FDA aproves Lynparaz a PARP inhibitor

[HVAC]

I did a clinical trial for Amgen 386 for 56 months. The bummer as with all clinical trials I got the placebo. I have had 24 cycles of chemo. Then my doctor wanted me in another clinical trial for Lynparza a PARP inhibitor with another chance of getting the placebo. Clinical trials are what you do when they run low on treatment options. Ethically you are in late stage cancer so they do not have to fear killing you.

Good news since my last appointment the FDA has approved Lynparaz for a small population of cancer patients, You have to have been on three different rounds of chemo, you have to be BRCA positive, you have have germ cell Ovarian cancer and you have to have evidence of disease on a CT Scan. The PARP is a targeted therapy. It goes right to the tumor and kills It. It has caused a fatal leukemia that is why it is not open to more cancer patients.

It shows you never know what treatments will help and if something new will be approved.

I have lived almost three years since diagnosis. I had germ cell and clear cell cancer in both ovaries, the fallopian tube, the uterus,the diaphragm, 4 places on the bowel, the omentum (the lining of all the organs),the liver,  the lymph systems ( the lymph nodes on my heart), and I had part of my rectum removed. I now have cancer only on my spleen and lymph systems, Statistically I should be dead. I tell people to not give up.

I have also had a rare form of multiple sclerosis since I was 2 years old. I am the happiest I have ever been. Life for me is good.I was depressed most of my life. Now I am not. I enjoy life. I have three dogs. To dalmatians deaf from birth and a 87 pound foxhound. One of my dals is my service dog and I ma training the other as a service dog. I ride horses and hike. I am doing my bucket list. My GP thinks I am amazing. I am very health and I look at least ten years younger than I am at 51.

I thought this cancer was it, my life was over, Now it is a new life. I am kinder and not in a hurry. The small stuff is just that. If something does not get done it doesn't. Instead of thinking the things I want to do I do them.

I have hope this PARP inhibitor may be a game changer. If not for me for those who just were diagnosed with cancer.

Alex

[old_before_my_time]

Maybe you will continue to surprise your doctors - I sure hope so! It is wonderful that you feel well enough to travel and enjoy life. Europe - how exciting! It is on my bucket list too.

[HVAC]

I don't wish this on anyone. It is still surreal that I have it and deadly form with the clear cell and germ cell which are rarer than regular ovarian. It will be three years in May. I was only supposed to live two. I am off to Europe in the Fall.

Alex

[old_before_my_time]

Thank you Alex. I am at least thankful I didn't have cancer.

[HVAC]

When my brother had prostate cancer his hair fell out in a patch in the back. It came back gray and never turned back. I know hair loss is a terrible thing. Everything you are going through is terrible.

Alex

[old_before_my_time]

A whole slew of bad breaks...way more than any one person should have to endure. And jet fuel in your water? Yuck!

Interesting about your hair coming in white and changing back to brown. Within months of my hysterectomy, I lost over half my hair and the front sections turned gray. I never knew hair could turn gray overnight. It seems I had read awhile back that gray hair can regain its color and now I know someone who experienced that! So maybe it can happen to me although I'd rather have the hair I lost back...don't care about the color!

[HVAC]

It is weird because when my hair came back it was pure white. It then turned brown over the year. I am sorry your hysterectomy did that. I would not wish one on anyone. I have lived a really clean life no alcohol, tobacco, little meat, exercise, and eat well. My doctor says I just have bad genetics. My mom drank, smoked two packs a day, and took speed all through her pregnancy. Then I have the BRCA gene. Plus I drank water with jet fuel in it at Camp Lejuene, NC. I just had some bad breaks.

Alex

[old_before_my_time]

Bless your heart, Alex. You have been through so much and are always so positive. I cannot imagine going through ovarian cancer let alone having had MS since age 2. You really are an inspiration! I surely hope this PARP inhibitor is the answer to your prayers for you as well as other ovarian cancer sufferers.  

I am so glad that you have not had accelerated aging like I have. You surely don't need that on top of everything else! It is perplexing how the loss of ovaries or post-hysterectomy ovarian function accelerates aging in some women but not all. And you would think all the chemo drugs would add to the toll but I know some other women who have had ovarian cancer and chemo and did not experience accelerated aging.