how is everyone doing?

rockchicksurvivor
rockchicksurvivor Member Posts: 45
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Just wanted to stop in to say hi, how are you to everyone?! How is treatment going etc? I have not been feeling too well lately but I will be ok. :) hugs to all

Comments

  • kymm
    kymm Member Posts: 1
    #2
    New to this
    i'm sorry you're not feelin' well. i'm tired as usual but the laundry has to be done ya know.Just bought a computer so i am new to all of this. Big hug back and hope tomorrow is better
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #3
    feeling ok
    Im just had my 4th infusion of Doxil. I'm feeling ok. Really can't complain much about the side effects. ca125 is coming down.
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #4
    kymm said:

    New to this
    i'm sorry you're not feelin' well. i'm tired as usual but the laundry has to be done ya know.Just bought a computer so i am new to all of this. Big hug back and hope tomorrow is better

    Kymm
    Hi Kymm,
    Welcome to the board. I read your history and we have a similar story and a similar age range and diagnosed about the same time too.
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #5
    kymm said:

    New to this
    i'm sorry you're not feelin' well. i'm tired as usual but the laundry has to be done ya know.Just bought a computer so i am new to all of this. Big hug back and hope tomorrow is better

    I saw my chemo oncologist today for a heart-to-heart.
    My chemo oncologist and gynecologic oncologist both had different ideas on what I should do about the conflicting indicators of my higher-than-normal CA-125 (42.5) and clear CT/PET scan. So today my chemo-onc requested that I stop in so that we could make a decision and come up with a treatment plan. It was an interesting discussion. We decided that I will continue on my chemo break for at least another month. (I've already had 4 weeks off of my weekly chemo so that I could have my CT/PET scan and then meet with both of them.) Our extended plan is that I will just be monitored throughout the spring. So on April 8th I will have another CA-125 taken. If it stays in the mid-40's range and doesn't go up, we'll use that as my 'new normal' since that'll mean that number stayed steady without chemo. If it goes up into the 50's or higher, I will try an oral chemo: tamoxifan, which has often brought down CA-125 even in cancers that are not hormone receptive like UPSC.

    In order to get tamoxifan (or is it tamoxifaM ??) covered by my insurance, my chemo-oncologist has asked me to get my tissue slides from the hospital where I had my hysterectomy/debulking surgery. They want to do ER and PR stains on my old tissue to see if hormone-based treatments might be an option for me in the future. I was told that it is easier and faster for me to get my slides personally than for the clinic to get them. (easier for the DOCTOR anyway!! ha!) So I am to call the pathologist at Hershey Medical and get my slides and tissue for then at Geisinger. I can't believe that they never got them BEFORE!! I guess I always assumed they had my slides and not just my pathology reports.

    Anyway, what all this means is that, even if my CA-125 goes up, I will be able to plan a vacation with my husband. (If I'm on tamoxifan, I can just take those pills along.) We are looking at a 9-day cruise to St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, and the eastern Caribbean. I found a GREAT deal and we could drive to the port (near NYC) in NJ and board the shipthere, and wouldn't even have to fly!

    If I have another full-blown recurrence, we'll probably do carbo/taxol again first, saving Doxil for a backup for trouble down the road.

    Then when we get back in June, I'll have another CA-125 and another CT-PET if my CA-125 is rising or I have an recurrence symptom. (The only reason I'm even considering tamoxifan as an interim chemo is because of that swollen lymoh node I had in my arm pit that lit up on my November PET/CT scan, in such close proximity to my boobs that a breast-cancer preventer sounds attractive to me.)

    Any thoughts, from you ladies that took tamoxifan for breast cancer?? I may never go on it, but I want to be informed since it is being talked about for me.
  • Barbara53
    Barbara53 Member Posts: 652
    #6
    lindaprocopio said:

    I saw my chemo oncologist today for a heart-to-heart.
    My chemo oncologist and gynecologic oncologist both had different ideas on what I should do about the conflicting indicators of my higher-than-normal CA-125 (42.5) and clear CT/PET scan. So today my chemo-onc requested that I stop in so that we could make a decision and come up with a treatment plan. It was an interesting discussion. We decided that I will continue on my chemo break for at least another month. (I've already had 4 weeks off of my weekly chemo so that I could have my CT/PET scan and then meet with both of them.) Our extended plan is that I will just be monitored throughout the spring. So on April 8th I will have another CA-125 taken. If it stays in the mid-40's range and doesn't go up, we'll use that as my 'new normal' since that'll mean that number stayed steady without chemo. If it goes up into the 50's or higher, I will try an oral chemo: tamoxifan, which has often brought down CA-125 even in cancers that are not hormone receptive like UPSC.

    In order to get tamoxifan (or is it tamoxifaM ??) covered by my insurance, my chemo-oncologist has asked me to get my tissue slides from the hospital where I had my hysterectomy/debulking surgery. They want to do ER and PR stains on my old tissue to see if hormone-based treatments might be an option for me in the future. I was told that it is easier and faster for me to get my slides personally than for the clinic to get them. (easier for the DOCTOR anyway!! ha!) So I am to call the pathologist at Hershey Medical and get my slides and tissue for then at Geisinger. I can't believe that they never got them BEFORE!! I guess I always assumed they had my slides and not just my pathology reports.

    Anyway, what all this means is that, even if my CA-125 goes up, I will be able to plan a vacation with my husband. (If I'm on tamoxifan, I can just take those pills along.) We are looking at a 9-day cruise to St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, and the eastern Caribbean. I found a GREAT deal and we could drive to the port (near NYC) in NJ and board the shipthere, and wouldn't even have to fly!

    If I have another full-blown recurrence, we'll probably do carbo/taxol again first, saving Doxil for a backup for trouble down the road.

    Then when we get back in June, I'll have another CA-125 and another CT-PET if my CA-125 is rising or I have an recurrence symptom. (The only reason I'm even considering tamoxifan as an interim chemo is because of that swollen lymoh node I had in my arm pit that lit up on my November PET/CT scan, in such close proximity to my boobs that a breast-cancer preventer sounds attractive to me.)

    Any thoughts, from you ladies that took tamoxifan for breast cancer?? I may never go on it, but I want to be informed since it is being talked about for me.

    a tamoxifen report
    Linda,

    My Mom has been on Tamoxifen since September with no side effects. Perhaps hair growth that's a bit enthusiastic in some places, but after no hair any hair is welcome, right? Her CA125 has stayed low for her, below 45. Clinically she is chemo resistant because it never went below 25.

    I could be mistaken, but I think Tamoxifen is more of an estrogen depressor than chemo. Stops cells from dividing that need estrogen as part of their deal, as with OVCA and breast cancers. One study that seemed well done showed an efficacy period lasting from 4-11 months. Maybe you will need a longer cruise.

    And y'know, breast cancer sometimes mets to ovaries, but OVCA almost never ever mets to breast. So there's one tiny thing to feel lucky about.
  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #7
    Hi Rockchicksurvivor
    I have just had chemo # 5 with just one more to go. It has been tough this time and I am on day 6 and just started to feel A LITTLE BIT like my old self. I think each treatment gets progressively worse as the chemo is building up. But I only have one more to go fingers crossed.

    Where abouts are you in your treatment?

    Tina xxxx
  • zinaida
    zinaida Member Posts: 221
    #8
    Tina Brown said:

    Hi Rockchicksurvivor
    I have just had chemo # 5 with just one more to go. It has been tough this time and I am on day 6 and just started to feel A LITTLE BIT like my old self. I think each treatment gets progressively worse as the chemo is building up. But I only have one more to go fingers crossed.

    Where abouts are you in your treatment?

    Tina xxxx

    I am on half way of my
    I am on half way of my chemo treatments, 3 done and 3 more to go (carbopl.+gemzar). PET/CT scan on March,8 was clear, 5 spots gone from January,5 PET/CT scan. CA-125 down from 800 to 37,7. March,16 I will start chemo #4. With best wishes to all you< ladies, Zina.
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #9
    lindaprocopio said:

    I saw my chemo oncologist today for a heart-to-heart.
    My chemo oncologist and gynecologic oncologist both had different ideas on what I should do about the conflicting indicators of my higher-than-normal CA-125 (42.5) and clear CT/PET scan. So today my chemo-onc requested that I stop in so that we could make a decision and come up with a treatment plan. It was an interesting discussion. We decided that I will continue on my chemo break for at least another month. (I've already had 4 weeks off of my weekly chemo so that I could have my CT/PET scan and then meet with both of them.) Our extended plan is that I will just be monitored throughout the spring. So on April 8th I will have another CA-125 taken. If it stays in the mid-40's range and doesn't go up, we'll use that as my 'new normal' since that'll mean that number stayed steady without chemo. If it goes up into the 50's or higher, I will try an oral chemo: tamoxifan, which has often brought down CA-125 even in cancers that are not hormone receptive like UPSC.

    In order to get tamoxifan (or is it tamoxifaM ??) covered by my insurance, my chemo-oncologist has asked me to get my tissue slides from the hospital where I had my hysterectomy/debulking surgery. They want to do ER and PR stains on my old tissue to see if hormone-based treatments might be an option for me in the future. I was told that it is easier and faster for me to get my slides personally than for the clinic to get them. (easier for the DOCTOR anyway!! ha!) So I am to call the pathologist at Hershey Medical and get my slides and tissue for then at Geisinger. I can't believe that they never got them BEFORE!! I guess I always assumed they had my slides and not just my pathology reports.

    Anyway, what all this means is that, even if my CA-125 goes up, I will be able to plan a vacation with my husband. (If I'm on tamoxifan, I can just take those pills along.) We are looking at a 9-day cruise to St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, and the eastern Caribbean. I found a GREAT deal and we could drive to the port (near NYC) in NJ and board the shipthere, and wouldn't even have to fly!

    If I have another full-blown recurrence, we'll probably do carbo/taxol again first, saving Doxil for a backup for trouble down the road.

    Then when we get back in June, I'll have another CA-125 and another CT-PET if my CA-125 is rising or I have an recurrence symptom. (The only reason I'm even considering tamoxifan as an interim chemo is because of that swollen lymoh node I had in my arm pit that lit up on my November PET/CT scan, in such close proximity to my boobs that a breast-cancer preventer sounds attractive to me.)

    Any thoughts, from you ladies that took tamoxifan for breast cancer?? I may never go on it, but I want to be informed since it is being talked about for me.

    Femara
    I took Femara, and anti estrogen pill for 11 months and it held my cancer growth back (CA-125) for about 9 of those and was easy to take. I did have hot flashes a lot but could stand those. That was last year and I am glad for the break from chemo during that time. Glad you are considering the cruise. It's great to carry your bed along with you if you need a nap. Way to go, Linda!!! Saundra
  • Chemo_Princess
    Chemo_Princess Member Posts: 105
    #10
    Tina Brown said:

    Hi Rockchicksurvivor
    I have just had chemo # 5 with just one more to go. It has been tough this time and I am on day 6 and just started to feel A LITTLE BIT like my old self. I think each treatment gets progressively worse as the chemo is building up. But I only have one more to go fingers crossed.

    Where abouts are you in your treatment?

    Tina xxxx

    Tina-I love your new
    Tina-I love your new picture! You are so pretty :-)
  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #11
    Chemo_Princess said:

    Tina-I love your new
    Tina-I love your new picture! You are so pretty :-)

    Thank-you
    Thank-you Chemo_Princess. This is a photo of me just after I was diagnosed. I had my long hair cut short so it wouldn't be such a shock when it all fell out with the chemo.
  • rockchicksurvivor
    rockchicksurvivor Member Posts: 45
    #12
    Tina Brown said:

    Thank-you
    Thank-you Chemo_Princess. This is a photo of me just after I was diagnosed. I had my long hair cut short so it wouldn't be such a shock when it all fell out with the chemo.

    how is everyone
    hey everyone, hope all continues to go well w/everything. I am frustrated and hope things start to look better asap! I wish I could take a vacation!! Have a good weekend! hugs to all ;)

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