Question for Sandy (Green50)

green50 said:

Hi Liz
I had Taxol and Carbo Platnum the first time after my hysterectomy. That was every 3 weeks 6 treatments. Lasted about 4 months. Then I had a 17 month break. Count went up again and then I had taxitere and carbo 6 treatments. I became allergic to carbo so just did taxitere. then had a year break count went up. Then avastin and gemzar(sp?) then topatecan gemazar didnt work good. Had maybe 6 month break. then doxil, 4 months, then taxitere again and then the etopiside pills because they didnt want me to have any more taxitere 6 rounds of it is enough then I believe i had 3 month break. then went to taxitere again then they stopped me for a trial drug which found my tumors weren't big enough if you can believe that. They had to be 2 centimeters. When they got to be that the trial drug had problems so they tried topatecan again a little more agressively didnt work so found out that slow drip of carbo platnum worked desensitizing me so that was I wasnt allergic to it. It was a 7 hour drip. It worked great for 8 months dropping as much as 3000 at a time then last Dec I wanted a break and he took count and it was up so I took 2 months off and now on Etopiside drip. I go 3 days in a row then have 3 weeks off. I have a high (CA) count which is protein and that determines if you cancer is growing or your getting more cancer cells not necessarily tumors growing. MIne was 18040! After a round of chemo its 17917 which is only a drop of 123. But sometimes it takes a couple rounds before it drops good. Normal CA125 count is 0-35 but if I could get below 100 I would be satisfied. My tumors are size of end of finger except one is 2 fingers wide at spleen all in lymphnodes and I only get tired. As long as count is going down cancer is being destroyed. The only other thing about the CA125 count is that other things can cause it to go up like other things wrong with your body, appendix or your other organs thats why they have been trying to come up with ovarian count only but FDA hasnt approved yet and CA125 is the best we have now. Hope some of this helped. I know some of these other ladies have helped me. Only went in hospital once to retry carbo platnum stayed over night didnt have any more problems so just went once a month for the 7 hour drip. So no havent had to go in hospital. Hope this all makes sense had chemo and a little chemo brained today. LOl
Prayers and Hugs
Sandy

green50 said:

Thanks Kris
Easier? mm I don't know if you can say easier but knowing I wake up everyday and talk to my sons on the phone is a good thing and as chemo goes thru its cycles I know I will have some days I can do things. When they say count is going up I will say well what chemo now should we try? Try to pick the less of the bad stuff but sometimes you have to go with the strong chemo. The one I am on now isnt as bad as taxitere or taxol. Gives me a achy weakness but I have a good week usually before I go back again and count came down some after 1st round I will know about this second round next time. I guess you just make your duty to go through it knowing there will be a cure. My count goes down and my tumors are small. I try to think of it as someone with diabetes, they control it with insulin I control mine with chemo. I am blessed more then others, I can eat with no problem LOL and I have good nurses and a good dr. My family and friends don't entirely understand but they help me. And the greatest thing of all is the people on CSN who are encouraging. You get tired of being tired but those days I try to find things to do in sitting, computer or going thru pictures or sitting outside. I guess we all do what we can and try to be positive. I am so happy I found this site. I hope all is well with you and if I sound emotional this chemo does that.LOL
Prayers and Hugs
Sandy

green50 said:

Thanks Dreamdove
People like you keep me positive. And of course God keeps me strong. I pray you beat it. It sounds like you have. Don't worry about it coming back live like it won't. I fight for my sons as well as myself. I refuse tell let it take me. Somedays when I feel achy and weak its hard. But I look at those who still take chemo after 14 years. The cure or the med that will keep it in control with no side effects is on the way. BonnieR is another fighter and I am thankful for some of her advice as well as others. Some days I may sound down but then when the better days come around I am thankful. Thanks again for your message.
Prayers and Hugs
Sandy