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