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Abbreviations & Acronyms
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dx |
diagnose, diagnosis
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FSH |
follicle-stimulating hormone
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IBS |
irritable bowel syndrome
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IVP |
intravenous pyelogram — study to look at the kidneys and ureters
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NED |
no evidence of disease
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s/s |
signs & symptoms
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SLS |
second-look surgery
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TAH / BSO |
total abdominal hysterectomy / bilateral salpingectomy and oophorectomy — removal of, respectively: uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries
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tx |
treat, treatment
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US |
ultrasound
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WAR |
whole abdominal radiation
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Deanna "Dee" Bonvillain (1)
Submitted on 08/03/2004
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On January 7, 2003 saw family doctor - complaints swelling, loss of appetite and just not feeling good. (Had regular gyneology exams in November and December of 2002 with specialist. Irregular findings but nothing indicated cancer - medication to clear up problems.) Family doctor sent me to the local hospital for ultrasound looking for gall stones. Scan showed stones. Saw Surgeon on January 21, 2003 to schedule surgery. Sent me to local hospital for CAT Scan - didn't like the looks of abdomin. January 23, 2003 surgeon's office called to cancel surgery - results = possible cancer - mass on right ovary. Gyneocologist explained results next day. Naturally blood pressure was high so went to Cardiologist to check out for surgery. Gyneocologist made appointment with Oncologist/Surgeon at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans - he confirmed that I had Ovarian Cancer - sent to pulmonary specialist to remove pint of fluid under left lung - tests of this fluid revealed Stage IV Ovarian Epithelial Cancer. We have a local Cancer Center here so I started my treatments here - Ochsner and Cancer Center specialist conferred on treatment - Taxol/Caroplatin for three sessions - complete hysterectomy - then six more sessions of Taxol and Carboplatin - CA 125 got down to 44 and then stopped working. Had to start on Procrit shots because of blood work - On 10/24/2003 started taking Gemcitabine(Genzar) and Cisplatin.Platelets went down and was not able to take as directed. On December 2, 2003 changed medicine to Doxil. After three sessions of Doxil CA 125 showed no improvement - changed to Gemzar alone with lower do I am now on Topotecan and this one has given me bad side effects but nothing I can't handle. I have had six sessions of this medication. Will be taking CAT Scan after two more sessions. Four small doses with two weeks between treatments. I am feeling well but from what I am told by my gyneocologist/oncologist/surgeon, I will not get into remission, but life goes on. I still bowl, go to church, gamble, play cards, etc - everything I did before cancer struck. I feel that I do not want to give up on the medications. I feel that between medication and God, I am still alive and without pain. |
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