what now

[Conquerer]

brief  stage 3B estrogen positive  surgery two years ago   chemo IV taxotere  IP cisplatine  and one week later IP taxol  form 2nd roung ca 125 5  has been 1 to three for 20 months.  What is out there now in trials to boost immune system  also I was braca 1.  we can't just me in limbo   I would go any where.  I have a great diet from an oncologist in chicago and suppliment but there has to be somethinge  else.  also how often should I have a scan  by last one was a month after chemo.  Please some guidance.  I am also on Arimidex.  thank you

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi Conquerer,
donot worry about misspelled words. Thank you for your important questions.
ok the easy question- how often to scan and examine.

There is a standard follow up protocol in gyn oncology:
after completion of therapy:
checkup with pelvic exams every 3months for year one
                                        every 4 months for year two
                                        every 6 months for years three ot five
after five years, some doctors continue to follow every 6 months, others go to once a year check.

in addition to exams, CA 125 blood test is checked at each visit
I usually do a full panel of labs and a CT scan once a year. I also do a breast check once a year plus other health maintenance screening such as mammogram yearly, colonoscopy every 5 years, bone density testing every 2-3 years.

There are some doctors who do more xrays. There are some doctors who only order scans if the CA 125 goes up.

There are some patients who are so low risk for recurrence that one would only check once a year. There are other patients who are so sick that I see them once a month.

As far as strategies for a healthy life, it sounds like you are on a good program. Arimidex makes sense.  In addition , some people add acupuncture to imporve their quality of life. Others do yoga.  I love the choice that Norman Cousins made which was to focus of laughter and happiness to boost his immune system
best wishes

link to Norman Cousin's book or Google anatomy of an illness by norman cousins

http://books.google.com/books?id=5RT_Zir78BoC&dq=anatomy+of+an+illness+by+norman+cousins&pg=PP1&ots=dLkTWJoabu&sig=XQQCsL0NLfkXaJx30y-x8EODkn4&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA29,M1

[Conquerer]

Dear Doctor
I know there were many miss spelled words on my questions but I typed very fast because three times I missed getting on because I wrote to slow.  I am so anxious because everyone around me said this is when my body will fail and I will relapse.  I know it sounds crazy but I was just hoping you might have your finger on some program that works for woman in remission, maybe a stage 11 trial or something.  Hope to hear from you soon.  Also how often and what type of scans should I have.
Thank you