Thanks Sheina for writing and I hope you are doing well on the new treatment. As my CA125 levels have been steadily rising for the last 6 months and as this test was a good indicator for me first time round, the doctors are certain that this indicates the cancer has returned.
I have now had two CT scans, a colonoscopy and a ultra scan of my thyroid. The second CT scan showed a growth deep in the pelvic area that had increased in size since the first scan but because of where it is and the fact that it is still fairly small, they can't do a simple biopsy and are reluctant to operate without a clearer picture so paperwork is being processed at the moment for me to travel to Australia for a PET scan as we do not have a PET scanner here in New Zealand as yet. Hopefully the PET scan will give them a much clearer indication of what is going on. Also they want me to go and have another ultra scan of my thyroid and a biopsy as the first scan showed a solid lump which although they don't think is anything to do with the ovarian cancer, they would like to rule it out.
So that is where I am at six months down the track - no better off and worried that in the meantime the cancer may have spread elsewhere. It all takes so long and I just want to get on and start treatment or whatever, so that I can get on with living. At the moment my life is on hold - I can't plan anything as I'm always waiting for the next appointment.
Please let me know how your treatment is going and if and when I have anything positive to report I'll write back.
Judy
On 4/16/2008
Sheina wrote:
On 2/28/2008
Judy nz wrote:
On 2/27/2008 freeatlast wrote:
i was just wondering if any one has had stage 2 ovarian cancer and had it come back and had it removed again and wht u had to go threw if you had to do chemo and if u are cancer free now
Sorry to hear that your cancer has returned. I have Stage 2C ovarian cancer which returned after 4-1/2 years last October but as yet despite scans, colonoscopy, ultra scan etc. they have not found the tumour. My CA125 levels are continuing to rise and as this has been a good marker for me in the past this makes them confident that there is a tumour somewhere, it's just a matter of finding it so they can remove it and treat me again.
The doctors have reassured me that with an operation and treatment it is possible for me to go into remission again for another 5 or even 10 years. A few patients have continued in remission longer than that so there is hope at the other side. I don't know what's ahead of me and just pray they locate the tumour soon before it gets out of control.
Don't be scared to ask these questions of your oncologist or specialist and good luck.
Hi Judy nz,
I had a very similar experience. After 5 years of being cancer free, my CAT scan showed slight changes in lymp nodes which worried my oncologist. He searched on year until he found recurrence of ovarian cancer in my neck lymph node. I was treaded with Taxol/Carboplatin. I could not tolerate the carboplatin. I continued on Taxol (Abraxane) for 2 years. Over the last year my CA-125 was elavated. We swithced to Doxil just recently.
I am curious, why do they tell you, you have a tumor when your scans are OK? HAve you had PET scans as well? How elevated is your CA-125 marker. If you share some details wtih me, I may be able to help you with my experience.
May you have all the health in the world.