June 12, 2009
CA125 News
OK, you know that the CA125 is the definitive test for Ovarian and Primary Peritoneal Cancers. A reading of 30 or below is considered normal.
My initial CA125 (3/13/09) was 2000. One week later (3/20/09) it had gone up to 2577. Yes, this cancer was out to kill me. And it would have if I hadn’t sought treatment when I did.
Three weeks after my first Chemo it was down by half to 1244. Pretty remarkable, I thought, and so did my remarkable Doctor.
Three weeks later after Chemo number two, it had miraculously dropped to 83! Remember normal is 30 or below and I started out at 2577.
After Chemo number three, and just before my surgery, my CA125 was 15.7! Whoa!! That is is in the normal range…but I didn’t feel normal. After my space-age technology surgery with the DaVinci Robot, my Doctor prepared me for the fact that for some reason the CA125 levels usually go up after surgery .
My CA125 was drawn just two days ago and it brought up some unexpected emotions for me as I wrote in my last article.
Today, I was told what my CA125 of June 9th was…. Do you want to guess? No? Oh, go ahead… guess. You can guess any number you want. I was emotionally prepared for just about anything up to 1200, hoping it was no higher than 400 -600, but wanting it to be much lower, of course. Was I surprised! OK, now take a wild guess… You don’t have to tell anyone your guess, so you can’t hurt my feelings…. Really, it’s OK…. Are you ready to know the number yet? …. Of course you are!
It was an unexpectedly low 12.8. 12.8!!! 12.8!!!! My Doctor keeps telling me to not put too much energy into the actual CA125 numbers, but to look at the trend they are presenting. Well, I don’t care! 12.8 is pretty darn low. If you look at the “trend” … then my CA125 level continues to decline into the normal range. And there is nothing wrong with that! If you look at “the numbers” … it is still very good news as far as I am concerned.
12.8. Golly, does all this give me hope! I am feeling like I can breathe easier (figuratively speaking). Watching my Grandson go to that first day of kindergarten 5 years from now seems like I can stretch out my arms and almost have it within my reach. My long term goal is at least beginning to come into clearer focus. It is no longer a cloudy unformed thought rolling around in my brain. It is starting to take shape and have focus as I see this delightful child turn and wave to me as he goes into his school five years from now.
CA125 levels — From 2577 to 12.8 in just two and 1/2 months. No wonder I am tired. My body has been fighting overtime in killing this horrible cancer in me. But that’s OK body… right now we are winning!!!!! Carry on Procession of the Nobles (my Chemo song); go and get those bad boys!!!
