3rd recurrence

Hi. I just happened upon this site while looking up info on Doxil. I had breast cancer 18 years ago, no recurrence, home free on that one. In March of 2005 I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Stage 3C and had a hysterectomy . I was on Carboplatin and Pacitaxol for 6 cycles which did the job for me. My CT scans were clear and my Ca125 at 2.

In the spring of 2007, my CA125 climbed to 12- not very high but apparently when my CA125 rises, cancer has returned because a subsequent CT scan, followed by a PET scan, revealed tumors in my pelvis. After exploratory surgery in which the 2 tumors were removed. cancer cells were found under my colon. As it was described to me, it appeared like a mat and the surgeon was unable to remove it. After recovery, I again began chemo with the same 2 agents as before. No one had mentioned the allergic reaction that can occur on the 8th treatment after previous treatment and I ended up in the ER with low blood pressure, touch and go for awhile. So, what to try for the rest of the treatments? My oncologist insisted we go to Cisplatin although I was against it, having researched and spoken with my surgeon. I was told no one had ever had a reaction to all platins, all would be well. It wasn't-another allergic reaction and I finished the last 4 treatments on solely  Taxol. All was ok until February/March of this year.

I had been having pain in my stomach. feeling of fullness which I mentioned to my oncologist at my Feb visit but he dismissed it. I had my CA125 drawn that day and it later came back and had risen from a steady 6.4 where it had been after chemo was done, to 14.6. I questioned the numbers, reminded my oncologist of the events in 2007 but his reply was the numbers were perfectly normal, they could go down, they fluctuate and if he ordered a CT scan, he doubted anything would show up on it.

He went on vacation so I called my regular doctor, described my symptoms and when he asked if, for peace of mind, I wanted him to order the scan, I said yes. The scan revealed  small tumors in my peritoneum which are pressing on my intestine and causing pain, vomiting and inability to eat much but my oncologist, who repeated the CA125 2 days ago because he can't believe such a slight rise signals ovarian cancer again in spite of the fact this is the same scenario of 2 years ago, said that I should get some relief after the first or second treatment with Doxil and that because I have had long remissions (2 years each time) he is confident the Doxil will take care of this recurrence also. I am not so sure this time mainly because I feel so rotten at present.

 

Hi, I'm so sorry that you have been  through so much. Doxil didn't work for me but I have heard good results from other women. My advise is if you do use Doxil please watch out for side affects, they can get real bad especially on your skin. Praying everything works out well for you.

Hugs and Prayers,

Terry

 

On 3/28/2009 ladyjogger31 wrote:

Hi, I'm so sorry that you have been  through so much. Doxil didn't work for me but I have heard good results from other women. My advise is if you do use Doxil please watch out for side affects, they can get real bad especially on your skin. Praying everything works out well for you.

Hugs and Prayers,

Terry

Thanks, Terry. May I ask what treatment has worked for you? How long did treatment with Doxil take? I mean, 2 hours, three? My last chemo took 3 1/2 hours.

I discovered today also, after blaming the pain when wearing my bra on bloating, that I think I may have shingles. Little blisters that resemble chicken pox are on my left side, above my waist. I wonder if you can have chemo if you have the shingles?

Char

 

On 3/28/2009 baxters mom wrote:

Hi. I just happened upon this site while looking up info on Doxil. I had breast cancer 18 years ago, no recurrence, home free on that one. In March of 2005 I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Stage 3C and had a hysterectomy . I was on Carboplatin and Pacitaxol for 6 cycles which did the job for me. My CT scans were clear and my Ca125 at 2.

In the spring of 2007, my CA125 climbed to 12- not very high but apparently when my CA125 rises, cancer has returned because a subsequent CT scan, followed by a PET scan, revealed tumors in my pelvis. After exploratory surgery in which the 2 tumors were removed. cancer cells were found under my colon. As it was described to me, it appeared like a mat and the surgeon was unable to remove it. After recovery, I again began chemo with the same 2 agents as before. No one had mentioned the allergic reaction that can occur on the 8th treatment after previous treatment and I ended up in the ER with low blood pressure, touch and go for awhile. So, what to try for the rest of the treatments? My oncologist insisted we go to Cisplatin although I was against it, having researched and spoken with my surgeon. I was told no one had ever had a reaction to all platins, all would be well. It wasn't-another allergic reaction and I finished the last 4 treatments on solely  Taxol. All was ok until February/March of this year.

I had been having pain in my stomach. feeling of fullness which I mentioned to my oncologist at my Feb visit but he dismissed it. I had my CA125 drawn that day and it later came back and had risen from a steady 6.4 where it had been after chemo was done, to 14.6. I questioned the numbers, reminded my oncologist of the events in 2007 but his reply was the numbers were perfectly normal, they could go down, they fluctuate and if he ordered a CT scan, he doubted anything would show up on it.

He went on vacation so I called my regular doctor, described my symptoms and when he asked if, for peace of mind, I wanted him to order the scan, I said yes. The scan revealed  small tumors in my peritoneum which are pressing on my intestine and causing pain, vomiting and inability to eat much but my oncologist, who repeated the CA125 2 days ago because he can't believe such a slight rise signals ovarian cancer again in spite of the fact this is the same scenario of 2 years ago, said that I should get some relief after the first or second treatment with Doxil and that because I have had long remissions (2 years each time) he is confident the Doxil will take care of this recurrence also. I am not so sure this time mainly because I feel so rotten at present.

 

 

hi! i'm having a bit of a prob myself: clear since july 2006, in jan 2009 my ca crept up from 6, 7, 8, 9, 11!, 11.6, 10.9.....2 ct's later, a have a small growth just under the navel & another between liver&kidney in the back, very hard to reach or see; in fact it' been there since march 2007! but since my ca was so stable, there was never any doubt in my onc's mind it was nothing; now however, since the ca hasnt gone up much he's confident its still nothing! since i havent had a recurrence, no pet for me! i'm not a happy camper! how far do u accept an excellent onc's opinion til u search further? i really trust him but.... wish he'd ordered another ca test for april instead of waiting for may....have no aches or pains, no bloating, no nothing, slight uti that's going away: wish i could calm down but am rather nervous! i'll stop venting now! luv, harriet

Hi Char,

My ca 125 hangs around 40 to 50. I never got it below 34. All my ct scans have been clear up until now. I had 8 treatments of carbo/taxol ca was 40. Then went on 5 treatments of Doxil ca went only to 34 and the went up to 50 so they stopped it. I had a ct scan on March 4th and it showed a little growth, not sure what it is my Gyn/Onc couldn't even feel it, so now I'm going on Gemzar. The rash you are describing could be from Doxil. You can't wear a bra, take hot showers, must be cool ones, can't wear anything that is tight. I used ice packs on my ankles and wrists so I wouldn't get the hand and foot syndrome during infusion which lasted about an hour. I still had a lot of raging rashes and blistering every where else. I used tons of bag balm that can be bought at your local drugstore. I hope I have helped you. Praying that the Doxil works for you.

Hugs, Prayers and love, Terry

Hi Harriet,

I would request that I have a ca 125 taken monthly and have ct scans every 3 months. As you know I went for some other opinions this past week one at Fox Chase in Philadelphia , the I went to Sloan Kettering NYC. They all had told me to make sure and be watched being that my last ct scan showed a little growth. They said to have my ca 125 done and a ct scan down every 3 months. If the growth gets bigger it makes the chemo work harder or it may come resistant to it. I had 3 UTI's and I knew something was wrong, sure enough there was. Sending positive thoughts your way. Oh, I start on Gemzar tomorrow 3 weeks on 1 week off.

Hugs, Prayers and Love, Terry

HI Harriet-

Try to relax. If your CA 125 is still way under 35 I wouldn't be too concerned. Anything may affect that including a UTI. I have quite a few malignant tumors and nodes, but I also have a cyst in my kidney. That could be what is going on with you. If the one thing was there since 2007, I doubt it is anything to be too concerned about  as it would have done SOMETHING in 2 years time. One more month to wait for a new CT will not really make a difference.

I am so sorry to hear that you are dealing with this. I was always so glad that you  were doing so well. Please stay that way!!!

I have another new malignant lesion in my liver and a whole bunch of other stuff that lit up  on my PET. We did our yearly excursion to Puerto Rico and the weather sucked!!!!! It really bothered me because I feel that that may have been our last trip. Doubt I'll be going anywhere next year. Right now I feel good and to see me you would never know I was sick. Crazy huh?????

Please stay calm and let me know what is going on. Love & prayers to you-   Diane T

hi diane! thx for the encouragement! u r truly an inspiration to me! sorry u had bad weather on your vacation, u really needed some good weather to keep u going! we had the coldest winter in 10 years! now its not 2 bad, but in belgium, if u have freak weather in march/april,which we did in the last 2 weeks,( in the 70's!) it can that for the whole summer!                  did u see that someone is on a new trial: NKTR-102? make a note of it! i sure hope some new drug could make a difference for u! & any of these vaccines? i have a friend who was stage 4 & got a vaccine, she seems to be good for now; i write everything down, show it to my onc, & he just shakes his head & says:i dont believe in it, this one works on mice (!), this is just phase 1 etc... he really makes me laugh                                 getting ready for the tennis season; gotta work out!                                 i didnt realize u were so young still! i'm 61! but my metabolical age is 47! so i dont feel that old! keep on going strong, luv, harriet

by the way, i dont even get another scan next month! just bloods! he doesnt believe in 2 many xray/scan/mammo! u can get cancer from them too!

Harriet, good advice on "too many scans/x-rays."  I have refused to let my dentist x-ray my teeth because of that.  I feel my teeth will outlast me and I can tell if I need them x-rayed.

Gayle