Just finished my last round of chemo
Anne
Comments
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New mantra: Only a number, only a number
Anne, I know it's SUPER hard not to focus on that darn number, but SO many things can cause a slight rise. Was it Carlene wou said that any number under 10 is the same number? So many blessings have come your way, and more are ahead of you. Try to focus on that--plus that a miracle has happened and you're in NED!! Hooray!!!0 -
Know where you are coming from
I also just finished my last round of chemo (HOPING & PRAYING) 10/18/2011. My CA level went from 18.5 after treatment 4 to 25.7 after treatment 5---have to have cat scan next, when I am able to drink that nasty stuff which will probably be another week, have that metal taste in mouth right now can't eat anything other than soup & ice cream. Of course they told me not to fret about it going up, they say that there are alot of things that can effect those numbers but it is hard not to think about it. You do want those numbers to stay down. I have a port & didn't realize that it has to stay in a year either & that the numbness in my fingers & feet could last a year-have to have port excessed every 6 weeks not looking forward to that for a whole year. But my question is now that chemo is over-how do you move on--I felt secure as long as chemo was being done because they said it was working--but now what--how do you not think about it not returning or when it's gonna return. I know I will deal with it if or when it happens but not looking forward to doing chemo again ever in my life. Keep asking God to give me strength to move on & not think about cancer 24/7 but can't seem to do it right now. Is there a time when you don't think about it & how do you return your life to normal when it is right in your face everytime you go to get bloodwork? It's good that your numbers are that low & hopefully will stay that low.0 -
Congratulations!
First of all, Anne, congrats on finishing your last round of chemo. Please don't worry about your CA125. The same happened to me and my onc said it was nothing to worry about. He said CA125 fluctuates just like blood sugar levels and blood pressure. You are very well within normal range, in fact, I would say a CA of 9 is excellent.
For instance, I had a CA125 of 4,000 before my surgery and my lowest CA through the course of my treatment was 13. After my last chemo, it rose one point to 14. My CA's normally run around 12, 13 etc. on subsequent check-ups. I would love to get to a single digit number and I must admit I worry about it but both my onc and my primary care doctor say it is certainly nothing to mither over. They say, just think on what the number was before your surgery and you realize you have come a very very long way.
Ann0 -
I don't know what stage you
I don't know what stage you were diagnosed at. If your prognosis include a high likelihood of recurrence (like mine), then this is the time you might want to consider clinical trials aimed at recurrence prevention for women in remission. Usually, these trials require that you are within max 12 weeks from the last treatment, and it takes a few weeks to do paper work, application, etc. So, not much time to waste.
I joined a cancer vaccine trial as soon as I went into remission this spring. Even though I flunked out of that trial since I recurred very soon, it was still one of the best decisions I made since when I flunked out of that trial they immediately put me on a new trial for platinum resistant women that came with Doxil, which many of you know, cannot be had due to the drug shortage issue. In fact, I was the last clinical trial patient for the last remaining full treatment dosage of Doxil they stashed away at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC.
Another benefit I noticed is, you get an amazingly thorough follow up as a trial patient: you are no longer just a regular patient. You are a precious guinea pig to them. They have vested interest in monitoring you very thoroughly.
Just my two cents.
Good luck.0 -
yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!evertheoptimist said:I don't know what stage you
I don't know what stage you were diagnosed at. If your prognosis include a high likelihood of recurrence (like mine), then this is the time you might want to consider clinical trials aimed at recurrence prevention for women in remission. Usually, these trials require that you are within max 12 weeks from the last treatment, and it takes a few weeks to do paper work, application, etc. So, not much time to waste.
I joined a cancer vaccine trial as soon as I went into remission this spring. Even though I flunked out of that trial since I recurred very soon, it was still one of the best decisions I made since when I flunked out of that trial they immediately put me on a new trial for platinum resistant women that came with Doxil, which many of you know, cannot be had due to the drug shortage issue. In fact, I was the last clinical trial patient for the last remaining full treatment dosage of Doxil they stashed away at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC.
Another benefit I noticed is, you get an amazingly thorough follow up as a trial patient: you are no longer just a regular patient. You are a precious guinea pig to them. They have vested interest in monitoring you very thoroughly.
Just my two cents.
Good luck.
I am happy for you girl. Don't worry too much about the rise in your blood work as it fluctuates from time to time,....val0 -
I know how you feel
I had my last chemo on Oct 6th. Chemo was my security blanket. I knew it was working because my numbers were good. Now it is time for my final exam (PET Scan) and of course it is about all i can think about. Lets just all have faith that our bodies will kick in and keep us healthy!0 -
finished with chemo
SWEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!
its a little like graduation, which means, "hey i did it!!! now what am i gonna do"
my last one just happened to be on the day my second fave baseball team won
the World Series in 2010, and thats burned into my memory forever
happy for anyone finishing up another round of torture
dreamer0 -
Your CA 125
Hi Anne, You're not alone. While on chemo, my CA 125 rose 4 points. I also got worried, but the medical oncologist, gyn oncologist and primary care doc all told me it was nothing to be concerned about. The oncologist I used to go to took the CA 125 every 4 weeks. One medical oncologist I went to, took it every week, which I thought was riduculous. My gyn/onc said it should be done every 3 months. And from what I've been told, it's not a very reliable test, as many things can affect it. And, congratulations on finishing your chemo.0 -
We are coming from the same placeCforliving life said:Know where you are coming from
I also just finished my last round of chemo (HOPING & PRAYING) 10/18/2011. My CA level went from 18.5 after treatment 4 to 25.7 after treatment 5---have to have cat scan next, when I am able to drink that nasty stuff which will probably be another week, have that metal taste in mouth right now can't eat anything other than soup & ice cream. Of course they told me not to fret about it going up, they say that there are alot of things that can effect those numbers but it is hard not to think about it. You do want those numbers to stay down. I have a port & didn't realize that it has to stay in a year either & that the numbness in my fingers & feet could last a year-have to have port excessed every 6 weeks not looking forward to that for a whole year. But my question is now that chemo is over-how do you move on--I felt secure as long as chemo was being done because they said it was working--but now what--how do you not think about it not returning or when it's gonna return. I know I will deal with it if or when it happens but not looking forward to doing chemo again ever in my life. Keep asking God to give me strength to move on & not think about cancer 24/7 but can't seem to do it right now. Is there a time when you don't think about it & how do you return your life to normal when it is right in your face everytime you go to get bloodwork? It's good that your numbers are that low & hopefully will stay that low.
Those are a lot of the same issue I am facing I am trying to be happy that I am in remission but scared that now the chemo is done will it come back because the chemo worked so well. I am on a maintance like chemo which is the Avastin and it should keep me in reission but I am just a little nurves. I have a cat scan scheduled for this coming Tuesday it is part of the trial I am in then I will go to every three months on the cat scan. I am also so happy that after the next Avastin that I only have to have blood drawn every other cycle so no more going down every week. You are in my prays that God brings peace to both of us that we can enjoy our new found freedom.
Anne0 -
Stage fourevertheoptimist said:I don't know what stage you
I don't know what stage you were diagnosed at. If your prognosis include a high likelihood of recurrence (like mine), then this is the time you might want to consider clinical trials aimed at recurrence prevention for women in remission. Usually, these trials require that you are within max 12 weeks from the last treatment, and it takes a few weeks to do paper work, application, etc. So, not much time to waste.
I joined a cancer vaccine trial as soon as I went into remission this spring. Even though I flunked out of that trial since I recurred very soon, it was still one of the best decisions I made since when I flunked out of that trial they immediately put me on a new trial for platinum resistant women that came with Doxil, which many of you know, cannot be had due to the drug shortage issue. In fact, I was the last clinical trial patient for the last remaining full treatment dosage of Doxil they stashed away at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC.
Another benefit I noticed is, you get an amazingly thorough follow up as a trial patient: you are no longer just a regular patient. You are a precious guinea pig to them. They have vested interest in monitoring you very thoroughly.
Just my two cents.
Good luck.
I am stage four and I am in a trial for Avastin so I will be on it for another year and a half to keep me in remission.
Anne0 -
Thank you allantcat said:Your CA 125
Hi Anne, You're not alone. While on chemo, my CA 125 rose 4 points. I also got worried, but the medical oncologist, gyn oncologist and primary care doc all told me it was nothing to be concerned about. The oncologist I used to go to took the CA 125 every 4 weeks. One medical oncologist I went to, took it every week, which I thought was riduculous. My gyn/onc said it should be done every 3 months. And from what I've been told, it's not a very reliable test, as many things can affect it. And, congratulations on finishing your chemo.
I just want to thank you all for understanding where I am coming from. While on chemo I know I am doing ok it is killing the cancer. But without the chemo will the cancer come back so seeing the number go up while still on chemo bothered me just a little bit. I am praying for peace that all is good. I love this site so much because your really do understand how I feel and let me know it is ok to feel that what, but you all also keep me in check and help me not to get overwhelmed either. I love my teal sister and being an only girl in my family it is nice to have sisters.
Anne0
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