Friday, August 29, 2008

Good visit to Stanford

We visited Stanford cancer center today and had a great visit with a gynocelogical/oncologist Dr Jonathan Berek. What a kind, patient, considerate, listening man he was.
We got the pathology testing back it was completed in 4 days!!!
The findings were consistant with the final findings at UCSF. that being " a primary ovarian endometroid adenocarcinoma", the liver biopsy shows as 'metastatic endometroid adenocarcinoma" in the liver. They staged it as a grade or stage 3 cancer. This is in fact good news, because it puts to rest the former possible diagnosis of Pnet or cups, which were both stage 4 and much harder to treat. So we know what we are dealing with. The treatment appears to be working, we'll see just how well in 4-5 weeks after her next c.t.scan. So this is the way it will probably play out, although in this field nothing is for certain. Hopefully the c.t. scan will show the cancer has stopped spreading and started shrinking, The best case is ultimately a period of a reasonably long remission then it will probably come back. So we stay on Gemzar as it seems to be working, for 'as long as it continues to work and the cancer responds, or as long as Elaine's body tolerates the treatment." She will be taking chemo for the rest of her life, it's kind of like having a forest fire inside that you can't completely extinguish. You just hope to contain and suppress and keep a watchful eye to catch it quickly if it flares up and starts to spread again.
She will take this chemo , then if it ceases to do the job there are about 5 others including Cisplatin, etoposide, doxil , avastin and a couple of others that i can't remember right now that you keep in your hand to play later.They are stronger and more toxic so you only pull them out as needed as they affect the quality of one's life. and considering that she will be taking chemo probably 3 out of 4 weeks for the rest of her life you want something that you can live with physically and emotionally.
So we have hope, along with other alternative treatments we hope to knock this fire down to a smoulder and keep it there for years, if not put the sucker out!!!
No one can say what will work and for how long, it's all trial and error.
So the following is our battle plan. Which you may be able to use in your lives. Not exactly in this order.
#1 Reduce stress in life, don't let anyone in that ruins your joy.
#2 Eat an extremely healthy green diet. No sugar , no red meat.
#3 Infusions of vitamins , herbs and homeopathic .
#4 Sound wave treatment with the "Rife" machine.
#5 Herbal / and vitamin supplements
#6 Chemo therapy, surveillance
#7 Spiritual routine/ hope for the future.
#6 Laugh , laugh and laugh some more.
#7 Dance, sing, make love, enjoy beautiful places, enjoy our wonderful marriage,play with our dog
#8 Did i say reduce stress!!!!
#9 Enjoy our wonderful friends and family,
#10 Explore all alternative remedies
#11 Talk to and listen only to survivors, positive, optimistic people,inspirational happy people.
#12 Cherish life
Thats all folks, love you all for caring enough to log in , the Lellie Bellies,

P.S. We still plan to walk into the new world hand in hand , married forever,Jehovah willing !

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Keith and Elaine we are glad to here you are figuring everything out. We hope Elaine continues doing good on the progress she is making. we are always thinking of you and checking to see how you are doing.. We miss you.....

p.s thanks for all the suggestions I am sure we could all use them!!

jenandtonic said...

That's great news!!! You'll continue to be in my prayers and you both know that anything you need, ANYTHING, you don't hesitate to ask. We're here for you 24/7 from now until eternity in paradise. P.S. I can't wait to see you guys again when I get out of school. I can be your live-in maid and earn my keep by cooking and cleaning. Hint hint. Just kidding.

XOXO

Jenna

alexander said...

Keith and Elaine you both are a very good example for me, and l will surely keep in mind your suggestion on the red meat point.

May Jehovah keep giving both of you the strength you need and smile thats the best remedy their is. Alex