recurring ovarian cancer

[Careylyn]

I am going to begin my 2nd round of chemotherapy on May 1, as my CA125 elevated quickly from the middle of January to the middle of March.  Presently, I am taking some time for myself, travelling and getting closer in touch with my spiritual side.  I dread the thought of returning to chemo;  the ugliness of it all.  I want to remain strong atleast through this summer.  My hair has only just started to grow after 18 wks of the 1st rd of chemo (ended the last week of December);  now I will begin on Topotecan.  From all I read, it appears that even this little fuzz of hair I have had grow out, will fall out.  I am sad about that.  My question is who can tell me about Topotecan side effects they have experienced, and who out there decided against any further chemo...quality of life seems so much more imortant than to extend a life where one cannot do anything.  I am a positive person all of my life.  I am not afraid of the future, as I am very spiritual....I just would like answers to what might be the best route.  I believe I already have made up my mind that I will not go through a 3rd round of chemo...if it comes to that...unless this 2nd round shows to be tolerable.  Hmmm.  Thank you for any and all input.  I will be 57 years old, later this month...and was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, Stage III B, on August 26, 2005.

[Tandy]

I have just finished topotecan, six treatments.  I can say of all the treatments I have had this one was easiest, after the first one.   I was terribly sick with the first treatment but my specialist sorted that out with a sick pill called epeterant, I think.    It appears to have been successful for me but I am about to start radiatherapy for enlarged lymph nodes in my neck.   You will feel tired but bear with it and you'll come out the end.   I hope it works well for you and there are lots of other treatments out there if it doesn't.  Take all the help you can get with grace and the Lord will help you I am sure.

[Terrin2]

If you don't mind me asking - how low was your ca125 when you finished your first round of chemo?  I am also DX with OVCA 3c.
Will finish my first round this week.   Also, how was the scan after the first round of chemo?

[Careylyn]

After finishing my 6th chemo of the 1st round in Dec, I had CT scans,x-rays, blood work done Jan 10...3 wks exactly from my last treatment.  My CA125 was 10.  My CT scans & x-rays were clear.  My gynocological/oncologist suggested a PET scan would be one more sure method to try to see if there was even the minutest of anything in there...so I had the PET scan done at the end of January.  That, too, showed clear.  All fall, I had been in touch with a Clinical Trial Study, for the drug OVAREX,which helps with the CA125.  It was at a different hospital than where I live, and the facilitator for the trial study, checked with me each month of the 18 wks of my 1st rd of chemo, to be certain my CA125 was dropping.  It was.  So...once I got the OK from my oncologist that the PET scan, CT scans, and CA125 were clear... I went for my intial meeting to see if I qualify for the study.  At this hospital, I began the tests for them (another set of blood, ct scans, x-rays)...within a week, I got a call back from the study group, because my CA125 numbers were up to 37.  Hmm, they suggested, perhaps I could come in one more time, just to see if it was different equipment...measure of error, etc.  so I went in again only 6 days later...my CA125 then went up to 39.  Consequently, I did not qualify for the study.  The study group sent all my tests to my oncologist;  she had me come in for a blood test...my CA125 was at 34.  so...that brings me to your answer.  As I said in my 1st post, I am putting off the 2nd rd of chemo (Topotecan) until May 1, as I am enjoying this bit of time off from severe chemo side effects.