Ca-125 question for the veterans here

jbeans888
jbeans888 Member Posts: 313
in Ovarian Cancer #1
So I haven't been on here for a while. There are so many new faces here, hello to everyone. I know this topic has come up many times but I guess it's my turn. Well I got the phone call from my Dr's nurse saying my CA-125 went up from 7 three months ago to 12 now. I am really upset and I know it's still within normal range but that's almost double within a three month period. I finished chemo last June I don't want to do this again. How do I look at my future without thoughts of chemo, no hair? I had major complications where I needed a temp ileostomy. I don't want to go thru that again. This is such bullsit. I am only 32. all my friends are having kids and i have to pretend to be happy for them. Cancer has ruined my life. Sorry I just had to vent I don't want to burden my family by getting them all upset. I am thankful I have you ladies that understand.

All the best to everyone

Comments

  • Lisa 00
    Lisa 00 Member Posts: 134 Member
    #2
    I know exactly how you feel.
    My treatment ended around September of 2009 with a CA125 of 7. It was maybe six months later that it jumped to 11 or 12 within a 3 month period. I was scared to death, but I had a scan a few months later at my 1 year post treatment mark and it was clear. Also, I felt fine and didn't have any symptoms. Anyway, my CA125 seems to bounce around 12-14 these days and I'm still fine.
    My gyn/onc also does the HE4 blood test and it is normal as well.

    But I know how you feel. All I could do to get through it was to just not think about it and tell myself that I felt fine. You could ask the doc when you can have another CT scan and maybe also about the HE4 blood test.
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #3
    Lisa 00 said:

    I know exactly how you feel.
    My treatment ended around September of 2009 with a CA125 of 7. It was maybe six months later that it jumped to 11 or 12 within a 3 month period. I was scared to death, but I had a scan a few months later at my 1 year post treatment mark and it was clear. Also, I felt fine and didn't have any symptoms. Anyway, my CA125 seems to bounce around 12-14 these days and I'm still fine.
    My gyn/onc also does the HE4 blood test and it is normal as well.

    But I know how you feel. All I could do to get through it was to just not think about it and tell myself that I felt fine. You could ask the doc when you can have another CT scan and maybe also about the HE4 blood test.

    I am glad to see your post,
    I asked about you a couple of weeks ago. It is always scary when someone drops away.

    My CA 125 went up from 3 to 5 and I was upset, then 5 to 8 and I was beside myself. Doctors said it was okay. Then in April it went to 23. I had to wait 2 months for another CA 125 which went to 46. I had a petscan and it showed a 1" by 2" tumor near my liver. My doctors recommended I try Tamoxifen which I have for the last month. The CA 125 I had the day I started the medication was 115. After a month on the pill my CA 125 is 67. It seems to be working.

    I know how you feel. I freaked when the numbers started increasing. But it isn't always bad news. If it continues to rise I am sure you will have further testing. I pray you are still okay.

    I am doing fine, taking it a day at a time as we all do on this journey.

    Once again, glad to hear from you.


    Karen
  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #4
    kikz said:

    I am glad to see your post,
    I asked about you a couple of weeks ago. It is always scary when someone drops away.

    My CA 125 went up from 3 to 5 and I was upset, then 5 to 8 and I was beside myself. Doctors said it was okay. Then in April it went to 23. I had to wait 2 months for another CA 125 which went to 46. I had a petscan and it showed a 1" by 2" tumor near my liver. My doctors recommended I try Tamoxifen which I have for the last month. The CA 125 I had the day I started the medication was 115. After a month on the pill my CA 125 is 67. It seems to be working.

    I know how you feel. I freaked when the numbers started increasing. But it isn't always bad news. If it continues to rise I am sure you will have further testing. I pray you are still okay.

    I am doing fine, taking it a day at a time as we all do on this journey.

    Once again, glad to hear from you.


    Karen

    This can be a scary ride
    If one is lucky enough to be NED (no evidence of disease), the thought in the back of the mind is always, will the cancer come back? With the rise in the CA 125, you can't help thinking the worse, but I'm hoping and praying that there's nothing serious going on with your health. Please keep us posted.

    Sending you lots of prayers and hugs.

    Kelly
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #5
    Hi Girl
    So nice to hear from you. I guess I'm a veteran since I'm a six year survivor :). For me, the CA-125 marker can vary a few points from one blood test to the next. I'm sure that your ONC will be staying on top of this and looking to see if there is any trend to be concerned about. We're here for you to vent to all you want.
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • Cafewoman53
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    #6
    You are going to worry
    You are going to worry until your next ca125 test but I wouldn't freak out yet, they say any number 10 and under is virtually the same and you are only two numbers over ten. Try to wait til your next test to worry our time is too precious to give this disease any more attention then it deserves.
    You are right this cancer really really sucks !
    Colleen
  • jbeans888
    jbeans888 Member Posts: 313
    #7
    Cafewoman53 said:

    You are going to worry
    You are going to worry until your next ca125 test but I wouldn't freak out yet, they say any number 10 and under is virtually the same and you are only two numbers over ten. Try to wait til your next test to worry our time is too precious to give this disease any more attention then it deserves.
    You are right this cancer really really sucks !
    Colleen

    Thanks for your replies.
    Thanks for your replies. They do help and comfort me. You are all right I just have preserver and move forward. Keep telling myself I will be going to Jamaica this December, that will be fun and it's something to focus on that's positive.
    I really missed you girls and I promise to stay on the board thanks Karen for asking about me you really made my day and I appreciate that. It's it to see old faces on here still, but I am really saddened about the ones that are not.

    All the best ladies
    Joyce
  • kimberly sue 63
    kimberly sue 63 Member Posts: 421 Member
    #8
    jbeans888 said:

    Thanks for your replies.
    Thanks for your replies. They do help and comfort me. You are all right I just have preserver and move forward. Keep telling myself I will be going to Jamaica this December, that will be fun and it's something to focus on that's positive.
    I really missed you girls and I promise to stay on the board thanks Karen for asking about me you really made my day and I appreciate that. It's it to see old faces on here still, but I am really saddened about the ones that are not.

    All the best ladies
    Joyce

    Hang in there Joyce.
    Hang in there Joyce. Positive thoughts help keep the body positive and this will help keep you healthy. Kim

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