my worst fear has been confirmed today :(

Christ although I knew this was coming my fear has been confirmed (I just was kinda hoping it would be ok) The cancer is spreading :(. Doxil is failing mum. I just can't believe it.
Mum is home from hospital now and has the district nurse coming in everyday.
When she told me this afternoon , we shed tears , but she said she did not want to dwell on it, and try and enjoy the time left that we have together.
On Monday we have an appointment with the consultant to discuss the next option , I am assuming it will be Topo, but we will see.
I am so bummed, I knew this was coming in my heart of hearts,I think I may have voiced my fears in previous posts, but to hear it for real is still a shock.

xxx Liz xxx

I want to kill cancer, I hate it and everything involved with it, why do we have to have cancer??????

Comments

  • sarahb74
    sarahb74 Member Posts: 81 Member
    I'm so sorry
    to read this Liz. I just finished 2nd line therapy 3 weeks ago and received the results yesterday, so I have some idea what you must be feeling. My CA125 is at 660, my cancer has started growing again and the oncologist is talking about starting chemo again sooner rather than later. Sending you Mother a hug from Wales
  • Rookerbird
    Rookerbird Member Posts: 100
    Oh Liz...so sorry to hear
    Oh Liz...so sorry to hear this news. The thing that frustrates me most about cancer is its ability to outsmart chemo. One chemo works for a while, then the cancer "figures it out." How does it do that?!?

    You have been such a support for your mom, and she is BLESSED to have you for a daughter. I'm hurting for you both.

    Kathy
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member

    Oh Liz...so sorry to hear
    Oh Liz...so sorry to hear this news. The thing that frustrates me most about cancer is its ability to outsmart chemo. One chemo works for a while, then the cancer "figures it out." How does it do that?!?

    You have been such a support for your mom, and she is BLESSED to have you for a daughter. I'm hurting for you both.

    Kathy

    (((Liz)))). I know the discouagement of chemo that fails you.
    It's disheartening to put a body through chemo and then learn that the effort was in vain. I'm chemo refractory myself, and each time I'd psyche myself up that THIS drug combo would be 'the one', only to be disappointed over and over. But, you know, some women DO finally get to the drug that starts to stablize and reverse their disease!! I read that in posts here all the time! I pray that topotekan will be that drug for your mom. (Has she tried Gemzar yet? That's the other one still on my personal list, along with topo).

    No words of wisdom here, just a hug. Even in treatment, even with disease progression, there is still beauty and joy to be found in every single day. That I do know to be true. Try not to let dispair or worry rob you of those little snippets of happiness that you can share with your mother regardless of what else is going on.
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member

    (((Liz)))). I know the discouagement of chemo that fails you.
    It's disheartening to put a body through chemo and then learn that the effort was in vain. I'm chemo refractory myself, and each time I'd psyche myself up that THIS drug combo would be 'the one', only to be disappointed over and over. But, you know, some women DO finally get to the drug that starts to stablize and reverse their disease!! I read that in posts here all the time! I pray that topotekan will be that drug for your mom. (Has she tried Gemzar yet? That's the other one still on my personal list, along with topo).

    No words of wisdom here, just a hug. Even in treatment, even with disease progression, there is still beauty and joy to be found in every single day. That I do know to be true. Try not to let dispair or worry rob you of those little snippets of happiness that you can share with your mother regardless of what else is going on.

    My thoughts and prayers
    are with you and your mom. She sounds like a tough lady who values the life she has. I wish for you the strenth you need to continue to be there for your mom as you have been. You are a blessing to her.

    Karen
  • antcat
    antcat Member Posts: 270

    (((Liz)))). I know the discouagement of chemo that fails you.
    It's disheartening to put a body through chemo and then learn that the effort was in vain. I'm chemo refractory myself, and each time I'd psyche myself up that THIS drug combo would be 'the one', only to be disappointed over and over. But, you know, some women DO finally get to the drug that starts to stablize and reverse their disease!! I read that in posts here all the time! I pray that topotekan will be that drug for your mom. (Has she tried Gemzar yet? That's the other one still on my personal list, along with topo).

    No words of wisdom here, just a hug. Even in treatment, even with disease progression, there is still beauty and joy to be found in every single day. That I do know to be true. Try not to let dispair or worry rob you of those little snippets of happiness that you can share with your mother regardless of what else is going on.

    Liz It is discouraging when chemo fails
    Hi Liz, I know all too well how discouraging it can be when chemo fails. I read Linda's reply and I agree with her. It's very discouraging when a person puts their body thru chemo after chemo and then hear from their oncologist, the results weren't good. I think I must be chemo refractory also, because since last year, I've tried different chemos and the results haven't been too encouraging. I'm now on Taxotere which I had the first time I had cancer and we'll see how this goes. I had topotecan and it didn't work and also Gemzar. So, you hae to just keep optimistic and have faith that something will work.
  • Lisa13Q
    Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
    Dear Liz
    Yup it sucks big time........I am sorry and truly "get it"....remember this......You still have time with Mom...no one knows what can/when/will happen........focus on that..........be there with her.......you have many more memories to make.......many many more....from someone who really knows....I am praying for you.....and your mother.....Love, Lisa
  • eward
    eward Member Posts: 210
    don't give up
    Don't give up,any of you. My mom has had CA #s between approx 2000 and 3500 for a year. Many chemos as she was "stable." Now she has had some progression and has suffered increased pleural effusion and substantial lymphodema. Her toes looked like sausages with the swelling. Some surface spots on her liver. Decreased exercise tolerance.

    New chemo - gemzar, cisplatin, and avastin - started last Thursday. She has lost 5-6 pounds of water weight. Her ankles are now more normal. Her pleural effusion drains have decreased. There is hope that this new chemo combination is once again going to knock cancer into it's place. No miracle here, but she is going on vacation next week.

    So yes, mum2bella and william, your mum's cancer might be spreading, but keep hope that the new chemo that she will be placed on will stop the spread and give her some relief and time. We all need hope for the time we have left on this earth.

    xoxo
    Eileen
  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    eward said:

    don't give up
    Don't give up,any of you. My mom has had CA #s between approx 2000 and 3500 for a year. Many chemos as she was "stable." Now she has had some progression and has suffered increased pleural effusion and substantial lymphodema. Her toes looked like sausages with the swelling. Some surface spots on her liver. Decreased exercise tolerance.

    New chemo - gemzar, cisplatin, and avastin - started last Thursday. She has lost 5-6 pounds of water weight. Her ankles are now more normal. Her pleural effusion drains have decreased. There is hope that this new chemo combination is once again going to knock cancer into it's place. No miracle here, but she is going on vacation next week.

    So yes, mum2bella and william, your mum's cancer might be spreading, but keep hope that the new chemo that she will be placed on will stop the spread and give her some relief and time. We all need hope for the time we have left on this earth.

    xoxo
    Eileen

    Liz I am so sorry to hear
    this. Keep the faith please. Maybe another drug will work for your mum, enjoy time spent with your mum. I am praying gor a good outcome, I hate cancer too, we all do but we shall not let cancer destroy faith or spirit...val
  • kellyh33
    kellyh33 Member Posts: 287
    I understand
    Hi Liz,
    I understand what you are feeling. My Mom's first line treatment failed after 7 rounds and an unsuccessful surgery. So next she tried a clinical trial, she did 13 out of 15 weeks before she was pulled off of that. Her tumor grew from 9 cm to 10. Now she has had three rounds of doxil. She will have a CT scan on Monday. I don't believe it has worked for her either.
    I, too am scared. I fear Mom won't survive the summer. I don't know what types of chemos there are left for her. I asked the oncologist about Gemzar and it is not covered in Canada by OHIP, it is $1500.00 per treatment. I am afraid she is running out of options.
    I am glad that your Mom has a upbeat attitude, it makes things easier for you and for her. I hope your Mom gets the miracle she's been waiting for.
    Kelly
  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    Dear Liz
    I am so sorry to read of your mum's decline. I understand what you are going through as I looked after and nursed my mum through cancer at home. Try to spend as much time with her as possible and enjoy every minutes.

    Much love Tina xx