12 year survivor

2»

Comments

  • South Jersey
    South Jersey Member Posts: 89
    Linda,
    Thank you for sharing

    Linda,
    Thank you for sharing your story... it has given me such hope. Dec. 10th will be my one year anniversary from my last treatment. I was diagnosed with PPC, stage 3C July 17, 2009.. I worry everyday about a recurrance. I pray you contiue to stay well!
  • linda1120
    linda1120 Member Posts: 389

    Linda,
    Thank you for sharing

    Linda,
    Thank you for sharing your story... it has given me such hope. Dec. 10th will be my one year anniversary from my last treatment. I was diagnosed with PPC, stage 3C July 17, 2009.. I worry everyday about a recurrance. I pray you contiue to stay well!

    Keep the faith Ladies!
    I wanted to share more of my story since it has helped so many. At age 49, in 1998 I had all of the symptoms of ovca, but just didn't know it. After being sick for weeks and losing weight and not being able to eat, a friend convinced me to call the doctor. By the time they saw me they knew something terribly wrong was going on. They did every test there was and nothing showed, even a catscan, vaginal ultrasound as my gyn did an exam and felt "something." After that came back negative I saw a general surgeon and they thought I had some kind of colon issue. I was scheduled for a exploratory surgery since no test including a endoscope and all kinds of tests had shown nothing. I became so ill and finally got fed up and went to ER due to pain and they admitted me and did a colonoscopy. They couldn't get through and said I definitely needed surgery. Meanwhile my husband ran into my gyn at the hospital and he dropped by and said he thought maybe he should do a ca-125 and was going to mention my case to a gyn/onc surgeon, just in case. I asked my gyn to assist in my surgery. When they opened me up I had cancer from my diaphragm to my rectum and everywhere in between. They called in the specialist and he was able to come and take over my surgery. He did a de-bulking and removed every visible cancer. He is known to be very aggressive and thought to do too much, but I am here twelve years later to tell you about it. I was told it was equivalent to fifteen surgeries. I woke in the recovery to being on a ventilator with my hands tied down. As I struggled the nurse explained to me I had been through a huge surgery and this was temporary. That helped me, yet I had had enough surgeries to know that something was seriously wrong. I tried to stay awake so I could hear what they said and I heard the word ovarian cancer. I knew enough to know this wasn't good. I just kept telling myself I had to survive no matter what and then prayed and asked God to wrap his arms around me and help me get through this. I found out I was stage IIIc and would have to go through chemo. I was in intensive care for four days and had horrific nightmares from the morphine. I really had to call on my Lord and Saviour to get me through this time. I spent two weeks in the hospital, and many months recovering. I had IV Taxol and Carboplatin every three weeks five times. I did well with the chemo, needing transfusions a couple of times and shots to boost my counts. My surgeon did a second look surgery with 200 biopsies five months after the first surgery and every single biopsy came back negative!!!!!!! Once treatment ended and I started to heal and walk and get strong, emotionally I was having difficulty. I was finally MAD! I didn't know what to do with these feelings and told my sister on the phone one day that I wanted to throw red and black paint at a huge canvas! She told me to find a art therapist and start dealing with the anger. I did and it really helped. I also shared with other cancer survivors. I wrote a article for a art magazine sharing about my experience with art and healing. I got involved with a ovca support group, getting it restarted by pushing and calling and telling them how important it was for me to meet other ovca survivors. It didn't help me to go to support groups for breast cancer survivors and that was all there was. I have had severe problems with bowel obstructions and adhesions throughout these last twelve years, but have done what I have had to do and keep on fighting. Last year the bowel obstructions started up again and the adhesions needed to be taken down again. I live in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and go to a gyn/onc surgeon in Spokane, Wa. She did surgery on me and said it was the worst case of adhesions she has ever dealt with in all of her years of operating. Unfortunately I ended up back in the hospital because I kept vomiting and was so sick. After my incision leaking liquid stool they realized my bowel had been perforated and they had to do emergency surgery. The bowel exploded when they opened me and the surgeon said it looked like a hand grenade had gone off inside of me. He didn't think he could save me and then said he decided to take another look and saw enough of a bowel to stitch up then had to leave the wound open. He also stated in his surgery report it was the worst case of adhesions he had ever seen. I repeat this only to tell you that by my first surgeon being so aggressive, I believe that is what made the difference. I was on a wound vacuum for weeks and in the hospital a total of six and a half weeks. It has taken me a full year to come back from that. I have been doing well as far as adhesions and obstructions this last year. In twelve years I have had 8 major "gut" surgeries and they tell me it might happen again. If I have to have surgery again I will go back to my surgeon in Southern California. He is known to be one of the best ovarian cancer surgeons in the US.

    Unfortunately September 7th my husband was diagnosed with Stage III Esophageal cancer. We have been dealing with that and just got the news after chemo and radiation with hospitalizations that his petscan shows all cancer has shrunk! I researched and have taken him to OHSU in Portland, Oregon. He will be having surgery to remove his esophagus and have his stomach made into a tubular esophagus/stomach. It will alter his life, but he has a chance at life. I don't understand why we have had to deal with so much cancer, but we are fighters and will get through this. I wish I could go through the surgery for him because I know I could do it and I am not sure he can. He also has heart issues. Please say a prayer for us. We remain positive and hope for the best.

    I will pray for all of you that you will also be survivors and have a wonderful Christmas.

    God Bless,

    Linda
  • vj1
    vj1 Member Posts: 150
    linda1120 said:

    Keep the faith Ladies!
    I wanted to share more of my story since it has helped so many. At age 49, in 1998 I had all of the symptoms of ovca, but just didn't know it. After being sick for weeks and losing weight and not being able to eat, a friend convinced me to call the doctor. By the time they saw me they knew something terribly wrong was going on. They did every test there was and nothing showed, even a catscan, vaginal ultrasound as my gyn did an exam and felt "something." After that came back negative I saw a general surgeon and they thought I had some kind of colon issue. I was scheduled for a exploratory surgery since no test including a endoscope and all kinds of tests had shown nothing. I became so ill and finally got fed up and went to ER due to pain and they admitted me and did a colonoscopy. They couldn't get through and said I definitely needed surgery. Meanwhile my husband ran into my gyn at the hospital and he dropped by and said he thought maybe he should do a ca-125 and was going to mention my case to a gyn/onc surgeon, just in case. I asked my gyn to assist in my surgery. When they opened me up I had cancer from my diaphragm to my rectum and everywhere in between. They called in the specialist and he was able to come and take over my surgery. He did a de-bulking and removed every visible cancer. He is known to be very aggressive and thought to do too much, but I am here twelve years later to tell you about it. I was told it was equivalent to fifteen surgeries. I woke in the recovery to being on a ventilator with my hands tied down. As I struggled the nurse explained to me I had been through a huge surgery and this was temporary. That helped me, yet I had had enough surgeries to know that something was seriously wrong. I tried to stay awake so I could hear what they said and I heard the word ovarian cancer. I knew enough to know this wasn't good. I just kept telling myself I had to survive no matter what and then prayed and asked God to wrap his arms around me and help me get through this. I found out I was stage IIIc and would have to go through chemo. I was in intensive care for four days and had horrific nightmares from the morphine. I really had to call on my Lord and Saviour to get me through this time. I spent two weeks in the hospital, and many months recovering. I had IV Taxol and Carboplatin every three weeks five times. I did well with the chemo, needing transfusions a couple of times and shots to boost my counts. My surgeon did a second look surgery with 200 biopsies five months after the first surgery and every single biopsy came back negative!!!!!!! Once treatment ended and I started to heal and walk and get strong, emotionally I was having difficulty. I was finally MAD! I didn't know what to do with these feelings and told my sister on the phone one day that I wanted to throw red and black paint at a huge canvas! She told me to find a art therapist and start dealing with the anger. I did and it really helped. I also shared with other cancer survivors. I wrote a article for a art magazine sharing about my experience with art and healing. I got involved with a ovca support group, getting it restarted by pushing and calling and telling them how important it was for me to meet other ovca survivors. It didn't help me to go to support groups for breast cancer survivors and that was all there was. I have had severe problems with bowel obstructions and adhesions throughout these last twelve years, but have done what I have had to do and keep on fighting. Last year the bowel obstructions started up again and the adhesions needed to be taken down again. I live in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and go to a gyn/onc surgeon in Spokane, Wa. She did surgery on me and said it was the worst case of adhesions she has ever dealt with in all of her years of operating. Unfortunately I ended up back in the hospital because I kept vomiting and was so sick. After my incision leaking liquid stool they realized my bowel had been perforated and they had to do emergency surgery. The bowel exploded when they opened me and the surgeon said it looked like a hand grenade had gone off inside of me. He didn't think he could save me and then said he decided to take another look and saw enough of a bowel to stitch up then had to leave the wound open. He also stated in his surgery report it was the worst case of adhesions he had ever seen. I repeat this only to tell you that by my first surgeon being so aggressive, I believe that is what made the difference. I was on a wound vacuum for weeks and in the hospital a total of six and a half weeks. It has taken me a full year to come back from that. I have been doing well as far as adhesions and obstructions this last year. In twelve years I have had 8 major "gut" surgeries and they tell me it might happen again. If I have to have surgery again I will go back to my surgeon in Southern California. He is known to be one of the best ovarian cancer surgeons in the US.

    Unfortunately September 7th my husband was diagnosed with Stage III Esophageal cancer. We have been dealing with that and just got the news after chemo and radiation with hospitalizations that his petscan shows all cancer has shrunk! I researched and have taken him to OHSU in Portland, Oregon. He will be having surgery to remove his esophagus and have his stomach made into a tubular esophagus/stomach. It will alter his life, but he has a chance at life. I don't understand why we have had to deal with so much cancer, but we are fighters and will get through this. I wish I could go through the surgery for him because I know I could do it and I am not sure he can. He also has heart issues. Please say a prayer for us. We remain positive and hope for the best.

    I will pray for all of you that you will also be survivors and have a wonderful Christmas.

    God Bless,

    Linda

    Linda
    Thank you so much for sharing with us. Had can we not have faith and courage to go thru all this after reading your story. I have always believed things happen for a reason and I am sure you have asked that many times and now are questioning again. You are a true inspiration! May you and your husband continue to be in God's blessings. My prayers are with you both.
    Verna
  • vj1 said:

    Linda
    Thank you so much for sharing with us. Had can we not have faith and courage to go thru all this after reading your story. I have always believed things happen for a reason and I am sure you have asked that many times and now are questioning again. You are a true inspiration! May you and your husband continue to be in God's blessings. My prayers are with you both.
    Verna

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Christine B.
    Christine B. Member Posts: 137
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Thank You
    Thank you for sharing your story of courage and faith with us, Linda. I will keep you and your husband in my prayers.
    Christine
  • Lisak
    Lisak Member Posts: 59
    linda1120 said:

    Keep the faith Ladies!
    I wanted to share more of my story since it has helped so many. At age 49, in 1998 I had all of the symptoms of ovca, but just didn't know it. After being sick for weeks and losing weight and not being able to eat, a friend convinced me to call the doctor. By the time they saw me they knew something terribly wrong was going on. They did every test there was and nothing showed, even a catscan, vaginal ultrasound as my gyn did an exam and felt "something." After that came back negative I saw a general surgeon and they thought I had some kind of colon issue. I was scheduled for a exploratory surgery since no test including a endoscope and all kinds of tests had shown nothing. I became so ill and finally got fed up and went to ER due to pain and they admitted me and did a colonoscopy. They couldn't get through and said I definitely needed surgery. Meanwhile my husband ran into my gyn at the hospital and he dropped by and said he thought maybe he should do a ca-125 and was going to mention my case to a gyn/onc surgeon, just in case. I asked my gyn to assist in my surgery. When they opened me up I had cancer from my diaphragm to my rectum and everywhere in between. They called in the specialist and he was able to come and take over my surgery. He did a de-bulking and removed every visible cancer. He is known to be very aggressive and thought to do too much, but I am here twelve years later to tell you about it. I was told it was equivalent to fifteen surgeries. I woke in the recovery to being on a ventilator with my hands tied down. As I struggled the nurse explained to me I had been through a huge surgery and this was temporary. That helped me, yet I had had enough surgeries to know that something was seriously wrong. I tried to stay awake so I could hear what they said and I heard the word ovarian cancer. I knew enough to know this wasn't good. I just kept telling myself I had to survive no matter what and then prayed and asked God to wrap his arms around me and help me get through this. I found out I was stage IIIc and would have to go through chemo. I was in intensive care for four days and had horrific nightmares from the morphine. I really had to call on my Lord and Saviour to get me through this time. I spent two weeks in the hospital, and many months recovering. I had IV Taxol and Carboplatin every three weeks five times. I did well with the chemo, needing transfusions a couple of times and shots to boost my counts. My surgeon did a second look surgery with 200 biopsies five months after the first surgery and every single biopsy came back negative!!!!!!! Once treatment ended and I started to heal and walk and get strong, emotionally I was having difficulty. I was finally MAD! I didn't know what to do with these feelings and told my sister on the phone one day that I wanted to throw red and black paint at a huge canvas! She told me to find a art therapist and start dealing with the anger. I did and it really helped. I also shared with other cancer survivors. I wrote a article for a art magazine sharing about my experience with art and healing. I got involved with a ovca support group, getting it restarted by pushing and calling and telling them how important it was for me to meet other ovca survivors. It didn't help me to go to support groups for breast cancer survivors and that was all there was. I have had severe problems with bowel obstructions and adhesions throughout these last twelve years, but have done what I have had to do and keep on fighting. Last year the bowel obstructions started up again and the adhesions needed to be taken down again. I live in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and go to a gyn/onc surgeon in Spokane, Wa. She did surgery on me and said it was the worst case of adhesions she has ever dealt with in all of her years of operating. Unfortunately I ended up back in the hospital because I kept vomiting and was so sick. After my incision leaking liquid stool they realized my bowel had been perforated and they had to do emergency surgery. The bowel exploded when they opened me and the surgeon said it looked like a hand grenade had gone off inside of me. He didn't think he could save me and then said he decided to take another look and saw enough of a bowel to stitch up then had to leave the wound open. He also stated in his surgery report it was the worst case of adhesions he had ever seen. I repeat this only to tell you that by my first surgeon being so aggressive, I believe that is what made the difference. I was on a wound vacuum for weeks and in the hospital a total of six and a half weeks. It has taken me a full year to come back from that. I have been doing well as far as adhesions and obstructions this last year. In twelve years I have had 8 major "gut" surgeries and they tell me it might happen again. If I have to have surgery again I will go back to my surgeon in Southern California. He is known to be one of the best ovarian cancer surgeons in the US.

    Unfortunately September 7th my husband was diagnosed with Stage III Esophageal cancer. We have been dealing with that and just got the news after chemo and radiation with hospitalizations that his petscan shows all cancer has shrunk! I researched and have taken him to OHSU in Portland, Oregon. He will be having surgery to remove his esophagus and have his stomach made into a tubular esophagus/stomach. It will alter his life, but he has a chance at life. I don't understand why we have had to deal with so much cancer, but we are fighters and will get through this. I wish I could go through the surgery for him because I know I could do it and I am not sure he can. He also has heart issues. Please say a prayer for us. We remain positive and hope for the best.

    I will pray for all of you that you will also be survivors and have a wonderful Christmas.

    God Bless,

    Linda

    Thank you Linda!
    I know you know how helpful and hopeful your post make us because you have felt what we feel everyday. I love to read survivors post it gives us hope and when I feel scared it aways helps to read these.. thank you so much Linda! You & your husband are in my prayers.

    God Bless You Both!
  • clamryn
    clamryn Member Posts: 508
    Congratulations
    Linda I can't believe what you have been through. You are such an inspiration. Thank you for posting your story. God Bless you and your husband.

    Linda
  • Disneynutt
    Disneynutt Member Posts: 134 Member
    linda1120 said:

    Keep the faith Ladies!
    I wanted to share more of my story since it has helped so many. At age 49, in 1998 I had all of the symptoms of ovca, but just didn't know it. After being sick for weeks and losing weight and not being able to eat, a friend convinced me to call the doctor. By the time they saw me they knew something terribly wrong was going on. They did every test there was and nothing showed, even a catscan, vaginal ultrasound as my gyn did an exam and felt "something." After that came back negative I saw a general surgeon and they thought I had some kind of colon issue. I was scheduled for a exploratory surgery since no test including a endoscope and all kinds of tests had shown nothing. I became so ill and finally got fed up and went to ER due to pain and they admitted me and did a colonoscopy. They couldn't get through and said I definitely needed surgery. Meanwhile my husband ran into my gyn at the hospital and he dropped by and said he thought maybe he should do a ca-125 and was going to mention my case to a gyn/onc surgeon, just in case. I asked my gyn to assist in my surgery. When they opened me up I had cancer from my diaphragm to my rectum and everywhere in between. They called in the specialist and he was able to come and take over my surgery. He did a de-bulking and removed every visible cancer. He is known to be very aggressive and thought to do too much, but I am here twelve years later to tell you about it. I was told it was equivalent to fifteen surgeries. I woke in the recovery to being on a ventilator with my hands tied down. As I struggled the nurse explained to me I had been through a huge surgery and this was temporary. That helped me, yet I had had enough surgeries to know that something was seriously wrong. I tried to stay awake so I could hear what they said and I heard the word ovarian cancer. I knew enough to know this wasn't good. I just kept telling myself I had to survive no matter what and then prayed and asked God to wrap his arms around me and help me get through this. I found out I was stage IIIc and would have to go through chemo. I was in intensive care for four days and had horrific nightmares from the morphine. I really had to call on my Lord and Saviour to get me through this time. I spent two weeks in the hospital, and many months recovering. I had IV Taxol and Carboplatin every three weeks five times. I did well with the chemo, needing transfusions a couple of times and shots to boost my counts. My surgeon did a second look surgery with 200 biopsies five months after the first surgery and every single biopsy came back negative!!!!!!! Once treatment ended and I started to heal and walk and get strong, emotionally I was having difficulty. I was finally MAD! I didn't know what to do with these feelings and told my sister on the phone one day that I wanted to throw red and black paint at a huge canvas! She told me to find a art therapist and start dealing with the anger. I did and it really helped. I also shared with other cancer survivors. I wrote a article for a art magazine sharing about my experience with art and healing. I got involved with a ovca support group, getting it restarted by pushing and calling and telling them how important it was for me to meet other ovca survivors. It didn't help me to go to support groups for breast cancer survivors and that was all there was. I have had severe problems with bowel obstructions and adhesions throughout these last twelve years, but have done what I have had to do and keep on fighting. Last year the bowel obstructions started up again and the adhesions needed to be taken down again. I live in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and go to a gyn/onc surgeon in Spokane, Wa. She did surgery on me and said it was the worst case of adhesions she has ever dealt with in all of her years of operating. Unfortunately I ended up back in the hospital because I kept vomiting and was so sick. After my incision leaking liquid stool they realized my bowel had been perforated and they had to do emergency surgery. The bowel exploded when they opened me and the surgeon said it looked like a hand grenade had gone off inside of me. He didn't think he could save me and then said he decided to take another look and saw enough of a bowel to stitch up then had to leave the wound open. He also stated in his surgery report it was the worst case of adhesions he had ever seen. I repeat this only to tell you that by my first surgeon being so aggressive, I believe that is what made the difference. I was on a wound vacuum for weeks and in the hospital a total of six and a half weeks. It has taken me a full year to come back from that. I have been doing well as far as adhesions and obstructions this last year. In twelve years I have had 8 major "gut" surgeries and they tell me it might happen again. If I have to have surgery again I will go back to my surgeon in Southern California. He is known to be one of the best ovarian cancer surgeons in the US.

    Unfortunately September 7th my husband was diagnosed with Stage III Esophageal cancer. We have been dealing with that and just got the news after chemo and radiation with hospitalizations that his petscan shows all cancer has shrunk! I researched and have taken him to OHSU in Portland, Oregon. He will be having surgery to remove his esophagus and have his stomach made into a tubular esophagus/stomach. It will alter his life, but he has a chance at life. I don't understand why we have had to deal with so much cancer, but we are fighters and will get through this. I wish I could go through the surgery for him because I know I could do it and I am not sure he can. He also has heart issues. Please say a prayer for us. We remain positive and hope for the best.

    I will pray for all of you that you will also be survivors and have a wonderful Christmas.

    God Bless,

    Linda

    Thank you. I will keep the
    Thank you. I will keep the faith after that story. It is incredible. My cousin had the exact same surgery your husband is facing and he is going wonderfully now. He feels and looks great and is cancer free.

    Good luck to you both and thanks so much for sharing.
  • linda1120
    linda1120 Member Posts: 389
    clamryn said:

    Congratulations
    Linda I can't believe what you have been through. You are such an inspiration. Thank you for posting your story. God Bless you and your husband.

    Linda

    Thank you
    Thank you all for your kind comments. My husband and I are doing well, he is getting stronger after chemo and radiation. He will have his surgery on January 5th. We are enjoying family and friends during the holidays. Jim's petscan came back with 70%plus shrinkage on his tumor and the lymph nodes. It is so odd for me after ovca with surgery first that his surgery is after. I found him a great teaching cancer center hospital, so we both feel good about that. I will keep you all posted on how it goes. Thank you sincerely for your prayers. I pray you all go into remission and feel good for the holidays.

    Merry Christmas,

    Linda
  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    linda1120 said:

    Thank you
    Thank you all for your kind comments. My husband and I are doing well, he is getting stronger after chemo and radiation. He will have his surgery on January 5th. We are enjoying family and friends during the holidays. Jim's petscan came back with 70%plus shrinkage on his tumor and the lymph nodes. It is so odd for me after ovca with surgery first that his surgery is after. I found him a great teaching cancer center hospital, so we both feel good about that. I will keep you all posted on how it goes. Thank you sincerely for your prayers. I pray you all go into remission and feel good for the holidays.

    Merry Christmas,

    Linda

    I am glad there are survivors
    i am so glad there are survivors with this horrid disease
    God Bless you all
  • goatiegirl
    goatiegirl Member Posts: 16
    Wow....
    12 years? You are an inspiration. I am new to this cancer, and know the trials many are faced with. Do you have a secret tool?
  • linda1120
    linda1120 Member Posts: 389

    Wow....
    12 years? You are an inspiration. I am new to this cancer, and know the trials many are faced with. Do you have a secret tool?

    No Secret Tool
    No secret tool unless my stubbornness counts! Just kidding. I just don't think it was my time. I also had an amazing aggressive surgeon. My story is higher on this list if you want to know more about my story. God Bless, Linda
  • Live to be 100
    Live to be 100 Member Posts: 3
    linda1120 said:

    No Secret Tool
    No secret tool unless my stubbornness counts! Just kidding. I just don't think it was my time. I also had an amazing aggressive surgeon. My story is higher on this list if you want to know more about my story. God Bless, Linda

    Linda
    THANK YOU for sharing your amazing story. I so needed to see something along these lines to continue giving me strength. I am 17 months disease free after last treatment. But I am wondering how was your CA 125 trend? I would like to share mine if you don't mind, because I need to get it off my chest. 11, 6, 6, 8, 4, 8, 16 and the last one this month was 21!(This is all post-treatment). I am feeling lost and scared. I have had a throat infection and problems w/ sinus in the past three months. You think this had to do something with the spike? I am feeling blessed to have ran into your post, because the drs can tell you one thing, but there is nothing like hearing it from the warrior!

    P.S. I am so happy that your husband's tumors are shrinking and will pray for them to be gone for good!!
  • linda1120
    linda1120 Member Posts: 389

    Linda
    THANK YOU for sharing your amazing story. I so needed to see something along these lines to continue giving me strength. I am 17 months disease free after last treatment. But I am wondering how was your CA 125 trend? I would like to share mine if you don't mind, because I need to get it off my chest. 11, 6, 6, 8, 4, 8, 16 and the last one this month was 21!(This is all post-treatment). I am feeling lost and scared. I have had a throat infection and problems w/ sinus in the past three months. You think this had to do something with the spike? I am feeling blessed to have ran into your post, because the drs can tell you one thing, but there is nothing like hearing it from the warrior!

    P.S. I am so happy that your husband's tumors are shrinking and will pray for them to be gone for good!!

    CA-125
    thank you for the big smile you put on my face! I need to post more often to bring hope to those going through this dreadful disease. My Ca-125's have never been higher than 10 except when I had ovca. They dropped very fast with the chemo. They range about 8-9. I know that all kinds of things can affect your count, but if it concerns you you need to contact your oncologist and tell him this is not normal for you. I would want a cat or petscan if it were me. My current gyn/onc surgeon doesn't believe in doing counts often because she said they can go up and down and she would rather go by symptoms. My original gyn/onc/surgeon told me to get a count every six months the rest of my life, so that is what I do. I don't want to worry you, but with this disease it is better to be cautious. Do you have any symptoms of ovca?

    My husband has his surgery (esophageal is opposite of ovca they do chemo and radiation first) on Wednesday. I pray he will be okay and cancer free!

    Linda
  • VictoriaSF
    VictoriaSF Member Posts: 165
    linda1120 said:

    CA-125
    thank you for the big smile you put on my face! I need to post more often to bring hope to those going through this dreadful disease. My Ca-125's have never been higher than 10 except when I had ovca. They dropped very fast with the chemo. They range about 8-9. I know that all kinds of things can affect your count, but if it concerns you you need to contact your oncologist and tell him this is not normal for you. I would want a cat or petscan if it were me. My current gyn/onc surgeon doesn't believe in doing counts often because she said they can go up and down and she would rather go by symptoms. My original gyn/onc/surgeon told me to get a count every six months the rest of my life, so that is what I do. I don't want to worry you, but with this disease it is better to be cautious. Do you have any symptoms of ovca?

    My husband has his surgery (esophageal is opposite of ovca they do chemo and radiation first) on Wednesday. I pray he will be okay and cancer free!

    Linda

    thank you for sharing your story
    hello
    thanks so much for sharing your story.
    i am new to cancer and new to this site. i was dia with ovarian cancer 3c 2 months ago and had surgery, will start chemo next week...
    This site is very helpful but also can be depressing, but i guess nothing positive in having cancer. Of course i am doing my best to stay positive and strong and busy...
    and hearing from 12 years survivor in such good spirit - very good, ray of sunshine!
    thank you
  • pattysoo
    pattysoo Member Posts: 170
    linda1120 said:

    CA-125
    thank you for the big smile you put on my face! I need to post more often to bring hope to those going through this dreadful disease. My Ca-125's have never been higher than 10 except when I had ovca. They dropped very fast with the chemo. They range about 8-9. I know that all kinds of things can affect your count, but if it concerns you you need to contact your oncologist and tell him this is not normal for you. I would want a cat or petscan if it were me. My current gyn/onc surgeon doesn't believe in doing counts often because she said they can go up and down and she would rather go by symptoms. My original gyn/onc/surgeon told me to get a count every six months the rest of my life, so that is what I do. I don't want to worry you, but with this disease it is better to be cautious. Do you have any symptoms of ovca?

    My husband has his surgery (esophageal is opposite of ovca they do chemo and radiation first) on Wednesday. I pray he will be okay and cancer free!

    Linda

    12 Years
    That was an inspiring post. Like others who responded I am very grateful to read about your experiences. It's my happy thought for the day. I do so hope things come out well for your husband. You two should have many more years together to enjoy yourselves.
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    pattysoo said:

    12 Years
    That was an inspiring post. Like others who responded I am very grateful to read about your experiences. It's my happy thought for the day. I do so hope things come out well for your husband. You two should have many more years together to enjoy yourselves.

    If I am still here in 11
    If I am still here in 11 years, I promise to post and encourage all the teal sisters that come after me. It is so kind and thoughtful of you to do so.

    Carlene
  • linda1120
    linda1120 Member Posts: 389
    linda1120 said:

    CA-125
    thank you for the big smile you put on my face! I need to post more often to bring hope to those going through this dreadful disease. My Ca-125's have never been higher than 10 except when I had ovca. They dropped very fast with the chemo. They range about 8-9. I know that all kinds of things can affect your count, but if it concerns you you need to contact your oncologist and tell him this is not normal for you. I would want a cat or petscan if it were me. My current gyn/onc surgeon doesn't believe in doing counts often because she said they can go up and down and she would rather go by symptoms. My original gyn/onc/surgeon told me to get a count every six months the rest of my life, so that is what I do. I don't want to worry you, but with this disease it is better to be cautious. Do you have any symptoms of ovca?

    My husband has his surgery (esophageal is opposite of ovca they do chemo and radiation first) on Wednesday. I pray he will be okay and cancer free!

    Linda

    CANCER FREE!
    I wanted to follow on this thread so you will all know that Jim is cancer free after his surgery. All of the nodes and tissue came back negative! We are on cloud nine to say the least. He is very weak and unfortunately developed pneumonia about two weeks after surgery. It is two months out and he is still very weak. Esophageal cancer is a tough one like ovarian is. Unfortunately it is aggressive, but we are going to plan on him living many more years. My odds were definitely not in my favor to say the least, and I'm still here! TWELVE YRS, 3 MONTHS! There are Stage IIIC long term survivors out there.

    Keep the faith, and thank you for all of the prayers regarding my husband Jim.

    Linda
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    linda1120 said:

    CANCER FREE!
    I wanted to follow on this thread so you will all know that Jim is cancer free after his surgery. All of the nodes and tissue came back negative! We are on cloud nine to say the least. He is very weak and unfortunately developed pneumonia about two weeks after surgery. It is two months out and he is still very weak. Esophageal cancer is a tough one like ovarian is. Unfortunately it is aggressive, but we are going to plan on him living many more years. My odds were definitely not in my favor to say the least, and I'm still here! TWELVE YRS, 3 MONTHS! There are Stage IIIC long term survivors out there.

    Keep the faith, and thank you for all of the prayers regarding my husband Jim.

    Linda

    Blessings to you
    and your family. Your story gives us all hope.

    Karen