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CSN_Hillary · 2021 11

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HillD · 2021 12

Thanks for the info!

HillD · 2021 19

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CSN_Hillary · 2021 20

1 - tell me about it

HillD · 2021 20

2 - i can't believe you did that

HillD · 2021 20

3 - of course i did

HillD · 2021 20

How and when did you learn about your cancer?

I was diagnosed with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis in November 2012. A second opinion at University of Pittsburgh (UPMC) also revealed that the primary cancer was most likely in my Ovaries. Although I had a hysterectomy at age 36, my ovaries and fallopian tubes were left intact. Now many surgeons feel that Ovarian cancer may actually begin in the Fallopian tubes. So my gynecologist says he now prefers to remove the ovaries and tubes as well. That would be my advice as well.

Furthermore, my husband, William Marshall, was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer in November of 2002. Dr. James D. Luketich from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center performed the Ivor Lewis MINIMALLY INVASIVE ESOPHAGECTOMY. This consists of 7 band-aid size cuts as opposed to massive openings in the chest cavity as is the case for an (OPEN) Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy where two massive incisions are used. Those having this "TransThoracic Esophagectomy" will not recover as quickly because of those big incisions. Morbidity rates are more, plus possibilities of complications arise as well.

He was in and out of the hospital at UPMC in 5 days and downtown shopping with me on Day 8 after surgery. No he didn't drive--we rode the bus. But we have a wonderful story of survival-thank God. On May 17th he will begin his 15th year of survival. We prefer to say he is in remission, because recurrence is always a possibility.

What role have you had in the caregiving process?

Prior to having surgery, I had exploratory surgery in December of 2012 at UPMC. At that time, the tumors were shown to be too numerous and too large. My advice was to go home, have chemo and then we would re-evaluate my condition. I had Carboplatin and Taxol. The chemo treatments reduced the size and number of the tumors, and I was blessed to be able to have Cytoreductive surgery at UPMC on July 1, 2013. It was not designed to be curative but rather removed some "non-essential" organs where the cancer could spread.

So my husband, William and I, have actually played both roles. I was a caregiver to him for his Esophageal Cancer. He is now my caregiver for my Ovarian Cancer Stage IV.

As for William, he had a medi-port and a 96-hour continual infusion (via fanny pack) of Carboplatin and 5-FU. He also had 25 consecutive rounds of radiation. He always drove himself to the hospital for the radiation. He had minimal side effects from both. Contrary to his minimal side effects from his chemo and radiation, I had a tougher time with mine. As of June 16, 2017, I have had cytoreductive surgery (CRS) at UPMC, targeted radiation on the Caudate lobe of my liver which was successful in killing those tumors, plus 3 separate chemo regimens of Carboplatin & Paclitaxel (Taxol). Presently I'm doing well (June 2017) but it will only be a matter of time before the cancer will have "regrouped" and decided to attack from another vantage point. As always, I will pray for God's guidance, and my oncologist as to the best decision for more treatments (if any.) There does come a time when "enough is enough" and the chemo is robbing patients of any quality of life. Chemo is not a magic bullet but is all we have so far to "attack the cancer."

As for my husband, he has a yearly PET/CT scan. Most often we go back to UPMC. But this year, because of my own cancer, we haven't set aside that amount of time. Although we do hope to return soon.

As for treatments in my case, I have had a successful "Cyberknife" treatment. I had 3 tumors on the Caudate Lobe of my Liver. I had tiny gold seeds implanted around the tumors, and then had targeted radiation that totally eliminated the tumors. That was a blessing. Even now, my CT scans show a slow progression of the cancer, as opposed to rapid spread, so for that I am thankful as well. I make weekly visits to my Oncologist because cancer patients develop blood clots often, and I have one. I am on a Coumadin regimen. So my INR level has to be monitored. I have wonderful doctors and nurses, and for those who know me on this site, you know that I do ask a lot of questions.