Ovarian Cancer and Avastin

I was diagnosed with Stage 3 C Ovarian Ca 12/06. I am allergic to Taxel meds, carboplatinum and cisplatin. I was on Gemsar and Cisplatin for a year and then my cancer stabilized but I did not go into remission. I have severe neuropathy from the Cis platin and one round of Abraxane (Taxel for persons allergic to it). My doctor also tried Tamoxifen for 4 months because I am estrogen receptor positive. It did not work and my cancer spread. My CA 125 went from 100 to 2300 on Tamoxifen. (when I was diagnosed it was 19,000-so my # tends to be high. I have been on Topotecan for almost a year and my number is only down to 900. The doctor added Avastin every 2 weeks, 2 months ago, and the number has only come down a few hundred points. Does it take a few months before the Avastin begins to work or should I assume that it is only helping to keep the cancer stable? Did anyone have luck with any other meds? I have not had side effects from Avastin but I get terrible acid reflux from the Topotecan. On a good note, I have been able to work throughout this ordeal.

I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 1988.  I was 28 years old. When through chemo and a few surgeries after that and have lived very happily since.  Last week I went in the hospital for gaul stones and at that time they have found my cancer has returned.  I don't know much about it yet !!

I go tomorrow for a biopsy.  Until then I will not know much.  I am so terrified !!  I have  not told my family yet other than my husband.  I don't want to tell them until I have all the facts and can answer some of the questions they will have.

I believe your attitude has much to offer in your recovery.  I will try and be very positive.  At the same time way in the back of my mind I know this is not a good sign.

Thank all for listening.

JPK

On 6/22/2009 dollydoo wrote:

I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 1988.  I was 28 years old. When through chemo and a few surgeries after that and have lived very happily since.  Last week I went in the hospital for gaul stones and at that time they have found my cancer has returned.  I don't know much about it yet !!

I go tomorrow for a biopsy.  Until then I will not know much.  I am so terrified !!  I have  not told my family yet other than my husband.  I don't want to tell them until I have all the facts and can answer some of the questions they will have.

I believe your attitude has much to offer in your recovery.  I will try and be very positive.  At the same time way in the back of my mind I know this is not a good sign.

Thank all for listening.

JPK

hi! unbelievable that it should return after more than 20 years! what stage were u then? there r plenty of new chemos these days so i'd like to say: keep fighting! harriet

On 6/22/2009 dollydoo wrote:

I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 1988.  I was 28 years old. When through chemo and a few surgeries after that and have lived very happily since.  Last week I went in the hospital for gaul stones and at that time they have found my cancer has returned.  I don't know much about it yet !!

I go tomorrow for a biopsy.  Until then I will not know much.  I am so terrified !!  I have  not told my family yet other than my husband.  I don't want to tell them until I have all the facts and can answer some of the questions they will have.

I believe your attitude has much to offer in your recovery.  I will try and be very positive.  At the same time way in the back of my mind I know this is not a good sign.

Thank all for listening.

JPK

Ovarian Cancer is a chronic illness that can be treated with medication and a person can live many years with it. I have been working and living my life since I was diagnosed in 12/06. I have not been in remission yet but I always have hope. I just heard on the news that there is a new chemo drug for ovarian ca for women who have the BRACA gene and it is very successful. So try not to worry and keep living your life. I had a friend who had survived lung cancer for nine years. She was only given a few months to live. She said that if she new she would have lived for nine years she wouldn't have spent so much time worrying. I try to live by her example.

On 6/22/2009 dollydoo wrote:

I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 1988.  I was 28 years old. When through chemo and a few surgeries after that and have lived very happily since.  Last week I went in the hospital for gaul stones and at that time they have found my cancer has returned.  I don't know much about it yet !!

I go tomorrow for a biopsy.  Until then I will not know much.  I am so terrified !!  I have  not told my family yet other than my husband.  I don't want to tell them until I have all the facts and can answer some of the questions they will have.

I believe your attitude has much to offer in your recovery.  I will try and be very positive.  At the same time way in the back of my mind I know this is not a good sign.

Thank all for listening.

JPK

I was wondering how you made out. I didn't see a posting with any new news. I hope that you have positive news. You are right about a positive attitude. Your mind is the ultimate healer. When it comes to controlling your body, your mind is what runs the show!  It is very scary! My mom is the one with OC and at times I know she is handleing it better than I am! I try to be the strong one but she is a lioness!! God bless you and best wishes!!

On 7/26/2009 Joycesupporter wrote:

 

On 6/22/2009 dollydoo wrote:

I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 1988.  I was 28 years old. When through chemo and a few surgeries after that and have lived very happily since.  Last week I went in the hospital for gaul stones and at that time they have found my cancer has returned.  I don't know much about it yet !!

I go tomorrow for a biopsy.  Until then I will not know much.  I am so terrified !!  I have  not told my family yet other than my husband.  I don't want to tell them until I have all the facts and can answer some of the questions they will have.

I believe your attitude has much to offer in your recovery.  I will try and be very positive.  At the same time way in the back of my mind I know this is not a good sign.

Thank all for listening.

JPK

I was wondering how you made out. I didn't see a posting with any new news. I hope that you have positive news. You are right about a positive attitude. Your mind is the ultimate healer. When it comes to controlling your body, your mind is what runs the show!  It is very scary! My mom is the one with OC and at times I know she is handleing it better than I am! I try to be the strong one but she is a lioness!! God bless you and best wishes!!

Thank you your concern.  It has been a very long wait with my Dr's to do surgery.  I will be having tumor reduction surgery this Thursday.  I have been in bed today doubled over with pain and nasua.  I pray for one good day before my surgery to be able to get everything in it's place and go grocery shopping. Once I get home and know all this details I'll keep you posted.  As of yet I don't know what chemo I will be having or anything. In 1988 when I had chemo I didn't lose all of my hair just around the top. My hair dresser has been so great wanting to hep me find just the right wig. It's not that I don't want to get a wig.  BUT deep down I want to hope I won't need one. Also since I don't know what type of Chemo treatment I will have I don't know if I have to give up my job or not.  I have so many questions that I know will be answered .  Last time I wasn't working at the time but I was really sick and wouldn't have been able to work.

I am so greatful for this site.  I read the posts and feel like I have FRIENDS with the same problems and worries that I have. It's such a scary venture. 

Will post again in a week or so.

Jackie

My wife is in the same boat as you. She was diagnosed in November of 05, Stage IIIc. She's chemoed out. Been just about through them all. Had a reaction to Carboplatin yesterday. Luckily they caught it in time. I wanted her to try the Avastin but she's scared of the perforations she's heard of because she has bowel involvement. You mentioned Abraxane? Never heard of it. She's allergic to the Taxol related drugs as well. Is there any chemo drug out there that she can take with Avastin because I think she's gonna try it because options are limited? Her doctor likes to use Avastin with another drug.....but which one?? Any recommendations?? 

Sorry....my first post here...was replying to previous post....