This is what they mean by effective?

[ConcernedInNY]

I apologize in advance for this duplicate post, but I wanted to start another thread so that this thought doesnt get lost in the shuffle.

Anyway.....Turns out my brother wasnt paying attention.

I spoke with the doc myself....and she did say that the treatment is very effective and that 50% go into remission. The thing is, of those 50%, about 40% of those the cancer comes back.
I work with numbers for a living so this means, in agreement with the doctor, that the chances for long term survival are only 30%. They call that effective?!

The doc tried to comfort me and say you cant just look at those numbers. My mom had a successful surgery and right now she is doing well. I have to hold onto that. But still - the numbers terrify me.

I start the support group next week. Im falling apart - I cant sleep through the night and Im always crying. I have to be strong for my mom, but I cant pull myself together. Who the hell am I to feel sorry for myself when my poor mom, like many of you other women, have to go through this ordeal.

But come on, is 30% really considered effective? I was hoping for at least 50%. Actually the numbers really dont matter.....I just need my mom to fall into the category of beating this thing. Please pray for her.

Thank you.

[Gatsby]

xray is right.  My dad was dx with lung cancer (from exposure to agent orange) and passed away 11 months later at the age of 57.  He was there with me when my daughter, his first grandchild was born.  It was a difficult birth (ending in emer. csect) and even though he was going through chemo at the time, he held my hand and said he would take my pain away if he could. He helped my dh through it since I had to have gen ans, and no one could go in the or with me. My daughter was only 6 mos old when he passed.  I treasure every moment that we had and we had no regrets and nothing was left unsaid.
~Tascha

[marie-williams]

It's my mother in law. We only found out a week ago. We're not sure what's going on yet. We know it's cancer she has three larger cysts(one 9cm on her ovary pressing on her bowel) and several smaller ones. She see's a onc. proffessor next week and starts chemo soon after that. No dates yet. The waiting is driving us mad. She has raised ca-125(112) so we're guessing ovca. Worried that they're not offering surgery first or if we're being told the whole story.

You're bound to be upset by all of this, it's an awful thing to go through with all the waiting and uncertainty. Try to keep busy and I know it's easier saying than doing but try not to dwell on the negative. Is there anything your mother needs doing around the house, or yours? Does she have a favourite day out you could take her on?

[novakof]

I think your mom will love the placque you picked out for her.  I do not think it is too depressing.  She will think of you everytime she looks at it.

[CindiSue]

I wish you could just FORGET ABOUT THE NUMBERS! I know it is hard butyou have to try. THis is a very personalized cancer. So many variables and what happens to stats when there are so many variables??? they loose their bite. I know you men want to fix things and you need FACT and NUMBERS but I am giving you a new word to focus on. FAITH....Some gals here go searching for answers by researching on the web. But that just gives us more questions and anxiety sometimes. Several hee have said they can no longer look for answers, ther aren't any and it tears them up with what if's. You need to take a page from their book and STOP thinking in numbers and stats and start thinking in FAITH and HEALING.

Now I am not trying to be harsh, just saying what I would say to my kids. Tell them in your support gropup that this is what you need to work on....forgetting the stats! Wwe have established that they are obselete by the time they are published, but faith is never obsolete and it can really work or all of us would be in the nut house already!      Peace to you and KEEP THE FAITH!

Cindi

[NikkiPoo]

As a mother of 2 sons (22 & 15) I have to say that the plaque is beautiful, it made me cry... Best wishes to your whole family.:)

[kathy o]

I understand that my chance is only 28% to live, but I cannot dwell on this too much..... I just do not want it to be painful I am most scared about that. I hope that these next two chemos  kill this **** forever, and I am positve about the great strides everyday that are new and come into focus, Usworldnews last week said that the NCIS hopes to have cancer gone by 2015... I also have been reading so many articles on SUGAR I get more articles from people about how bad this is for you and they believe that sugar fuels cancer cells. I know this is a hard thing to believe that I would be stuck by this in my forties  change my life forever but I am always going to try and be positive no matter much. I thank god everyday for the people who have stood by me because it hasn't been too pretty at times. I hope that you are feeling better and I also found out for myself that going to a local cancer support group was not my cup of tea. My family suggested that I go and I kept coming home crying, sad, and then they suggested that maybe I not go, so I stopped and have not gone back since, I find this forum much more satisfying and really have learned more about these brave ladies than at a face to face. I also have met so many brave wonderful people at infusion where it is always raw with emotion and reality.  I also have met Ovarian Cancer survivors and hope to be one myself someday. Good Luck