Doing good! Hormonal maintenance next...

[Droomfles]

Hi ladies!

It's a pretty sunny day here in Holland. Nicely chilling outside and on my last cycle of carbo/taxol. Feeling strong and happy and can't wait to finish. Bloods looking good, minimal side effects, still got some hair that's sort of presentable and CA125 still at 10.

My oncologist is discussing hormonal maintenance treatment with the team. He thinks it's wise since I'm low grade and er and pr positive.

I do really well on all drugs so far (maybe because I'm 24) and I'm curious about the side effects and especially the follow up. Do they monitor you a lot and is there a lot of tests during the maintenance?

I would like to leave Holland and work abroad a bit so hope I can if I'm declared NED after the scan. But if I have to be here all the time that would be hard.

So all your experiences are welcome.

Hope most of you are doing good as well at the moment and for those who are having a hard time I will hope for better days.

Lots of love

Esther

[Lindaura]

Dear Esther,

You are SO very young, but you sound very together.

You seem to be handling your cancer diagnosis and treatment really well, too.

Personally, I am high grade, but I know low grade is even more difficult to treat.

I would take advantage of your Oncologist’s offer for maintenance treatment, as he has a good overview of your situation.

I think you need to trust him in this case.

You don’t want the disease to creep into your lymph system or any organs.

I wish you all the best,

Hugs,

Laura

[busbee3]

Hi. I'm Low Grade too and my understanding is that the trend in treating low grade serous is to use an estrogen blocker like Tamoxifin, or aromatase inhibitor like Letrozole, following front line chemo. Of course, everyone's case is different and it depends on things like whether you have residual disease or are more than stage 1. My monitoring while on estrogen blockers was bloodwork with a CA125 and oncologist's exam every three months. Good luck.

[LittleSan]

I'm not low grade Esther but I've had some marvellous remissions and great times since diagnosis and so glad that I didn't let fear of the disease paralyse my life. As soon as you're Onc approves go and live your life to the full.

Big hug and here's hoping healthy and exciting times are just around the corner for you. 💐😘

[juliamillen in reply to LittleSan]

Letrozole hormone treatment is working well for me and keeping things at bay. Best of luck. Julia

[Maus123]

Hi Esther. Sounds like you're killing it (no pun intended ), and taking well to the treatment. Well done.

I'm low grade as well, and started on Letrozole (and continued Avastin) following my chemo, in Aug 2018. Ca125 is still slowly coming down for me, so something must be working. Side effects are mainly severe fatigue. That said, I'm 50, so you might be just fine.

Every 3 to 4 months I'm asked to see my oncologist for a check up , which comprises of a talk, a physical exam, a trans-vag. and abdominal ultrasound and a ca125 blood check.

My marker is considered a good indicator, so I am not having any scans as long as it's going down or changing very little, and I'm not experiencing symptoms. Mine was stage 3 low grade serous OC.

However, I'm also still seeing my GP every 3 weeks for bloods, ECGs and urine tests, due to the continuing Avastin infusions.

Wishing you the best and may you be free of the beast for good. Xx. Maus