reoccurence so soon

[sarajefferson]

Hello Everyone,
I love this site, it is so interesting to hear all the amazing stories.  My mother was diagnosed with stage 3c ovca on Aug. 18th 2008. She had the full surgery and debulking, 6 rounds of chemo. Her CA125 had been 5 then 22 now 103 after 3 months off her first chemo.  I know this is not good news. They did a CT and found a small spot in pelvis and a enlarged lymph node by her liver.  We meet with Dr. on Monday. Has anyone had a simliar experience since my mother, 60 yrs old has not even had the diagnosis for a year I would love to hear some encouragment from others. Is this the end, does chemo not work for her? PLEASE HELP

[crecco]

sarajefferson,
   Unfortunately, when it gets in the later stages, that seems to be normal for ovarian cancer. Even with surgery and the standard chemo, those little buggers just do not want to go away. But that does not mean the end is near as everyone has told you. I was diagnosed in Nov 05, had 8 rounds of chemo, then surgery in June 06. Then I was put on maintenance chemo. But by Nov06 it was back. that is when I was put on Doxil. Since then I have been on several different drugs. Enough that I have to stop and think now to remember all of them. But I am still here and doing good. I have no large tumors, just a few lesions in the liver and some enlarged lymph nodes. So far the Dr has been able to basically keep my disease under control. At stage IV, that isabout the best that I can hope for. So do not give up yet. It sounds like your mom is doing fine.
    Chris

[Oregondaughter]

Just read the posts. It is certainly not the end, there are many different chemo cocktails that could help your mom.  My mom was dianosed with ovca a year ago today and never hit remission.  The lowest number she got was 90 and it has been heading up ever since.  She has been on chemo since post surgery.  She had a hard time with Doxil, moved to Gemzar, and may be moving Avastin next week.  It is certainly a rollercoaster and I totally know how you feel.  I also have three kids and my mom has always been a super active involved grandma.  I just love her so much and it is so hard for her and all of us to go through this.  It is totally scary and hard because the future is so unknown.  I know that I haven't posted anything helpful, but I just wanted you to know that I understand what you are going through and am prayerful that the Doxil will be a great tool for remission for your mom.  Hang in there!

Denyc

[sarajefferson]

Thank you to everyone who took time to post! My mom meet with her dr today, she decided to put her on Doxil, which does not sound like it will be too bad.  I have had a very bad day, very depressed I am 30 with 3 youung children.  My mom has been taking care of them while my husband and I work. She feels great but she is my whole world and I am so worried about the future! Dr said their was one small area in her pelvis and mult. lymph nodes that were enlarged. Hope Doxil does the trick!  I wonder why some of you were put on Topotecann? Again thank you all for the encouragment, it is nice I am not alone! =)

[Michele3592]

I was diagnosed and had total hysterectomy and debulking of 2/26/08.  I did the 6 rounds of carb/taxol and then had one round of taxol consolidation and decided it wasn't for me so I stopped in October of 08.  By Feb. 09 I had my first check up and they found a quarter sized tumor and a few cells hanging out by my spleen and liver.  So I had to start another round and this time was Doxil.  My CA 125 went from 90 to 61 and when I went for my 4th treatment and had the pelvic exam they found the tumor increased a bit.  So they gave me the 4th round of Doxil anyway.  I go for a cat scan on 6/15 and then will find out what's going on.  I don't know what they will put me on next but do you know if any other of the drugs, even the one you were on, did you lose your hair again?   I know the fatigue and constipation are usually always there with this stuff but the hair loss is what I don't want again.  That was very traumatic for me.   What is going to kill this disease?   Chemo after chemo makes me worry about my good cells and wonder if it will ever be stopped?   I hope they find something really great very soon.
Hope you are well.   Michele

[jane65]

Hi,
The ladies of course are right, and when you meet with Mom's oncologist on Monday, he'll discuss a new chemo treatment for her. Don't lose hope!

After 6 rounds of carbo/taxol (4 months), I had a short remission of only 3-4 months and then my CA125 began climbing again. A CT scan showed the cancer in a few lymph nodes.

I then started on Topotecan for 10 months, and it worked wonderfully. Now my CA125 began climbing a few points every month, for  the past 3 months, my oncologist said it has finally stopped working. It was an easy chemo, just some fatigue, blood values dropping, (but then going back up), and constipation, (Miralax and Colace work well).

My latest CT scan was clear, but my oncologist said the CA shows the cancer is still there and must be treated.
In a few weeks I'll be starting Gemzar/Avastin. My oncologist says there are loads of chemo drugs for OVCA, and new ones being approved, so don't ever give up!

I hope your Mom is feeling ok now, aside from the disappointment and stress you're both going through.

Please let us know what the doctor says on Monday, write down your questions, and get copies of all Mom's test results including blood tests.

Tell Mom we're all behind her,
Jane

[bohan54]

My dx was 6/2008, cancer confirmed to have recurred on 3/2009 by biopsy.  Currently on Topotecann chemo, 1 a week times 3 with one week off.  It takes 3 of these sessions to see if it is working.  I am also going for a second opinion at the top rated facility in my area.  
Managing Topo has not been too bad compared to Carbo/Taxol.  Minimal nausea but major constipation.  Fatigue level is cumulative.  It is managable, just hope it keeps me stable, basically remission now seems to be off the table.
Best wishes to your mom.

[junamgen]

Sorry about your mother's reccurance.  It is definitelly not the end, just the first line of chemo (my guess is carbo and or taxel) was not working for her, or you can say her cancer is becaming resistan to the first line of chemo after 6 cycles, but there are second, third and fouth line out there which may work on her.  It is too, too early to loss hope.  Please be strong for her, be more educated about the desease.  We all here to help each other traving on this difficult journey.

Peace and Love

jun