CA-125 still on the rise

AnneBehymer
AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
in Ovarian Cancer #1
After asking several times I finally got the results of my last CA-125 and it is still on the rise. For those who don't know what the CA-125 is that the tumor markers that tell you if you have cancer. Mine started off before surgery or treatment at 2000 but after surgery and chemo it dropped to 6. It has remained at 6 for several months about a month and a half ago it went from 6 to 22 which made me a little nerves but I was doing ok, then three weeks later it went up from 22 - 52 which had my doctor request a catscan. My doctor and I talked about it just being that I fall within the 20 percent of woman who's CA-125 goes up and down for no reason. He then said he would keep an eye on my CA-125 well I got the results from my last test completed on 1/31/2012 and it is up again now at 69. To say I was not scared would be a lie, I am very scared as I read of those on my support group web page who are finding out it has moved to their brain and I think the catscan showed no new tumors yet we did not do a catscan of my brian. Any other time this would not even bother me but about a month and a half ago I started having head aches at the base of my head to the right of my spain. I have had migraines since I was around 8 but this is not the same it is different is a strange way I can't put my finger on it. So now the fear starts I know my Lord is not a God of fear, I know where fear comes from and yet I still fear. I fear because it is a real chance that this moves to my brian ovarian cancer I have heard is known for moving to the brain so I fear. I can hear the christian people now saying I have not enough faith, it is easy to have faith that strong when you are not facing the fact that you have cancer and you will die from it some day and now this. Please pray that I can find that faith that I will not live in fear to fell that peace that passes all understanding. Just pray!!!!!

Hugs, Love, and Prayers
Anne

Comments

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #2
    Annie, sending comforting
    Annie, sending comforting thoughts your way to help find peace to stamp down that fear.

    Also, try not to let reading about others diagnosis fall into your mind (Believe me I do it all the time, its hard not too!). I too was having headaches this week. I was starting to think the same thing but then realized that everyone around me has been having sinus congestion, colds, etc.

    Annie, is there anyway you can get a PET scan? This could ease your mind. However, I know with insurances it can be difficult to get. A PET scan would reveal any "active" cancers.

    Also, Annie, please know that you are not alone. Together you can stomp out that fear. ((((Annie)))

    Peace and prayers,

    Kathy
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #3
    Kaleena said:

    Annie, sending comforting
    Annie, sending comforting thoughts your way to help find peace to stamp down that fear.

    Also, try not to let reading about others diagnosis fall into your mind (Believe me I do it all the time, its hard not too!). I too was having headaches this week. I was starting to think the same thing but then realized that everyone around me has been having sinus congestion, colds, etc.

    Annie, is there anyway you can get a PET scan? This could ease your mind. However, I know with insurances it can be difficult to get. A PET scan would reveal any "active" cancers.

    Also, Annie, please know that you are not alone. Together you can stomp out that fear. ((((Annie)))

    Peace and prayers,

    Kathy

    Not sure
    I am not sure about the petscan I just had a catscan done two weeks ago but it only covered chest and stomach nothing more so I don't know how well it is. I am trying not to worry about what others have and can I get it also but this was going through my mind before the annocement of shirley's cancer moving to her brain so makes it hard not to thinka about it. I am doing my best to stay up beat just getting a little hard.

    Anne
  • JoWin615
    JoWin615 Member Posts: 150 Member
    #4
    PET/CT scan
    Anne,

    When was your last PET/CT scan, and what did it show? Can you talk to your doctor or someone else about your fear regarding your brain? You will certainly be in my prayers.

    Best to you,
    Jo
  • karen1951
    karen1951 Member Posts: 103
    #5
    JoWin615 said:

    PET/CT scan
    Anne,

    When was your last PET/CT scan, and what did it show? Can you talk to your doctor or someone else about your fear regarding your brain? You will certainly be in my prayers.

    Best to you,
    Jo

    anne....please tell your
    anne....please tell your doctors about your headaches and how much you fear that it's going to the brain. i started to see floaters in my eye and my onc sent me for a brain mri immediately....your doctor should do the same....my prayers are with you....karen
  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #6
    karen1951 said:

    anne....please tell your
    anne....please tell your doctors about your headaches and how much you fear that it's going to the brain. i started to see floaters in my eye and my onc sent me for a brain mri immediately....your doctor should do the same....my prayers are with you....karen

    Dear Anne
    Sending lots of "hugs" and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

    Kelly
  • CaregiverMe
    CaregiverMe Member Posts: 1
    #7
    I pray that you are strong
    I pray that you are strong and that your find the right path to follow. I know from my wife, for whom I am a caregiver, that the CA-125 does affect our lives, especially when it is rising. One has to have faith in the miracles of medicine and pray that they will find the best approach. I have found that reading Scripture, especially the Psalms, can give strength. Below are a couple passages that are meaningful to me. The Lord delights in you and really cares about you. He is close beside you. Hang in there are know that people are thinking and praying for your success and the easing of your fears. Take care... Peace...

    For I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.
    Jeremiah 29:11-12

    The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
    Psalm 23
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #8
    Annie,
    It is EXTREMELY rare
    Annie,

    It is EXTREMELY rare for ovca to go directly to the brain bypassing other organs on the way. My medical oncologist, gynecological oncologist AND my neurosurgeon were surprised that mine did that. My neurosurgeon (the head guy (no pun intended) at University of Maryland Medical) said he had only seen about six cases in his career.

    I don't worry so much about dying anymore, I focus on living. I've been through two rounds of cancer treatment in the two years I've been diagnosed. I've survived both times!

    Please DO call your doctor and request a scan of your brain. (My radiation oncologist prefers MRI to CT scan). At the very least it will set your mind at ease. Worst case, you get treatment and it goes away.

    Interesting factoid: I had brain surgery to remove one tumor, whole brain radiation to reduce the others and gamma knife to eradicate any remainders. The radiation oncologist told me that the chances of the cancer returning to my brain were less than 15%. I'll take those odds!

    Best wishes, honey! Keep us posted!

    HUGS!

    Leesa
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #9
    JoWin615 said:

    PET/CT scan
    Anne,

    When was your last PET/CT scan, and what did it show? Can you talk to your doctor or someone else about your fear regarding your brain? You will certainly be in my prayers.

    Best to you,
    Jo

    two weeks
    Jo it has been about two week and it came back clear but it was only my chest and abdomen, why don't the do a full catscan when everyone know cancer spreads.

    Hugs, Love, and Prayers
    Anne
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #10
    CaregiverMe said:

    I pray that you are strong
    I pray that you are strong and that your find the right path to follow. I know from my wife, for whom I am a caregiver, that the CA-125 does affect our lives, especially when it is rising. One has to have faith in the miracles of medicine and pray that they will find the best approach. I have found that reading Scripture, especially the Psalms, can give strength. Below are a couple passages that are meaningful to me. The Lord delights in you and really cares about you. He is close beside you. Hang in there are know that people are thinking and praying for your success and the easing of your fears. Take care... Peace...

    For I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.
    Jeremiah 29:11-12

    The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
    Psalm 23

    Jeremiah 29: 11-12
    CaregiverMe,

    That has been a verse I have place my life on, I went through are very horrific childhood and begain working on the issues that I was facing because of that childhood. For you to start with that verse give me peace that God is speaking through you, Thank you for you supportive words and prays. I will be praying for you and your wife have a great night

    H-L-P
    Anne
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #11
    leesag said:

    Annie,
    It is EXTREMELY rare
    Annie,

    It is EXTREMELY rare for ovca to go directly to the brain bypassing other organs on the way. My medical oncologist, gynecological oncologist AND my neurosurgeon were surprised that mine did that. My neurosurgeon (the head guy (no pun intended) at University of Maryland Medical) said he had only seen about six cases in his career.

    I don't worry so much about dying anymore, I focus on living. I've been through two rounds of cancer treatment in the two years I've been diagnosed. I've survived both times!

    Please DO call your doctor and request a scan of your brain. (My radiation oncologist prefers MRI to CT scan). At the very least it will set your mind at ease. Worst case, you get treatment and it goes away.

    Interesting factoid: I had brain surgery to remove one tumor, whole brain radiation to reduce the others and gamma knife to eradicate any remainders. The radiation oncologist told me that the chances of the cancer returning to my brain were less than 15%. I'll take those odds!

    Best wishes, honey! Keep us posted!

    HUGS!

    Leesa

    someone like you
    It has helpped for someone like you to reach out and tell your story so many times thank you for that. I will talk with my doctor on my next treatment which is in less than two weeks. I am so glad ou are still in remission and I pray all the time for all of you strong ladies on this board. I feel we have become teal sisters and that makes going through this a little easier because I have someone I can turn to who completly understands what I am feeling. My mom is such a great help and I love her so much for being there for me I know it is with her whole heart that she is helpping, but until it is happening to you, you can not fully understand what is going on inside my head. Thanks you all for our words of support and your prayers.


    H-L-P
    Anne
  • carolenk
    carolenk Member Posts: 907 Member
    #12
    AnneBehymer said:

    someone like you
    It has helpped for someone like you to reach out and tell your story so many times thank you for that. I will talk with my doctor on my next treatment which is in less than two weeks. I am so glad ou are still in remission and I pray all the time for all of you strong ladies on this board. I feel we have become teal sisters and that makes going through this a little easier because I have someone I can turn to who completly understands what I am feeling. My mom is such a great help and I love her so much for being there for me I know it is with her whole heart that she is helpping, but until it is happening to you, you can not fully understand what is going on inside my head. Thanks you all for our words of support and your prayers.


    H-L-P
    Anne

    I can't say whether your
    I can't say whether your cancer is back or not. I can tell you that my CT scans of my abdomen & pelvis did not show any changes for 2 months after my CA-125 was over twice the upper limit of normal.

    The PET/CT finally did show the disease which was very small and speckled in several areas.

    I'm praying that you get some answers soon.
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #13
    carolenk said:

    I can't say whether your
    I can't say whether your cancer is back or not. I can tell you that my CT scans of my abdomen & pelvis did not show any changes for 2 months after my CA-125 was over twice the upper limit of normal.

    The PET/CT finally did show the disease which was very small and speckled in several areas.

    I'm praying that you get some answers soon.

    Carolenk
    Thanks you for all your support and prays it really does help calm me down some so I can sleep knowing others who have or are going through what I am are praying for me.

    Hugs, Love, and Prayers
    Anne

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