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