Clinical Trial vs. standard chemo

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Deb2009
Deb2009 Member Posts: 14
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I found out yesterday that the treatments I have been receiving consisting of Paclitaxel & Cisplatin didn't work. After four treatments my CA125 went down to 21. After treatments 5 & 6 it began to rise. It's now at 44. Dr. wants to change the treatment. I had surgery in March and had hoped the first treatment choice would put me into remission. I have two choices now....I can do a standard treatment consisting of Doxel & Avastin every 4 weeks or participate in a clinical trial consisting of Docetaxel plus VEGF Trap. Has anyone else not had success with the first treatment type but went into remission with a different treatment? Also have any of you participated in a clinical trail? I'm so confused and worried at the same time. I had such high hopes of being cured or at least going into remission so that I can finish raising my wonderful 12 year old twins.

Any help is appreciated.

Debbie

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  • Deb2009
    Deb2009 Member Posts: 14
    #2
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    Can anyone help?
    ????
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #3
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    I am so sorry
    I would ask for the treatment that the oncologist thinks would work the best for your type cancer cell. I am on The Doxel plus carboplatin now that I have come out of remission. I have just started it so I do not have results yet. I did take the anti estrogen "Femara" for 10 months that slowed the rise in CA125 so you might ask about that too. That allowed me a longer remission time so to speak. Don't know about the VEGF trap so I guess that is the trial??? Saundra
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #4
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    which one?????
    Hi Debbie, I have had avastin but with cytoxan and I have doxil but by itself. I agree with Saundra about talking it over with your oncology team, I know for me prayer really helps and then I choose. I have never second guessed myself and one never knows for sure if one is better or not. I do not know anything about the vegf but the avastin did work to destroy some of my tumor growth and that was when we didn't think anything was going to help anymore. So many prayers for guidance for you and prayers for you to be here for your 12 year old twins for a long long time. Hugs Bonnie
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #5
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    treatment options
    Dear Debbie,

    I have 11 year old twins and an 18 year old and can very much relate to your passion to stay alive to raise you kids. It sounds like the doc is giving you a choice as to what to do. That is good, but at the same time can feel like pressure when there are so many options out there.

    In June I was faced with a decision as to continue chemo or stop and switch or stop altogether. My numbers were low but not "normal range" for me. (I had a 2nd debulk surgery and 6 cycles of cisplatin/gemzar.) I was confused and worried. After getting three doc's opinions (all three different) I took time to pray and listen to my body. I chose to take a break for the summer. I am glad I did that. Now after getting results from my scans this week, I will proceed forward. I probably will be doing doxil and something too.

    The problem with cancer is that there is no formula for any type of cancer or for any one person. For me, as I proceed to each step, it becomes more clear that I will not live that much longer and dealing with that is my issue. At the same time, there are wonderful examples like Bonnie who have never seen remission but continued to be on chemo for 6 years. Bottom line, God is the one who decides how long we will live, and I have come to have much more peace about that. It has been a process, believe me.

    I wish you the best as you decide what to do. Stay strong and focussed.

    Wishing you the very best.
    Hugs and prayers,
    kathleen:)
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #6
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    kayandok said:

    treatment options
    Dear Debbie,

    I have 11 year old twins and an 18 year old and can very much relate to your passion to stay alive to raise you kids. It sounds like the doc is giving you a choice as to what to do. That is good, but at the same time can feel like pressure when there are so many options out there.

    In June I was faced with a decision as to continue chemo or stop and switch or stop altogether. My numbers were low but not "normal range" for me. (I had a 2nd debulk surgery and 6 cycles of cisplatin/gemzar.) I was confused and worried. After getting three doc's opinions (all three different) I took time to pray and listen to my body. I chose to take a break for the summer. I am glad I did that. Now after getting results from my scans this week, I will proceed forward. I probably will be doing doxil and something too.

    The problem with cancer is that there is no formula for any type of cancer or for any one person. For me, as I proceed to each step, it becomes more clear that I will not live that much longer and dealing with that is my issue. At the same time, there are wonderful examples like Bonnie who have never seen remission but continued to be on chemo for 6 years. Bottom line, God is the one who decides how long we will live, and I have come to have much more peace about that. It has been a process, believe me.

    I wish you the best as you decide what to do. Stay strong and focussed.

    Wishing you the very best.
    Hugs and prayers,
    kathleen:)

    Peace
    Dearest Kathleen,

    I am so sorry your ctscan shows it is time for chemo again. :-(

    But, I am so glad to read the peace you have found ~ what a gift from God you have let him give you, one that can never be taken away. The peace and promises will carry you through and know that your clarity of not living much longer may actually be longer than you can imagine. :-) We are still amazed at times that I am still here.

    Hugs ♥ Prayers ♥ Much Love

    Bonnie
  • Linn1
    Linn1 Member Posts: 47
    #7
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    Clinical trial
    I am currently in a clincial trial at Univ. of Chicago, a phase 1, which is fairly risky. The chemo is TMZ along with the experimental drug ( a PARP inhibitor) thru Abbott Labs. I am a stage IV survivor, 50 years old, 9 months out of the major debulking and hysterectomy before it returned to my lymph nodes and abdominal region. I am 1 of 36 people in the country trying this. I do know it is at the end of phase 1, in several months they (docs) are discussing a phase II trial which would be safer in that the first round of lab rats(me) would have tested the drugs. Have you looked into National Cancer Institute for info.?? That is a huge webiste full of information. I don't (personally) know much about the American Cancer Treatment Centers of America...would that be worth your time. They recently posted an article about a vaccine for stage 4 ovarian patients, but you had to switch all your care to them???

    I agree with others, rally your medical team and try to get all the options explained along with the risks and then go back, regroup and try to think thru your best decision.

    You are in my thoughts and prayers.
  • Deb2009
    Deb2009 Member Posts: 14
    #8
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    Thanks to you all
    I'm so glad I found this site. You ladies are AWESOME!!!! It's a comfort to know that I'm not alone in this battle. Thank you all for your words of encouragement.

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