Shocked

Anonymous

Nico,

Yes, we discussed Zometa. Unfortunately we can't get it in Ontario, no insurance will cover that. But they do cover Aredia which is a bisphosphonate too and should have the same effect. Olga will get her first monthly shot on Dec 31.

Yan.

Anonymous

Yan,

Just to let you know that there are several Ontario women here on Zometa covered by private insurance.  I just had my first dose 2 weeks ago and many others have been on for a while.  I don't know if it is the preffered treatment for your wife, but do be aware that it is available.

hugs,

Jacqui in Toronto

Anonymous

That's interesting. Thank you, Jacqui. I'll call Great-West and Desjardins on Monday then.

Do you know, by chance, what's the difference between the two drugs?

Anonymous

Yan, just stepped in to check on you and your wife.  I believe you give your wife some of her strength.  Having a good partner helps greatly.  I am so happy she is still optimistic.  That's such a good sign.

Okay, I have to admit I never heard of cottage cheese in doughnuts.  Sounds pretty good though.

Take care and keep looking at that glass that's half full.   You two are such a sweet couple.

Shirley

konakat

My onc said Zometa and Aredia are interchangeable.  Seems the only difference is that Zometa is a 15 minute infusion while Aredia is an hour.  I started with Aredia in the US and the nurses took pity on me sitting all day for my infusions and had the onc switch me to Zometa just for saving time.  I'm now back on Aredia and quite happy with it, other than the time...

Leah_S

About that time frame from the onc - was he appointed G-d's secretary? No one knows how long anyone has. My grandma had ovarian cancer and my father and aunts were told 2 - 3 months, maybe as long as 6 months. She lived for over 2 years after that. However, she herself was never told her prognosis so she didn't know she was supposed to die soon. So she didn't. One of the reasons I chose the onc I have is that he tells his patients, "I'm a great doctor, but I'm a terrible prophet".

Keep fighting, and the heck with the doom-saying onc. 

Leah

P.S. The cottage cheese in the donuts is not like jam in donuts - it's in the dough.  Yan, did you save me any?

Anonymous

OK, this is what I thought too that Aredia and Zometa are different one from amother only in the time-related matter. Following Jacqui's advice, we called our benefit (insurance) providers today. Olga's insurance (Great-West) agreed to cover 75%. After speaking with my insurance (Desjardins), I understood that the onc only has to fill and authorization request form for Zometa nad then they'll cover the remainder.

We spoke to the onc secretary then and she called us back and said he refused to switch to Zometa. The IV is scheduled on Dec 31st. He claimed Aredia suits the conditions better than Zometa.

Now, if the difference is only the time with IV than why did he refuse? Maybe those are the instructions - he must try something covered by the OHIP first and only if it doesn't work, try Zometa.

Shirley, thanks for support!

Take care,

Yan

Leah_S

Maybe speak to him directly if you have questions. There could be other differences that are relevant in your wife's case. If that's so then you should to know that.

Leah

Anonymous

Hi Leah,

Two weeks later he said that the forecast he gave, means: nothing, gurnischt, nada, klum

And the cottage cheese goes in the dough, right. I can ask for a recipe (רק אם את מעוניינת ).

Thanks,

Yan

Route53

Yan,

You're a great husband and role model for other husbands and significant others out there.  Keep it up.  Best wishes to you, Olga and family this holiday..

Maryiz

Leprechaun, you have come to the right place.  You will get lots of support here from well-informed men and women.  I think it will also empower you to research.  There are so many drugs on the horizon, they are working on combining different drugs to get better results.  They are also targeting the bad guys, the cancer stem cells, which many docs. feel are the culprits.  There are so many options and new ones coming every day.  I do believe a cure is in the near future.  Hang in.  Maryiz

P.S. I really could go for a donut, but a little scared of the cottage cheese. 

Anonymous

Route53, thanks. I'm not perfect, though...

Mary, I agree with every word in your post.

Anonymous

I'd love some doughnuts with cottage cheese.  I love cottage cheese.  Do the doughnuts taste better with cottage cheese in them. 

Yan, you say you're not perfect.  Well, you're close to it.  I think I'll go kick my husband!  LOL

Keep up the fight and good attitude. 

I'm going away a few days for Christmas (dd's house).  I'll check in when I get back.  I know I will NOT have time when I'm with them...the grandkiddies.

Anonymous

Thanks, Shirley. Wishing you happy holidays!

Leah_S

Yan, I'm glad the onc backed down on his time forecast. Heck, the weather guys have to do that all the time!

Thanks for the recipe offer. Actually, I have a similar ne (white cheese or milk instead of cottage cheese) but I prefer to use the parve recipes.

Sent you a pm.

Leah

K_Dog

Yan, I followed your link tonight.  I like your attitude.  Keep the faith.  Treatments get better and better all the time.  And no one knows how long any of us are going to live.  I hope the best for you and your family.  Please keep us up to date on how things progress.  I'll be praying for you.

MsBliss

There are also supportive nutriceuticals to consider.  There are many evidenced based supplements to read up on.  I found that Life Extension has the best information.  www.lef.org.  I do know of one person who is stage 4 who has been NED for several years using an integrative approach.  Of course, that means no more Hannukah doughnuts!  It means you have to change diet and lifestyle, but they are wonderful changes.  More fresh veggies, more real foods, no processed goodies, more exercise, plus curcumin, megadoses of vitamin D, immune boosters like beta glucans, etc.  There is a lot to learn.  Also, taking control of your health and your wife's in this way will help with that panicked feeling you mention.  It is important to be proactive and not just a passive patient.

Erase that foolish "3 year" comment from memory--it has no meaning in reality or experience. 

Anonymous

Ahemmm... Thanks for your comment, MsBliss, but did I say she actually ATE the doughnuts?

I know about all the other stuff, thanks.

Anonymous

I took Olga to the ER today. She's got flu in addition to this all. 39 degrees fever and terrible cough. They gave a prescription for Tamiflu and released us. The blood count was good except for low lymphocites.

She's tired and resting now...

Anonymous

This is a letter to Santa written by our older son (will be 8 in March). Olga had tears in her eyes while reading this. This kid hides everything inside...

Anonymous

Just got back from my trip.  Awwww...Yan, what a sweet note. 

I'll eat a doughnut if you send one to me.     I'm taking supplements, but I'm sick and tired of worrying about everything I put in my mouth.  I'm just sick and tired of it all!

I go back for another CT scan (full of radiation ) Jan. 22.  So, we'll see if this bugger has spread to other bones.  Or other places.  I WANT A DOUGHNUT WITH POWERED SUGAR ON IT!   (couldn't find a doughnut)  I'll also add some veggies in with the doughnut.   

I'm rebelling! 

Okay, back to reality with a bit of sanity.  Hope your wife feels better soon.  I know you will take good care of her.  Hug those little ones for us.  And, hope Santa was good to everyone.

Shirley

Anonymous

Thanks, Shirley. I don't think rebelling now is a good idea, though. I think your scans will come back good! Crossing my fingers.

Anonymous

HAHAHA, Yan, you are right.  Rebelling against this horrid disease is never a good thing.  So far I have come to the point of saying...it is what it is.  I cannot return to my past and undo things I, perhaps, should not have done.  Who of us really thinks we're going to end up with the "C" word?  I still blame this bc on my taking estrogen/progesterone.  How man women have you read about that have done almost everything right and, BAM, they get the horrible news?

Ya know, I look around at all the women eating fast foods all the time, fat, etc.  And, I wonder, do they have breast cancer?  Did they have breast cancer?  Are they going to get breast cancer?

I suppose I'm angry as hell.  Especially for the young women.  My dd's friend who she went to school with has stage IV bc.  She's in her mid thirties. I haven't seen her since she was a kid.  I still see her AS a kid and am so sad.  She has young children.  It's not fair.  My children are grown and yes, I want to see my grandchildren grow up.  Will I?  They've lost one step-grandmother from this disease.

Yan, it is very good that you are "up" on things and are exploring every avenue.  With your wife's attitude and your strong support I believe she's going to be around a very long time.    You and your family will remain in my prayers (if you don't mind). 

Harley44

Yan,

I think you are a wonderful husband, supporting your wife and helping her.  Most husbands don't.  My husband doesn't understand MOST of this stuff, and whenever I need someone to talk to, I have to come here, because he really doesn't understand, and I am not sure that he wants to understand...   He is a very simple man, and he wants to believe that my surgeon took it out and it's gone... and there is no chance that it will come back.  But, we all know it is never that simple.

Shirley,

Hey, I have been trying to reach you.  You  must have been out having fun with some of your friends...   I miss you...  will try to call you later.

I am still praying for you, and I also think that the new scans will show nothing...  maybe it was just a smudge on the film 

Sending Hugs to you!

Harley

Anonymous

Hey, my friend (Harley).  Was nice talking to you.  And, you are being a good girl by trying to get those veggies in.  You made me hungry.  Now I need to find something to eat OR cook.

Anonymous

Sorry for not replying. We're on and off to hospital for the last couple of days with the flu. When you're on chemo (even mild like Xeloda) the immune system sucks!

Thankfully our friends and neighbors are helping us with the kids (our parents live abroad)and other stuff.

Happy New Year everybody and may the 2010 bring NED to all of you!

Fitztwins

That is the best letter! ever!

BMac

Yan, I just found this thread today.  I'm so sorry to hear about your wife.  I hope only the best for you and your wife.  It sounds like the two of you are going to fight this thing tooth and nail.  I know as a mother I would do everything in my power to not leave my kids without a mother and it sounds like your wife is the same.

My children are older now but my youngest was just 9 when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 7 years ago.  You're at one of the best hospitals in the world so your wife will get the best of care.

tweetybird

I was just thinking about you Leprachaun. I was hoping that no news was good news. The flu totally sucks, even when you're healthy. It's been 3 1/2 years for me since dx, and my immune system is still shot. I find if somebody mentions that they aren't feeling great, I'm sick by the next day!

Your donuts sound delicious. Our weather here on Long Island feels alot like Canada now, the temperature hasn't gotten above 25 in a week, and we have some snow today. So the donuts would be great with some hot chocolate about now.

Still keeping you and your wife in my prayers.

Anonymous

Hi all,

We had a meeting with the onc yesterday. The flu is going away, but very, VERY slowly. 

The blood count is excellent, the cough is flu-like, not metastatic and the fever Olga had couple of days ago seems to be caused by flu and not liver.

The second cycle of Xeloda came to an end on Tuesday and Olga's palms and feet became pink, the onc said this is really not bad and prescribed the same dosage. If this will worsen, then he'll lower the dose.

We insisted on Zometa instead of Aredia and convinced him. So now we only wait for the call from the clinic. 

And the overall feeling is very good comparing to three weeks ago. The flu is going away, the bone-muscle pain is almost gone (occasionally comes back, but one pill of Advil per two days is nothing). Even the fatigue seems to lessen.The recent days are unbelievable, she suddenly has so much energy, after two months of being nearly a wreck.

Next set of scans is in February. Then we'll know if the Xeloda is doing the work.

Ah... And the onc and the radiologist gave their OK to go skiing. Though, carefully.

edited to fix some spelling...