do chemo or not

[munchyrue]

Last Sept. I became ill and in the process of testing they also found a tumor on my left ovary so it was removed when I had surgery for my other problem. It came back positive for cancer. Just before the surgery my CA 125 count was 12. Four months later I had a hysterectomy. Just before that surgery my CA 125 test was 10. No additional cancer was found. The other day my CA 125 count had dropped to 6.  My doctor wants me to do chemo
and I really do not think it is necessary. I will see the chemo doctor next week and I feel that he will also advise me to do chemo. I do not know if I would trust him because he already thinks chemo is a good idea or he would not be
a doctor with speciality. What do you think I should do. Right now I am at the point where I think I can just monitor my condition by using the CA 125 factors.

[helenl89]

get all the info you can on your cancer, and what type of chemo they will use.For me stage 2 ovc with clear cell, had no choice.  i think back now and it was worth the months of being uncomfortable. It is doable

[SonyaJoA]

Just be sure you do your homework and get an many opinions as it takes for you to be comfortable with your decision.  It's my understanding that chemo is always recommended for clear cell.  So if that is the case, there is probably no question if you should do it.

I wish you lots of luck with whatever you choose to do.  I haven't started chemo yet. I should start in just a couple weeks. I was really hoping that I would have the choice of taking it or not.  I was diagnosed stage 3C so I don't really have a choice. (at least not one that could have a favorable outcome)

I'm on another website (http://www.inspire.com/groups/ovarian-cancer-national-alliance/) where I've read several stories from women who have chosen to not have the chemo.  There are a lot of women who have the same question as you.  Good luck with it.

[coogeegirl]

I totally agree with Angie your oncologist must have a reason for recommending Chemo. I was stage 1 ovarian endometriod cancer and I was recommend to undergo chemo as well which was devastating to hear but a necessary thing to do.

I previously had uterine cancer and had a hysterectomy leaving in one ovary with no further treatment which was a decision everyone was happy with including my oncologist due to the early diagnosis and the stage of the cancer it was also a stage one. 18 months later I had my second primary cancer which needed both chemotherapy and radiation to treat.

Please don't put yourself in the situation of would of could of should of especially when you are dealing with a life threatening illness.  Chemo is not easy but it is do able.

I wish you all the very best of luck.

Jenny

One more thing please do not think that your CA125 test is enough to monitor whether your cancer is back, you can have a low CA125 result and still have active cancer in your body.

[shewrites]

I was diagnosed 1A but my doctor, being aggressive, recommended chemo.  I'm still here eight years later, and the doctor -- who promised me a cure -- is confident that I will not have a reoccurrence.  After reading this forum for a couple of years, I'm glad I took my doctor's advice.  Better to be safe than sorry.  

ALSO:  You have no evidence that the CA-125 will warn you that you have a problem.  If I read your post correctly, you had a 12 before the surgery where they discovered the cancer.  So it provided no warning at all.  I wouldn't trust a test that's never given you any indication of cancer to protect you.  CT scans don't show anything until the cancer is well-established, and you don't want to do them too frequently, either.  

Also, a recurrence will not occur in your ovaries, uterus, or any of the items that were removed during the hysterectomy.  It will reoccur elsewhere and could be more serious than your original cancer.  Take the chemo and hope that you won't reoccur.  

Nobody is excited about doing chemo and losing their hair, which I thought was the worst part.  But chemo is do-able.  Doctors give their patients a drug regimen that avoids the nausea/vomiting that we all fear.  Don't be afraid to try it.  

[silver&gold]

I would   be very wary indeed of making any hasty decisions about skipping chemo if it has been recommended .  You need more information about the type and grade of the cancer , I was stage 1A  and  grade 2-3   and was strongly advised to have chemo as I had Clear cell type OVCA.
Just a few tiny  cancer cells left behind after surgery , invisible to the naked eye are all it takes for the cancer to come back. Chemo kills these cells and gives you a much better chance of no reccurance  especially in early stage cancer.
Please  find out  why your Oncologist wants you to have chemo before you consider  declining it.  
Let us know how you get on and good luck.

Best wishes
Angie

[SonyaJoA]

It's certainly a difficult decision, but I think I'm with you. I would probably skip the chemo for now.  Did they tell you what stage the cancer was?  Or the grade? Did you get a copy of the pathology report?
If you think the cancer is gone and you're stage 1 or 2, I would skip it.

Good luck!