New to the group and cancer

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rescuelady
rescuelady Member Posts: 7
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi everyone, Im new to the group and found out today that I have Ovarian cancer, and I go to the OB/GYN onocologist on Monday 7/26. I had a Pap smaer, ultrasound, chest x-ray, and contrast ct. My chest x-ray was clear, the CT showed mass 9.6cm High, 8.6 cm wide, and 4.3 cm deep. Ca 125 came in at 125 lab says 0-20 is normal. I know that when I see the onocologist that things may change but I have a few questions. Is this CA-125 number 105 high? when i read that the chemo is done is 6 courses what does that mean. Is that 6 weeks worth? If so based on your experiences how often do you have the chemo and how do you feel? I am really scared even though this is a pretty good outcome if you have to have cancer. i.e. not mastasized. Any information that you can provide me would be welcomed and help me to prepare myself for the fight and road ahead. Thank you,

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  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #2
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    The SOP (standard operating
    The SOP (standard operating procedure) is most often surgery to de-bulk the cancer (remove as much as possible) and a complete hysterectomy. At that time your cancer will probably be staged. Obviously, the lower the stage, the better the outcome is apt to be. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is often not found until it is stage III or IV (mine is state IIIc).

    The elevated CA125 is an indication that cancer may be present, but it's not as simple as the higher the number, the worse the cancer. I have "met" women who were stage IV and their CA 125 was much lower than mine (which was 4000 pre-surgery and is now 4.8).

    The chemo gold standard is Carboplatin and Taxol, administered IV (or via a port implanted surgically in the upper chest) every 3 weeks, for a total of 6 infusions. So about 6 months. That was my regimen and most of the ladies on here, as well.

    You will start to lose your hair about 2 weeks after your first chemo, so I got mine cut really short before I started treatment.

    My first chemo was really rough. I passed out and was so ill I had to leave the building in a wheelchair. But each one got easier. I had some nausea and vomiting and some diarrhea, as well as muscle aches, but all in all, it wasn't terrible. The chemo can do a number on your red and white counts, though. It took 6 units of blood to get me thru the 6 treatments.

    This is a club no one wants to join, but you will find great support and a tremendous amount of really helpful information here. Let us know what your gyn/oncologist has to say on Monday.

    Carlene
  • MK_4Dani
    MK_4Dani Member Posts: 314
    #3
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    A sad welcome to the group.
    A sad welcome to the group. CA-125 is a tumor "marker". The elevated numbers do not coorespond to severity. I was dx Stage IIIC and my CA-125 was 366. You will see someone else CA-125 in the thousands with the same staging. The chemo courses of 6 means: 6 actual treatments. Usually a treatment on week 1, week 2/3 off, a treatment week 4, week 5/6 off....so forth and so on. Each doctor treats differently incorporating many factors: your overall health, age, complicating factors, etc.
    I had the carbolatin treatment plan/schedule I mentioned above except it was given into my abdominal cavity, in addition I had 16 weekly taxol treatments. How chemo makes you feel: tired, overwhelming physical fatique. Other side effects each person reacts differently, again many variables on this subject.
    My humble advice for where you are at this point: focus on the very next step: probably surgery. How does this affect your work, what paperwork to fill out. Who can help you after surgery with meals, shopping, taking care of kids, animals, etc.
    I was SCARED out of my mind one year ago this month: a OVCA dx. One year later I am feeling good, active, albeit short hair! And a new and improved perspective on life.
    Ask ANY questions: you have a lot of experience on this board.
    Mary
  • MK_4Dani
    MK_4Dani Member Posts: 314
    #4
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    THE MOST IMPORTANT!!!
    I notice you reference an OB/GYN. For a OVCA dx. you best bet to increase your odds of success: go to a GYN/ONC. This is critical. A regular OB/GYN will NOT DO!
    Ladies: do we all agree on this????
    Most states are represented here and we can give great references.
    What state/area do you live rescuelady?
    Mary
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #5
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    MK_4Dani said:

    THE MOST IMPORTANT!!!
    I notice you reference an OB/GYN. For a OVCA dx. you best bet to increase your odds of success: go to a GYN/ONC. This is critical. A regular OB/GYN will NOT DO!
    Ladies: do we all agree on this????
    Most states are represented here and we can give great references.
    What state/area do you live rescuelady?
    Mary

    She said OB/GYN Oncologist.
    She said OB/GYN Oncologist. I think she means Gyn/Oncologist. The difference, of course, is that a Gyn/Oncologist does not deliver babies or treat pregnancy/oonception issues, as does an OB physician.
  • rescuelady
    rescuelady Member Posts: 7
    #6
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    Thank you everyone
    I want to thank everyone for their responses to my questions. I have read many of your comments and all of you are very special in so many ways. Thank you for opening your hearts and walking me through some of this.

    I am going to see an GYN/onocogolist in Las Vegas Nevada. She studies at John Hopkins Medical and is a personal friend of my OB/GYN doctor. He told me she is very direct and does not take a sit back and wait attitude. I think Im going to like her.

    I dont think Im too worried about lossing my hair Im lloking at this as a new adventure to try new hair styles. This may seem shallow but it is the way my brain can handle it right now.

    My friend told me this is my road and their is a big bump in the road so I need to drive carefully. I told her I have great shock absorders for this trip in my husband, family, and a new set of friends.

    I'll keep you posted on what the doctor says on Monday. Everyone take care, and thank you again, rescuelady
  • groundeffect
    groundeffect Member Posts: 639 Member
    #7
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    rescuelady said:

    Thank you everyone
    I want to thank everyone for their responses to my questions. I have read many of your comments and all of you are very special in so many ways. Thank you for opening your hearts and walking me through some of this.

    I am going to see an GYN/onocogolist in Las Vegas Nevada. She studies at John Hopkins Medical and is a personal friend of my OB/GYN doctor. He told me she is very direct and does not take a sit back and wait attitude. I think Im going to like her.

    I dont think Im too worried about lossing my hair Im lloking at this as a new adventure to try new hair styles. This may seem shallow but it is the way my brain can handle it right now.

    My friend told me this is my road and their is a big bump in the road so I need to drive carefully. I told her I have great shock absorders for this trip in my husband, family, and a new set of friends.

    I'll keep you posted on what the doctor says on Monday. Everyone take care, and thank you again, rescuelady

    Keep that sense of humor!
    You seem to have a pretty good sense of humor - use it when you go for surgery and chemo!
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #8
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    welcome
    Welcome to the group we wish no one had to join but so grateful it is here. You will find all the Teal Warriors here to be very supportive, strong, knowledgable, funny, the list is long. ☺ You sound like you'll get through this fine as having a sense of humor really helps. Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #9
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    rescuelady said:

    Thank you everyone
    I want to thank everyone for their responses to my questions. I have read many of your comments and all of you are very special in so many ways. Thank you for opening your hearts and walking me through some of this.

    I am going to see an GYN/onocogolist in Las Vegas Nevada. She studies at John Hopkins Medical and is a personal friend of my OB/GYN doctor. He told me she is very direct and does not take a sit back and wait attitude. I think Im going to like her.

    I dont think Im too worried about lossing my hair Im lloking at this as a new adventure to try new hair styles. This may seem shallow but it is the way my brain can handle it right now.

    My friend told me this is my road and their is a big bump in the road so I need to drive carefully. I told her I have great shock absorders for this trip in my husband, family, and a new set of friends.

    I'll keep you posted on what the doctor says on Monday. Everyone take care, and thank you again, rescuelady

    Good hands
    Looks like you are in good hands. We do NOT like to welcome new members but you can feel safe here asking questions in between doctors visits. (((HUGS))) Saundra
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    #10
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    Welcome
    As stated you will get great advice hear. We all have a story and you can click on our picture or name in the blue box and find out what, where, when about each of us. Which reminds me, mine is far from being updated!!

    We are all very supportive and talk about whatever is on our hearts! We are TEAL WARRIORS doing battle for each other through prayers, tears, and HUMOR! ☺

    Living for Eternity,
    Libby ♥

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