Floridajo and Paula2

lizper
lizper Member Posts: 199
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi there, I was reading your posts on recurrences and since you both have taken Tamoxifen I wanted to know how it works and when it´s administrated. Do you take it during chemo or after chemo so have a better chance of a recurrence? My Mom had Cisplatin and Gemzar after 1st chemo(8 months), Oral Femara, 3cycles of Avastin which didn´t work so was immediately changed to Caelyx and is about to get her 4th cycle but worries me ahe is still having abdominal pain. What other chemos are down the road after these??? The last PET Scan(February)showed that cancer had spread mainly to lymp glands, how bad is this, has any of you had it there or anyone you know of??? Is it still possitive to still maintaine cancer for some time? Thank you for you help and sharing your stories. Prayers for you both. Liz

Comments

  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #2
    Hope
    The stories of the ladies on this site testify to the FACT that it is possible to maintain the status quo for a long period of time. The fact is that usually not all of the cells are killed and are apt to grow back in the future. Changing drugs beats it down for some and not for others. The abdomen is full of lymph nodes and there are too many to remove all of them in surgery.

    I will choose to do the best I can with what I get while I can. There are lots of drugs to try and combinations to try. Liz, have you learned to take each day as a blessing and not worry about the future? Place your trust in a higher power and enjoy the peace of today. Your positive attitude could be the best medicine your mother can ever have. That and the joy of your children that I am sure she has.
  • floridajo
    floridajo Member Posts: 480
    #3
    Lizper
    I have not been on Tamoxifen yet. My onc has just sent out my cells that were collected during my latest paracentisis. If I am ER+ than after I finish my next 8-9 cycles of Navelbine I will then start on the Tamoxifen in an attempt to extend my remission times. This latest remission was only 3 months. Tamoxifen can come in pill form. I'm not sure if it would be given the same time as chemo or after she has finished. I will be trying Navelbine this time,I didn't see that on her list..what about Topotecan,taxol,taxotere or carboplatin?? You must give Doxil more time to work. I went through all 6 cycles without a drop in my ca-125,but 30 days after my last infusion it dropped and then my ca-125 dropped again 90 days later. Have you talked to the Dr about the abd pains?? I will keep your Mom in prayer..(((hugz)))~~~Joanne
  • paula2
    paula2 Member Posts: 162
    #4
    floridajo said:

    Lizper
    I have not been on Tamoxifen yet. My onc has just sent out my cells that were collected during my latest paracentisis. If I am ER+ than after I finish my next 8-9 cycles of Navelbine I will then start on the Tamoxifen in an attempt to extend my remission times. This latest remission was only 3 months. Tamoxifen can come in pill form. I'm not sure if it would be given the same time as chemo or after she has finished. I will be trying Navelbine this time,I didn't see that on her list..what about Topotecan,taxol,taxotere or carboplatin?? You must give Doxil more time to work. I went through all 6 cycles without a drop in my ca-125,but 30 days after my last infusion it dropped and then my ca-125 dropped again 90 days later. Have you talked to the Dr about the abd pains?? I will keep your Mom in prayer..(((hugz)))~~~Joanne

    Tamoxifen
    Used this drug, orally and with the greatest of ease, for first recurrence. It gave me 6 glorious months of freedom. Not much in the way of side effects, aside from a boost in menopausal symptoms like insomnia.
    That was over 3 years ago and I've tried another 5 or 6 therapies, each having it's good and bad points, none lasting more that 6 months. I am grateful for each new day, and pray for another drug that will take away the cancer. My last ditch effort will probably be Taxotere, given in small weekly doses, starting next week. My numbers are going up a hundred points a week..so I don't expect to last long without the therapy.
    My problems are around pain, constipation, and distention of the abdomen. I pray that the Taxatere will lift the tumor burden and give me some more maintenance time. I have so much left to do, I just don't want to let go yet.
    One day at a time. One hour or moment to cherish. I am so fortunate to have made it seven years but still I thought there would be seven more. You just never know, do you?

    Enjoy the time you have, with every fiber of your being. Cherish your time with family and friends. Make memories.

    Prayers and good thoughts your way.
    Paula2

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