Blood clot

saundra
saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I am now fighting a deep vein thrombosis in my left leg where the last surgery (second debulking and colostomy) where lymph nodes, circulation and muscle were somewhat damaged. DVT's are pretty painful but the pain cleared after two days of the blood thinner. I have entered a study to see if this new drug is better than the standard cumodin (spelling) which has a hard dosage to regulate. This new on is supposed to be better. The drug is Edoxaban and the study will go for a year and is blind. I will get the blood thinner regardless so there is little risk. The DVT was a risk since April. I was hoping I would skirt by this particular problem. Lots of additional appointments in addition to the chemo (cisplatin and gemzar). The good news is that my CA-125 dropped from 113 to 61 since July 28th. Looks like this chemo is working and so far no bad side effects or allergies have developed. I am blessed!!! Saundra

Comments

  • Barbara53
    Barbara53 Member Posts: 652
    your poor leg
    Saundra, I'm so sorry to hear about your poor leg. A close family friend went through that recently, and it will knock you out of circulation fast (no pun intended). So glad the pain has eased. I still don't understand why you can't eat green vegetables and be on coumadin, but hopefully it will just be for a while. Congratulations on your falling numbers!
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    Barbara53 said:

    your poor leg
    Saundra, I'm so sorry to hear about your poor leg. A close family friend went through that recently, and it will knock you out of circulation fast (no pun intended). So glad the pain has eased. I still don't understand why you can't eat green vegetables and be on coumadin, but hopefully it will just be for a while. Congratulations on your falling numbers!

    Green
    I was not put on a diet free of green vegetables or any other restrictions other than the low residue diet I am on because of the colostomy. Saundra
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    Thanks,
    Saundra, for the update. I have been wondering how your were doing. Is the incision healed up? Is the DVT caught with US?

    Such great news on the CA125. That is an awesome number!!! You sure had to go through a lot to get there, but I hope you are coming out of the woods.

    I am impressed that you have tolerated the cis/gem so well. It really did me in, and had to be hospitalized for 4 days every 21 days. I know I am a tough cookie, but I think you are a super tough cookie. LOL!

    Praying that the edoxaban does work for you. I assume they are keeping a close watch on the DVT in the mean time.

    Many blessings and prayers,

    Katheen

    PS Do you happen to know the taxol dosage you got on your maintenance? I am getting the dense dose taxol starting next Fri, and I am feeling confident about the dosages, but like to have info on other's experiences. I know it worked well for you.
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    prayers
    saundra, I am so sorry to read that you are now again dealing with something else, But I hear your faith come through loud and clear. I am now having lumps appear all over my body and they are painful and turn into a bruise, hoping the hemotologist can help, but I feel as if it is almost hospice time and my body is wanting to go home.

    Prayers for healing for you, love ya bonnie
  • RandiK
    RandiK Member Posts: 31
    blood clots
    So glad to hear your ca-125 is dropping. Back in January when my Mom first got sick it was a blood clot that she threw and it went to her lungs, this is how we found out about the tumor. She was transfered threw 3 ER's and they didn't find it, they did all tell her she had a tumor, but never a blood clot. Finally a week later we got her in at MD Anderson and they found the clots, she was so lucky to still be alive at this point. They started her on lovenox 2x's a day, then she developed an allergy to that so they switched her over to coumadin, and yes it's hard to control. They also placed a IVF filter in thru her artery in her neck. She isn't to happy about having to keep that in place, but they don't want to remove it because from what we have been told once you have threw a clot your at a higher risk of doing so again. I know that being on coumadin you're not supposed to eat more than you're normal amount of certain foods,(lettuce, greens) because they will increase your pt/inr levels. Also, we have to stay on her about being careful not to do anything that might cause her to get cut. Yeah, I caught her cleaning up a broken glass the other day like it was no big deal, lol.
  • RandiK
    RandiK Member Posts: 31
    blood clots
    So glad to hear your ca-125 is dropping. Back in January when my Mom first got sick it was a blood clot that she threw and it went to her lungs, this is how we found out about the tumor. She was transfered threw 3 ER's and they didn't find it, they did all tell her she had a tumor, but never a blood clot. Finally a week later we got her in at MD Anderson and they found the clots, she was so lucky to still be alive at this point. They started her on lovenox 2x's a day, then she developed an allergy to that so they switched her over to coumadin, and yes it's hard to control. They also placed a IVF filter in thru her artery in her neck. She isn't to happy about having to keep that in place, but they don't want to remove it because from what we have been told once you have threw a clot your at a higher risk of doing so again. I know that being on coumadin you're not supposed to eat more than you're normal amount of certain foods,(lettuce, greens) because they will increase your pt/inr levels. Also, we have to stay on her about being careful not to do anything that might cause her to get cut. Yeah, I caught her cleaning up a broken glass the other day like it was no big deal, lol.
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    Hi Saundra
    I'm glad to hear that the blood thinner has decreased the pain and even more thrilled over your CA-125 results..... way to go, tough lady!
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • groundeffect
    groundeffect Member Posts: 639 Member
    Coumadin
    Hi Saundra,

    Sorry to hear you've gotten DVT on top of your other problems. It's exciting to hear about the Edoxaban. I heard there was a new drug in the works for blood thinning, but that was a few years ago. Warfarin (coumadin) is a cheap drug, and I suppose it will still be widely used for the problem. I started out with Lovenox after being diagnosed with DVT before my first cancer surgery (it was acutally a symptom of the cancer), and switched to warfarin after about six months. The testing for it is NOT one of my favorite things to be tied to-my levels are not terribly consistent.

    Good to hear that the chemo is working without bad side effects! That's great news!

    Sue
  • Lisa13Q
    Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
    Hi Saundra
    So sorry for all the darn medical issues you have had to endure. Despite all of that, you maintain the best attitude and I admire you tremendously for your attitude and faith. I have to admit, I really don't understand all the medical issues you were describing, but I am so glad you are feeling better and your CA-125 has gone down so much. I am also so glad you are posting. I always look forward to your updates and comments!! You're the best. Lisa
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    kayandok said:

    Thanks,
    Saundra, for the update. I have been wondering how your were doing. Is the incision healed up? Is the DVT caught with US?

    Such great news on the CA125. That is an awesome number!!! You sure had to go through a lot to get there, but I hope you are coming out of the woods.

    I am impressed that you have tolerated the cis/gem so well. It really did me in, and had to be hospitalized for 4 days every 21 days. I know I am a tough cookie, but I think you are a super tough cookie. LOL!

    Praying that the edoxaban does work for you. I assume they are keeping a close watch on the DVT in the mean time.

    Many blessings and prayers,

    Katheen

    PS Do you happen to know the taxol dosage you got on your maintenance? I am getting the dense dose taxol starting next Fri, and I am feeling confident about the dosages, but like to have info on other's experiences. I know it worked well for you.

    Kathleen
    My CT showed everything a little smaller or the same. My CA125 was 72 this week, up from the 61. I had to have two units of blood and the counts tanked. I may have to lower the chemo dose if this continues to do a number on the blood counts. The tough cookie is getting soggy.
    The DVT was diagnosed with a doplar sonargram, but the pain, reddness, and swelling in my leg alerted me. I don't know if I am getting the edoxaban or a sugar pill, but I am getting 6 mg. warfarin daily regardless and have a blood finger stick each week.
    I do not know the dosage of my taxol. I never asked. It was lower than the original and quit working in 10 months though.
    Enjoying having our kids home for the next year for their time off...Saundra
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    saundra said:

    Kathleen
    My CT showed everything a little smaller or the same. My CA125 was 72 this week, up from the 61. I had to have two units of blood and the counts tanked. I may have to lower the chemo dose if this continues to do a number on the blood counts. The tough cookie is getting soggy.
    The DVT was diagnosed with a doplar sonargram, but the pain, reddness, and swelling in my leg alerted me. I don't know if I am getting the edoxaban or a sugar pill, but I am getting 6 mg. warfarin daily regardless and have a blood finger stick each week.
    I do not know the dosage of my taxol. I never asked. It was lower than the original and quit working in 10 months though.
    Enjoying having our kids home for the next year for their time off...Saundra

    Saundra,
    are you still driving into the city for all your appointments? That has got to get old. You don't mention the diverticulitis in this update, is that under control now? You are balancing a lot!

    I'm so happy for you that your kids can take the year to be in the States. What a mega blessing and great timing for you!

    Please take care and know I think about you a lot and pray for you too. You are a rock and encouragement to this forum ❤
    kathleen
  • Cafewoman53
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    saundra said:

    Kathleen
    My CT showed everything a little smaller or the same. My CA125 was 72 this week, up from the 61. I had to have two units of blood and the counts tanked. I may have to lower the chemo dose if this continues to do a number on the blood counts. The tough cookie is getting soggy.
    The DVT was diagnosed with a doplar sonargram, but the pain, reddness, and swelling in my leg alerted me. I don't know if I am getting the edoxaban or a sugar pill, but I am getting 6 mg. warfarin daily regardless and have a blood finger stick each week.
    I do not know the dosage of my taxol. I never asked. It was lower than the original and quit working in 10 months though.
    Enjoying having our kids home for the next year for their time off...Saundra

    Tough Cookie
    Even tough cookies have low points but you will get back to your normal level of toughness ! I look forward to your postings and wish you well. I too am a tough cookie, I guess we all have to be to fight this disease. Enjoy your children and I hope you feel better soon.

    Colleen
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    kayandok said:

    Saundra,
    are you still driving into the city for all your appointments? That has got to get old. You don't mention the diverticulitis in this update, is that under control now? You are balancing a lot!

    I'm so happy for you that your kids can take the year to be in the States. What a mega blessing and great timing for you!

    Please take care and know I think about you a lot and pray for you too. You are a rock and encouragement to this forum ❤
    kathleen

    No travel
    No, I am no longer driving the 285 miles to see the surgeons. I get my chemo here in Midland and the gyn/onc from Dallas comes here every two months for appointments. I do see a home health nurse once a week and I change the dressing the other six days of the week. It is slowly healing and my problem is that no other doctor really wants to take a close look. Liability issues looking at someone else's surgery in the States. They cut the diverticulitis out with the colostomy so I am not bothered with that anymore in other parts of the colon. I think about you often, also. ✞ Saundra
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    Sandra,
    Yes you are blessed

    Sandra,
    Yes you are blessed and I'm hoping that this new medicine will do the trick for you.

    I tell you this cancer is always throwing us a new loop doesn't it?

    Keeping those fingers crossed Saundra.

    Love,
    Sharon