On 5/15/2008
Herpartner wrote:
Hello:
My wife is in a similiar situation. SUrgery III C not debulkable, IP chemo and second surgery. SHe has a year to gradually regain her strength and now her CA125 is up and PET shows growths on the liver. She just started the OCEAN trial. Hopefully she is getting the Avastin in the trial and not the placebo.
Both of our families have histories of cancer. Despite this, her phycians never mentioned a CA125 test until she demonstrated symptoms of advanced disease.
There is a sin in this.This is a disease which can be whipped in if it is caught early. Why don't doctors administer the CA125 regularly as they do the PSA test for men after a certain age? Please advise all of your friends over 40 to ask their physicians to check their CA125 levels.
Two of my wife's doctors were women, so I can't just blame male doctors.When I asked some doctors why they don't recommend it, they told me there were too many false positives. WHAT!!! A false positive is a great thing. Only and insurance copay would complain about that.
It must have somethig to do with insurance incentives for doctors who moderate their test recommendations. Money is usually the driver of health care policy.
I hope both of you have successful treatments and please join with me in prayig for the success of the doctors who are working to find an ovarian cancer vaccine. I pray that there is a reason for the crosses we are asked to carry.
Good luck with your treatments and keep your senses of humor the best you can.
Dear Herpartner:
You are a wonderful,caring and devoted husband and person. I will pray for you and your wife. You are so right about the insurance policies. I too never had a ca125. This silent disease is a hush hush. I guess we have to be pro active for our own bodies. I have a 27 year old daughter is going to be check next week by a gyn-oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC,NY.I feel her gyn will not be as aggressive since she treated me also. Try not to give up hope, but also take care of yourself during this trying time. Like you, I am lucky to have a loving husband who is with me every step. Your wife is a lucky woman.