Latest CA 125

Very sorry about your test result. This journey has many ups and downs and I am sure your doctor has other drugs up her sleeve to push CA125 down. And even if you have to re-start chemo at some point, you know that with the right attitude and moral support it's doable. Best wishes to your cousin with her surgery. Stay strong and funk-free.

Hugs,

Alexandra

Alexandra said:

Happy birthday Karen!

Yummy! I am SO hungry! Now I can't stop thinking about bacon-wrapped wienies.

I think I'm drooling most over the red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting - yum!  So glad you had a good time with the people who love and care about you.  When you need to, I know you'll put on your big girl panties and do whatever you need to do to kick cancer's butt!  In the meantime, we're always here for you.

Hugs,

Kelly

kikz said:

I am feeling

better already, I just need to digest the latest development. 

I wanted to share some happy news with you as well.  I celebrated my 65th birthday on Tuesday.  I told my friends, "I am officially a senior citizen, at least according to the federal government."  I invited a few friends and family to lunch and served, pesto crostini, wenies wrapped in bacon, rolled in brown sugar and cayenne then baked, pumpkin lasagna, baked ziti, green salad and red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.  I made all the food except for the appetizers my cousin and friend helped out with.  Are you all drooling yet?

I also purchased online a box of candy that was popular in the 40's.  It had a big variety including candy cigarettes and Smith Bros cough drops.  I filled crepe paper basket nut cups (like my mom use to have at my childhood parties) with candy and played hit songs from 1948 from a CD I purchased online.  My house was decorated for Valentine's Day so I followed that theme with plates and napkins.  

We drank a wine cooler and then opened a bottle of wine my friend brought.  I really hadn't planned on drinking but it was good!  I had a great time and a couple of friends stayed around until evening.  I am blessed by the people in my life.

I hope you all see that I am not entirely a gloomy gus.  Thank you as always for your support.

 

Karen

I can totally relate to the "funk" you've been in.  

My initial diagnosis (stage 3C) was in 2007.  Surgery and 11 months of chemo later my CA125 was down to 17 and I was "done".  As time wore on I had started to relax and think "Well maybe..."  I always knew the odds were it was going to come back (and in the back of my mind I kept myself prepared for that) - but there was always that possibility that it wouldn't. Then, like you, my numbers started creeping up and then finally they doubled and I was going back on chemo.  It was like being hit by a cold bucket of water.  When I was first diagnosed I was like "Ok I'm going to beat this!"  Five years later when I realized I hadn't really beaten it - well that was a hard pill to swallow.  But I swallowed and continued the journey -like I had an option? - LOL

There are some things that are just out of our control.  And this is one of them.  But I do believe that spirit and attitude can go a long way to getting us through this!  So keep getting up every day, cook dinner for and spend time with your friends and do nice things for yourself and for others.   I think those are the types of things that can add time to our lives - and for sure make the time we do have a lot more fun and enriching!  

kikz said:

Thank you, Miley

and I totally agree with everything you say.  I was just thinking today...it has been almost a year since my numbers began to increase but with the help of Tamoxifen my current number is not too much higher than before I started taking the drug, even though the Tamoxifen stopped lowering my count in November.  I have had no physical symptoms so my life has not changed.  It is my mental and emotional health that has taken a hit. 

I am still moving forward and living my life each day.  It just takes a little more effort to get going.  I tend to have the "what's the point" thought sometimes.  I quickly remind myself what the point is.  I am here now and feeling good.  

My pet scan is scheduled for next Tuesday and a follow-up with my oncologist on Wednesday.  I will find out the next course of action.  Hopefully I will put on my big girl panties and tough shirt and fight like I have been the last three years.  I can do no less than my teal sisters.

Thank you all for your constant support.  It makes all the difference.

 

Karen 

 

Oh Karen I too have the "whats the point syndrome"!  It creeps into everything - exercise, deciding how to spend or not spend money and sometimes just getting out of bed - LOL! We are all going to have down days and a pitty party on occasion - which I think is completely ok - just as long as we don't stay there!  

A quick funny (sort of) story - before I went back on chemo for the first time I tried tamoxifen.  After being on it a few weeks I called my doctor and told the nurse "I am having some side effects with the tamoxifen.  I want to kill people."  Which of course was an exageration and sort of a joke - but not totally!  It was like hyperactive, over the top PMS!  I was miserable (and so was my husband - had no idea I had that much estrogen left to supress).  So they put me on effexor to try to help keep me from - well - killing people!  Unfortunatelly I had pretty much every side effect listed for that drug - everything from severe weakness/fatigue right down to chronic yawning of all things!  But turns out the tamoxifen was not having any positive effect on my tumor marker so, I gladly quit taking both!

Good luck with your PEET scan and keep us posted.