Surviving Ovarian Cancer

I'm just starting out with all this ovarian cancer process. My CA-125 levels are 64 and one month later 82 and now I'm waiting for another result. I had a sono done and there's a 1.5 cm tumor/cyst on my right ovary. I had cervical cancer (and had most of it removed in a cone biopsy procedure). The Dr.'s are so reluntent to actually tell me it's ovarian cancer because I am only 35. One Dr. told me CA levels can increase due to "stress." I laughed in his face. My WHOLE family, on both sides, has a LONG history of cancer. On top of everything I have Lupus SLE. Should I do the radiation/chemo therepy's or not? I can use all the info I can get and it would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Lisa, Please...I hope you are seeing a good gyn and an oncologist. What do they advise? Any chemo or radiation? Your much too young for all of this but with that history there you must stay on top of things. Keep posting my friend. And if you are interested in a couple of good support sites e-mail me and I will make sure you get the names of them . I don't know what I would do with out them my friend. Be well and take care of you...Jan

Hi! I was just told the end of May 2003 that I have stage 3. I underwent open exploratory surgery on June 25. They were able to get 90 - 95 % of the tumors out but had to leave the one attached to my intestines. I had the first 3 days of chemo a week ago and did well with it so far. I have a very good attitude, but am very frustrated when you have a spouse that is not supportive. The medical people along with staff social workers have told him that it would be helpful for him and it would be helping to be supportive to me, to go to spouse meetings at the Gilda Radner center in our town so that he can learn about cancer and how best to help. Is there anyone out there trying to deal with cancer and having the added stress of dealing with someone that is not supportive? I am so tired of hearing whining that amounts to: it is all about him and not about me?

I am STILL messing with my primary Dr. I'm trying to get in to see a gyno/oncologist. I had to literally force her to refer me to him. I am having a lot of problems convincing people that I have ovarian cancer but they think I'm too young. I want to go straight to an oncologist to perform all surgery's. If I went to the gyno he wanted to just do a biopsy and then send me to an oncologist. I want to get everything done at once. I think my mom is finally coming around but it's hard to convince her of it too. I could use all the support I can get since I'm not getting any from my family or Dr. Any links would be helpful. God Bless.

Lisa girl, you get yourself to a doctor for a second opinion...even a third if you have to. Ovarian cancer is definitely NOT something to fool around with. The longer it takes to diagnose it, the worse it gets. This is not meant to scare you, only to say the truth about what it sounds you might be dealing with.

Age has absolutely nothing to do with whether you can or cannot get ovarian cancer, and from what you say about your family's background...I would say that it's a definite possibility.

In an interview that Fran Dressler (not sure about the spelling, but you know who I mean...the woman who played "The Nanny" on TV) she said it took her two years and going to nine doctors before one of them was finally able to tell her what was wrong!

Don't just sit around worrying about it -- do something about it -- now! Who knows, it may not be ovarian cancer, but it's much better to be safe than sorry. As for me, I would rather know what's going on...then I can ready myself for what needs to be done next.

I love you, my sister. Please let us know what's happening, all right?

Oby in Naperville, IL

Lisa, you need to move on your gut feelings right away and locate a
gynocologic oncologist in your area. Ovarian cancer can strike at any age and
ovarian cancer signs "whisper" so listen. Your very life depends on it. Several
doctors I was seeing for over 8 months for many of the ovarian cancer
symptoms never took it seriously. By the time I was diagnosed I had 4 out of
the 5 symptoms for ovarian cancer and diagnosed with stage IIIc Fallopian
tube cancer. Don't wait, ask to be referred to a gynocologic oncologist
immediately, then have them do 1. A bimanuel pelvic exam 2. transvaginal
ultrasound 3. CA 125 (bloodtest) 4. A Cat scan . My family physician missed
two large tumors at the bimanuel exam, but after I then insisted on a
transvaginal ultrasound (she thought this not necessary - thought my problem
was a bladder or incontinence problem only) the ultrasound located a large
mass in the ovary and the cat scan confirmed it. It's important that you get
connected immediately with a gynocologic oncologist - not just someone who
is a gyn. The gyn oncologist has had many more years of training in the field
of reproductive cancers and it's imperative that your surgery be done by this
type of Dr. Much research that I've done has confirmed that this type of Dr. is
much more apt to do a more thorough surgery and your outcome will likely be
much better as a result of choosing this type of Dr.. My prayers are with you,
but please don't waste a minute. Remember ovarian cancer whispers...so
listen. Your very life depends upon it!!!! Love, Sandy L.L.

Dear Oby,

Is the topotecan still helping you? My doctor said that I've run out of options (besides clinical trials) and I was thinking of asking her if I could try it.

The first time, I took carbo/taxol.
The second time just carboplatin.
The third time taxotere, then when that didn't work, gemzar. Now, my cancer has spread.

I can't believe that there are no more conventional drugs that could be tried. I don't want to give up!

Thanks so much.

Debbie

This message is for Jan T...I was wondering if I could chat with you about your chemotherapy experience a little more. My mom was recently diagnosed with stage 3-c ovarian cancer. She just had a hystercetomy 2 1/2 weeks ago,and will be starting chemo in the next couple of weeks. Please respond to this message,and I will ask you more questions at that time. I hope you are doing well. Thanks...Lorie

Hi Lorie, Jan here. Just send me a message when ever you want to discuss what ever about ovarian cancer. Be well, Jan