STAGE 1A

[lindaca76]

i'm from Indonesia. I got surgery last week. Left ovary removed cause of malignant cyst & right ovary have to been removed too although it was just benign cyct. then my womb got removed cause of benign endometriocyst. Doctors said, they removed those to avoid the malignant reoccurs again & to save my life. My CA-125 blood test is 59.5 (not normal).Doctors said I must do 6 times Chemotherapy every 3 weeks, after that I could continue my life free. Is it correct treatment for 1a stage? No choice? No alternative treatment? How about herb medicines? Could I consume herb such as "water kefir"/japanese crystal algae while I do chemo? If my doctors didn't remove my right ovary & my womb, will it be a risk? Cause since I knew I have no womb, I feel "not perfect"
Thanks

[lindaca76]

Buddy, i heard wrong, not 1A, but 1C, seemed there was a little malignant cell spilled in abdomen when cyst removed. Thanks for encouraging me, I can handle chemo, hope first week of march 2011, i begin it. My doctor said  okay when I consume natural herb such as Sour sop leave/annona muricata,thyponiumflagelliforme extract & morindacitrifolia fruit. It helps to combat cancer cell, I  also consume multivitamins, proteins & antioxidants to keep my immune stable, eat much vegetables & fruits, avoid stress. I'm glad to hear you pass well the  "rough months" 8 1/2 years ago. You're wonderful woman

[shewrites]

I had the standard -- carbo/taxol -- first-line chemo.  The others you named seem to be used for recurrences.  

My last chemo was in October and I stopped using the wig about February/March -- but my hair was very short and curly then.  I know I had a haircut in April to even it out and learn how to handle the curls.  I think it took a year, and a bit more length, before the curls became waves and then went away.  

I think it's Doxil that can increase the CA125 before it lowers it.  I don't know if others do that or not, but I know that carbo/taxol didn't do that to me.  

[lindaca76]

thanks for sharing it. may i know what kind of chemo u took? gemza,avastin, docetaxe, doxil, carbo/taxotere or..???  I heard some chemo could increase CA. after last session of chemo, how long i could get my hair back ? keep in touch ok

[shewrites]

I'm also a 1A, nine years since diagnosis and eight-and-a-half years since I completed chemo.  

I think your doctors are doing the same things my doctor did.  I had a full hysterectomy, including removal of my appendix and my omentum.  I also had six sessions of chemo.  I think they were 4 weeks apart, which isn't the way it seems to be done now.  My CA-125 results went down to single digits after the first chemo and are still there today.  The doctor is so confident that I have had only one CT scan since my surgery.  I still see him regularly, because he says that the chances I will have a recurrence are very, very low -- but not zero.  

You can handle chemo.  The doctor can give you drugs that prevent nausea and constripation, two common side effects of chemo.  You'll lose your hair, and it might come back curly at first, but it will come back.  If the doctor gives you steroids, try to get some exercise to build up your muscles and feel better when the chemo is over.  

I'd encourage you to follow our doctor's plans.  Don't do alternative treatments unless the doctor approves them for use while you do chemo.   Be grateful that you can look forward to a long, healthy life.  Good luck and keep in touch.