Hello, New Here

whiterose
whiterose Member Posts: 89
in Ovarian Cancer #1
I've been reading here for a few weeks, and I have learned so much from you ladies I've decided to join the discussion. Until now, there's been something scary about writing about my disease, you know? So here I am, to share and to learn.

I was diagnosed this past summer, Stage 3. I've completed six courses of chemo (Taxol and Carboplatin) and am now on two additional courses. I've done pretty well, just a little nausea, one round of C Diff.....Not too much to complain about. My CA125 has remained at 7 for a few months now. I guess my doctor is pleased, he keeps saying how well i look, whatever that means.

He wants me to go on "maintenance", also to take Avastin when the chemo is finished. Don't quite get the "maintenance" thing, although he says it will be with something that will allow my hair to grow back. From all the knowledge you ladies seem to have, I think I'm not asking the right questions. I thought I had researched a lot, but apparently not.

I've also read "AntiCancer", thought it was a good book, and am following quite a few of the recommendations.....I'm feeling pretty good now.

I guess I just wanted to introduce myself and find out if I'm on the right road. Thanks for listening and hope to talk to everyone soon.....

Sue

Comments

  • mom2greatkids
    mom2greatkids Member Posts: 528
    #2
    Hi Sue. It's nice to meet
    Hi Sue. It's nice to meet you. Sorry it had to be this way though. I was diagnosed in May of 2011. Had 2 rounds of carbo/taxol, the last 5 rounds included avaistan. Last ct's and petscan in December were clean. Last CA-125 was 9. I am now on Avaistan alone as maintenance for a year.

    Sounds as if you are doing well. That C-Diff is terrible. I never had it, my my mother did, and my Dad has had it twice. HOpe you continue to feel and do well. You will find this board to be wonderful!! It has been great for me. All the ladies on here, totally get it!!

    Carla
  • mom2greatkids
    mom2greatkids Member Posts: 528
    #3
    mom2greatkids said:

    Hi Sue. It's nice to meet
    Hi Sue. It's nice to meet you. Sorry it had to be this way though. I was diagnosed in May of 2011. Had 2 rounds of carbo/taxol, the last 5 rounds included avaistan. Last ct's and petscan in December were clean. Last CA-125 was 9. I am now on Avaistan alone as maintenance for a year.

    Sounds as if you are doing well. That C-Diff is terrible. I never had it, my my mother did, and my Dad has had it twice. HOpe you continue to feel and do well. You will find this board to be wonderful!! It has been great for me. All the ladies on here, totally get it!!

    Carla

    oops, meant to say I had six
    oops, meant to say I had six rounds of carbo/taxol. Oh, and the chemo brain? Guess you're experiencing that? At least we have an excuse :)
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #4
    WELCOME, SUE!
    And as we say, 'to the club no one wants to join'. But you're right - lots of info here, and TONS of support.

    I won't go into my history (one of these days I'll post my bio!). Suffice to say I was diagnosed in 2000 and have had one recurrance (2006), and I'm so happy to be here and to be able to still participate with all these wonderful ladies (and sometimes men!). Sounds like you are on the right track, and I'm sure as time goes on we can share more thoughts and ideas.

    Your number is wonderful! I was only in single digits once, many years ago. That has always been my goal, although as we always say, there are many things that can make that number go up and down, besides cancer. So, I only flinch when it goes up a little, but try not to panic and wait till the next test.

    Sending hugs and prayers, Sue. Keep in touch!

    Monika
  • Cafewoman53
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    #5
    Sue
    Sounds like you are doing great ! Welcome to the group ! I did Avastin after my six rounds of Carbo/taxol but unfortunately it did not do the trick of keeping the cancer from growing. I am on it again though with Carbo/Gemzar, I was not optimally debulked meaning there was tumor left after my surgery. Everyone is different even if their stage is the same. This cancer is very persistent so maintenance chemo sounds like a good idea,there are a lot of ladies here on it, good luck.
    Colleen
  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #6
    Welcome, Sorry
    Welcome Sue, sorry you had to come here. I also was diagnosed stage IIIC in August 2009. I had 8 rounds of Carboplatin/Taxol/Avastin, followed by 11 rounds of Avastin. I've taken a very integrative approach throughout my treatment and recovery, which so far, knock on wood, has served me well. Although my debulking surgery was suboptimal, I was able to acheive and maintain remission.
  • whiterose
    whiterose Member Posts: 89
    #7
    Tethys41 said:

    Welcome, Sorry
    Welcome Sue, sorry you had to come here. I also was diagnosed stage IIIC in August 2009. I had 8 rounds of Carboplatin/Taxol/Avastin, followed by 11 rounds of Avastin. I've taken a very integrative approach throughout my treatment and recovery, which so far, knock on wood, has served me well. Although my debulking surgery was suboptimal, I was able to acheive and maintain remission.

    Thank you ladies, for the
    Thank you ladies, for the warm welcome.....I hope to learn and share with you all. I had my next-to-last carboplatin infusion the other day and developed a reaction to it---face, hands and feet became red and itchy. They gave me some shots of steroids, I think, and were able to go ahead with it. Thank goodness I have only one infusion left, and I hope I'm not desensitized to carbo, as I hope to keep it in my arsenal in case I need it in the future.....

    Otherwise, I'm starting to get my life back and it feels good.....Hope others are experiencing the same.....

    Sue
  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #8
    whiterose said:

    Thank you ladies, for the
    Thank you ladies, for the warm welcome.....I hope to learn and share with you all. I had my next-to-last carboplatin infusion the other day and developed a reaction to it---face, hands and feet became red and itchy. They gave me some shots of steroids, I think, and were able to go ahead with it. Thank goodness I have only one infusion left, and I hope I'm not desensitized to carbo, as I hope to keep it in my arsenal in case I need it in the future.....

    Otherwise, I'm starting to get my life back and it feels good.....Hope others are experiencing the same.....

    Sue

    Hi Sue
    The ladies on this board are very supportive so you definitely came to the right place. My journey has been a little different from yours. I was diagnosted at stage 2b in September 2010 and had surgery and then the standard six rounds of carbo/taxol. I've been fortunate to be NED (no evidence of disease) since the end of chemo in March 2011. I'm very glad that you only have one infusion left and that your CA 125 is so low - that's great! I'm happy that you're getting your life back - a very good start to 2012.

    Kelly
  • jbeans888
    jbeans888 Member Posts: 313
    #9
    lovesanimals said:

    Hi Sue
    The ladies on this board are very supportive so you definitely came to the right place. My journey has been a little different from yours. I was diagnosted at stage 2b in September 2010 and had surgery and then the standard six rounds of carbo/taxol. I've been fortunate to be NED (no evidence of disease) since the end of chemo in March 2011. I'm very glad that you only have one infusion left and that your CA 125 is so low - that's great! I'm happy that you're getting your life back - a very good start to 2012.

    Kelly

    Hi Sue,
    Good to see you
    Hi Sue,
    Good to see you on the board. You are the right road. I love this board and all the ladies here. We ask and share anything and get only real answers back. That is what's so great about it. :-)
  • TexanByChoice
    TexanByChoice Member Posts: 44
    #10
    Welcome Sue
    As others have wrote...wish we didn't hafta meet like this, but these ladies are terrific and we take this journey together my friend. Glad you are doing well and we will be looking for future posts of your making progress against this nasty disease.

    One day at a time!

    Shirley
    Texan By Choice
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #11
    Welcome
    to the board, Sue! So wonderful that you are feeling good and congratulations on an aweseom CA125!
    Wishing you the very best,
    kathleen
  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    #12
    kayandok said:

    Welcome
    to the board, Sue! So wonderful that you are feeling good and congratulations on an aweseom CA125!
    Wishing you the very best,
    kathleen

    Hi Sue
    Hello Sue
    So sorry we have to meet under these conditions, but welcome anyway.
    You will find many ladies that will befreind you here.
    God bless you
    Hugs Lynda
  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    #13
    kayandok said:

    Welcome
    to the board, Sue! So wonderful that you are feeling good and congratulations on an aweseom CA125!
    Wishing you the very best,
    kathleen

    Hi Sue
    Hello Sue
    So sorry we have to meet under these conditions, but welcome anyway.
    You will find many ladies that will befreind you here.
    God bless you
    Hugs Lynda

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