So today was the next big step. Char met with Dr. McCullom and the folks at Virginia Oncology Associates for her first post-surgical out-patient visit. Our dear family friend and Mom's "Right Hand Woman", Sherry was at her side, at her service and her partner in crime as always. Thank you Sherry.
It happens that Mom may have been feeling a tad cooped up these last few weeks. You see, her first trip from home turned into a twelve hour day of appointments, lunch with the girls, running around for visits and ladies night at Blockbuster. I had to laugh when I chatted with her at 9:45 PM and she had just gotten home a short while ago. Good for you Mom! Way to hit the ground running. I will tell Annie to have coffee ready in the morning. I have a feeling you may need a cup or three. As your son and as a therapist, I applaud your "I am not going to sit on the sidelines attitude". That was a brave thing to get out there and push yourself today. More importantly, it was a great thing to get out there and enjoy yourself. We are very happy that you did!
We all went into today expecting some answers, some news and some decisions. Well, we got some of each and all of none. Here are a few key points:
- Staples gone. YEAH!!!
- Diagnosis is Stage IIIC Ovarian Epithelial Cancer
- Chemotherapy protocol tentatively scheduled to start next week
- Chemotherapy protocol will consist of Intravenous (IV) administration of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel over 6 cycles of 21 days each. In other words, she will start Day One receiving chemo treatment on an out-patient basis followed by 3 weeks at home to recover, rest and let the "good stuff" work its magic in preparation for the next cycle.
- Decisions need to be made as to whether or not Mom will choose to participate in a clinical trial for a new potential treatment protocol for women with new diagnosis of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Technical jargon title of trial is: Phase III Randomized Study of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel Versus Carboplatin, Paclitaxel, and Concurrent Bevacizumab With Versus Without Extended Bevacizumab in Patients With Stage III or IV Ovarian Epithelial, Primary Peritoneal Cancer, or Fallopian Tube Cancer. In this trial, she would receive the standard IV protocol of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel over 6 cycles. In addition, she would either receive continued treatment with: a placebo, IV administered Bevacizumab (a Bio Therapy) or IV administered Bevacizumab for an extended period of time. Being a double blind random study, Mom nor her Oncology team chooses or knows whether or not she will be receiving the Bevacizumab or the placebo. There has been research that proves there can be some benefit from Bevacizumab alone in decreasing the size of tumors and/or showing no active tumor formation over a six month period. The size of this trial and the backing of this trial are impressive. There are many many amazing institutions and Oncologists taking part in conducting this trial. There is also a laundry list of potential side effects that were not so easy to swallow once we learned more. We still have some questions for her Oncology team before Mom will be prepared to make her decision about this trial. We hope to have these questions answered within the next day or two so that Mom can have at least "a minute" to digest the information prior to finalizing her decision.
Thank you all for your thoughts, your prayers, your encouragement and your support. Please keep all kinds of positivity and prayer coming her way. It means more than we can express and it is definitely felt. Also, please be patient, as for all of us emotions are running rampant from one moment to the next right now. Once in a while Char maybe sad, or angry, or well.. just plain pissed as hell and that is perfectly fine, perfectly normal and COMPLETELY understandable. Don't worry though, she never lets us get away with that for too long. Nor shall we let her. ;)
Love to everyone.
Char's Gang
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