Doctors Report Help Please

[ladyjogger31]

Hi Ladies. I just returned from my appt.with my Gyn/Onc. I've been so upset about my ct scan results. My Onc where I live read them and said it looks like a tumor. Well, when I went to see my Gyn/onc he said it looks to be a cyst. He did not seem concerned.He did a pelvic exam and felt nothing. I was thrilled. He still wants me to do more chemo. :(  My ca 125 is at 50.6 and I have had non stop chemo since April of last year. He said he would give me low doses of Gemzar or Topotecan.Has any one been on them and how do they work, he said 3 weeks on 1 week off. I asked him if I will ever see remission, he said No. That really upset me. He said if I need a break he would give me one. Has anyone been on chemo non-stop? Was anyone ever told they will never see remission? Will lose my hair again? Anything help would be appreciated. I know you ladies will help me out; you’re always there for me. Thank God I have you.I pray everyday for a CURE for all of us fighting this disease.

Hugs, Prayers and Love, Terry

[ladyjogger31]

Thanks everyone, I couldn't make in though this if I didn't have a support group like you ladies, I know your here for me as I am here for you. I just hate this disease. I pray for a CURE for us everyday.We are all teal warriors fighting this together.
hugs and Prayers, and Love, Terry

[abrite]

Hi Terry,
It is so hard to think that remissions for recurrent OVCA are not likely.  I do know one women who had chemo for a recurrence and has been cancer free for more than 10 years. It does happen but it is very rare. But who is to say it cannot happen for one of us?!

I have been on chemo nonstop since July 2007. I was on monthly Doxil for 9 of those months and have been on a clinical trial of weekly taxol and AMG 386 since April 2008....I have just completed 48 consecutive weekly treatments. While it is not the life I would choose, I am greatful to still have an acceptable quality of life. I am able to work full time and enjoy some of my favorite hobbies such as hiking etc. I do have fatigue and neuropathy but have kind of learned to live with and work around them. I hope that your new chemo works well for you and that you will be able to do the things you enjoy. In the meantime, keep coming here for encouragment and support. We all need each other.
Big hugs to you!

[abbysu]

So sorry to hear about your situation.  This is a little bit different, but my dad has pancreatic cancer and has been through eleven treatments of Gemzar.  I am assuming the  drug side effects would be similar, regardless of the cancer being targeted.  My dad's side effects have been, in my opinion, fairly moderate.  He has flu-like symptoms (headache, pressure behind the eyes, chills, etc.) for 3-4 days after his treatment.  However, I would say that the amount of time he spends incapacitated in comparison to the amount of time he spends being active and doing the things he enjoys is relatively minute. He started out doing 3 weeks on 1 week off at full dose, but over time they have dose-reduced.  First he went from 3:1 to 2 weeks on, 1 week off.  Then they reduced the amount of drug he was receiving, still 2 weeks on, 1 week off.  I don't know if you have the flexibility to do this with this disease, but I think that also helped my dad a little bit.  Currently, my dad is taking a break from chemo, although he has been given no hope of remission (avg. lifespan after diagnosis with pancreatic cancer is 6-18 months).  He is taking a break, not because the side effects were unbearable or anything, but for personal reasons.  I think he could have continued easily for as long as the drug would continue to help him.  My dad's hair thinned out a little bit, but he did not lose it all by any means.  I know they said at the outset that there would be no hair loss, so he could be a rare case too, I don't know.  As I said, I know this situation is very different than my dad's, but I hope maybe there is some helpful info here?  Another question...are you pleased with your doctors?  It sounds like you might not feel like you are getting everything you need/want from the doctors you are currently seeing.  I would just encourage you to "shop around" if you are not satisfied...we did this with my dad--after his diagnosis was MAILED to us by his first doctor and we could not get a hold of the office for more than 3 weeks, we began to look other places for help-- and have ended up with a wonderful, compassionate doctor.  We especially felt that it was important to find a doctor that could give us encouragement even in the face of a very hopeless diagnosis.  I pray you get some clarity and peace!  Good luck!

[JC145]

I want to know why the he** they don't take out the "whatever" and be done with it.  What if the "whatever" (cyst, tumor) is causing the CA to stay at 50+.  If that is all the CT scan shows, I would want it out .. they can probably do it laporscopically (sp).

Enough of my ranting .. good luck with everything .. but I would ask about removal.

Judy

[jane65]

Hi Terry, I understand how upset you are and I feel so bad for you. Yesterday my oncologist also told me that he doesn't expect me to have a remission, and it upset and depressed me, I so much wanted a break. I've been on Topo. since the beginning of June, it's not a bad chemo. I get 7mg, IV three weeks on, and one week off. My hair has thinned, but it still covers my head and grows, constipation is controlled with Miralax, and Colace. (Those companies should send all of us coupons!), the fatigue is not as bad as carbo/taxol was, and my hemoglobin goes down with each treament and I get an Aranesp shot once a month. I also take Slow Fe iron, over the counter.

the night of chemo, i take a Zofran to prevent n/v,  and a sleeping pill because the pre chemo drugs I get iv to prevent nausea, vomiing, or an allergic reaction, keep me too hopped up to sleep.
The Topo. has prevented the cancer from spreading, but hasn't killed all of it, so we're not going to stop treatments. My CA125 has dropped steadily, too.
.
I truly know how you feel, I feel the same, but it's a decision we have no choice in. We know this is a chronic disease that we must, just keep fighting any way we can.
Hang in there kid, you know you have lots of caring support here.
We'll all get through this thing together!
Hugs and warm thoughts..... Jane