Mums chemo appt results - advice

[Ang80]

Mum saw the chemo team today and I wondered if you could help.

1) Mum had OVCA stage 3 March 2005, reoccured Nov 2007 CA125 60, down to 16 after 2 treatments, now her CA125 is 26 BUT when the blood was taken mum was suffering from a serious chest infection which required her to stay in hospital, would this have caused the CA125 rise?

2) Mum also had the results of her scan which was taken after the 3rd chemo and it shows the liver tumour has shrunk and the pelvic areas which were causing concern were no longer visible.
The Dr wants mum to have full scan at the end of her chemo treatment including her neck and head, is this normal at the end of treatment as I am panicking about this.

As mum has had a reaction to the carboplatin they are not stopping the treatment they are increasing the infusion time to 2 hours. As mum missed her 4th carboplatin we were concerned but the Dr said that as she is doing so well she doesn't think missing one bag of carbo will matter.

I know its alot of questions for you all but advice and opinions would be very much appricated, as I don't know whether to be pleased or concerned.

Thanks

[msjazz]

Ps  I had a carbo reaction 2 weeks ago, the dr. said no more for me. I asked the nurses about that and they said the only way the dr. would do it would be at the hospital on a 24 hr. . drip, in a setting where a nurse would be monitering me the whole time. (?). I have heard of just doing slower drips but that seemed extreme. She is probably going to add something else, will know tomorrow.

[msjazz]

I am on chemo 3 1/2 tomorrow for recurrence. I have not had a Ct this time since surgery in Oct, where I had pain from intestinal blockage. I have actually requested a head to ab ct for tomorrow, and they are going to do one. I just want peace of mind how things are.Last yr, I had a ct several times during treatment, I guess since my cancer was not visible this time is why they haven.t done one. Maybe I worry too much now about aches and headaches.    donna

[PF_PVD]

After my first-line carbo/taxotere treatment, I had a PET/CT and a contrast CT of abdomen, pelivis, chest and head.  I'm sure it depends on the stage, the location of the cancer--we're all unique and hard to compare to each other.  What worried me is my onc wanted me to do monthly follow-ups--both appointments and CA125 tests--when I thought the normal was three months.  However, at stage iv and as long as insurance will pay for it, I can "live" with that.  Best wishes for your Mum's chemo and results.

Also, I believe infections can cause a rise in CA125 levels.

Paula