One month on...

lindachris
lindachris Member Posts: 173
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
My wife Linda finished up treatment with Cisplatin and Gemzar February 8. The CAT scan proved clear and the chemotherapist leaned over during a followup treatment and said to the doctor, "Her counts normalized after two treatments." Linda had ascites and that disappeared right away, thank God. So now it's checkups, and it does still amaze me there are so few ways to monitor ovarian cancer. Not that any system for cancer diagnosis is foolproof, as we all know. But if anyone has any perspective or suggestions, they are welcome. Linda's CA-125s were non existent on initial diagnosis and treatment. This time round it was the elevation (to 500+) that got our attention and led to surgery and chemo for a small area in her lower abdomen. I guess we go with what we know, then hope and pray for the best.

Comments

  • floridajo
    floridajo Member Posts: 480
    #2
    Lindachris,
    What great news for you both!!! I also have very low ca-125 #'s. Before surgery it was 204. On my 1st recurrence it was 83,and for the 2nd recurrence it was 54. So now that we have seen a trend we know that if my numbers starts to rise there is something cooking and it's time to start other testing like ct scans or PET. I also develope ascites too.There really isn't any magic test,but I wish there was. My Onc will generally let my ca-125 rise until it shows on another test. He'll do a couple of tests,before he puts me through chemo. It really is the only thining he can do. I have stage 3c,but I am a grade 1,so I do not grow masses that get very large quick,so they look for spots. I hope you all go out and celebrate this wonderful news..and try to get back to a normal routine (like that will ever happen), but you know what I mean. CELEBRATE!!!!!! (((hugz)))to you both~~~Joanne
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #3
    What wonderful news to wake up to this morning! And good reason to remember 'This is the Day that the Lord has made - let us REJOICE and be GLAD in it!'

    As you know, there really isn't a whole lot to give us definitive clues that something may be going on. As with Joanne, my red flag has always been a consistent rise in my numbers. Since it can fluctuate all the time, it's when my numbers started to rise and didn't go back down again that my doctor said it's time to go in again, thus more surgery and chemo. So, while the CA125 is not 'written in stone' unfortunately it's just about all I have to go by, never having had any 'physical' symptoms.

    My prayers for continued health for Linda, and peace and joy for the both of you! Celebrate the miracle!

    Monika
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #4
    I celebrate with you. I will pray for a long remission this time. We are going to Costa Rica this month to celebrate my "NED" for 10 days. Planning to do all we can when I feel like it this year. (((HUGS to both of you))) Saundra
  • dorion
    dorion Member Posts: 183
    #5
    Something told me to check the message board this morning, I haven't been here in ages, my bad! How absolutely wonderful!!!! I am so happy to hear about your wife Linda (my name too). I have stage 4 and was diagnosed December 4th (a day I wish I could wipe off the calander). I had no where to turn and was so desperate and I was blessed to find this wonderful website. God Bless you and your beautiful wife and for sharing the good news with us, we can all use a lift! I celebrate with you!
    Linda
  • lady342008
    lady342008 Member Posts: 82
    #6
    I'm totally new at this thing, so forgive me if I don't do something right. If you don't mind my asking how long ago was your wife diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer? Was she having problems with Cysts to start off with? Did she keep you informed right from the beginning or did she wait and let you know when there was time for concern? I have a whole lot of questions, because I'm just now being sent to an oncologist and I don't know what I'm in for and I'm looking for help and LOTS of support. I haven't told my husband, because he gets sick with worry. I wanted to wait until after this appointment to hold off as long as I can. I am talking to a couple people. I think it would be extremely helpful to talk with people I don't know.
    Sorry if I'm rambling, but I'm starting to get freaked out about this whole thing. Thanks for understanding. Awaiting some helpful support.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #7
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  • floridajo
    floridajo Member Posts: 480
    #8
    lady342008 said:

    I'm totally new at this thing, so forgive me if I don't do something right. If you don't mind my asking how long ago was your wife diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer? Was she having problems with Cysts to start off with? Did she keep you informed right from the beginning or did she wait and let you know when there was time for concern? I have a whole lot of questions, because I'm just now being sent to an oncologist and I don't know what I'm in for and I'm looking for help and LOTS of support. I haven't told my husband, because he gets sick with worry. I wanted to wait until after this appointment to hold off as long as I can. I am talking to a couple people. I think it would be extremely helpful to talk with people I don't know.
    Sorry if I'm rambling, but I'm starting to get freaked out about this whole thing. Thanks for understanding. Awaiting some helpful support.

    Lady342008,
    I'm glad to meet you,just wish it was under different circumstances. We have all felt what your feeling right now. I told my husband as soon as I started to hear the words, "suspicious cells" I was dx. in the hospital. of course I knew there was something wrong, when I could feel the water inside of me (called ascites) moving around when I pressed my belly..I just never thought of cancer...so I was totally side blasted. I also had alot of ladies that came with me to the first visits with the Onc...it is a wise decision...they will hear alot more than you will at this point. Make a list of all your questions for the Onc. My Onc told me to stay off the internet because of the bad reports on Ovarian cancer..and you need to stay as positive as you can He was sooo right. Come here to this site and we'll help you through it. Good luck keep us posted...(((hugz)))~~Joanne
  • lady342008
    lady342008 Member Posts: 82
    #9
    floridajo said:

    Lady342008,
    I'm glad to meet you,just wish it was under different circumstances. We have all felt what your feeling right now. I told my husband as soon as I started to hear the words, "suspicious cells" I was dx. in the hospital. of course I knew there was something wrong, when I could feel the water inside of me (called ascites) moving around when I pressed my belly..I just never thought of cancer...so I was totally side blasted. I also had alot of ladies that came with me to the first visits with the Onc...it is a wise decision...they will hear alot more than you will at this point. Make a list of all your questions for the Onc. My Onc told me to stay off the internet because of the bad reports on Ovarian cancer..and you need to stay as positive as you can He was sooo right. Come here to this site and we'll help you through it. Good luck keep us posted...(((hugz)))~~Joanne

    Hey Joanne, I found your first reply to me. Yippee... I'm learning as I go and always love to learn new things. :-D

    THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOO MUCH for all this I truly appreciate it. I have the one friend here that knows about my oncology appt that wants to go with me. I know what you mean that they can hear things we may not. I don't know how I'll do on that day. I have a bunch of questions for the Oncologist. This may be a stupid question to some, but I've been told the only stupid question is a question not asked. With that said...... Is it the GYN oncologist that actually does the surgeries, or a regular surgeon does them???
    Once I know what's what I'll tell my husband. He's got enough on him now as work as completely changed due to it being slow and now finances are real low at this time. This situation with me won't help matters. We DO have insurance, so I'm VERY THANKFUL for that. But, even with insurance and all the regular bills with the pay change will be challenging. That's the least of my concerns at this point. Just wanting to learn all I can and should learn prior to my appointment on March 13th.
    Hope everyone is doing well. :-) GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
  • lindachris
    lindachris Member Posts: 173
    #10
    lady342008 said:

    Hey Joanne, I found your first reply to me. Yippee... I'm learning as I go and always love to learn new things. :-D

    THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOO MUCH for all this I truly appreciate it. I have the one friend here that knows about my oncology appt that wants to go with me. I know what you mean that they can hear things we may not. I don't know how I'll do on that day. I have a bunch of questions for the Oncologist. This may be a stupid question to some, but I've been told the only stupid question is a question not asked. With that said...... Is it the GYN oncologist that actually does the surgeries, or a regular surgeon does them???
    Once I know what's what I'll tell my husband. He's got enough on him now as work as completely changed due to it being slow and now finances are real low at this time. This situation with me won't help matters. We DO have insurance, so I'm VERY THANKFUL for that. But, even with insurance and all the regular bills with the pay change will be challenging. That's the least of my concerns at this point. Just wanting to learn all I can and should learn prior to my appointment on March 13th.
    Hope everyone is doing well. :-) GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!

    I replied on your other thread, but I just recommend going into this focused on a cure. With insurance, you should be okay but somehow the money stuff tends to happen somehow. Don't forget to mention your circumstance to your hospital. Many (especially faith-based hospitals) have provisions to help if you're going through financial challenges. You need to focus on doing what you need to do to get healthy.
  • lady342008
    lady342008 Member Posts: 82
    #11
    lindachris said:

    I replied on your other thread, but I just recommend going into this focused on a cure. With insurance, you should be okay but somehow the money stuff tends to happen somehow. Don't forget to mention your circumstance to your hospital. Many (especially faith-based hospitals) have provisions to help if you're going through financial challenges. You need to focus on doing what you need to do to get healthy.

    THANK YOU CHRIS. You ALL are so awesome!!! Have a great day EVERYONE....... :-D

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