A Year Ago On The 13th

A year ago today, November 13, 2008, I was in RWJ University Hospital in surgery for a recurrence of ovarian cancer. I was back in the - what lies ahead thought mode. I didn't really know if the doctors would find additional cancer once they went in to operate on the spots that did show up on the PET scan.

The surgery was tough, I will admit, but the care I received from my CINJ doctors was wonderful. They removed all visible cancer which did include removing my spleen and part of my liver. I couldn't ask for a better outcome.

As you know, if you read this blog, I has some time off to recover from the surgery but I was not well enough to take a trip we had planned to Florida in early December. It seems cancer just takes over any plans you might have in place. That is one of the things that bother me most when I have surgery or when I am in treatment. Lack of control.

I started chemo in January , had that super reaction to the carbo after two cycles and finished up four more cycles with only taxol.

So one year later I am feeling pretty darn good. My hair is back! ;o) I still have neuropathy in my toes but I am dealing with it. I am walking again , doing exercises to improve my arm strength and enjoying spending time with the best people in the entire world my husband and my children. Their support means the world to me. My friends and family have kept me in their prayers and included Nick and I in lots of fun times too.

I am still in the what lies ahead mode but for now what lies ahead looks GREAT!

LiveSTRONG

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing! I am blessed with a wonderful family and dear friends.

Dr. Oz Show and Ovarian Cancer

Dr. Barbara Goff is scheduled to appear on The Dr. Oz Show on Wednesday, November 11 to discuss ovarian cancer!Based on Dr Goff's research a National Ovarian Cancer Symptom Consensus statement was issued in 2007.

She will discuss the warning signs of ovarian cancer and what women should do if they have these symptoms. She also will discuss the importance of early detection and the improved chance of a good outcome when women are treated first by a gynecologic oncologist.

Please visit http://www.doctoroz.com/sites/default/files/oz_wheretowatch.pdf to check your local listings for The Dr. Oz Show.

I am so happy that a nationally syndicated show will be featuring information about ovarian cancer.

Livestrong

Dee

Every Day is a Blessing!

A Five Star Program - Cancer Transitions Moving Beyond Treatment

Tonight is the last night of the Cancer Transitions - Moving Beyond Treatment program offered at the Cancer Institute of NJ ( CINJ). Cancer Transitions - Moving Beyond Treatment is a partnership effort between the Wellness Community and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. It is meant to support and educate cancer patients during the transition period following treatment. It began in 2006 and participants have been evaluating and improving it ever since.

My evaluation of the program is 5 Stars.

I highly recommend this program.I have been involved in many different types of programs specifically for ovarian cancer survivors. This program is open to survivors of all types of cancer. And that is why I think this program is especially strong. It is applicable to all survivors - those who have had surgery, those who have had chemo and those who have had radiation or any combination thereof. Topics during the past few weeks included Taking Control of Survivorship, Exercise for Wellness, Emotional Health and Well-Being, Nutrition Beyond Cancer , Medical Management Beyond Cancer and Life Beyond Cancer.

Each week I came home with a piece of information or technique that I could use on my own path of survivorship. The exercise component was incredibly helpful. I walk almost every day but my upper body strength had gotten pretty weak over the past year during my treatment for a recurrence. Rita Musanti, a nurse and our Fitness Instructor, was able to show me exercises to build arm and shoulder strength. Her knowledge of the type of surgery I had allowed her to recommend exercises that would tone my abdominal muscles without causing injury. Last weeks presentation by Marlene McGuire, RN, discussed our awareness of side effects of treatment. In a discussion about neuropathy, I learned that the pain and tingling I feel in my left foot may be intensifying as the weather gets colder. It makes sense but I never heard anyone tell me that might be the case.

So a big thanks go out to all the presenters, and to Ellen Levine , Wellness Community of Central NJ and Julie Murphy, CINJ, for their efforts in making the program available to survivors here in NJ and for offering their insights into the emotional health of cancer survivors.


LiveSTRONG

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Something for FREE!

I just learned from a friend that there is a service that provides FREE, yes that is correct FREE) housecleaning for cancer patients. Cleaning for a Reason Foundation was founded in 2006 and is a non-profit which offers free housecleaning and maid services for women being treated for cancer. What a great idea! Even though the foundation is based in Texas, services are provided throughout the country. I checked and there are 22 cleaning services in NJ . You can sign up on their website. The process does require that your doctor fax a note confirming that you are in treatment. Then you are entitled to one housecleaning a month.

Thank you to the Board of Cleaning for a Reason for making the lives of women in treatment just a bit easier.

LiveSTRONG
Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

Travelin' Mom

Last Thursday, I got on a plane at Newark airport for Manhattan. No not the Manhattan across the Hudson from NJ but Manhattan, Kansas- home of the Kansas State Wildcats and my daughter and her husband. We flew first to Dallas and then on a small American Eagle flight to Manhattan.

Walking down the ramp to the runway- it is a very small airport- I left my cares behind.

I even surprised myself. Outside of posting some info about the slashing of DOD funding for Ovarian cancer research I did not think of having cancer or what it is like to be a survivor or when my next appointment would be.

I enjoyed each regular old day. I walked Silvio their cute pug around the neighborhood. When Silvio found a snake skin on the road, I wondered what type of snakes they have in Kansas. I am pretty sure some are poisonous . We checked out the wildflowers, sunflowers, that grow on the edge of Theresa's property . I used the Kansas Birds book to identify a red hawk that was flying overhead. I haven't used one of those field guides since teaching at St Francis.We picked and carved pumpkins. Terry showed me how she roasts pumpkins seeds. MMMM good. I even tasted a local Manhattan beer- a pretty good stout with a name like Buffalo Sweat. I loved the sunset you can see from her large dining room window. But I did have to come back to NJ.

So, yesterday morning on our return flight from Manhattan ,the captain announced" We are first in line for take-off" . I chuckled. We were the only flight in line for take-off... actually we were the only commercial airplane at the airport. Did I say the MHK was a very small airport?It is nice to be in a place where you are the only flight in line or the only game in town.( When we flew out of Newark we were 18th in line. )

It is difficult at times having children who live so far away. (Thank goodness for cell phones. ) But distance also gives me a chance or an excuse to visit any time they like . Well, maybe that really is, any time I like.

Those trips give me a new "normal" and a break from being a person who had cancer. I am just a travelin' Mom.

LiveSTRONG

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing! I am blessed with the opportunity to travel to see my children.

Why I Chose a Clinical Trial

A few months ago I was asked if I wanted to talk to a reporter about why I chose to be part of a clinical trial. I agreed to be interviewed because I strongly believe that cancer patients as well as people with other chronic diseases should consider clinical trials at all stages of their treatment.This is how progress is made. Many people think that a clinical trial means being a guinea pig. Well I did have more blood tests than a person on standard chemotherapy. But the care I received and the feeling that I could be a part of something that could change the lives of other cancer patients made all those extra needle sticks ok.

My story became part of the Top Doc issue of NJ Monthly magazine . The article is called On the Cutting Edge- Patients in Clinical Trials of new drugs must weight risk vs reward.
Thank you Ken Terry for such a well researched and well written article.

LiveStrong
Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!I am blessed to be a patient of Dr Rodgriguez and Dr Gibbon at the Cancer Institute of NJ.

Another Kaleidoscope

Here is some info from OCNA about a great TV show to raise awareness about women's cancers. IF you are in the DC area and are an Ovarian Cancer survivor you can order discounted tickets through OCNA.

Kaleidoscope is a holiday entertainment variety special featuring Olympic skating champions and GRAMMY Award-winning music artists. Viewers will be thrilled with the historic return of the legendary Scott Hamilton and Dorothy Hamill matched with fellow cancer survivor Olivia Newton-John.

Kaleidoscope addresses issues surrounding women and cancer through an extraordinary collaboration with 10 advocacy partners.

The LIVE event will be held Monday, November 16, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC.

There is no charge for the tickets, but a $2 Ticketmaster convenience fee is required for each ticket ordered on line. To order your tickets for the live performance at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC, click here and insert the passcode OCNA into the Promotions and Special Offers Box.

In an effort to raise awareness about ovarian cancer, if you and/or your family and friends are attending the LIVE event, we ask that you please wear TEAL. Hope to see you there!

The other causes supported by the show include- ASCO, NCCS,ONS, C3, GCF, OCNA , the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.


LiveSTRONG

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!