Stage IV UPSC Survivor Checking In...All Good

Hi Ladies!  I just wanted to check in, let you all know I hold you in thought daily, and that after my latest labs/chemo, my CA125 is down to 10 which supports last month's CT scan which showed spots on my liver completely gone, lymph nodes back to normal, and nothing new or suspicious!!  Yay!!  Just want to keep spreading hope for my fellow fighters.  I know it gets discouraging sometimes, but don't lose hope!!  It took me two and half years and multiple treatment plans to get to this point.  (Just to refresh for any new ladies...Diagnosed in Jan, '14.  Major hysterectomy, chemo, and radiation (brachytheraphy).  Recurrence 4 months later (after 6 mo. of carboplatin-paclitaxel); went on Doxil next which I had a massive reaction to and had to stop.  They wanted me to go on doxirubicon next and I said no.  Requested Avastin as a single agent.  Not typical, but my oncologist agreed.   I also added a naturopathic oncologist who consults with a clinic in Germany.  They have me on supplements and mistletoe injections 3x a week).  Progress was slow, but about 4 months ago, it was evident things were turning around.  My CA125 kept falling and CT scans showed everything shrinking.    I am also on Metformin, which may be helping as well, but I think that may be because Avastin and Metformin work well together.  I am beginning to see a lot of documentation on that.  I am diabetic so have been on Metformin for years.  It did not seem to make a difference while on the cytotoxic drugs (carboplatin/doxil), but Avastin, Metformin, the Mistletoe, and supplements I am on all seem to work by keeping the cancer cells from forming blood vessels and then they die off.  It is a bit slower apprpoach, but easier to tolerate, and hopefully more permanent.  No way to be sure, but my theory is that getting hit from so many directions may have done the trick.

My oncologists say my tests are all normal now, so after my next round of chemo I am going to take a break for six weeks.  We agreed that backing away slowly and monitoring is the best approach for now.  We may even consider a long term maintenance schedule to just keep everything at bay.  Just wanted to check in, say Hi, say there is always hope...I'm proof.  I feel fine.  Watch my diet.  I'm careful, but not fanatic.  Exercise a lot.  Focus a lot of energy on just staying healthy and happy.  Best wishes to all!  - Helen