August 31, 2010

Six Month Check-up

Posted in Health, Life, Personal tagged CA 125, Cancer, ovarian cancer, platinum sensitive, Primary Peritonea Carcinoma at 12:18 am by pdxfirefly

    Last Wednesday, I had my Doctor’s appointment.  It was six months since my last Chemotherapy on February 22, 2010.  This six-month appointment was important for several reasons.

  If my CA-125 levels remain stable than that means that if I ever need to have Chemo again, then I will be able to have the same drugs that I had before (Carbo/ Taxol).  It means that my cancer is what is termed ‘platinum sensitive’.  That simply means that my cancer does not like platinum and that the platinum kills the cancer.  It is a good thing to be ‘platinum sensitive’.

  My cancer ~ Primary Peritoneal Carcinoma~ has an extremely high rate of reoccurrence.

   In spite of what my beloved children want me to believe ~ the reality of this type of cancer is that it almost always returns.  It is then treated as you would treat a chronic disease.   And that means that I would have chemotherapy  off and on over the years.

   On Thursday, I found out that my CA 125 level has started to inch back up.  It has been vacillating between 12 and 14 for about 6 months.     Then last month, just before I left for Paris, it was 14 (when it should have been 12).  Last week, my CA 125 level was 18.  That is an increase of 4 points in one month and something to be watched over the next few months. 

   Actually I was not surprised in the rise in the CA 125 level because I have been much more tired than I felt  I should be.  And prior to my initial diagnosis fatigue was a powerful symptom for me. 

   Now what does all this mean?   It means that I shall continue my life as I have been doing the last several months.    I’ll have my CA125 level checked again in 2 months.  We will, however, keep a watchful eye on those CA 125 levels and if they rise dramatically, I’ll go back on Chemo.

   Guess I’d better enjoy my cute curly hair while I have it!!!

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