My results on Topotecan and New Picture

JulieL
JulieL Member Posts: 141
in Peritoneal Cancer #1

I have now had results of my CA125 after the first round of Topotecan and unfortunately not great - up another 97 points to 423!   So disappointing!!   However this week I have had a further 3 infusions and in two weeks will have another test.  I am hopeful I will start to see a downward trend at the end of this cycle.  Does anyone else have experience of an initial spike on this chemo followed by a decline?   Otherwise I am tolerating it quite well.  Nausea under control, some increased neuropathy in my feet and fatigue - pretty much the usual.  So far my hair is OK but I have noticed more loose ones over the last couple of days so am hoping it may just be a little thinning!

I have posted a new pic showing my hair after 12 months growth - I am enjoying it but quite happy to lose it if it does the job!!

Julie

Comments

  • stella65
    stella65 Member Posts: 152
    #2
    You look fab!!

    Wow Julie you are looking great, your hair is lovely but I also thought it suited you well when it was short and spikey!!  I have to say your beautiful smile is what I see when I look at you so hair doesn't matter anyway.  Glad you are tolerating the chemo well, I hope your next results will be what you hope for

    SueX

  • PatsieD
    PatsieD Member Posts: 99
    #3
    You

    Hi Julie .. You look so well ... Hang in there.. I've known people here to have a delayed response . Xx

  • Nflinchum
    Nflinchum Member Posts: 75
    #4
    Hi

    Your hair looks great. It is long. Mine has been growing since June an it is only 3 inches long. Sorry bout your CAs  I had some explorortary  surgery today. Mine are up too. The dr found 4 small tumors close To my liver. He biosped them and done an adobo menial wash out. I was supposed have my incisional hernia repaired but couldn't that since he found tumors. It is never ending and you are always playing a waiting game. You take care and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

  • seatown
    seatown Member Posts: 261 Member
    #5
    Looking Good!

    You look GREAT!  Sorry to hear about your CA125 numbers.  I've never been on most of the meds that you've mentioned, but the only time my CA125 spiked up was soon after I started on Carbo/Taxol last July. At the time, I asked my oncologist why.  Can't quote him exactly, but it was something like "cancer cells are expending their last little bits of energy before being vanquished."  He was right -- since then, my CA 125 # has steadily declined, even when I was told to expect a probable spike upwards.  Hope that turns out to be the case for you with this drug. At my last test (a month ago?) my CA125 # was 19 -- will learn next week what the lastest test showed.  

    The new photo with all your beautiful hair gives me hope.  I'm trying not to obsess about my baldness, but I am getting tired of it this 2nd time around, especially here in the heat of the Arizona summer when I still feel obliged to wear some kind of head covering. Some people look fine bald -- I just look scary!  Particularly with an outbreak of folliculitis, when my whole head was covered with -- well, best not to say what my head was covered with.  Not pretty!  

    Will have my fingers crossed for a good number for you! Best always, and thanks for sharing.

  • JulieL
    JulieL Member Posts: 141
    #6
    seatown said:

    Looking Good!

    You look GREAT!  Sorry to hear about your CA125 numbers.  I've never been on most of the meds that you've mentioned, but the only time my CA125 spiked up was soon after I started on Carbo/Taxol last July. At the time, I asked my oncologist why.  Can't quote him exactly, but it was something like "cancer cells are expending their last little bits of energy before being vanquished."  He was right -- since then, my CA 125 # has steadily declined, even when I was told to expect a probable spike upwards.  Hope that turns out to be the case for you with this drug. At my last test (a month ago?) my CA125 # was 19 -- will learn next week what the lastest test showed.  

    The new photo with all your beautiful hair gives me hope.  I'm trying not to obsess about my baldness, but I am getting tired of it this 2nd time around, especially here in the heat of the Arizona summer when I still feel obliged to wear some kind of head covering. Some people look fine bald -- I just look scary!  Particularly with an outbreak of folliculitis, when my whole head was covered with -- well, best not to say what my head was covered with.  Not pretty!  

    Will have my fingers crossed for a good number for you! Best always, and thanks for sharing.

    Thank you Girls

    So appreciate your support everyone.  You are all such a strenngth to me.     

    I like the sound of that near quote Carole!   Sounds like it could make sense!  I'm sure you don't look scary bald!!  Don't be so tough on yourself beautiful lady!   Great last CA125 and all the best for the upcoming one.

    Nflinchum - I do hope you get a good result with the biopsy and washout and make a speedy recovery.   My prayers are with you.

    JulieL

  • Nflinchum
    Nflinchum Member Posts: 75
    #7
    JulieL said:

    Thank you Girls

    So appreciate your support everyone.  You are all such a strenngth to me.     

    I like the sound of that near quote Carole!   Sounds like it could make sense!  I'm sure you don't look scary bald!!  Don't be so tough on yourself beautiful lady!   Great last CA125 and all the best for the upcoming one.

    Nflinchum - I do hope you get a good result with the biopsy and washout and make a speedy recovery.   My prayers are with you.

    JulieL

    Good and bad news

    Hi Julie

    i got my results from the dr today. The good news is the biopsies of the 4 spots they found on the ligament close to the liver were benign. The bad news was the abdominal wash out had cancer cells in it. Well the good thing I stayed in remission for nine months. Looks like the options are more chemo now or wait till the cancer grows more then have chemo. So here thought I was one of the lucky ones. Cancer is definitely a never ending battle. I am strong and I will fight like a girl. Thanks for the prayers Julie. I hope you are doing ok.

  • dorothymarion
    dorothymarion Member Posts: 28
    #8
    Nflinchum said:

    Good and bad news

    Hi Julie

    i got my results from the dr today. The good news is the biopsies of the 4 spots they found on the ligament close to the liver were benign. The bad news was the abdominal wash out had cancer cells in it. Well the good thing I stayed in remission for nine months. Looks like the options are more chemo now or wait till the cancer grows more then have chemo. So here thought I was one of the lucky ones. Cancer is definitely a never ending battle. I am strong and I will fight like a girl. Thanks for the prayers Julie. I hope you are doing ok.

    Julie - you look great!  Your

    Julie - you look great!  Your positive attitude will help you through this. 

    Carole, I echo Julie's sentiment.  I'm sure you don't look scary bald! I've lost my hair again too on this current chemo (Taxol), but it's low on my list of priorities, and I save on shampoos, conditioners, etc.  Besides, it gave me an excuse to go wig shopping again! Wink

    Nflinchum, I'm sorry to hear your latest update, but you are so right.  Fight like a girl!  It IS a never ending battle, but it's one we have to fight.  I know I'm not giving up any time soon.  Good luck with your upcoming treatments. 

    Dorothy

  • Nflinchum
    Nflinchum Member Posts: 75
    #9
    dorothymarion said:

    Julie - you look great!  Your

    Julie - you look great!  Your positive attitude will help you through this. 

    Carole, I echo Julie's sentiment.  I'm sure you don't look scary bald! I've lost my hair again too on this current chemo (Taxol), but it's low on my list of priorities, and I save on shampoos, conditioners, etc.  Besides, it gave me an excuse to go wig shopping again! Wink

    Nflinchum, I'm sorry to hear your latest update, but you are so right.  Fight like a girl!  It IS a never ending battle, but it's one we have to fight.  I know I'm not giving up any time soon.  Good luck with your upcoming treatments. 

    Dorothy

    Thanks!

    Thank you so much Dorothy. I am not giving up either but it is tough isn't it?  You have to be positive and hope for the best. Thanks again.

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