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StaceyEle

Hello everyone, my name is Stacey and I am here to get some advice from anyone who can share their experiences with us. My wonderful mom was diagnosed with ovarian or primary peritoneal last December. She underwent a total hysterctomy and debulking surgery followed by 7 cycles of carboplatin/taxol. Her CA 125 went down from 5,000 to 110. It stopped at 110 and has been going up since chemo. Since she never completely normalized we hoped it would keep going down after chemo but unfortunately it is back up to 560.
We are now contemplating which drug would be best for her. Her oncologist recommended Topotecan and we are going for another opinion at Fox Chase in Philadelphia. I appreciate your thoughts since you have been through this already. Suggestions about other drugs and similar experiences will really help.
Thank you all so so much!

mopar

Welcome, Stacey. Sorry we have to meet this way, but you won't find a better place for information and support. I am a two-time ovarian cancer survivor. While I can't answer your specific questions, I know there will be many here who can. I know how you feel with your Mom's numbers climbing again. But it sounds like you are on top of things and a great help to your Mom. I will be praying for her recovery and remission, and also for you and your family. You Mom is blessed to have such a caring, supportive daugther. Keep us informed, and maybe your Mom would like to visit the forum herself sometime. It really does help to talk to others who have been through this.
Until later,
Luv & Hugs,
Monika

BonnieR

Hi Stacey, I too am so sorry you have to be a part of this board. I am an ovarian cancer survivor of 4 yrs 8 months. I have not had a remission either, just goes to show you a person live with cancer. I have had topotecan and it wasn't one of the drugs that worked for me. I have a friend who is a 6 year survivor, no remissions either, and she has great results with topotecan. Glad to hear you are getting a second opinion. Prayers N Hugs Bonnie

floridajo

Welcome Stacy,
Sorry to hear about your Mom, but this is wonderful group of ladies here. I have been treated for two remmissions. I have been on Doxil, which I found easy to tolerate,plus it gave me 13 months of remission, and I have recently just stopped Gemzar, which worked really well for the first 5 cycles, and then my body went crazy...so the Gemzar was stopped and since my numbers are normal we have taken a vacation off chemo,until Sept. There are many many drugs out there, so there will be lots of options. I have heard that Topotecan is good, and easy to tolerate as well. Like Bonnie said it is possible to live with OVca, so don't give up!!!! (((hugz))) to your family and you...Joanne

challen14

Hello to all, my name is Charlotte and I am new here as well. I am sorry we have to meet this way, but here we are. I am on Topotecan now also and it is working very well for me so far. My CA125 was down to 25.3 at last check. I continue to hope and pray for us all that a cure will be found. I wish you all a great day.

BonnieR

challen14 said:

Hello to all, my name is Charlotte and I am new here as well. I am sorry we have to meet this way, but here we are. I am on Topotecan now also and it is working very well for me so far. My CA125 was down to 25.3 at last check. I continue to hope and pray for us all that a cure will be found. I wish you all a great day.

Hi Charlotte, you may want to start a new message for yourself. But I found you. :-)

Welcome to the board adn I am so sorry we have to meet this way also. Is this your first chemo? I also pray we will see a cure in our time, but also am grateful there are so many options for us. Hugs N Prayers coming your way. BonnieRose

Welcome to the board

paula2

Add Tamoxifen to your list...sometimes works and very easy to take. I got 6 mos. lowered ca125 and was able to travel as it is pill form.
Good luck and welcome to the board. We are fortunate to have this group, and your Mom is lucky to have you. Send her greetings and wishes for strength and powerful healing tools.
Paula2

EmmaJade

BonnieR said:

Hi Stacey, I too am so sorry you have to be a part of this board. I am an ovarian cancer survivor of 4 yrs 8 months. I have not had a remission either, just goes to show you a person live with cancer. I have had topotecan and it wasn't one of the drugs that worked for me. I have a friend who is a 6 year survivor, no remissions either, and she has great results with topotecan. Glad to hear you are getting a second opinion. Prayers N Hugs Bonnie

I've been on this site off and on for a year now. My mom (50yrs old) was diganosed with ovarian cancer 3C in May 06. She went through the surgery and 6 treatments of chemo (carbo/taxol). In June07 her ca125 went up to 680, so they did the CT and PET and she went through another 6 rounds of carbo/taxol, except after the second one, she had an allergic reaction to the carboplatin, so she just continued with the taxol. Now to my question...lol...they are wanting to keep her on maintence chemo. At first they wanted to give it to her every 3 months, but now they want her to get it every month. I was just wondering if anyone else has gone through the maintence chemo? And how it went? Thanks for listening. Please message me with any information. I'm Lisa, by the way.

beckya

I live in TExas, and was dx with OVCA in Feb 07, did 6 rounds of IP and IV Citsplatin/TAxol. I am in remission since 7-07. Have been told that IP Chemo is hte way to go...it targets the cancer where it lives...in your abdonimal cavity....also they are doing IP at John Hopkins in Maryland my girlfriend had IV and IP there ...she is a 2C. Its worth the effort to find out about it....our Dr is a Gyno/Oncologist.

Good luck.
Becky