Plan is to pick up where I left off

Had a lengthy discussion with gyn-onc regarding new issues (spike in ca125 and positive PET/CT). Bottom line is I will restart Gemzar at previous dose/schedule. It worked before so we try that route first to see response. He considers me to have tried many chemo agents as he actually counts my '93 breast cancer chemo drugs and I did an odd combo of 4 drugs total back then - I've just been counting my more current treatments. Nevertheless, he does not think there is a shortage of options that we can try. Since no major organs are involved at this time, he is on the 'keep it simple' strategy. I saw a resident before he came in (I'm at a teaching hospital/clinic). She said second debulking surgery is only pursued if it seems feasible to remove all sites of activity and not just partial. Mine are all in lymph nodes but in several areas, so systemic treatment continues to be best route.

Just to add to 'my one from Column A' (Breast ca), 'one from Column B' (UPSC) list of cancers, I also have 'one from Column C,' a Basal Cell carcinoma on my arm and excisional biopsy did not get clean margins. Gyn-Onc prefers I go forward with scheduled excision and recovery time prior to restarting chemo. So I have another month to wrap up all my little chores before hitting the Infusion Center again.

He was also reassuring in that he believes I made right decision in January to take a chemo break as there was no sign of cancer to treat with normal ca125 and clean PET/CT, which was also clean in Aug '10. He had offered continuing Gemzar as maintenance as he could argue it as an appropriate treatment option.

His bottom-line approach is a cure is unlikely ever but it is simply a matter of controlling and as we all know everyone's case is unique and managed as such. So that's it for now. I'm much less stressed. Will continue with my anti-cancer ways, stay positive, and find joy in every day!
Stay well my friends, Annie