what to do now? What if taxol also fails

[saabera]

i was operated for ovarian cancer in jan.2004. Taxol+carbplatin were used for chemo. it ended in july 2004. ca125 was 4 in October 2004. In jan 2005 it began rising. in May2005, it exeeded 35. Ct scan revealed the one of the lymph nodes involved. then the lymph nodes increased in number. I was operated in august 2005 to investigate the disease in the nodes. i think that was unnecassary.i was a known cancer patient.in Nov. 2005 chemo with carboplatin began. 9  cycles were given. CA 125 reached 10 from 78 before the chemo. later on it continued rising. one course of  Vepicid was given. due to its unavailability Lestat was started but cuold not be continued as i began having temprature. the in   Nov.2007 two chemos were give of Doxil. Again it was stopped due to it nonavailability. CA 125 was 62. again it reached the level of 107. then 7 cemos of Gemzar were given in the beginning of 2008. Gemzar gave apositive response after 3 chemos but failed after next 4 chemos. now CA 125 is more then 164. Taxol is planned to be tried. It seems i donot have any options now . I am active, looking healthy, teach psychology at university level, feel hopelessness and helplessness. what do now? there mild fluids in cavities, liver is slightly affected and the nodes has increased insize, two of them becoming 2cm long. Dr. Saabera Sultana          

[Moirapaoletti]

Hi Sabeera! What a wonderful name you have!

As you said, you still feel ok and healphy so....don't give up!
My mother, 68 is also struggling against this disease and the most important thing is to try, try, try, change therapies....
Try to have a look here

http://ovariancancer.jhmi.edu/recurrentqa.cfm

I pray for you and all women here!!!

Moira

[withe]

Where are you ? Why are the drugs you mentioned unavailable ?  In 2006, I had weekly taxol for 10 months. It is now 2008 and I have undergone many different chemos since. So, don't give up there are many chemo treatment options out there. Withe

[Cindy809]

Saabera ... From your history it sounds like the carbo/taxol worked and brought your CA125 down.  They have used a few single agent chemos.  Gemzar worked for you for a short time.  Ask if the combination of Gemzar and Carbo together could be tried.  I don't know a lot about the combinations of chemotherapy.  I only know from my own experience.  Single agent chemos work for some and not others.  Is it possible for them to try and get Doxil?  Did you have IP chemo or IV?  I agree with abrite and ask Dr. Goodman.  Are you in the USA?  Hope this helps...Cindy

[abrite]

I encourage you to post this on the Ask An Expert Forum. Dr. Goodman is very helpful and is extremely knowledgeable about treatment options.