CDC Symptom Diary Card

Friday, August 10, 2012

I had Cervical cancer along with Ovarian Cancer



When I went through my initial ordeal with ovarian cancer, the pathology report also stated that I had severe  dysplasia of the cervix.  Cervical cancer.  I never talk about this because the Ovarian Cancer was and is so dominant.

The  Foundation for Women's Cancer is a great resource that helps women learn about all women's cancers.

I encourage you to take a look at their resources.

Who knows if they are all interconnected?  Which came first the chicken or the egg?

Peace and God Bless

Love,
Denise

Top race banner

  Foundation for Women's Cancer

August 10, 2012 
 
For Immediate Release 
  
More Information: 
 
Karen Bate                                                 Lorraine Chambers 
Nat'l Race to End Women's Cancer          Knock out! Panties 
            703-402-2672                                                               972-771-4404       
karenbbate@gmail.com                             lorraine@knockoutpanties.com  

Wear the Purple Panty to End Women's Cancer! 

[WASHINGTON, DC]  The Foundation for Women's Cancer is proud to announce that Angle Enterprises, LLC, creator of Knock out! Panties is the Official Panty of the Foundation for Women's Cancer, and a sponsor of the 2012 National Race to End Women's Cancer in Washington, DC on November 4th. 

mom and daughterSeptember is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month and the Foundation kicks off its Fall Campaign with a 72-hour, continuous "Relay Round the White House" by survivors and supporters to raise awareness about reproductive cancers and the National Race to End Women's Cancer in November. Learn more atendwomenscancer.org.
Knock out! partnered with The Foundation for Women's Cancer when the National Race directors, with passion in their voices and empathy in their hearts, approached CEO Angela Newnam."They educated me on the struggles to get attention for these rarely mentioned reproductive cancers. They asked me for help in their cause - to spread the word and to raise research money for these "below the belt" killers, such as cervical, ovarian and uterine cancers. Why me? I am the founder of Knock out! - we make Smart Panties and are very focused on issues below the belt. We are committed to helping educate women and to raise awareness and money for a cure."

Everyone knows about the pink ribbon - but not everyone is familiar with her sister, the purple ribbon, which represents all reproductive cancers. "We strive for similar success in raising awareness about gynecologic cancers," says Karen Carlson, Executive Director of the Foundation for Women's Cancer. "88,000 women are diagnosed each year, and nearly 30,000 die. Our mission is to raise research funds and educate women about how best to prevent, detect, treat and defeat women's gynecologic cancer. We are thrilled to have Knock out!'s support and their sponsorship of the National Race to End Women's Cancer."
 
Gynecologic cancers strike women young and old; the list includes Gilda Radner, Dixie Lee, Coretta Scott King, and Jessica Tandy. Olympic gymnast Shannon Miller and actress Kathy Bates are both survivors of ovarian cancer. National Race Survivors Committee Co-Chairs Jennie McGihon and Pamela Mielnik, both of Alexandria, VA, were diagnosed at 32 and 36 respectively. These GYN cancers are difficult to detect, and the Foundation educates women to learn the symptoms, listen to their bodies and seek care from a gynecologic oncologist, a doctor with specialized training for treating these deadly diseases.

Wear your purple Knock out! Smart Panties, register for the National Race to End Women's Cancer (you can even sleep-in and still support the cause) and get into action to help eradicate women's cancers - below the belt! 
###

ABOUT Angle Enterprises, LLC, Knock out! NO TRACE & Smart Panties
:
Knock out!, NO TRACE and Smart Panties are trademarks of Angle Enterprises, LLC. Based in Washington DC, Smart Panties and other garments manufactured and distributed by Angle Enterprises, LLC contain patented technologies designed to eliminate moisture and odor. The American made garments consist primarily of Supima cotton. Angela Newnam, creator, CEO and founder, holds an MBA from Harvard. Angela is the first woman to win the prestigious Harvard Business School Alumni International New Venture Competition. The company was named one of the Top 15 Global Startups for 2011 by the Kauffman Foundation. Knock out! Smart Panties and NO TRACE products are sold throughout the US and Canada at specialty retailers and online through major web retailers. To learn more, follow them on Twitter @knockoutpanties or visit their web site: www.knockoutpanties.com.

Register today for the National Race to End Women's Cancer!
 
Be sure to "Join" and Follow Race News on Facebook:  

and on Twitter: GYN Cancer: #EndWomensCancer  
   
Support the Foundation for Women's Cancer  
through the Combined Federal Campaign:
CFC Code 86802 
This email was sent to joindenise@yahoo.com by race@foundationforwomenscancer.org  
Foundation For Women's Cancer | 230 W. Monroe | Suite 2528 | Chicago | IL | 60606

Friday, August 03, 2012

My mom is selfless

My mom puts other people first, especially people who work hard.  That's how she hurt her tailbone in New York.  She didn't want to make the cabbie wait, the traffic was scary and a nightmare. She was rushing to get in the cab........and whammo.  The next morning she couldn't get out of bed.  She couldn't even open the heavy hotel doors, and walk around by herself.  Here we are on this fabulous trip to New York, and she is in pain.  Heartbreaking.

The next day we were planning to go to some museums.  She is an artist.......She missed her much desired trip to Museum Mile because of her desire to not make the cabbie wait.  She spent our only total free day in complete pain and in the clinic.  Aagh.  I am still not over that ........just wishing I'd done something to prevent it............

We will find a way to do the trip, even if it is a virtual one.

She tipped the cabbie $20

She spent all day yesterday waiting for the wonderful ladies that help clean her home, which she reluctantly agreed to not too long ago. She is just not the type to have someone else clean her house.  By 5:00 pm they still hadn't arrived.  I was helping with dinner, because nothing appeals to her anymore.  I asked her if I could call and ask them to come tomorrow.  Her response "no, that may not fit into their schedule".

She has such a good heart.  Her appointment went well today, thank you God.

I love you mom, love you sis.

Ovarian Cancer National Alliance



We are coming up on September, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.  Above is a beautiful stamp created by Amy Tedder, a 6 year Ovarian Cancer survivor.  You can read more about her from the link below.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/August-news-from-the-Ovarian-Cancer-National-Alliance.html?soid=1103664214012&aid=08nMv7XeHQE

In the past few weeks we learned about Wendy Schultz, wife of MSNBC host of the Ed Show, Ed Schultz.  Wendy has had surgery and is receiving treatment for ovarian cancer.  Our prayers and love and support go out to you Wendy and Ed.

Please watch the video, it is compelling and you can feel the love that Ed has for his dear wife.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/26/ed-schultz-wife-wendy-ovarian-cancer_n_1706873.html

Mom is doing so much better, yay.  We are just doing all we can to be there for her so that she can get back to a sense of normalcy while we have some sunshine in Seattle.  She has so many complications, yet she pushes on, no matter what.  No matter the pain, the swelling, the fatigue, the sugar changes, or whatever tries to block her way.  'We love you mom.

I have my second treatment with  Lipodox next Monday.  Ugh, but it must be done.  This last time around, the nausea was pretty bad.  Overall though, I could breathe.  No shortness of breath.  That was so scary when on the carboplatin, so thankful that is gone.  Today I am grateful for the Lipodox and will deal with the side effects, because I'm here to deal with the side effects I can say thank you to God.

I love you all!

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
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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

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