CA.125 Results after first cycle of C.M.F.

[Helmar]

Greetings all... as I said I would, this is just to let you all know that I've just finished my first cycle of C.M.F. and have the CA.125 numbers after the first month. Unfortunately it's not the 'silver bullet' that I was hoping for, as my CA.125 has risen by 20. Now.. that's not much in my big picture, as in the past, I've had it go up by hundreds, so I'm fairly happy with this, although another drop would have been more comforting. I told the Oncol. that he could go and fire his silver bullets at someone else now..*laugh*... but we've decided to press on with  it, and see how it goes after this next cycle, which I started today. One good thing about this combo though,there's been absolutely no sign of nausea, although my Oncol. thought I may have it with this combo. I don't generally get nausea with the chemos, so I was a little concerned with his comment, but it didn't happen.My appetite has remained really good, and although I had a little tiredeness after the IVs (2)..I've been feeling much more like my 'old self' in the past couple of weeks. I did, however, get one mouth ulcer, but not a big one, and that's almost healed now. I may get another... but I can live with it, if this is all I'll get in the way of side affects. I'm rather hoping that the numbers may drop after the next treatment. Will keep you all informed. At least at 310... it's much better than the 7500 I had recently, so it's still within 'striking distance'... and yes.. I'm quite happy with that, but still envy you girls with your 10s and 20s. :-)
I hope everyone is doing well, feeling good, and hopefully enjoying some nice weather where you are. We've had it cold down here, as it's Winter... but no snow where I live, thankfully.:-)
Have a great weekend all.....Helen...

[Donnie Girl's Mommy]

Hi Helmar

I see you had a combo chemo treatment.  I was curious if this is the same treatment I will be receiving.  I had two power ports installed yesterday.  One under my collarbone, the other in the stomach cavity.   I will go into the hospital on July 3 to begin the first cycle of chemo.  They will keep me in the hospital for 8-9 days for each treatment.  Every 3 to 4 weeks I will return to hospital for another 8-9 days.   It's my understanding they will rotate my body so the chemo that is in the stomach will saturate all areas of the stomach.   I heartened by the news that you are not experiencing any side-effects.  I was told I will be very sick (too sick to come home) and will certainly lose my hair.

Take care and as always my prayers are for all of you ... every day.

Dee

[Conquerer]

Ladies,  I just finished 8 rounds of chem in power ports.  I had one in the collar area and one in the belly.  I had taxetere in the IV and Cisplatin in the belly follwed by taxol in the belly eight days later.  I was not in the hospital but did have to roll to let the chemo get everywhere. Between sessions was 3 weeks.

This is what i found  The first treatment in the belly was the worse,  They inflate it with so much fluid and it just didn't like it.  But like it or not every day i got up and walked what ever I could.  The second thing I learned that the IP drugs by day 4 made me dehydrated which leads to nausea, I would go to my Doc and they would give me fluids which took away 80% of the hard feeling.  But again everyday I would try to walk a little bit further.  Even if you are in the hospital don't just lie in your bed, with help get up a walk some.

With the drugs I got my CA down to 1.4  it was 2.2 last week after being off for 3 months.  Only time will tell how successful it was but my Doc said it was like trowing the kitchen sink at the cancer so I hope and pray the cancer hated the kitchen sink.

Hope this helps,  if more questions feel free to ask.  Been there and back and better for it

[rmarie]

Stupid question what combo is C.M.F.?  A 300 is better than a 7000, and you can't envy my pre-op 3.9 cause my CA 125 does not go up.  After 2 rounds of doxil it is at an all time high of 28, down from 44.  Glad to hear you have no nausea, I am on carboplatin and doxil and cannot say the same.  Keep the faith, thinking of you.  

[Kimchi]

Rmarie...just googled the same question and found this: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=4197#general

Conquerer, happy for you that your numbers are low...hope that cancer didn't like the kitchen sink too.
Helman,  congrats on completing your first course of cmf...those numbers are good compared to previous ones.  Very happy for you...Have a great weekend

[Helmar]

Hi Dee... I think you are probably having the IP chemo, which is different to what I'm having. Two of  my 3 are given by injection, but through the IV and the third is by tablets. I know a couple of women down here who have had IP and yes, the Cisplatin made them very ill....but hopefully it will give you remission. Best of luck with it, and let's know how you go.

Thankyou to those who responded. I appreciate your good thoughts.

Here is a site which explains what I'm on at the moment... I'm on Schedule A.  
It's very easy to take... this combination, and I've got to hope for a better result next time around. Can't have this CA.125 going up by 20 each time... the next thing I'll be looking at 1000... and I don't want to go there again. :-)

http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Treatments/Chemotherapy/Combinationregimen/CMF


Wishing everyone a great weekend...Helen...

[Donnie Girl's Mommy]

Hi Helmar

I can't sleep.   It's 3:20 a.m. and seem to be getting more nervous as the days go by.   I haven't learned all the chemo terminology, but sure I will by this time next month.  It sounds like my chemo will be different than yours because it will be administered through the port in the collarbone and directly into the stomach cavity.   My CA 125 level was only 163.5 which sounds relatively low compared to most of the gals on this posting.   this site has been a life saver ... Take care and God Bless ...      Dee

[Helmar]

Hi again Dee... Gee, 3.20am and still awake.... that's not good to be worrying like that. Try not to get too engrossed in all of this, as it does run it's course. It sounds like you will be having the IP chemo.. one lot IV and the other through the port into the abdomen. I believe it's very effective and you should get some good results. I couldn't have that, as the Surgeons here wouldn't operate on me again, because my cancer is 'seeded' and they said they couldn't get it all, and by operating to put the port in, could cause me more damage.
When do you start the chemo? Stay in touch and let us know how it's going... and I hope it works out really well for you.
Thinking of you... and try and get some sleep. :-)....Hugs...Helen...

[freshair]

Hi Helen,

That stinks that the CMF didn't make you numbers go down. But maybe a few more times you'll start to see results. Sorry to hear you had the mouth sores. I haven't had one but felt like I was about to when I was on Doxil. Use a gentle toothpaste. I used the baking soda one (Toms). Most likely you are doing that.

Best of luck to you and yes I envy those women with their 10s and 20s!

On another note isn't it something when women only have to worry about their figures and what diet they should be on.

Oh how I wish.

This is a scary week for me. I get my CA125, brain MRI results and Cat scan results. See my Gyn/Onc Thursday. I have taken time off because I needed it, wanted to enjoy my spring, and want to know the Brain scan results first. Risky yes but the wrong chemo is risky also. I just got back from visiting my daughter in Florida. It was a good week so now for the testing fun. It is what it is.

On your down days, watch some funny movies. I just watched "Hitch." Good movie. Take care and be well,
Helen

[Helmar]

Hi Helen... good to hear from you, and good luck with your scan results on Thursday. Please let us know how you go with them.
Yes.. the rise of 20 wasn't what I wanted with the new chemo, but from my past history 20 is a drop in my big bucket. The CA.125 is now 310...after the 20, so compared with 7500 in December, I shouldn't complain. :-) I go for the next infusion on Friday.. and finish the pills on Sunday, then have two wonderful weeks off. Those two weeks go the fastest though.
I hope you are getting some good weather there, and enjoying it.
I look forward to hearing some good news from you come Thursday.
Sending you lots of happy hugs... and good luck ones too.....Helen....:-)

[Donnie Girl's Mommy]

Hi Helen & Katie

My computer has been down for a few days and felt lost without being able to visit the site.

I will be going in the hospital on July 3rd to begin the first round of chemo and should return home July 11th or 12th, then back in on July 24th for another 8 or 9 days.   I have stage 3 OV/CA that affected the ovaries, omentum and bowels. I've fully recovered from the operation (removal of ovaries, omentum and bowel reconstruction), but still have a lot of pain starting under the right rib cage down through the pelvic area.   Doctor seems to think it's from the bowel reconstruction and advised me to mix some Fleet with 7-UP to relieve the constipation.  That it did, but pain persists. I had another CA 125 last week and should find out the results tomorrow.

Katie, Dr. Kevin Elliott in Carmichael was my surgeon and Dr. S. Reddy (Sutter Roseville Hospital) is my oncologist.  Did you check into Social Security, Medicare and Disability?     A great place to start is to call 800 434-0222.  I found this number in the "2007 Medicare & You" government handbook.  It's a free Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP), and It was the best call I've ever made.  After my appointment last week, in my hometown (Yuba City), I left there feeling I knew exactly what Supplemental Insurance and Drug (Part D) programs I should sign up for.  The best thing about this program is they are able give you advise based on your individual situation and by you just turning 65, you cannot be turned down for supplemental insurance.  I was concerned about pre-existing conditions, but that didn't play into it at all.  The counselor told me she wished more people knew about this service that is free for the asking.   Good luck and hope to hear from you soon.   I will let you know how my first round of chemo goes.    

Hugs and Prayers,  Dee