Update

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saundra
saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Well, my CA-125 was up to 50 so we have decided (my oncologist and I) not to take the chemo of Taxol today (my 12th out of 12 low dose) as it appears not to be working from the CA-125. I will have the CT scan on the 8th and a physical by the GYN/ONC from Dallas on the 15th and then conference to see what the next course will be. I am disappointed, but had to give it a try. Saundra

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  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #2
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    HUGS
    Hi Saundra, sorry to hear the taxol quit working, but wow for how long it did work for you. There are lots of other things out there yet. Please keep us updated and know we will be lifting you in prayer. The 15th seems far off but it will be here b4 you know it. :-)

    Hugs n Prayers Bonnie
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #3
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    AND MORE HUGS
    Sorry, Saundra. But as Bonnie said, there's tons more options. We'll wait to hear what you find out on the 15th.
    Luv and prayers,
    Monika
  • Susan523
    Susan523 Member Posts: 231 Member
    #4
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    Sorry to hear that, Saundra....
    I am sure saying a prayer for you; and yes,
    there are many other treatments out there.

    Keep your chin up, and know we're all
    praying and pulling for you.

    Love,
    ~Susan xoxo
  • ladyjogger31
    ladyjogger31 Member Posts: 289
    #5
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    So sorry to hear the taxol
    So sorry to hear the taxol didn't work. I was on taxol and am starting doxil Monday.Your ca-125 could go up for other reasons. Stay positive!! Hoping to hear goods news on the 15th for you. You are in my prayers.
    Hugs
    Terry
  • TracieK
    TracieK Member Posts: 45
    #6
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    Let us know!
    Saundra,
    I am thinking good thoughts and keeping you in my prayers. Keep your faith and your fight going. I hope that things go well at your docs. My thoughts are with you.
    Tracie
  • floridajo
    floridajo Member Posts: 480
    #7
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    Saundra
    I'm sorry the Taxol stopped working..but you got most of the cycles done,right?? I'll keep you in prayer that you have a clear ct scan and can enjoy a remission for a bit. Sending lots of (((hugz))) to you~~~Joanne
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #8
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    SENDING HUGS!
    Sorry the Taxol didn't work for you, Saundra. Did you get the Carboplatin also? As everyone says, there's much more to try. Hopefully, the next one will be the kicker!

    Stay strong!
    Prayers for peace and strength...
    Monika
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #9
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    Maintenance Taxol
    I had nine full doses of Carbo+Taxol last year and chose to take a low dose of Taxol for 12 months hoping to lengthen my remission time. So I have been on Taxol chemo since the end of March, 2007 with the surgery in the middle of the full doses. 20 doses of Taxol and that made it ineffective for me. The Carbo will probably still work, though I have a slight reaction of rashes with it...
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #10
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    ladyjogger31 said:

    So sorry to hear the taxol
    So sorry to hear the taxol didn't work. I was on taxol and am starting doxil Monday.Your ca-125 could go up for other reasons. Stay positive!! Hoping to hear goods news on the 15th for you. You are in my prayers.
    Hugs
    Terry

    Taxol
    The taxol worked, it just quit. I was on it for 20 months and it kept me in NED since Aug. 2007 or a year.
    I can't say if I would have been in NED without it, of course. For the last 11 months I have been on a low maintenance dose. Thanks for the prayers. I believe they really help. Saundra
  • ggggsister
    ggggsister Member Posts: 38
    #11
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    saundra said:

    Maintenance Taxol
    I had nine full doses of Carbo+Taxol last year and chose to take a low dose of Taxol for 12 months hoping to lengthen my remission time. So I have been on Taxol chemo since the end of March, 2007 with the surgery in the middle of the full doses. 20 doses of Taxol and that made it ineffective for me. The Carbo will probably still work, though I have a slight reaction of rashes with it...

    Saundra
    Stay strong and focused, Saundra. I'm learning that those are key.


    Gail
  • groundeffect
    groundeffect Member Posts: 639 Member
    #12
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    Tamoxifen
    Hi Saundra,

    My CA-125 went up to 284 earlier this year, and my last reading done early in September, was 140. My doctor prescribed 20 mg. of tamoxifen a day, and it has brought my level down. Two women in my local support group are also taking tamoxifen prescribed by their doctors. We all have different doctors, different hospitals. Both of the other ladies were staged at IIIc when they had surgery. One of them has had a CA-125 of less than 10 for quite some time now, and the other has some evidence of recurrence. I don't feel bad, have no evidence, and am glad to have the "numbers" pushed down by something relatively easy on my system.

    I know doctors love to have patients suggest their own treatment - but maybe they'd consider tamoxifen a path for you. The worst side effect I have from it is hot flashes.

    Good luck, and don't let those numbers scare you.
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #13
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    groundeffect said:

    Tamoxifen
    Hi Saundra,

    My CA-125 went up to 284 earlier this year, and my last reading done early in September, was 140. My doctor prescribed 20 mg. of tamoxifen a day, and it has brought my level down. Two women in my local support group are also taking tamoxifen prescribed by their doctors. We all have different doctors, different hospitals. Both of the other ladies were staged at IIIc when they had surgery. One of them has had a CA-125 of less than 10 for quite some time now, and the other has some evidence of recurrence. I don't feel bad, have no evidence, and am glad to have the "numbers" pushed down by something relatively easy on my system.

    I know doctors love to have patients suggest their own treatment - but maybe they'd consider tamoxifen a path for you. The worst side effect I have from it is hot flashes.

    Good luck, and don't let those numbers scare you.

    Tamoxifen
    I asked about the tamoxifen and was told it really doesnt' work if you have measurable disease already. But does work for those just having the ca125 marker going up. That was just my docs opinion, but I do trust him. Bonnie
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #14
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    Waiting
    Thanks ladies, the waiting is just one of the hard parts. I'll see what the CT-scan and physical shows. My gyn/onc from Dallas is the Head of the Dept. at Texas Oncology and previous to that had 13 years at M.D. Anderson in Houston. He comes to Midland every other month to see patients. I feel very fortunate to have been able to get in with him. My oncologist here in Midland (also with Texas Oncology) was honored as one of the best in Texas recently and is kind and compassionate so I feel I am in good hands. I'm working on "Letting go and letting God take over from here", and keeping busy doing lots of things. (((Hugs to all))) Saundra
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #15
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    The wait
    Saundra, I think the hardest part is always the wait, isn't it? Praying that your "wait" will not be stressful and you can rest in God's love for you. Thank you for all of your many contributions and encouraging words. You are a gift to OVCA survivors and this website.
    God bless,
    Kathleen
    Nishinomiya, Japan
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #16
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    saundra said:

    Waiting
    Thanks ladies, the waiting is just one of the hard parts. I'll see what the CT-scan and physical shows. My gyn/onc from Dallas is the Head of the Dept. at Texas Oncology and previous to that had 13 years at M.D. Anderson in Houston. He comes to Midland every other month to see patients. I feel very fortunate to have been able to get in with him. My oncologist here in Midland (also with Texas Oncology) was honored as one of the best in Texas recently and is kind and compassionate so I feel I am in good hands. I'm working on "Letting go and letting God take over from here", and keeping busy doing lots of things. (((Hugs to all))) Saundra

    WAITING WITH YOU
    Saundra:

    Yes, it is one of the hardest parts. I pray the words, 'good things come to those who wait' will ring true for you. Sending loads of hugs and blessing your way!

    Monika
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #17
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    kayandok said:

    The wait
    Saundra, I think the hardest part is always the wait, isn't it? Praying that your "wait" will not be stressful and you can rest in God's love for you. Thank you for all of your many contributions and encouraging words. You are a gift to OVCA survivors and this website.
    God bless,
    Kathleen
    Nishinomiya, Japan

    Japan
    Kathleen, what takes you to Japan? I have a son in Tokyo, a missionary. Also a wonderful daughter-in-law and granddaughter. They have lived Japan about 14 years...Saundra
  • groundeffect
    groundeffect Member Posts: 639 Member
    #18
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    BonnieR said:

    Tamoxifen
    I asked about the tamoxifen and was told it really doesnt' work if you have measurable disease already. But does work for those just having the ca125 marker going up. That was just my docs opinion, but I do trust him. Bonnie

    Thanks for putting that
    Thanks for putting that comment in, Bonnie. I just had another CT scan, but don't have the results back yet. One of the women I know who's taking Tamoxifen does have evidence of tumors, but she is going to another doctor. We have a lot of options here, I guess, even if they are all at least 100 miles away.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #19
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