Signs and Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer...and survival...

I got this information from the Mayo Clinic and most of this information is pretty dead on.

What makes Ovarian Cancer so hard to detect is that the symptoms of ovarian cancer  seems to  mimic those of many other more common conditions, which includes many digestive and bladder disorders. A woman with ovarian cancer will most likely be diagnosed with another condition before she  finally learns that she has cancer and  usually by that time; it usually in its later stages. Common misdiagnoses include irritable bowel syndrome, stress and depression. 

The key to finding out one has the disease is that the symptoms seem to be persistent or those signs and symptoms become worse. With most digestive disorders, symptoms tend to come and go, or they occur in certain situations or after eating certain foods. With ovarian cancer, there's typically very little fluctuation — symptoms are constant and will gradually worsen. 

Recent studies have shown that women with ovarian cancer are more likely than are other women to consistently experience the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating
• Urinary urgency
• Pelvic discomfort or pain
• Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea
• Unexplained changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
• Changes in bladder habits, including a frequent need to urinate
• Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full
• Increased abdominal girth or clothes fitting tighter around your waist
• Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)
• A persistent lack of energy
• Low back pain
• Changes in menstruation

When to see a doctor (Gynecologic Oncologist) 

Please see your doctor if you have swelling, bloating, pressure or pain in your abdomen or pelvis that lasts for more than a few weeks. If you've already seen a doctor and received a diagnosis other than ovarian cancer, but you're not getting any relief from treatment; be sure to schedule a follow-up visit with your doctor and/or get a second opinion. Make sure that a pelvic exam is a part of your evaluation and a transvaginal ultrasound will usually help with early diagnosis.

Even with the Transvaginal Ultrasound; I was still somewhat misdiagnosed and have been over the years.  At first it was my cervix which seemed to tilt and it was more than likely the cause of a tumor growing so big that it probably tilted my cervix to some degree.  I was the one with tilted cervix and this is why sometimes intercourse was painful at that time.  I was young and healthy and no one expected a thing.  Then with this transvaginal ultrasound, the tumors were thought to be benign cysts and I had 95% chance that they would only be benign cysts.  My husband and I reasearch all that we could about Ovarian Cysts.  From the results of that transvaginal ultrasound, it was indeed obvious to my Gynocologist that I would require surgery.  He told me that I had a 5% chance it was cancer and that just in case a very skilled Oncologist would be on hand should it be Ovarian Cancer.  We all know what happened after that.

Here is a photo of myself months before being diagnosed; I just a little chunky (happy fat from being happy with my honey.  My stomach was swollen at this point and I was trying to get a hold of my happy fat.  I was about 155lbs here. All woman! Nice big booty! Oh how I miss it; I miss all of my fabulous curves I used to have.  My honey is still happy despite all the ugliness of my tummy now.

If you have a history of ovarian cancer or a strong history of breast cancer in your family, strongly consider seeing a doctor trained to detect and care for ovarian cancer patients so that you can talk about screening, genetic testing and treatment options while you are disease-free. 

I had no idea that Ovarian Cancer was even in my family.  I do remember that my grandfather had passed away from Colon Cancer and one of my cousins had mention that my great grandmother or it could have been my grandmother who had a sister who died at age 32 of Ovarian Cancer; whommmm?  I was diagnosed at age 32 and it was almost sure that I wouldn't make it to 35 since many women that are diagnosed at stage III often don't survive past 2-3 years.  I maybe had a 15 percent chance of making it past 5 years but I didn't quite want to know the statistics of me surviving past 10 years.  At this point; everyday is a blessing.  I don't care how much pain I'm in; it's still a blessing.

Well sometimes I do have to admit that the pain can be downright horrifying; and I did have some of that this weekend.  I still have an abdominal blockage and have not had a number 2 in 3 days (this is day 3).  Most people would wish for more money, more success, babies, a big house, a nice job; what do I wish for?  Only to have the ability to take a nice decent dumpage!) or a nice big shit for those who don't get my made up words.

I have trying everything I can and something has got to happen by tonight or tomorrow morning or we may be visiting the ER.  I can't even fart so there is air pockets which are the real source of persistent pain.  I utilizing 1 Percocet and I took 2 Ml of liquid dilaudid this morning.  Oh GOD, how I hate having to take these narcotics but the pain has been through the roof.  I can just lay there as the rolls would continue; they are kind of like pain rolls and I can't eat anything; can't hold it in.  I eat anything (only things I can bare to eat look like poo or are the consistency of gooey poo!)  Just being honest about what I am going through. 

Well I am still riding my bike everyday; skipped on Friday because I was in too much pain; some days I have energy and some days I just don't; I just live one day at a time and one moment at a time.  I certainly cherish all the time I get to spend with my honey, pet, friends, and family.  I appreciate all that everyone does around me to ensure that my life is good.  Thank you and even having readers who seem to improve their lives because of my blog makes my life all the more worth living despite all stupid, stupid, crappy pain.  I hate it and I hope I can get rid of it.  The vaporizer helped me so much this weekend. I was able to stomach medication and to drink more water.  Boy did my mouth get dry and I drank about 5 glasses of water. What a miracle and I certainly hope that many more cancer patients lives are given a chance with those patients also being able to utilize cannabis rather than taking more narcotics.  I take some, but supplement most with my cannabis and it sure makes a difference.  It doesn't even count as a gateway drug.  Most addicts I have ever spoke with  have told me that cigarettes were their gateway drugs.  It makes sense.  

Anyway, I should go for now and hope to post some more photos.  Could not resist some oldies but goodies of Toonces the driving cat.   He loved to ride in the car and I found him the same evening I had met my husband.  It was about 3 in morning with this scrawny little tailess kitten bounced over towards me crying and I didn't have the arms to pick him up so I allowed for him to come into the house with me.  I gave him a bath and forgot to put out a litter box for him; not sure how he figured this out but he got out of my room and went right across the hall into the main bathroom.  He took a slimy little diarrhea shit right in front of the toilet. (on the floor facing the toilet) I heard this scream from a man  (my filthy hippy roommate) who had gone into the bathroom to do his duties in the toilet and had stepped in bunny girl's poo in his socks; what a mess   that was and it stank to high heaven.  What the hell was that little kitty eating?  I puked as I was trying to clean it up.  Oh it was bad! 

He was such a cute kitten that I took him to the San Francisco Humane Society for a free spay.  I really thought he was little girl and he didn't have any boy stuff down there.  Anyway, I took him early on Monday morning; dropped him off and left my name and info and they brought back my kitty castle (box) and I asked if I could keep this with him; and the girl who brought back the box stated "we can spay him, he is already neutered!".  I laughed so hard and everyone else in the office also erupted with laughter.  Poor old Toonce (well he wasn't old then = just about 6 months old.  Well since he loved riding in the car; I had to name him Toonces.  God Rest his soul!  My very first therapy pet.  I will never forget him!  My honey and Toonce sure looked amazingly cut in this photo together.  I hope you all enjoyed this post!  Anyway here is some information about another young horse who needs a home or some help.  I donated $100 of my own saving to help them buy some food and I know they need it.  Bless their hearts in them helping my favorites animals ever!

Nugget is a 1 and half year old Draft filly cross (did I say that right?).  She  looks like an Albino but has blue eyes and very gorgeous indeed.  Animali Farm is a wonderful organization which rescurs PMU mares and foals from this inhumane industry.  I sure hope one person is able to adopt her or just donate  some hay and food for her and some her friends.   These horses could do so much; police, rescue, and therapy.  I wish so much I could help others in this way and being paid to be around the horses! What a dream job that would be!)  It's too little too late but at least I get to write about them and tell all of you how special they are.  Peace and Love to all of you!

Go Sharks & some good Kharma....

Well I had my meeting with my doctor as planned and talked over my options and paperwork from the Clearity Foundation. He looked up one of the websites and was a little irritated at one of the founders who apparently is making a fortune on these genetic tests; but if they really work to help more women survive this deadly disease longer; then he must be doing something right. I don't care; I just wish to live. Perhaps him making so much obscene money is further proof that health care costs need to be re-evaluated then so be it.

I haven't been fortunate enough to have my own genetic testing or to have my tumors evaluated like this; I want something that really works. I don't want to keep on taking these same drugs that are also killing me as well as the Cancer; I want to try other drugs that are out there that might just work on my cancer and put me into remission. I don't feel the same as my doctors; that I am a lost cause. I have plenty of life left in me and I want to inspire the world if I can to live each day with meaning. Don't stress on the small things or even big things that you have no control over; try to look around them and see the good in all situations. I know I have.

While we were in the doctor's office; my pain started up and my intestines were stirring and I just started crying and doubled up in pain. It was horrible; I had forgotten to take my pain medication for the day; of all days to forget while going to the doctor's office. As I was sitting there, we had been going through the paperwork that I had wanted to have filled out. I started cramping up and doubling up in pain so he immediately had the nurse take me over to the infusion center where we sat next to a very young man who was very much into music; he must have been in his early 20's with the same picc line as myself. Well, to begin with Christine had led over to a chair to sit while I waited for my pain medication.

The young man was getting his chemotherapy and we all were talking about Neil Young and the Bridge School Benefit where Metallica had played very awesome acoustic just last year and that this year's Bridge School would be equally awesome with more great talents. We were just sitting there with Christine who works in the infusion center and is a huge fan of Paul McCartney. We had to tell her about going to see Bob Dylan. We were supposed to see the Sharks play and my husband kept telling me that we are not going if you are in this amount of pain. I kept telling him; "I'm not missing out on the Sharks!". I don't care; I don't want us to miss out on an evening out together. I was very much looking forward to going to see the Sharks play.

I had a good friend give my husband and I tickets to go see our beloved Sharks. They didn't win in the shoot out and it was 0-0 game the whole way. How weird it was that not one point was scored during the whole entire game?; each goalie had a shutout and even those 5 minutes of overtime; no goal was ever scored. At least the shootout Sharks only scored 1 point and the Coyotes (Phoenix) scored 2 points. It was a bummer they lost but we still had a killer evening together!)

We didn't see any scores but we did get to sit in the second row for part of the 1st period. It was so amazing being able to sit that close. Neither of us have ever sat that close at a hockey game! Some of the players slammed up against the glass and I squealed once while everyone on the row laughed at me and I laughed too with them of course. They all knew we were 1st timers just checking out the view for a little while. I got so carried away with my camera that I ended up taking 576 photos in one evening of fun! I couldn't help myself; this 2009 will hopefully be the best ever; hopefully not the last!

Right after we had traded the tickets back; while we were sitting in our assigned seats; the game had stopped for just a few minutes and a give away was announced. We didn't really give it much thought because we hardly ever win anything when we go these events. My husband heard our section and then our row announced and we both figured that only one person from that row would win something; but no; it was everyone on our row who won a free T-shirt and double CD of the Beatles Classic hits. It started on each side passing CDs and T-shirts in two different directions until everyone had something on our row. We played the CD in the car and it sounded amazing on the way back from the game! We were so happy to have won something! I'm know that I'm giving my CD and T-shirt to the person who gave us the tickets! The T-shirt and CDs both have the date 9/9/09 on them? Still a great prize, my honey's T-shirt fits him perfectly but I ended up with XL which will swallow me whole anyway!)

As I was snapping away at all the excitement of the game, my husband looked over and spotted Neil Young just watching the game with his son. Now we just saw Bob Dylan on Saturday night and then to see this touching moment with him with his son; now they are holding hands and watching the game together. I kept snapping shots of him for my home movie and it was just amazing and beautiful to see him with his son at the game having a good time. It was ironic that we had been talking earlier about going to see the Bridge School Benefit Concert which helps raise money for physically challenged children such as his own. What a great dad! I could just see the love between the two of them as they watched the game peacefully.

After the game we stopped briefly for a beer (I only drank half of my Guiness). What a fun, fun evening to have spent with my honey. Even though the Sharks didn't win, we still had a blast. It was kind of a magical evening. While in the bar, they were having Karoke and the nerve never struck me to get up. We stayed for about 1/2 an hour and then left when my kidney started hurting. I now know that I do have to start more antibiotics tomorrow in case I am getting an infection. This will prevent me from going into the hospital once again for another infection. I'm also doubling up on the cranberry juice! Well one bummer is that I did loose some weight being off the TPN and am down to 119.5 which isn't so bad. The cool thing is that the dietitian did tell me that it would be normal for me to loose a few lbs after getting off the TPN. I won't sweat it but I will try to keep munching as much as possible!)

I'm still trying to eat as much as possible but it does require smoking part of joint each day and sometimes up to a whole one. At least it works and I'm keeping my appetite while laughing at myself through out the day as I do and say such spacey things!) At least my sense of humor never suffers!) I'm also able to get things done around the house like laundry, dishes, cleaning, sweeping and mopping the new floor, and my honey is reserved to vacuuming. He thinks that's too heavy work for me. Sometimes if I have the extreme diarrhea, I will take the Zofran (nausea medication) usually constipates me and doesn't ever give me the munchies like pot can. Because of the stomach surgery, I'm most often nauseated and haven't been able to get an appetite on my own. Maybe my purpose in life is to prove this plant really does work to save lives? It is saving mine; especially right now! It might even be prolonging my life right now. I know I need those munchies now more than ever!) Here's to more hard headness and continuing this fight to stay alive! I'm not giving up and will continue to have fun with my husband!) Peace and Love to all!