CA125 went up all else is good, should I be worried?

california_artist said:

Hello, Norma, my dear friend,

I was just thinking of you earlier today, wondering how you were doing. So, in response to your question on thoughts, here are a few of mine.

I have held that is nearly impossible to get rid of every single cancer cell, no matter how you try to defeat them. With this in mind, I do try to thwart them so their numbers remain low enough to NOT require a new blood supply. That getting their own source of food and nourishment is what whacks us over the head. So, might I suggest that you act as though you got your diagnosis or are activelly in the process of keeping the number of cells under control and to that end use all those things we talked of long ago:

Deep breathing for a few minutes, several times a day to defeat an anerobic cellular environment. and to provide an opportunity for your body to man your immune system. As long as you are stressed out and your body fells threatened, most activities are directed at arming a defense against an outside invader and your immune system takes a break from killing cancer.

Green tea, steeped for 30 minutes, then lemon added and consumed within the hour

Turmeric at the same time as black pepper and olive oil, as that seems to work on even pancreatic cancer per a woman doctor at M.D. Anderson's study

Ginger, raw, about a 1/4 in slice nibbled on at some point during the day-some studies suggest ginger is as effective as chemo in fightin ovarian cancer-University of Michigan.

Exercise-

Happiness

concentrate the diet on alkaline, no or few meats  -no artificial sweeteners, alcohol, --look up a chart on the web

Norma, we go way back. just mount a defense, regardless of other things, I would not just accept that things are well. Think of what your life was like in the year or two before your original diagnosis and try to avoid any of those things that might have crept back into your daily activities.

Warmest hugs ever,

Claudia

I am recovering from some sort of bronchial thing and the lack of oxygen to the brain may make this a less than stellar response.

So very glad you reminded me of these things.  I will take them to heart.  I have had some major sinus issues in the past few months.  Hope your bronchial thing gets better. 

Warm hugs and lots of them right back to you....

Ro10 said:

Norma glad the physical exam went well

My doctor has always said the CA 125 is just a number.  He does not get concerned unless there are symptoms, which I have never had any symptoms at all, or there are changes in the CAT scan.   Maybe you could have the CA 125 rechecked in 3 months instead of 6 months to put your mind at ease.  Continue to enjoy each day.  In peace and caring.

I think that is a good idea to go back in 3 months instead of 6.  The nurse did not seem that concerned about the slight rise as all else checks out fine.  I hope you are doing ok.  Been reading your posts and thinking of you.

You have made me feel better.  Thanks so much!!!

debrajo said:

Maybe I'm a big whiny baby,

Maybe I'm a big whiny baby, too, but that would scare me to death.  I guess if the ca125 is a marker for you, I'd worry, if not and Dr. seems ok I would maybe be able to get my heart started again.  For me, the ca125 is the ONLY test they do, no scans, MRI, Cat/Pet, so I Live by that darn number.  I agree with Claudia, it's defensive mode time, and instead of three month recheck, how about one month or six weeks?  I couldn't stand the whole three month wait.  Don't want to be the downer here, but don't want this monster to sneak up on you.  Your NED time gives me hope.  Remember, I'm right over here in Vidor, 20 minutes away, if you need ANYTHING.  My home phone is 4097862819.  Best to you, Debrajo

I am going to try and go into the offense mode like you said.  Have gained some weight and eaten whatever I want, especially through the holidays.  Back on the no sugar and healthy food regimen.  Exercise and deep breathing....etc.  So very much appreciate your support!!! Hug around the neck....

HellieC said:

I think we all worry about any change

I think we all worry about any change, no matter how small - it's not whiney - it's human nature! 

I think that the CA125 can go up due to inflammation or infection, so it is possible to see a change that is not cancer related.  The suggestion to ask for a re-check in 3 months, rather than 6 months sounds a good one.  In the meantime, I think the diet advice etc is probably the way to go.  But, above all else, keep reminding yourself that you feel well!

Kindest wishes
Helen

I do feel fine.  Great actually.  I had to laugh about the worry about change.  I do.  We have a business and every day there is some kind of change to which I have had to adjust.  That is the not the nature of life, though, is it? 

Seems like the ladies have all suggested a recheck in 3 months.  I think that is a good plan.  Won't hurt and will ease my mind a bit. 

YOU guys are the best.   Thank you so very much for the support. 

NorahS said:

A possible suggestion for you...

...is to think about it not as a 'worry' but as 'waiting'.

Recently, I have come to the realization that developing the art of waiting is - and will continue to be - huge in my recovery.

So my suggestion is that you focus on your decision to wait only 3 months for a new CA125 test  <-this is a positive thought for your positive action.

All the best to you.  

 

  

 

 

Your kind words helped a lot.  I am not good at waiting for anything.  As old as I am you would think I would be able to wait.  Focus on the positive.  And there is a lot of positive to focus on.  I am 3 yrs past treatment with no detectable cancer.  That is good and I am going to dwell on that.  My doctor is one of the top doctors in the country and I am blessed to go to MD Anderson in Houston.  I have to put my trust in that.  Dr. Levenbach is not usually one to be overly optomistic.  In the beginning he was a downer.  This last visit (prior to the results of the CA 125) he was very optomistic.  Said I was doing great.  I am going to just let that make me at ease. 

The comments from all the ladies here have made me feel so much better.  Makes this journey so much easier to have you.  Pray for you guys everyday.

jazzy1 said:

Waiting~

 

WAIT IS A 4 LETTER WORD!!!!!

Dr Levenbach's office called me yesterday to schedule a CT Scan, X-rays, and bloodwork for Friday Feb 1.  He saw the CA 125 and scheduled the tests.  I am afraid but also comforted by the fact I have one of the top doctors in the country at one of the best hospitals in the world.  Going to put on my big girl panties and quit whining.  I will pray this is a false alarm and hope the rise is just a fluke. 

Everything in my life is going so well right now.  I had put the cancer way back in my mind.  Now it is here again rearing it's head.  You gals who are battling it are so very brave.  I am always uplifted by the posts of those who keep up their courage.  You are my heros.  I am going to fight this thing.  I have way too much to live for right now.

I have had 3 wonderful years of NED.  For which I consider myself extremely lucky by God's grace.  I feel great.  No symptoms.  Just a 20 poing rise in the CA 125 from 40 which it has been for over a year to 62 points. 

Will have to wait.  Like you said Jazzy WAIT is a four lettered word.  hahaha....wait and pray.  PRAY is also a four lettered word.  Going to do a lot of that....praying for all of you too....