CA125 dropped 60 points! YEA! But platelets dropped to 10,000 so no chemo today. BOO!

lindaprocopio
lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Yes, it was a bummer to have my platelets tank to 10,000 after just 1 infusion of carboplatin. And, yes, I'm disappointed to have gotten a platelet transfusion today instead of my 2nd carbo infusion. (Funny how you can feel fine even with platelets that dangerously low, isn't it?)

BUT, I am so THRILLED that something still works for me!! I have been on chemo a year and watched my CA125 go up on taxol (with disease progression), and then watched it go up on Doxil (with disease progression), and I've been really fearful that my cancer has become completely disease-resistant. So I am THRILLED to FINALLY have a drop in CA125!! My CA125 is still in the 200's, but at least the number is headed in the right direction.

We're going to try again for chemo in a week (next Thursday), and this time I'm going to get carboplatin at 1/3 strength and will start getting it every week and see if my body can handle that. My chemo-onc says he won't repeatedly give me platelet transfusions just so I can stay on carboplatin, as my body will start rejecting the platelets if I transfuse too many times. I hope I can stay on carboplatin. Even with this 'mixed blessing' news, I am soooo happy tonight to have something to fan the flames of hope again. I admit that I was getting worried about where things were going for me.

Comments

  • Lisa13Q
    Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
    PLatelets Go up REALLY Fast!! DO not get discouraged!!
    Dear Linda,

    I am soo glad you found something that works. Also, platelets go up really really fast. So be encouraged....How did you get a platelet transfusion? Never heard of that, was it a full transfusion for the platelets? Anyway, great news on all fronts and expect a full rebound in a few days!!! So glad for you!!!!
  • Sandy10
    Sandy10 Member Posts: 80
    Linda,
    I am so Happy that

    Linda,

    I am so Happy that the carbo is working for you!!!!!! Isn't it funny how we get so used to our chemo and the hope of what it's doing that we actually look forward to it? I remember being so upset when i had to post pone one of my chemo sessions because i was in the hospital and my doc didn't want me to have it. Your platelets will rebound in just a few days and you will be back to the chemo!!! I am so happy for your news!!! May you have a wonderful New Year!!!! I will be praying for you as I do everyone on this board. :)

    Sandy
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980
    Lisa13Q said:

    PLatelets Go up REALLY Fast!! DO not get discouraged!!
    Dear Linda,

    I am soo glad you found something that works. Also, platelets go up really really fast. So be encouraged....How did you get a platelet transfusion? Never heard of that, was it a full transfusion for the platelets? Anyway, great news on all fronts and expect a full rebound in a few days!!! So glad for you!!!!

    The transfusion was just platelets, not whole blood.
    The platelet transfusion was given through my port. They take whole blood and centrifuge it to spin out just the platelets and it's custom-mixed to match your exact blood type and to duplicate your own healthy platelets as much as possible. So I had to wait for it to be customized at the blood bank and brought in to the clinic. The bag of platelets was a yellow fluid that looked like snot (sorry) but is actually quite thin and was IV'd into me in a very fast drip. Then I had to wait a half-hour and get vitals again before I could go home, just in case I had a reaction to the transfusion.

    They asked me if I'd had any bleeding or bruising and I said no. But when I got my bath tonight I noticed 4 small bruises I hadn't paid any attention to. The danger of low platelets is internal bleeding or even a brain bleed or eye hemmorage, so I'm really glad I got the transfusion.
  • RoniLynn
    RoniLynn Member Posts: 8

    The transfusion was just platelets, not whole blood.
    The platelet transfusion was given through my port. They take whole blood and centrifuge it to spin out just the platelets and it's custom-mixed to match your exact blood type and to duplicate your own healthy platelets as much as possible. So I had to wait for it to be customized at the blood bank and brought in to the clinic. The bag of platelets was a yellow fluid that looked like snot (sorry) but is actually quite thin and was IV'd into me in a very fast drip. Then I had to wait a half-hour and get vitals again before I could go home, just in case I had a reaction to the transfusion.

    They asked me if I'd had any bleeding or bruising and I said no. But when I got my bath tonight I noticed 4 small bruises I hadn't paid any attention to. The danger of low platelets is internal bleeding or even a brain bleed or eye hemmorage, so I'm really glad I got the transfusion.

    Thank you for sharing about
    Thank you for sharing about your platelet transfusion . . . I may be having one today, if my numbers have not gone up. I have had drastic drops in my numbers before, but never so low that I had to have a transfusion. I'm hoping the numbers are higher today. And, I will be hoping your CA125 continues to drop!

    Roni
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    yea!!
    So very happy for you. Too bad we couldnt' bottle that kind of 'high'!! Keep us updated on the progress.

    XOXOXO
  • clamryn
    clamryn Member Posts: 508
    Yayyyyy
    Hi Linda, I am so happy that your CA125 is going down. Yipppee!!!!

    So sorry to hear about the platelets but glad that you got the infusion for them and now you can get ready for the next round of carboplatin and you can bring the CA125 down even more. Keep it going girlfriend.

    Lots of hugs coming your way.
    Linda
  • beth1465
    beth1465 Member Posts: 63 Member
    Wonderful news! I'm so
    Wonderful news! I'm so happy for you!
  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    No numbers are alike
    I am glad your ca-125 dropped so much. that is amazing unfortunatly high and low numbers are not always what we want..keep up the good work and stay strong,,,val
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    Good News!
    Linda,

    So glad to see your CA125 dropping! Keep us posted!

    And I wish you and yours a Happy New Year!

    Love,
    Libby
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    Yeah!
    60 point drop is indeed wonderful news... I'll find out Monday whether or not I can stay on carbo after my allergic reaction to my last dose. FAN THOSE FLAMES!!!
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    Whooo Hoooo!!!
    Yes! So happy the carbo is working. The weekly dose sounds like a good plan.
    Happy New Year!
    K❤