Update

floridajo
floridajo Member Posts: 480
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hello ladies,
Friday I went to the Onc for my pre-chemo check up. My ca-125 went down another 3 points to 17! I was a bit disappointed since after my first round of topotecan it went down 34 points...but I look at it this way..down is down...right?? While there I mentioned to my Onc that my newly aquired hernia has popped out and has stayed out for almost 2 months now. I'm having no pain,but it just looks so funny(I have a lop-sided belly). Well he felt around a bit and thinks I may have a tumor inside the hernia. If it doesn't disappear after my 6 rounds of topo,then he'll have it biopsied. if it comes back positive for cells then we'll continue on with chemo. I have different thoughts....why not just remove it?? After 6 rounds of Topo(which is 18 treatments) if it hasn't shrank why continue to try chemo?? Especially since this hernia could wind up causing problems down the road?? What are your thoughts??? Thanks for listening...(((hugz)))~~Joanne

Comments

  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #2
    I think "down is down" with my CA 125 results too. However, knowing lab proceedures and human error, my mind doesn't get upset with some increase. I get the test each month at my cancer center and the last four test have been 5,5,7,4. I did smile more with the "4" . I smile at everything I can, don't you?
    I, too, have a bulge to the right of my naval...The surgeon just said it was the result of rearranging things during the surgery. I can see it with a T-shirt and looking down. I'm thinking the choice of biopsy over surgery is an insurance decision/money mostly. Keep us posted and I'll be more specific in my prayers for you. ((hugs and prayers)) Saundra
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #3
    As I always say (to quote Bob Barker), COME ON DOWN! Let's face it, we'd probably be okay with stable numbers, definitely not happy with rising numbers, so that leaves declining numbers and I'm all for that! As for you hernia, I would think they'd be scheduling some kind of CT or PET or something like that? Of course, as Saundra mentioned, they probably take a lot into consideration, including insurance, etc.

    Well, keep us posted. I'm so glad you've had some good news. Maybe your hernia will mend itself. I had one a few years ago, and it seemed to work itself out through exercise. Of course, you do have to be careful, and it depends on the severity of the hernia.
    Luv and Hugs!
    Monika
  • paula57
    paula57 Member Posts: 93
    #4
    I have just stared my second round of topotecan. My first round was broken up, since my counts were too low so instead of chemo I had 2 pints of blood the third week. My Ca 125 went up from 99 to 183. My DR says that I have not been on it long enough yet to say that it's not working. I think different. My thoughts is down is good! Even if it is a tumor in your hernia, the chemo could shrink it. That could mean no surgery or less surgery. The other chemo ,carbo/taxol, did away with the tumors in my lungs. My lungs are just showing scars. I don't know how long that will last but it was good to hear. I really wish you the best. Keep us informed. Paula
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
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