| Part II Conquering the Fear, Fighting the | | | | This guided exercise included relaxation, |
| Cancer | | | | healing messages, and suggestions for |
| | | | picturing my immune cells taking care of |
| Ovarian Cancer: Process and Survival | | | | things and using the chemo effectively. |
| | | | Before each chemo session, even before they |
| | | | started the IV, he would do a relaxation |
| | | | exercise with me. This ritual became a very |
| Post Surgery | | | | important part of the process. By working on |
| | | | my "attitude" towards the chemo and by |
| Read Part I for information regarding | | | | connecting with these parts of myself that |
| diagnosis and surgery...The next few weeks | | | | can be powerful self-healers, I felt I was |
| after my discharge from the hospital, were | | | | taking back control of what was happening. |
| very busy. My sister, Nance, and my mom | | | | Feeling that you are part of the healing |
| decorated the house and Christmas tree. My | | | | process instead of a passive receiver of |
| sister Lauren visited from Washington and | | | | medications etc., is very empowering.Rituals |
| cleaned, cooked and lent invaluable support | | | | and routines are very comforting, especially |
| to all of us. There were visits to the | | | | when you're experiencing stressful times. My |
| surgeon for follow-up and the oncologist for | | | | "chemo ritual" evolved from the very first |
| the initial visit. John and my sisters | | | | session. The night before, I meditated and |
| accompanied me. It was so very helpful to | | | | did my healing visualizations at bedtime. |
| have someone else ask questions and write | | | | John drove me to the oncology center. I |
| down information. It can be an overwhelming | | | | selected my chair and we settled in with his |
| experience, especially when you're a little | | | | relaxation exercise. My sister, Nance, |
| "spaced out" on vicodin for pain management, | | | | arrived bearing muffins and silly magazines. |
| as I was. I signed on to be part of a | | | | After visiting and chatting, John left for |
| clinical study using different combinations | | | | work and Nance and I munched muffins and |
| of medications for eight instead of the | | | | laughed at the National Enquirer stories. |
| normal six cycles. Laurie had brought a book | | | | About an hour before the infusion was |
| with her that offered a lot of information on | | | | completed, my brother, Tom, would arrive for |
| how to deal with an ovarian cancer diagnosis | | | | a visit and to take me home. Somewhere in the |
| and subsequent treatments. One suggestion was | | | | session, my sister, Laurie, would call from |
| to research clinical studies. There is a | | | | Washington to check in and often John would |
| great deal of "cutting edge" research out | | | | "pop in" in his travels. I always had company |
| there but you may have to hunt for it, do | | | | and felt lovingly supported. Sabrina included |
| your homework, and bring the information to | | | | me in her meditation every morning and my mom |
| your doctor. My oncologist's office was | | | | would stop by the day after the session for |
| conducting a trial, I was accepted, and I was | | | | tea and a chat. Every three weeks from |
| scheduled to begin treatment on December | | | | December 21 through May 27, we followed this |
| 21.Even though I was dreading the whole | | | | routine. The nurses and my family got to know |
| process, I knew I had to approach it in much | | | | one another and we became a real |
| the same way I did the surgery, almost like | | | | team!Returning to work seven weeks after |
| an athletic event or a race. I wanted to go | | | | surgery was another normalizing routine that |
| in as strong and as prepared as possible and | | | | made me feel like I was taking back my life. |
| with a better "attitude."Attitude is defined | | | | Except for the day of chemo and the following |
| as a manner of acting, feeling or thinking | | | | day, I've worked full time, feeling |
| that shows one's disposition, opinion and | | | | productive, healthy and normal. My co-workers |
| mental set. We may not be able to control a | | | | have been very supportive and caring. They |
| situation, but we can choose our attitude | | | | even threw me a graduation party to celebrate |
| about that situation- victim or fighter; | | | | the completion of chemo.Even before my last |
| passive or aggressive; depressed or striving | | | | chemo, I was researching what to do to |
| toward joy and happiness; caught in the "why | | | | prevent a recurrence of the disease. I found |
| me's" or searching for the "what can I learn | | | | information on a clinical study for Ovarex, a |
| from this." With the help of many people and | | | | vaccine designed to prevent a recurrence of |
| through much reading and research, my | | | | ovarian cancer. After many phone calls, |
| "attitude-adjustment" process unfolded.A | | | | letters and haggling with my insurance |
| booklet entitled "Preparing for Chemo" | | | | company, I was accepted into a study being |
| suggests several things that I immediately | | | | conducted at Stanford's Cancer Center in Palo |
| put into action. | | | | Alto. It involved monthly infusions for the |
| | | | first three months and then every twelve |
| | | | weeks for the rest of the year, with routine |
| | | | labs and CT scans. I've experienced only mild |
| 1) Get your hair cut short so that when your | | | | side effects and feel fortunate to have |
| hair starts falling out, it's less traumatic | | | | access to one more tool.This past year has |
| and won't clog the shower's drain. (This | | | | been one of lessons for me. I would have |
| worked for the drains but I was still | | | | preferred the "universe" had given me a |
| traumatized.) | | | | gentle tape on the shoulder instead of this |
| | | | Giant Thump on the head to let me know I had |
| | | | things to learn about myself and how "I am" |
| | | | in the world. Here are some of the things I |
| 2) If you plan to wear a wig, shop for it | | | | have learned from this experience: |
| before starting chemo. My sisters and my dear | | | | |
| friend and hairdresser Patty, helped with | | | | |
| both of these steps. Watching my long hair | | | | |
| fall to the floor was very hard and yet made | | | | 1. Pay attention - perhaps if I had agitated |
| me feel the tiniest bit more in control of | | | | more forcefully with my doctor that something |
| what was happening to me. To my surprise, | | | | was NOT right, she would have responded with |
| everyone loved my new hairdo. The compliments | | | | more attention. LISTEN to your body and trust |
| boosted my ego when I really needed it. Nance | | | | your intuition. |
| and Laurie accompanied me to the wig shop. | | | | |
| Laughter is very good medicine-and we laughed | | | | |
| a lot as we all played with the wigs before | | | | |
| settling on two very nice ones. Four hundred | | | | 2. Don't take anything for granted - people, |
| dollars later I was armed with my hair | | | | job, health, hair. When you face the loss of |
| prosthetics and a sore belly from laughing. | | | | these things, you realize how special people |
| At this writing, I'm sporting my own very | | | | are, how the day-to-day routine of a job is a |
| short hair after nine months of wigs and | | | | gift, how precious good health is and even |
| hats. | | | | how much better a "bad hair" day is than NO |
| | | | HAIR! |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| 3) The booklet suggests having a dental | | | | |
| check up and cleaning before starting chemo. | | | | 3. There are a great many sources of |
| Also important is giving your home a thorough | | | | invaluable information out there through |
| cleaning and perhaps scheduling someone to | | | | people, libraries and the internet. Taking |
| come in once a week thereafter- a clean house | | | | advantage of these resources allowed me to |
| can minimize exposure to infectious agents. | | | | create a comprehensive plan to restore my |
| | | | health and fight the disease using a |
| | | | combination of Western and alternative |
| | | | therapies. |
| 4) Building up strength through exercise and | | | | |
| a good diet can help minimize some of the | | | | |
| side effects of chemo. This booklet and other | | | | |
| helpful literature, is available through | | | | 4. We do have choices in how we deal with a |
| oncology offices and offers good practical | | | | crisis - probably the best choice for me was |
| information. I also found the library and the | | | | to reach out and ask for help. The more |
| internet to be good resources. | | | | people I told about my health issues, the |
| | | | more positive energy came my way. I felt |
| Shortly after my homecoming, from the | | | | empowered rather than vulnerable and armed |
| hospital, I received a telephone call from | | | | with my helmet (a wig, which, by the way, I |
| Lindy, a volunteer with the Cancer Society | | | | got complements on) and my armor |
| (set up by my husband and the cancer support | | | | (acupuncture, supplements, chemo, prayers and |
| staff at the hospital.) She had been | | | | visualization) I was ready to do battle. I |
| diagnosed and treated for Stage IIIc ovarian | | | | was "Warrior Princess" instead of cancer |
| cancer seven years ago. Hearing from her gave | | | | patient. |
| me a real boost and some good tips for | | | | |
| dealing with the upcoming chemo. She shared | | | | |
| her experiences with surgery, hair loss and | | | | |
| complete recovery! She is still cancer free! | | | | 5. Laughter is GOOD MEDICINE! |
| In addition to advice on make-up to | | | | |
| camouflage the fact that one has no eyebrows | | | | |
| or eyelashes, she told me how helpful | | | | |
| acupuncture was for her. She felt that it | | | | At this writing, my labs and CT scans are |
| really minimized some of the chemo | | | | completely normal. I'm back to my normal |
| side-effects and "rebalanced" her body's | | | | routines of work and exercise. I'm sporting a |
| energy. I had had a few sessions of | | | | "Jamie Lee Curtis" hairdo. I am excited about |
| acupuncture many years ago, and I immediately | | | | decorating and shopping for Thanksgiving and |
| knew that this would be right for me. I | | | | when we all come together, we'll have a lot |
| believe in its efficacy and definitely feel | | | | to be thankful for! Before we dig into our |
| the sessions have been very beneficial.My | | | | feast, I'll be asking each person to write on |
| first acupuncture session was four days after | | | | a piece of paper, one thing that they are |
| the first chemo treatment. The meds they gave | | | | grateful for. Each of us will then withdraw |
| me to prevent nausea worked very well. I | | | | one of these papers from the basket and try |
| didn't have much of an appetite and felt a | | | | to guess who wrote the message. It will be |
| little achy and tired but the only real side | | | | easy to guess mine. I'm grateful for all the |
| effect I experienced was a terrible, | | | | love and support from my family and friends |
| hand-wringing itching and tingling in my | | | | (with a special thanks to my son, Matt, and |
| hands and feet. Amy, my acupuncturist, has | | | | my husband for shaving their heads to support |
| worked with several people undergoing chemo, | | | | me and to my son, Mike, and his band for |
| is very knowledgeable, and had a good | | | | dedicating songs to me at concerts and their |
| treatment plan in place for me. I scheduled | | | | fund raising for the Cancer Society.) I'm |
| to see her 2 days before and 4 days after | | | | grateful for the prayers and best wishes that |
| every chemo session. After my first visit | | | | came my way from people I don't even know. I |
| with her, I did feel better, more energized | | | | thank you!!! Well, of course, that's more |
| and the itching had definitely dissipated a | | | | than one thing on my piece of paper but so |
| good deal. She gave me some suggestions on | | | | what! It's time to celebrate!Happy |
| supplements and some Chinese herbs to use.The | | | | Thanksgiving 2004 and celebrate every day of |
| side effect of itching, burning and tingling | | | | your life.Barbara's Complete Ovarian Cancer |
| is called neuropathy and is fairly common | | | | Fighting Supplement List:Three Imperial |
| with the types of chemo protocol I was on. | | | | Mushroom Capsules - available through |
| After my second and third sessions, the | | | | acupuncture office |
| symptoms worsened! I turned to the internet | | | | |
| to learn more about neuropathy and what, if | | | | |
| anything, I could do about it. I found an | | | | |
| article by Cindy H. Makencon, website: | | | | A) Reishi- Immuno stimulant: enhances immune |
| entitled "coping-Tips for dealing with | | | | system; use is sanctioned by the Japanese |
| neuropathy." She offered a great deal of | | | | Health Ministry as an adjunct treatment for |
| helpful information including reports of | | | | cancer; Increases activity of chemotheraputic |
| studies on the benefits of taking fairly | | | | agents and reduces adverse effects such as |
| large doses of L-Glutamine Sulfate and | | | | nausea, decreased white blood cell counts; |
| Chondroitin. I forwarded this information | | | | helps protect the liver against damage caused |
| onto Carolyn, the research nurse in charge of | | | | by viral, drug and environmental toxins.B) |
| my clinical study, and she shared the | | | | Shitaki- strengthens immune system response; |
| information with the oncologist. I had | | | | improves survival times of cancer patients |
| already started taking L-Glutamine when I met | | | | when used concurrently with chemo.C) Maitake- |
| with him. He had further researched and | | | | best known for cancer fighting properties; |
| developed a new treatment plan for me which | | | | many doctors in Japan use it to lower blood |
| included large doses of L-Glutamine, a change | | | | pressure and blood lipids; effective as an |
| in one of the chemo meds, and the addition of | | | | anti-tumor agent and immune system |
| a medication called neurontin. The | | | | modulator.Echinacia- used in Germany along |
| combination of all these things worked! The | | | | with chemo in the treatment of cancer. May |
| neuropathy gradually subsided and I've had no | | | | enhance white blood cell counts in persons |
| further problems.I believe a few other | | | | undergoing chemo.Cat's Claw- reduces side |
| factors contributed to my being able to | | | | effects of chemo; used in clinical practice |
| handle the chemo pretty well. I continued to | | | | in Europe for cancer & HIV; has important |
| increase my exercise regimen, progressing to | | | | immune enhancing properties; helps increase |
| walking everyday and then back to the gym for | | | | the number of T-cells, the true soldiers of |
| step-classes, albeit modified, and lifting | | | | the immune system. In Austria, it is used |
| light weights. Exercise builds muscle | | | | together with conventional treatment (chemo, |
| strength, increases oxygen and blood flow and | | | | radiation &/or surgery) to treat hundreds of |
| for me, was and is a real physical and mental | | | | cancer patients per year.Graviola- scientists |
| energy boost.I came across a book entitled: | | | | have been studying this herb since the 1940's |
| "Herbal Therapy & Supplements- a Scientific | | | | - four studies were published in 1998 re: |
| and Traditional Approach" written by Merrily | | | | significant anti-tumor properties and |
| A. Kuhn, RN, Ph.D. and David Winston, a | | | | selective toxicity against various types of |
| herbalist and ethnobiologist. The book was | | | | cancer cells (without harming healthy cells; |
| part of an at-home study course that I needed | | | | Purdue University has conducted a great deal |
| to complete for my RN Continuing Education | | | | of research on the Annonaceous acetogenins |
| Credits. The book offers a comprehensive | | | | family to which graviola belongs) much of |
| guide to many common and some less common | | | | which has been funded by the National Cancer |
| herbs and supplements, their uses, adverse | | | | Institute or the National Institute of |
| effects, contraindications, and drug-herb | | | | Health.Acidophyllis- rebalances intestinal |
| interactions. After careful research, I | | | | flora (especially important when you're |
| started using several herbs and supplements | | | | taking a lot of medications.)Multivitamins |
| designed to minimize chemo side effects and | | | | with Vitamin ECalcium SupplementIP-6 with |
| boost my immune system. I was careful to use | | | | Insositol- has been studied extensively for |
| things that do not stimulate estrogen in the | | | | over 20 years; has powerful effects on the |
| body as my cancer was estrogen-receptor | | | | immune system.Wheat Grass Juice- increases |
| positive. I started taking these supplements | | | | hemoglobin; rebuilds the blood; improves |
| one or two things at a time in smaller doses | | | | body's ability to heal wounds; washes drug |
| in order to monitor any unfavorable | | | | deposits from the body; neutralizes toxins |
| reactions, before adding more. Most | | | | and carcinogens in the body.Green and White |
| importantly, I notified my doctor that I was | | | | Tea- Chinese believe green tea is a cure for |
| taking supplements and having acupuncture.At | | | | cancer and a longevity tonic; boosts immune |
| the end of this article, I will offer a | | | | system function; research being done all over |
| complete list of the supplements and herbs | | | | the world and in the US by the National |
| that I have been using and some information | | | | Cancer Institute re: anti-tumor activity. |
| regarding the rationale for each of these | | | | Both green and white tea are excellent |
| additions.For several months, our kitchen | | | | antioxidants.Website for researching herbs- |
| counter resembled a drug and supplement | | | | Plant Database Raintree NutritionI used the |
| store. I had to write up a daily schedule of | | | | guided relaxations/visualizations CD's from |
| what to take when. It was worth it! Once the | | | | the Stress Education 1. #209 Stress |
| neuropathy was under control, I tolerated the | | | | Management for Pre and Post-op Survival |
| remainder of the chemo treatments pretty | | | | |
| well. I was able to work full time and | | | | 2. #208 Stress Management for |
| exercise, and my appetite and energy levels | | | | HealingReference: |
| were good. Physically, acupuncture, exercise, | | | | |
| diet, and supplements were, and still are, | | | | Health Update from SELF Magazine by Jennifer |
| valuable tools which helped me deal with the | | | | Nelson November, 2004 |
| chemo and recover from its serious effects.On | | | | |
| another level, the emotional and spiritual | | | | Ovarian cancer: a not-so-silent killer"Early |
| aids were an even more powerful part of the | | | | diagnosis is crucial. When disease is caught |
| healing process. Previously, I mentioned my | | | | before it spreads, 80 percent of women will |
| visualizations regarding pre and post | | | | survive."by Barbara Ehlers-Mason, RN and L. |
| operative healing and seeing myself healthy | | | | John Mason, Ph.D.Written in November, 2004, |
| and cancer free. Now, it was time to take it | | | | one year after the Surgery for Ovarian |
| a step further and include it as a powerful | | | | Cancer, in November, 2003Stress Education |
| adjunct to the chemo medications. Rather than | | | | Center (707) 795-2228 website: John Mason, |
| seeing the meds as a poison, I started to | | | | Ph.D. is the author of the best selling |
| visualize it as "nectar from the gods," | | | | "Guide to Stress Reduction." Since 1977, he |
| washing through me and being taken up by my | | | | has offered Executive Coaching and Training. |
| immune cells as a potion to destroy cancer | | | | His wife, Barbara Ehlers-Mason, RN, was |
| cells. A few weeks before my first treatment, | | | | diagnosed in October, 2003 with Stage III |
| I read an article about a young local girl | | | | Ovarian Cancer.Learn everything that you can |
| who had battled cancer at age 16. She wrote a | | | | if you think you or someone you know has |
| book about her experience and included her | | | | Ovarian Cancer. Be prepared to fight.Please |
| thoughts on seeing her chemo as "nectar from | | | | visit the Stress Education Center's website |
| the gods." I admired her outlook and | | | | at for articles, free ezine signup, and |
| incorporated it into my work. My husband, | | | | learn about the new telecourses that are |
| John, created a special tape for me to listen | | | | available.Please take good care of yourself! |
| to while receiving the infusion of chemo. | | | | |