My "chemo holiday" is over. :-(

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seatown
seatown Member Posts: 261 Member
in Ovarian Cancer #1

As I also posted on the peritoneal cancer forum -- remission was sweet, but it seemed SO short. For weeks at the end of last year, every time I worried about my escalating CA 125 number my oncologist said, "But it's still in the normal range!" That was true until December, when it went up to 44; but I was soon advised to take a 90-day "chemo holiday." While I did, I tried not to worry about blood counts but was not surprised at the end of March to see the CA 125 number at 215. So it's back to chemo--Carboplatin only every 3 or 4 weeks, assuming next week's bone scan shows that the abnormalities on my vertebrae are nothing to worry about. 

The good thing is I guess I can expect to keep my hair. Anyone else who has been on Carbo only--did you lose your hair? I know obsessing about hair should be the least of my worries, but I can't help myself after being bald most of last year.

All the details are at http://www.CaringBridge.org/visit/CaroleSeaton 

 

Comments

  • 2timothy1 7
    2timothy1 7 Member Posts: 345
    #2
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    Holiday

    I'm so sorry your holiday is over:(. I haven't carboplatnum. I'm sure some others will chime in. Hopefully you will not lose your hair!

  • Alexandra
    Alexandra Member Posts: 1,308
    #3
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    Carole, I am sorry that you have to do chemo again

    I am absolutely sure that you don't have mets to the spine and bone scan will confirm that next week.

    I hope that Carbo would not cause you much discomfort and would turn CA125 trend around.

    I haven't done Carboplatin without Taxol. Brittle hair is listed among common side effects and hair loss or thinning is listed as a rare side effect. http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/guidetocancerdrugs/carboplatin. Who cares about brittle hair unless you're in a shampoo commercial!

    Thinking of you and sending you big hugs,

    Alexandra

     

  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    #4
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    Alexandra said:

    Carole, I am sorry that you have to do chemo again

    I am absolutely sure that you don't have mets to the spine and bone scan will confirm that next week.

    I hope that Carbo would not cause you much discomfort and would turn CA125 trend around.

    I haven't done Carboplatin without Taxol. Brittle hair is listed among common side effects and hair loss or thinning is listed as a rare side effect. http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/guidetocancerdrugs/carboplatin. Who cares about brittle hair unless you're in a shampoo commercial!

    Thinking of you and sending you big hugs,

    Alexandra

     

    Sorry to hear

    chemo will be needed again. I have been on Carbo/Taxatore and have 0 hair. Here is hoping you get to have another remission real soon..stay strong..Val 

  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #5
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    poopergirl14052 said:

    Sorry to hear

    chemo will be needed again. I have been on Carbo/Taxatore and have 0 hair. Here is hoping you get to have another remission real soon..stay strong..Val 

    Dear Carole

    I'm so sorry you are back on chemo.  Sending lots of prayers your way that your chemo kicks your cancer's butt and you soon are dancing with NED again!

    Hugs,

    Kelly

  • Alnik
    Alnik Member Posts: 56
    #6
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    the two times i did carbo

    the times i did just carbo i did not lose my hair. And for the record im always asking about hair loss also. I look at it this way ive given up enough to this chemo id like to just keep my hair for awhile. So far so good!!!!

  • scatsm
    scatsm Member Posts: 296 Member
    #7
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    I'm right there with you Carole!

    I am starting carbo/gemzar/avastin on Wednesday for my first recurrence. I was told no hair loss and I sure hope that's true...it's a little thing, but a big thing at the same time. I'll be rooting for you to go into remission...let's both get there...I'll race you, ready, set go!

    Susan

  • seatown
    seatown Member Posts: 261 Member
    #8
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    scatsm said:

    I'm right there with you Carole!

    I am starting carbo/gemzar/avastin on Wednesday for my first recurrence. I was told no hair loss and I sure hope that's true...it's a little thing, but a big thing at the same time. I'll be rooting for you to go into remission...let's both get there...I'll race you, ready, set go!

    Susan

    you're the greatest!

    Thanks, everyone, for your encouraging thoughts. I am so appreciative. Nobody really knows just how we're feeling like the ladies who have been there. Susan, you're on in the race to remission! Last year, when I went on Avastin only after a few months of Carbo/Taxol/Avastin, my hair started to come back as soon as I was off the Carbo/Taxol. So I hope you keep your hair too, tho I know nothing about gemzar.

    thanks again, carole

  • Alexandra
    Alexandra Member Posts: 1,308
    #9
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    scatsm said:

    I'm right there with you Carole!

    I am starting carbo/gemzar/avastin on Wednesday for my first recurrence. I was told no hair loss and I sure hope that's true...it's a little thing, but a big thing at the same time. I'll be rooting for you to go into remission...let's both get there...I'll race you, ready, set go!

    Susan

    First one to NED gets a complimentary day at the spa

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  • ovarian_support
    ovarian_support Member Posts: 44
    #10
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    Thinking of you

    Sorry to hear that your back on chemo, I hope just Carbo will treat you kindly and I'm sending you good thought.

  • scatsm
    scatsm Member Posts: 296 Member
    #11
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    Alexandra said:

    First one to NED gets a complimentary day at the spa

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    can't stop laughing...Alexandra, you are so funny!

    Alexandra, you are in this race too...I want NED for us all....

    Susan Wink

  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #12
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    Sorry to hear you're back to chemoland

    C**P. PooP and the rest. I wish this wasn't the case, but you can do this. I hope the carbo knocks your CA-125's back down.                        (((((HUGS))))))    Maria

  • Cafewoman53
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    #13
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    Good Luck with the Carbo

    I hope it knocks the cancer out of the park! Crossing my fingers and toes for you!

    Colleen

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