CA 125 way up :(

kellyh33
kellyh33 Member Posts: 287
in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hello Ladies,
Mom is on her second/third line treatment. She did 7 rounds of carboplatin and 13/15 weeks of a clinical trial. April 21st she started Doxil. June 16th she had her third infusion. Today Mom had a CT scan which of course we don't know the results of but we suspect is not working.
When Mom started this hellish journey her CA 125 was 14,301 the lowest it's ever been is just over 3000. As of June 16th it is 6893 which is when it was last checked.
I am so upset. I just want this damn disease to go away and leave my Mother alone. If she has to die why this way. My Mom has feared cancer since her only sibling died of it when she was 12. It's a nightmare.
I wanted my mom to do the winner's walk of hope with me Sept 11th. I could even envision her doing the victory lap and all of us cheering her on.
So, I suppose she will start another kind of chemo July 11th. I hope this one works.
Thanks for listening,
Kelly

Comments

  • kellyh33
    kellyh33 Member Posts: 287
    #2
    Ct Scan
    So the oncologist just called and Mom's tumor is stable.
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #3
    kellyh33 said:

    Ct Scan
    So the oncologist just called and Mom's tumor is stable.

    I'm glad to hear
    there is some good news for your mom. This disease is relentless. It does so much damage in so many ways and then we have to worry that it is still lurking. I'm surprised we don't have mental breakdowns going through this. I am sending good thoughts and prayers to your mom and you.

    Karen
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #4
    kellyh33 said:

    Ct Scan
    So the oncologist just called and Mom's tumor is stable.

    Stable is good news
    Here's to the new chemo kicking butt.
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • Mum2bellaandwilliam
    Mum2bellaandwilliam Member Posts: 412
    #5
    Mwee said:

    Stable is good news
    Here's to the new chemo kicking butt.
    (((HUGS))) Maria

    aaaawwwww Kelly , its is so
    aaaawwwww Kelly , its is so s**t. I am going throygh the exact same thing with my mum , the doxil is failing :( It is heartbreaking.There is not a dam thing we can do about it and it sucks beyond all belief.
    I hope the new chemo keeps it in check for your mum, keep up a positive attitide , I know it is difficult, I fail at it dismally sometimes.
    Just yesterday mum had to be drained again , I felt myself welling up seeing my beautiful mum sitting there so uncomfortable, she told me not to be silly, I think she hates to see her children upset, I pulled myself together quickly so as not to upset her, no mother wants to her child distressed, even though I am 30!!!!!
    Good luck to your mum, xxx LIz xxx
  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    #6
    Mum2bellaandwilliam said:

    aaaawwwww Kelly , its is so
    aaaawwwww Kelly , its is so s**t. I am going throygh the exact same thing with my mum , the doxil is failing :( It is heartbreaking.There is not a dam thing we can do about it and it sucks beyond all belief.
    I hope the new chemo keeps it in check for your mum, keep up a positive attitide , I know it is difficult, I fail at it dismally sometimes.
    Just yesterday mum had to be drained again , I felt myself welling up seeing my beautiful mum sitting there so uncomfortable, she told me not to be silly, I think she hates to see her children upset, I pulled myself together quickly so as not to upset her, no mother wants to her child distressed, even though I am 30!!!!!
    Good luck to your mum, xxx LIz xxx

    stable is good
    from what I understand doxil takes time to lower the ca-125. Give your mom a big hug for me and let her know we care...val
  • eward
    eward Member Posts: 210
    #7
    roller coaster
    Having a mom with this cancer is such a roller coaster. My mom, too, has had high CA125 numbers. They have ranged from 2000-3800 over the past year or so since her recurrance. She has only had a 3 month break from chemo since her diagnosis 2 + years ago. She was on Doxil two different times and at best it kept her stable for a while. Eventually, though, it stopped working for her.

    The good news is that there are lots of chemos the Drs can try with our moms. One of my mom's drs told her a month ago that one of her options was to stop treatment because her cancer started spreading. Her other Dr suggested gemzar, cisplatin, and avastin. My mom is already doing much better just 1 week and 3 days after starting her new chemo. She had severe lymphedema and pleural effusion that was being drained 2x per week. Now, in just over a week with the new chemo, her lymphedema is almost gone and her pleural effusion was lower than ever.

    Glad your mom's tumor is stable. That is super-important! If your mom needs pleural effusions drained often enough, they can install a pleurex catheter and she can drain it at home with the help of a visiting nurse or family member. Having a catheter has improved my mom's quality of life, since she doesn't have to go to the hospital to drain it.

    Hang in there. Keep your seatbelt on!
    xo
    Eileen
  • kellyh33
    kellyh33 Member Posts: 287
    #8
    eward said:

    roller coaster
    Having a mom with this cancer is such a roller coaster. My mom, too, has had high CA125 numbers. They have ranged from 2000-3800 over the past year or so since her recurrance. She has only had a 3 month break from chemo since her diagnosis 2 + years ago. She was on Doxil two different times and at best it kept her stable for a while. Eventually, though, it stopped working for her.

    The good news is that there are lots of chemos the Drs can try with our moms. One of my mom's drs told her a month ago that one of her options was to stop treatment because her cancer started spreading. Her other Dr suggested gemzar, cisplatin, and avastin. My mom is already doing much better just 1 week and 3 days after starting her new chemo. She had severe lymphedema and pleural effusion that was being drained 2x per week. Now, in just over a week with the new chemo, her lymphedema is almost gone and her pleural effusion was lower than ever.

    Glad your mom's tumor is stable. That is super-important! If your mom needs pleural effusions drained often enough, they can install a pleurex catheter and she can drain it at home with the help of a visiting nurse or family member. Having a catheter has improved my mom's quality of life, since she doesn't have to go to the hospital to drain it.

    Hang in there. Keep your seatbelt on!
    xo
    Eileen

    Draining
    Hi Eileen,
    Mom has had needed to be drained since her they attempted her surgery Sept 3rd 2011. I am hoping it will stay that way.
    Mom is so emotionally fragile, I really hope this tiny bit of good news can help her feel stronger. She was so convinced the tumor had spread.
    What type of chemo is your mom doing now?
    Thanks,
    Kelly
  • kellyh33
    kellyh33 Member Posts: 287
    #9
    poopergirl14052 said:

    stable is good
    from what I understand doxil takes time to lower the ca-125. Give your mom a big hug for me and let her know we care...val

    Sending
    the hugs mom's way. Thank you for your good wishes.
    Kelly
  • kellyh33
    kellyh33 Member Posts: 287
    #10
    Mum2bellaandwilliam said:

    aaaawwwww Kelly , its is so
    aaaawwwww Kelly , its is so s**t. I am going throygh the exact same thing with my mum , the doxil is failing :( It is heartbreaking.There is not a dam thing we can do about it and it sucks beyond all belief.
    I hope the new chemo keeps it in check for your mum, keep up a positive attitide , I know it is difficult, I fail at it dismally sometimes.
    Just yesterday mum had to be drained again , I felt myself welling up seeing my beautiful mum sitting there so uncomfortable, she told me not to be silly, I think she hates to see her children upset, I pulled myself together quickly so as not to upset her, no mother wants to her child distressed, even though I am 30!!!!!
    Good luck to your mum, xxx LIz xxx

    It is sh*t!
    I hate it too. Mom used to be so active and she always took such great pride in her appearance so she ate right and exercised a lot.
    I hope things turn around for your mom too.
    Kelly
  • eward
    eward Member Posts: 210
    #11
    kellyh33 said:

    Draining
    Hi Eileen,
    Mom has had needed to be drained since her they attempted her surgery Sept 3rd 2011. I am hoping it will stay that way.
    Mom is so emotionally fragile, I really hope this tiny bit of good news can help her feel stronger. She was so convinced the tumor had spread.
    What type of chemo is your mom doing now?
    Thanks,
    Kelly

    chemo
    gemzar, cisplatin and avastin right now

    So your mom has not had to be drained? That is good.
  • kellyh33
    kellyh33 Member Posts: 287
    #12
    eward said:

    chemo
    gemzar, cisplatin and avastin right now

    So your mom has not had to be drained? That is good.

    Draining
    Mom had two liters drained Sept 3rd when she had surgery and nothing since. Gemzar is not covered in Canada by our provincal health care so it would be $1500.00 per treatment. Luckily, if the other two don't work then mom/dad do have the funds to try it.
    Also since her tumor did not grow her oncolgist thinks it's best to stick with doxil.
    Kelly

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