Results not great

@daeckardt (6237)
United States
October 5, 2011 10:09pm CST
I went to the doctor today to get the results of the CT they did yesterday. I'm not surprised with the results, but I'm not happy with them either. My CA-125 went up another 5 points since two weeks ago and there were several spots on my lung that were less than 1cm and two small spots in my pelvic area as well as one that was 3cm. The plan right now is to be on the temoxefen pill for a month and do another CA-125 to see if that helped. That is normally used for breast cancer but apparently there has been some success using it with ovarian cancer recurrences as well. She gave me information that I didn't know before. Mine is a slow-growing cancer and there are two types of cells--mucinous and endometrioid. She says that may be why the chemo didn't work as well since that combination apparently doesn't respond well to chemo. I am told that the fact that it is slow-growing is the only reason it didn't come back sooner. That was my lemon for the day...who wants lemonade???
2 people like this
9 responses
@GardenGerty (157463)
• United States
6 Oct 11
What are we going to sweeten the lemonade with? I like experimenting with recipes. Let's see what we can wip up. I am sorry that things are going that way, and that perhaps the tamoxifen will do a good job.
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
6 Oct 11
I hope it will to because I don't want to have to go through chemo again since it sounds like it wouldn't really work well anyway. Thanks for the response!
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157463)
• United States
6 Oct 11
Your response to my message never came through.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
7 Oct 11
Did it get there now?
1 person likes this
• Philippines
6 Oct 11
Why is it that cancer cells are not stopping from growing or spreading? Is there a real way to stop it really? I'm bothered with this information because the thought that your cancer cells didn't really vanish eventhough you already had chemo is really scary.
3 people like this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
6 Oct 11
From what I was told, there are two cell types involved. That alone makes it harder for a single treatment type to work effectively. I guess that's why I keep hearing that ovarian cancer is often considered to be a chronic disease if it starts recurring. And because mine is slow-growing, it could be gone for years and then pop up when you least expect it like it did this time. Thanks for the response!
• United States
6 Oct 11
I'm sorry to hear of your news. All you can do is keep hope that things will be ok. My MIL had cervical cancer and some sort of blood work she said she had done where they can check some cell numbers was on the rise and that ment her cancer may be returning. She's getting all sorts of scans ran today so I'm not sure when she'll hear if her cancer is returning or ? ((hugs))
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
6 Oct 11
im so sorry. it seems like it never ends. i'd like some lemonade to. wish i could be as upbeat and ambitious as you girl. i really do. i just canceled an appointment with the oncologist today because im so tired and mad here. my daughters fiance called and woke me up at 5am and i just cant seem to get enough rest these days. plus my daughter that takes me is mad at me, so i cant deal with that.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
7 Oct 11
It is really sad when family treats you like that. I hope that you are able to reschedule the appointment so that you can get your situation under control. Is there a way you can get there without depending on family members who are mad at you? I hope your situation improves. Have a great weekend!!!
• United States
6 Oct 11
I am sorry to hear of your disappointing news, I am however glad to hear that you are being informed of all by your doctor. My prayers are strong for you Deb as you are a fighter, hopefully this new treatment makes a difference. Keep fighting my friend as it seems that the light at the end of the tunnel is still there, just a set back and hopefully this whole Cancer issue will be a thing of the past soon.
2 people like this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
6 Oct 11
I am not giving up. I have too many things to do in life to worry about a little set-back like this. At least I know more now about the type of cancer cells that have been affecting me both now and the first time around. My doctor in NC never did discuss such things the first time around and it wasn't until today that I knew anything about that. Have a great week!!!
1 person likes this
@margeryann (1845)
• United States
6 Oct 11
I'm sorry to hear that! That is awful. You've been going through so much. Hopefully that pill gets rid of it quickly so you can have time to rest your brain from all of those things. I will continue to pray for you!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85268)
• United States
6 Oct 11
I wish I knew some way to help you or encourage you. Of course you know you are still in my prayers. Ovarian cancer, is it the hardest cancer to diagnose for females? What are the symptoms? I know cervical cancer and ovarian cancer seem to get to the worst points before being discovered, but with a PAP smear cervical cancer can be detected, right? So how do you find ovarian cancer?
1 person likes this
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
10 Oct 11
Hi daeckardt, I'm so sorry for your deteriorating health condition. I'm really amazed for your fighting spirit. I hope soon your condition will be reversed. I pray for your recovery. Surely God will reciprocate.
@marie2052 (3691)
• United States
6 Oct 11
Goodness darlin I really hate to hear all this about you. I think I can share your lemons with you. I went to the urologist had several tests and they cannot find a reason for recurring UTI's So they just shrug their shoulders and said I would be one of those rare that will always have them. Have a list of things to eat and do as long as my arm, he armed me with a year of antibiotics so I don't have to come back every time one starts since I know the symptoms (you think?) I see my family practice doctor today. He put me on a cholesterol pill, (actually 3) and it is the only NEW pill I have been on and it was making me sicker and sicker. I finally realized it had to be this medication did not take it yesterday and actually feel better. I told my husband I felt like it was poisoning me. So I am going to take a book out of my grandparents time when doctors were not easily found and quit taking meds unless actually needed. I have found taking so much medication seems to totally exhaust my system and seems to shut me down from just enjoying being outside. Do you notice this when you are on more meds? Have a good day. I think of you every day.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
6 Oct 11
I just hope you don't have a fistula, which is what is causing my almost continuous UTI's. I think you are smart to "go back in time" like that. Although I still plan to follow the doctor's advice as far as the cancer is concerned, I have started looking into alternatives myself. Right now the only meds I am on are the antibiotic and the new one. I am always tired, but I will see if that is going to go away if this new one is working or if it just gets worse. I hope things start going better for you!. Have a great weekend!