Rare ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment plan Cancer Vlog #8 September 11, 2022

In this video, I discuss the results of my pathology report that was issued after my biopsy. I have a rare type of ovarian cancer - Mullerian Carcinosarcoma- a/k/a malignant mixed Mullerian tumor. Basically, it’s a carcinoma and a sarcoma. It isn’t easy to treat but I am up for the challenge.
#cancer
#ovariancancer
#cancertreatment

[@sharonscott7913]

Dear Maria, as an RN and cancer survivor I want you to know how impressed I am that you are listening to your great medical professionals and taking a significant role in your treatment experience. Your head is not buried in the sand but you are bravely seeking as much knowledge of your condition as you can and reaching out to others through this medium. It is so important that you are open to realistic understanding of your specific cancer and options for treatment. Thank you for being a courageous warrior! You go girl! We are all there for you. Hugs from Georgia. ❤️

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you so much Sharon. I look forward to the day when I can support others as a cancer survivor. During this process, it has been the nurses that have provided the most comfort to me, whether it was holding my hand, rubbing my back or just being there as I cried. It takes a special person to be a RN.

[@rhondawhatley1591]

Amen to all that and just keep the faith. My sister has stage 4 spindle cell neoplasm carcinoma/sarcoma and she can't have chemo because she has Friederichs ataxia and so weak from that that the chemo would kill her in itself. It hard and I know you can do this and with your new youtube family we all got this . Praise God that you are responding to treatment. Love from Georgia

[@kalkeshdevraj]

She has passed away

[@csc1641]

My family knows the word "cancer." My mother & sister were both diagnosed with ovarian cancer and I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. My positive thoughts are going out to you ribbon sister. Ovarian cancer is the teal ribbon. I can tell you are a strong and smart woman.

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

I’m so sorry your family is so familiar with cancer. I hope you and your family are now cancer free. It’s a journey I would never wish on anyone.

[@ElinorRumming]

A plant-based couple I follow on KZbin, Krocks in the Kitchen, were just recently struck with a very similar diagnosis. Both of you are very upbeat and staying positive, which is really incredible. Thank you for taking us along in your journey.

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

It really feels therapeutic making these videos. I’m not one to write in a journal but I’ve felt that creating these videos has the same effect for me. I think the only way I can stay sane is to stay positive. It’s too easy to fall in the black hole of What Ifs or why me. If I do that, then the cancer wins and that is not acceptable.

[@connyvanditmarsch4865]

Hi Maria, I came across your story. It is a really though process you’re dealing with. Maybe a coincidence, maybe not. I can really relate to your story, I have Carcinoma Sarcoma stage 4, just finished chemo 4. Might be nice to get in touch sometime. Wishing you all the luck and strength, take care!

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

I'm sorry to hear that you are dealing with this as well. Hopefully chemo has been manageable for you and it is working. Thank you so much for the well wishes!

[@kristimartinez7528]

Hello Maria 👋 Just found your channel. Here to support you! 🤗 💙 Your dog is so lovely!

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you so much 🤗

[@traceytaylor522]

Hello! I’m from Maine and just wanted to hop on here to thank you for sharing your journey with us. Prayers to you that your body responds to treatment and destroys the cancer. I agree with you that you are blessed to live close to a top notch cancer institute. My Mom went there for her mouth cancer and the team was excellent. God bless you and you will be in my prayers.

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you so much. I was hoping to go to Ogunquit during the summer but hopefully I can catch a beautiful day in the fall. I love Maine!

[@linnaellis212]

Hello Maria, I came across your story and have subscribed to your channel. As an RN who has cared for many cancer patients and as a survivor of malignant melanoma I can say that your positive attitude is so important. Keep sharing as much as you can, it’s therapeutic. I will be praying for you.

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you so much. You’re right, it is very therapeutic.

[@sandradalessandro2935]

Maria. Amazing. Look at you. A true warrior. And research. Advocate. And. Who is that gorgeous puppy I see. I want you to know how important these videos are to all of us fighting cancer. We are in this together. My second chemo is coming up sept 22. I. Will keep adding you to my prayers. And. Next video needs to be all about your puppy. I. Am madly. In luv. You got this. I send blessings ❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

My puppy has definitely kept me sane and comforted during this ordeal. Harley is an English Goldendoodle and is just the sweetest and most loving pup. People love her so much that she was actually voted to be my firm's first mascot after a pet pageant. I appreciate all of the kind words and support you are providing to me. I'll be thinking of you on the 22nd and hope it goes smoothly for you!

[@LindaFromMySelfCareStudio]

Celebrating the good news with you! Thankful for the advances that made personalized treatment possible.

[@elainepartridge6226]

Hi Maria im so sorry that ur going through this. I just wish that doctors would listen to patients as we know our own bodies and when something is wrong, im watching and fighting with u hun x❤

[@karinasanchez3285]

You go girl! 💪

[@lindawhite5006]

That is great news! You go girl! Prayers will continue!!!

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you!!!

[@Georgesmomsu]

Hi Maria. Sending you lots of love and light from Oakland. Makes so happy to see you have a doggo helping you through this journey. 💜

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

My dog has really been a blessing during this. It’s amazing how she just seems to know something is going on and changes her behavior accordingly.

[@Kinypshun]

Marker going down with first chemo - I'm thrilled for you!!! And relieved. Sending love and light.

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you so much! Looking forward to more progress!

[@ginnypowell8324]

With you all the way from the Uk Maria . Why don’t these doctors ever listen to our own intuition? We know our bodies we really do . It’s the same over here you have to shout to be heard half the time .. ‘treatable ‘ is great hold onto that . X x x

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

I really wish they did. I knew something was wrong but kept getting blown off or trying to pass me off as someone else’s problem.

[@mianone7486]

Good news.. as long as it goes down and your liver is doing better! Stay strong and keep fighting!!! Cheering you on from the northern parts of Sweden

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Yes! Thank you!

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

❤Dear Maria, It’s a blessing that it’s treatable and that you’re in a good place. You were in my thoughts and prayers Maria and I’m glad I found your name so I can use it in my prayers. Aloha

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you so much Marilyn!

[@karenshady8129]

Dear Maria, I just found youre channel, and Ive watched most of youre cancer journey this morning.. You are so positive, and I have no doubt you will kick cancers butt… wishing you love and light

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you so much Karen - I'm doing everything I can to kick it!

[@TikkunOlamEighteen]

So happy to hear your tumor markers went down and your liver is doing better!!!

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Me too - so much hope!

[@DR3itmatters]

You are a warrior! I will follow here each step of your journey. I have a lot of gratitude that you are willing and courageous to share such a very rare MMMT situation that you are now facing. It is important! Very little "human experience" exists with it right now. We need you. Thank goodness your top team managed your reaction so fast. If you choose and when you are up to it, I would like to know more about your two years (I know you shared a bit) of symptoms and how doctors responded throughout. Huge hugs! Xo

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you so much for your support. I'm so lucky to have one of the top ranked ovarian cancer specialists be part of my treatment team - particularly given the MMMT diagnosis. It is so important to have doctors who have seen these types of cancers in their practice to get a great outcome. At some point, I am considering making a video of the various symptoms I have had and the timing, as I think it is key for others to perhaps think of a potential ovarian cancer diagnosis that they wouldn't otherwise consider.

[@debmary2999]

Much love and support to you. I hope this caring community keeps your spirits up. I’m a clinical trials research nurse from Australia and have visited Dana Fabre but a few years ago now - amazing institution so you are in great hands. Hopefully your taxol adverse reaction settles. It is a fantastic drug. All the taxanes derive from the Pacific yew tree and carboplatin is a vinca alkaloid from the periwinkle plant. I like to think of these drugs as plant medicine. Just here to support 🤗❤️

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you so much for your support. I love that you’ve been able to visit Dana Farber. They are amazing. Unfortunately, taxol just isn’t doing what it is supposed to. I just posted this video about it today. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2KkZYNjrM2aors

[@tatumpiano8569]

Yay on the CA-125 going down! That is such a relief to see. Thanks for the update. Thinking of you and rooting for you always! I saw a piano in your video so if it's you that plays...cheers from a fellow pianist :-)

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

I love the piano and am still learning. It really brings me joy!

[@nenaronan8679]

I will pray for you Maria. All things work together for good to them that love God. Jesus heal and bless you❤

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you so much Nina ❤️

[@meredithleigh6330]

You got this!

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

YES!

[@wandadavis2468]

Sending love and prayers❤🙏🏻

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you so much 😊

[@donnamariedunn3944]

Wishing you all the best 💙

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you so much!!

[@BrGrThingks]

Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Since my mother's cancer diagnosis in 2010, I have been collecting information about cancer. You seem to be in great hands with your medical team and medical care now, as compared to your past experiences with doctors telling you that your pain is all in your head. One thing you might consider is going low carb or Keto if you have not already tried using diet as a means of if not a cure than at least a control of your cancer. Sugar is supposedly the primary fuel for cancer. My mom was taught in her diabetes class, she was type 2, that ALL food, except meat, even broccoli, turn to sugar in the body. They might have added all food except HEALTHY FATS, but you know doctors are not allowed to tell us that any fat might be healthy. Deprive the cancer cells of their primary fuel, sugar, and see if you feel any benefit. It's one thing you don't need doctors for, experimenting with food. If cancer's primary fuel IS sugar, and you withhold that fuel, then I suspect that you should feel less pain and your issues with ascites should lessen. Cancer is a normal product of the biological function of billions of cells in our bodies doing their thing. Our body, if all is working properly, is set up to deal with cancer when the problem arises. I have seen it said that we should think of our bodies as being are like expensive sports cars, they require high end fuel. Our immune system fights cancer, but it requires certain tools to do the job, such as Iodine from salmon, tuna, or other foods from the ocean, and selenium, from two brazil nuts a day. Our thyroid in the front of our lower neck uses those ingredients to give our blood and the invaders inside it a tiny jolt every fifteen minutes as it passes through. Over time those tiny jolts break down the hard outer shells of foreign cells in our blood. Like ant killer dissolves the hard outer skeletons of ants so they collapse onto the ground a quivering mass, unable to continue onwards with the mission they are on , those tiny jolts from our thyroid can crack the hard outer shells of the cells in our blood that we want to disable from their missions. Our immune system requires some soluble and insoluble fiber to function properly. I have seen 70% and I have seen 80% as the amount of our immune system that is in our gut. Exact amounts don't matter, but our gut health is important. Even if you decide to try low carb or keto to deprive the cancer cells of their primary fuel, sugar, you need to make sure you are getting both soluble and insoluble fiber. For Keto that means 10% of your diet needs to be those two forms of fiber, do not neglect that 10%. Give up wheat. Wheat damages the immune system, by crossing the blood/gut barrier, the gluten getting into the blood where it DOES NOT BELONG. Our immune system needs to be doing it's job of protecting us from cancer and Covid, not being distracted chasing down and eliminating invading wheat gluten. Our bodies do more work at night when we are asleep, repairing the damage of the day. Sleep is important and chemo will make your tired because it has killed your immune system. Never feel bad about sleeping! It is so important! I was happy to see you getting some sun for the natural vitamin D. Aim for ten minutes a day 5 days a week at noon. Get your vitamin D3 levels tested. I used to watch Dr Mercola here on You Tube for info about getting vitamin D from the sun and if I recall 80 IU or whatever measure they use was OPTIMAL. We don't want to aim for barely enough to stay alive, we want to aim for optimal. I have seen a preponderance of vegetarians and vegans here on You Tube with cancer diagnoses. This is alarming but it also makes sense if sugar is indeed the primary fuel for cancer, because diets that cut out meat will by default have to be higher in sugar. I recommend Mark's Daily Apple and The Patient Story for more information about food choices and cancer experiences. Best wishes! Thanks again for sharing your journey, BG

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Wow, thank you so much for all the information and supporting my journey to become cancer free!

[@sadie4me2]

You are in my thoughts and prayers, ♥️

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

I really appreciate that, thank you!

[@joycepayne3505]

Sending hugs ❤

[@sylviarogier1]

Good news. Happy for you.

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you!

[@Shaz73]

Just come across your channel I wish as many people as possible see your videos! A family member has just been diagnosed, we don't even know what cancer he has but it's everywhere from organs to bones and he's been given days to weeks. He's been told he's likely had his cancer for 18 months.. 18 months ago he was in and out to see the doctor because he wasn't well but nothing was picked up. Would they have been able to fight this? Who knows but it would have been an extra 18 months of treatment. You're your biggest advocate. Thank you for your videos ❤

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

I’m so sorry to hear of your family member’s diagnosis. I hope he beats the odds and can spend quality time with the family much longer than what they are estimating.

[@compassionentheogen]

Congratulations on the blood tests!

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you- hopefully I’ll get more good news with next tests.

[@judyluce3141]

New to your channel, will be praying for you.

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you so much!

[@ralex3697]

Sadly this lovely lady has passed

[@kalkeshdevraj]

Sad to hear | शांति

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

PS Your dog is adorable what’s his or her name?

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Thank you! Her name is Harley!

[@informaticsnursebev1538]

♥️

[@kimschmeichel9186]

My dad had acsites and had to have paracentesis many times. The doctors ended up inserting a port so that the fluid removal could be managed at home by family and with no pain. If you think this might be helpful to you, you can ask your doctor if this is an option for you.

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

Good idea - I'm really hopeful that this will stop after maybe another chemo treatment. Near weekly paracentesis is certainly not something I want to continue with.

[@krisjames4276]

🙏♥️

[@kalkeshdevraj]

She has died

[@viorelscrob6391]

My mother had adenocarcinoma seruos ... She didn't do Taxol i don't understand why ..? What is your tratament. ..?

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

It was initially taxol and carboplatin. I had a reaction to the taxol, so there’s testing to see if there is a way to make it work or if that drug needs to be changed.

[@viorelscrob6391]

@@MyCancerJourneyMaria oh, my mother was never given taxol, only Carboplatin at the begining then Hycamtim .

[@shetlandsheep3081]

@@viorelscrob6391 carboplatin alone used to be the standard of care, until the early 2000s when they added taxol based drugs. So that might be why, depending on when she was diagnosed. Also, In my case they tried taxol and platinum but I had severe allergic reaction to taxol. So thats another reason for platinum alone. Or if the patients general health is more fragile that might impact the choice. There might also be other reasons but those are the ones I’m aware of 👍

[@viorelscrob6391]

@@shetlandsheep3081 in 2018 my mom was diagnosed, but they didn't even try with Taxol, only Carboplatin at the begining, then Hycamtin. (Topotecan) and Vepesid.

[@jillehr2402]

less gs for your journey

[@MyCancerJourneyMaria]

GS?