Advanced ovarian cancer

[tis_007]

I had surgery June '07.  Abdominal cavity full of cancer-so much so they removed my colon-I have an ileostomy bag.  My CA125 was 7000.  It came down with chemo to 267.  The CA125 is now back to 6900 as of this week.  I was,  however, unable to complete two different forms of chemo.  Taxol almost killed me within minutes.  Then Gemzar/Carboplatin was given and was unable to finish that as it took my blood counts and platelets dangerously low.  Then after a time we tried Doxil and could not take that.  Wass told that any further treatment could make matters worse.
Was told a month ago I have probably three to six months to live and before I was finished with that day at the oncologist office I was being signed up for Hospice.
My husband is searching for anything that looks like it will cure me.  Now he is pushing treatment at wants me to   the Issels Immunotherapy Center
I truly do not want anything like this.  Where can I find information on this other than their website.
Tis_007

[Brownie3321]

I am so sorry you are going though this, this cancer is a very difficult disease to deal with. I know this has been said already, but I would suggest you seek another opinion at a well established cancer hospital like MD Anderson, Mayo, John Hopkins or any of the other cancer facilities with a GREAT reputation. I was dx stage 3C ovca in July 2007, had 6 rounds of carbo/taxol IV and 3 cisp/taxol IP chemo. I had 2nd look after chemo which showed active cancer cells in my stomach still lingering. I went to MD and have been approved for a clinical trial. I feel very confident about this procedure. It is your choice, and I will be keeping you in my prayers. With love, Deandra

[crecco]

I too hate to hear what you are going through. I have to agree with the others, the choice is up to you. If you are still up for the fight, I would suggest also that you look in to your options else where. A second opinion never hurt anyone. And there are a lot of different drugs out there for you to try. I hope that you can find the info you are looking for.
         Chris

[lucymullis]

I am so sorry you are going thru so much.  I would suggest a second opinion for sure.  There are members on here that have been to MD Anderson and I know others that have been satisfied with this.  I would also suggest you look seriously at a clinical trial.  There are many available and this is really the way to get the cutting edge drugs.  For example, I enrolled in an avastin trial when I was diagnosed in 2006.  At that time, Avastin was not used nearly as frequently as it is now.  You can go to www.ovariancancer.org.  Look in the left hand column and you will see matching trials service.  They will help you find a trial.  
I know you are havng problems with chemos; however, has your doc considered avastin or another drug that isn't a chemo?
I do hope you find peace.

[msjazz]

A lady in my town that has a daughter my age(54) had cancer 7 years ago. It was not ovarian but an abdominal cancer and bad. She went to md anderson and they told her they could do nothing. She went to Cedar Sinai (sp) in Los Angeles and they said we can treat you, but there is a doc in Nashville ( 2 hr drive) that is one of the best in the country.(Sarah Cannon, Minnie Pearl research center.) She went to him, he treated her, and she is still in remission.We don't know that there isn't a doctor even closeby, that can turn things around for us. If this lady had taken our hometown oncologist and 1 cancer center docs opinion, she would not be here. The reason I know is she personally called me and gave me the dr.s name, He was on the board of a cancer magazine i noticed the other day. There are a lot of research oncologists and clinical trials, I would try to find her one that says yes i can.

[Tybear]

Ah yes, the Gerson therapy...your magic prescription for everything cancer...

If you don't want to do anymore treatment, that's your choice...no one elses. Don't let anyone pressure you into doing something you don't want to do. Bottom line - if your hearts not in it anyways, it likely won't have much effect.
I would suggest you ask your doctor for a second opinion, like SimplyStar said...
Good luck to you...there are many here who are in your shoes and can appreciate where your coming from.
Take care,
Becky

[benfranklin]

You are a very lucky lady to have a wise husband.  
Since the path so far prescribed by
your well meaning but ineffective doctors
has not worked, you might consider what he is showing you.

The Issels program looks very logical and it seems to be a cousin to the Gerson Therapy which I am more familiar with and which has a very good track record
of turning around many cases.

My relative was one such case.  In the early 1950'she was told that he had a few months to live.  He went to Dr. Gerson and got on his program.  56 years later he is doing great in 2008!!!!!!

issels.com
gerson.org

Why people are afraid of organic vegetable juices and coffee enemas but willing
subject themselves to a full range of poisons called "chemotherapy" is still a
mystery to me.  I think it is the mind set of "doctor, give me a magic pill to cure me",
instead of the gerson way which is to "work 9 hours everyday for a full two years preparing organic foods, vegetable juices and coffee enemas in an effort to cure oneself".

Does it always work?  No.  But it does have many hundreds of recovered
patients who testify to its benefit.  

With best wishes to you in finding your own path.

Ben

[SimplyStar]

It appears that you have covered a lot of ground in  10 months since your surgery,  typically with  the chemos you have listed it does take much longer to assimilate them.  Instead of giving up why don't you make an appointment at one of the leading cancer centers  to evaluate  your situation.  You have mentioned some of the best available chemos, but there are many now to choose from , also many alternative methods are being offered in trials.

[butterflytc]

will keep you in my prayers. sorry can not be of any help to you with the issels center, hope someone can help you out.
keep the faith
butterflytc

[marie3B]

The American Cancer Society has info on Issels under Metabolic Therapy. Marie

[marie3B]

Have you gotten other opinions? There are other chemos. I have not heard of the Issels Center, but if you do not want to do it I sure understand. I feel for your husband. My husband is having an awful time dealing with my disease, too. Someone on here may know about the center and will come along with info. Good luck to you. I hate that you, me, or any of us have to deal with this disease. Love, Marie