Possible problem
By daeckardt
@daeckardt (6237)
United States
August 13, 2011 4:19pm CST
If you follow my blog, you have already heard this, but if not here it is. I saw my gynecology oncologist last Monday for a followup appointment about two months after my last chemo. She did a urine analysis (to see if I got another bladder infection) and a ca-125 to see if the tumor marker went up or stayed the same. She also told me that the colostomy would probably have to be changed to an end colostomy because with the loop (put there so that they could reverse it if they could fix the fistula), stuff kept going through and causing infections. I got a call on Wednesday to tell me that I needed to go on the antibiotics again because the urine tested sensitive to the antibiotic ordered on Monday. On Thursday, the nurse called me again and told me the ca-125 count had gone up from 30-40. This may or may not be a big deal and I was scheduled for another test on September 19. If it continues to go up, I may have to go back on chemo. I really don't look forward to that happening because my hair is starting to come back. I think I maybe should see if there is some alternative treatment that I should try to see if I can keep the count from going up any more, but I will ultimately do whatever the doctor advises. Oh well...
2 people like this
12 responses
@bluegemini10 (327)
• United States
13 Aug 11
Wow your brave for going through chemo. I would cry all the time. And you lose ALL the hair off your ENTIRE body right. Does your hair grow back fast. Again your brave for going through that, god bless you.
2 people like this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
14 Aug 11
Actually, I only lost the hair on my head. I wish I would have lost that on my legs, underarms, and chin but those didn't go away. I finished chemo about two months ago and I now have "peach fuzz". It is really soft and I like the way it feels, but it is slow growing. The last time it took from February until September before it was long enough that I needed to buy a comb. I just hope that I don't have to start all over again. Thanks for the response!
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
16 Aug 11
Deb I am so sorry to hear this and life sure is tough for you. I am praying my friend that you and Marguicha get through all of this soon.
I read your discussions related to Chemo and it makes me remember that you and she are such troopers and give me admiration and hopes in my small and silly turmoils.
Wishing you all the blessings and hoping Chemo is not the option. 
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
16 Aug 11
I am not giving up on getting through this. If I have to go through more chemo, then so be it. I think I will be looking into ways to improve my health so that if I do have to go through some more that perhaps I will have increased my immune system so that I won't have to worry as much. Thanks for the response!
@marguicha (215408)
• Chile
25 Aug 11
hardworkinggurl,
Thanks for placing me at the same level of our friend Debbie. The truth is that she has been the help I have had to keep up with my life, in spite of tiredness and all the other secondary problems of chemo.
I, like Debbie, am not giving up. TodayI went to the doctor and she suspended tomorrow´s chemo as my hemogram was not good. But there is an option for the next time that will be expensive of a med to help with the defenses. That med is not covered by insurance, but my mom told me she could pay for that. We´ll see.
Meanwhile, I should start selling caps and scarves. I´n knitting like a pro
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
25 Aug 11
I saw one of your pictures of a hat you did make and found it lovely. I am always glad to hear the both of you fighting this to the end. Seriously it has given me a chance to re-think about the small stuff I go through, causing me to re-think about my struggles of giving up. Each time I read more and more from the both of you I definitely sway my thoughts in knowing that life is worth fighting for.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85487)
• United States
14 Aug 11
What do you do about the hair thing? Did you wear hats or wigs? I'm always looking for things like turbans, but like on a low key level. I don't actually want a turban. I'd like my hair back more than anything.
Keep us updated. I'll be praying for you.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
15 Aug 11
As far as the hair thing went, I wore hats and scarves. I kept it pretty simple and used whatever I could pick up for free at the cancer center. Even though my hair is still just peach fuzz, I started spraying sunscreen on my head (at the suggestion of my doctor) and haven't used even a scarf or hat over the last week. Thanks for the response!
1 person likes this
@a_year_older (636)
• Malaysia
14 Aug 11
Well medicines do respond slightly differently to different people. Just like food. Some people get allergic to it and others don't. There's no telling how much it would take to cure your cancer.
But I do hope that it's able to resolve. Staying positive helps in the healing process. So keep going and you may just find that you're completely healthy one day!
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
15 Aug 11
I will do what I have to do to survive! Thanks for the response!
@marguicha (215408)
• Chile
25 Aug 11
Dear Deb,
I hope that the ca-125 stops as your immune system gets better. Will that stop you from going on your vacation to Mexico? I hope not. I asked my own doctor if I could have a vacation after the first 6 chemos and it seems I can go for a weeks or so.
I have been checking on old wives ideas to cure different illness, and came upon something that we should have never forgotten: chicken or hen´s broth. The real one, not canned. You can put a piece of chicken or hen in a pan, herbs, oregano and salt and let it simmer for a long time so that the protein in the bones gets to the broth. It´s nice to drink a mug of broth when at the computer.
I have been checking on old wives ideas to cure different illness, and came upon something that we should have never forgotten: chicken or hen´s broth. The real one, not canned. You can put a piece of chicken or hen in a pan, herbs, oregano and salt and let it simmer for a long time so that the protein in the bones gets to the broth. It´s nice to drink a mug of broth when at the computer.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
28 Aug 11
I really don't know what will happen right now so I will wait and see. I do like chicken, but I usually try to make something more substantial than just broth. I will have to look into doing that though. Thanks for the suggestion.
@marguicha (215408)
• Chile
29 Aug 11
You can do both, if you buy a whole chicken. Place the back and the tips of the wings with leeks and carrots (if you like them) plus salt and a lot of water. Let it simmer for a long time so that the protein is out of the bones.
The rest of the chicken, with more meat, can be done in as many ways as you like. I take a mug of that broth to my computer and add a spoon os instant oats as I need more fiber because of the chemo.
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
14 Aug 11
Treating cancers gets so very complicated. I hope they can find what is just right for you.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
14 Aug 11
I was on the standard treatment and I did respond well to it, but perhaps they shouldn't have skipped the last round. Oh well...
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
14 Aug 11
that is just so sad. i really hope things change and look up for both of us soon. 
its been a long hard haul for us girl and im just starting. have you tried that cancer center of america? ive heard they are good. im hoping i wont have to change to them. as a last straw. i still keep praying for us both. hope its going to help soon. 
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
14 Aug 11
I don't know anything about them. Maybe I should look into it, but I like my current doctor.
@judelen (428)
• Philippines
14 Aug 11
hello! I do hope that you can find and alternative medicine to chemo. Eating the right food will help a lot. Medicines that can make your immune system strong and fight for that cancer. I will pray for you. Prayer is the best you will do to make you strong and happy, for whatever happened you will be with God forever.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
15 Aug 11
I know people have made suggestions before, but I wasn't too open to that possibility at the time. I think now I am ready to start looking into alternatives. I really hope I can turn this around before the next blood test so I don't have to go through all that again!
@marie2052 (3691)
• United States
13 Aug 11
Bless your heart. You have been through so much already.
I have some problems that can't seem to get settled either. They just rotate me from one doctor to another.
So now I am back to my primary care doctor and I finally diagnosed my problem myself and when I printed off what was going on in my body I am pleased to say my doctor actually took the two print out pages home last weekend and ACTUALLY read them.
I got a call from the nurse on monday to get a prescription.
Told My hubby if I keep getting another prescription I will have to divide them up breakfast lunch and dinner!
I wish you well
1 person likes this
@margeryann (1845)
• United States
13 Aug 11
Hopefully that they figure out something that works out good for you. The situation is so scary! You've been dealing with so much. I was hoping that it was about over for you.Thank you for letting us know what is up. I will continue to pray for you.
It is so scary to listen to some people that say to drink this or that that aren't doctors and it will get rid of cancer and don't deal with doctors this is better for you. I hear about things like that all the time. Good luck to you.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
14 Aug 11
I was hoping it was over with also. I have considered alternative medicine, but I wouldn't do it in place of chemo but in addition to it. Since I expect it to be at least the middle of next month before anything happens, I could try something and see if it turns things around. If the doctor says it is back to chemo, I guess it will be. Thanks for the response!
@abatencila (970)
• Philippines
14 Aug 11
Hi! I hope that doesn't go up so you can have your rest first. I'll pray that you don't have to undergo another chemo session again. Try to look for an alternative medicine if you have it in your place. Good luck to you...
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
14 Aug 11
I would like to find an alternative to chemo. I know it works, but it is so hard on the body and I really don't want to lose what little hair I have already got back. Thanks for the response!
