It returned in October, in a form that is resistant to the drugs used to treat ovarian cancer. The term is "platinum resistant." This quote comes from the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, and it seems to explain my condition better than I can:
PLATINUM-RESISTANT
- If your cancer recurs within less than 6 months of completing primary therapy, or grows while on primary therapy, or platinum therapy for recurrent cancer, your cancer is considered "platinum-resistant" or chemotherapy resistant."
- If you fit this category, it is unlikely that re-treatment with chemotherapies that have been used before will work.
- This is a category where many new agents have been found in recent years all of these new agents have similar response rates.
- The response rate is about 20-25%.
- The average duration of response is 6-8 months. (This means that for 20-25% of women treated, their cancer will decrease in size by at least 50% for an average of 6 to 8 months.)
- Conversely for 75-80% of women, the treatment will not work and the cancer will continue to grow.
We discovered my recurrence back in Oct when my CA-125 (tumor marker) jumped from 11 to 81. I began treatment with a chemo called Doxil. After 2 rounds (2 months) my CA125 had soared to 1643. It was clear the Doxil wasn't working. I had to go over a month without treatment at all while the Doxil cleared from my system. It was a frightening time for us. We still hadn't recovered emotionally from the news
The cancer had returned, and we were facing one failed treatment so early in the game. About the time I stopped pounding the floors in tears and prayer, certain this monster was growing out of control with no treatment, my CA 125 dropped to 595!!! You can imagine our joy! I love it when God says "Hey, I did it!"
That was January.
Shortly after that I entered into a clinical trial. For two months I took an experimental drug that shrunk the blood vessels the tumors feed off of. It is a very promising treatment and it actually shrunk most of my existing tumors. They keyword being "existing." The cancer got smart and grew some, actually quite a few, new tumors that were resistant to that treatment. So, I had to stop that treatment. I am just ending another 4 week "washout" period. A "washout period" is simply the time it takes your body to rid itself of a previous treatment drug, and hopefully rebuild and repair in preparation for a new treatment.
Let me tell you, we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." Do not ever let anyone tell you the human body is anything short of a miracle. The ability God has given our bodies to heal and repair itself is amazing. Time after time I have seen the alarming results of my bloodwork turned around in a week. What about cancer??? I believe our bodies are fighting cancer everyday. Sometimes it just gets too big. My body has been and still is fighting. A God-given ability to fight. And it is amazing.
On Thursday, April 3, I will begin another clinical (experimental) trial. This one is another chemo. It is a new version of a trial that has been going on for awhile. It is new, in that it is a stronger version of the drug than they have previously used on patients. It appears I will be the first person to try this. Yes, as my dear friend called me today, I am a pioneer woman. Jeeeeze, my ancestors came over on the Mayflower (really!) so I come from adventurous stock! Yeah, that's one side of my family, one side of my personality. The other side is terrified LOL!
It goes without saying I covet your prayers. Many of you have been praying for me continually and I can never thank you enough. Again, I apologize for not posting sooner. Since October it has been one wild ride of ups and downs, new drugs, new side effects, more new drugs to treat new side effects and side effects from side effects. You think you are confused, you can imagine how my body feels! But hey, I'M STILL HERE!!! Out of the 22,000+ women who were diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer last year,17,000 are no longer with us. I have much to be thankful for. I am thankful for every minute I have on this earth with my children, my husband, my friends. Cherish the life God has given you.
Make the best of it. Live it to the fullest. Don't waste a minute on negativity or causing harm to anyone or anything. I promise you that if your days suddenly become numbered you will weep bitter tears as your heart cries out for those wasted moments.
I am fighting a battle against a strong, tenacious and deadly foe. Spiritual warfare is very real. I've known that for a long time, but never understood the degree of that truth until now. I can almost feel the battle raging for my life. I can't wait to see what happens with this new treatment now that I will have my warriors praying!!
Because of the intensity of what is happening in my life, I have become more outspoken. What good is the struggle if I can't share what I've learned? So be prepared for more lectures LOL! I will write more soon. In the meantime, know that God loves you more than you can imagine. His ways are hard to understand, but His will is perfect. If we seek Him, He will keep us in perfect peace.
Please pray this new treatment will bring hope not just to me, but to the thousands of women out there fighting this monster. Pray for my husband and children as they too have to live through this with me.
I, like the Israelites, am hemmed in on all sides. I am patiently waiting for the Red Sea to part.
Gratefully Yours,
Kyle
PS: This just in......please pray for my kidneys (that sounds kinda funny.) I just learned I have Bilateral Hydro Nephrosis from the little demons putting pressure on my "pipes." I need to start this treatment so surgery will have to wait. Ideally the blobs (I have many names for them,) will shrink and it won't be necessary. My kidneys just need to hang in there till then! Thanks!
UPDATE 4/4/08
Had the treatment yesterday and all went well. I'm feeling pretty good today, in fact I'm at a Boston rehearsal as I type this. It's a good place to recover. Great, positive, caring people. I am on a lot of medications to stifle the effects of the treatment, so I'll know better Sunday when I stop taking them. I'm feeling good about this treatment. Your prayers are precious to me and I so appreciate them. As I've said before I believe strongly in the power of those prayers. Even those of the tiniest faith are heard by a loving Father in Heaven.
Blessings and Joy,
Kyle |
