through certification for crying out loud....................

YET, in this country we allow people to buy weapons without knowing that they are trained on safe and lawful use.

The rigor and planning and patience and good honor necessary to take the time to attend and pass these courses would improve safe use of guns around the country and also would be a great deterrent, making it harder for criminals to buy weapons.  How many children are injured because stupid adults leave guns loaded in the house, accessible to curious little people? How many people hurt themselves each year because they don't know what they are doing?

I am not a fan of hunting, I can't even kill a spider.  I take them outside.  But I do understand that some people hunt and that we have a constitutional right to own a weapon to help us protect ourselves.  To continue to allow people to buy weapons and ammunition without proof that they have been trained on that weapon is plain irresponsible.

Please share if you support this idea.

We must change the ease of access to guns and background checks are not enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Sunday, July 22, 2012

Marsha Rivkin Seattle SummeRun and Walk for Ovarian Cancer by Swedish





Race Details for Swedish SummeRun


The mission of the Marsha Rivkin Center is to save lives and reduce suffering through improved treatment, early detection and prevention of ovarian cancer.Join us in our resolute effort against ovarian cancer. We fund the best scientists, develop the brightest minds, and encourage the strongest research partnerships.


Date: Sunday July 22, 2012
Distance: 5k Run & 5k Walk
Day of Event Timeline:
  • Registration begins at the corner of Marion & Minor 6:30 a.m
  • Aerobics warm up 7:45 a.m.
  • 5k Run/Walk 8:15 a.m.
  • Surviving Ovarian Cancer Tribute/ Awards Ceremony 9:30 a.m.
Location: All running and walking events will start and finish at the corner of Madison and Minor - Download driving directions (pdf) or check your bus options using the Metro Transit Trip Planner.

Registration: $30 per person (through July 18), $35 per person day-of-race. Cash, check, and credit card accepted.
   Register online: Whether your choose to run or walk the 5k, select the appropriate registration option on the SummeRun homepage. On-line registration available until 5pm on Wednesday July 18, 2012.
   Register by mail: Please download the registration form (pdf) and return with payment to: Swedish Medical Center Foundation, Attn: SummeRun, PO Box 3976, Seattle, WA 98124-3976. Mail-in registrations must be received by July 13, 2012.
    In-person registration:  You may register in person from June 20, 2012 until 5 pm on July 17, 2012 at the following locations:  
  • Super Jock 'n Jill (Greenlake) 206.522.7711 
  • Foot Zone (Bellevue) 425.462.7463 
  • Rivkin Center (Swedish Medical Center/First Hill) 206.215.6200

Parking: Free until 1 pm for all participants at the following location: 1101 Madison St. garage (enter on Marion via Boren). Please carpool when possible and allow extra time to enter and exit the parking garage.

Festivities & Awards: After the run/walk, you are invited to stay and enjoy refreshments, live music, an award ceremony for top finishers, and a tribute to ovarian cancer survivors.

Have questions? See our Frequently-Asked-Questionspage!