Do more chemo?

[LoveDolphins]

Hi everyone. Had my debulking surgery 7 years ago and Carbo/Platin chemo and was disease free for two years. Since then I have had to go back on chemo almost every year. Doxil has been working for me, beating back the cancer and my CA 125 levels successfully. Although I tolerate it well, the fatigue, even after almost a year off of Doxil, is almost debilitating. Have inherited anemia so my hemoglobin is below 8 (could be the cause of my fatigue). My CA 125 level has increased now to 567 and I know I will be facing another scan and a decision to go back on Doxil. Although my quality of life has been reduced (am so weak), I am still alive. Do I keep doing more chemo? I will take advice from my oncologist (she listens to me and wants to give me as much QOL as she can). Is anyone else facing this decision. Do you have any insight? Do I just accept this chronic fatigue as the new normal and just be grateful to be alive? I have very loving family and friends cheering me on. I feel very blessed to have made it this far. Thanks for any insights you can give me. You are an amazing group, and I thank you for your generous, helpful, loving hearts. Gail

[Katmal-UK]

Hi Gail, the decision is entirely yours but given your Onc sounds like she well and truly has your back and is listening to you and wants to give you a good quality of live I think Id listen to what she thinks is best for you. I hope whatever decision you make is the best for you. Do let us know how you get on. Big Hug, Kathy xx

[LoveDolphins in reply to Katmal-UK]

Thank you so much, Kathy. Your journey truly inspires me and I will do as you suggest. Big hugs back!

[delia2]

Hi Gail. It sounds like your anemia could be the cause of the fatigue. Can you get transfusions to help with it? I’m wondering if you’ve tried a PARP inhibitor or Avastin? Although I am on a PARP and feeling the same as you about fatigue. There are a few people on here who have rejected further chemo but mostly because they are no longer getting any time in between treatments and the side effects are putting them in hospital. But it does come down to quality of life vs quantity. I wish the best with your choices.

[LoveDolphins in reply to delia2]

Thank you, Delia. Yes, I was given Avastin but had a bad reaction to it. I will talk to my oncologist tomorrow about getting a blood transfusion. I had one transfusion years ago and it really helped. If I could just get some energy! Best wishes to you, too, in this challenging journey.

[Jo-Jo1-UK]

Hi Gail, sorry to hear your feeling so weak and facing the dilemma of what to do next. I have experienced fatigue since I finished chemo over 4 years ago. It was steadily improving and then had another elective major surgery last sept which put me back again, although it seems to be getting better again. It is very frustrating and I’ve have had to adjust to a new pace of life which included giving up work which was hard when you are young and physically active. I wish you well with your decision, I’m glad you have an understanding oncologist to talk your options through. Best wishes. Jo xx

[LoveDolphins]

Thank you, Jo. Want to encourage you that you will gain your stamina back ... "they say" that it takes one week to recover each day in the hospital. Am sorry you had to give up your work, but will hope that when you feel your vitality returning other options will surface for you. Just talked to my oncologist and she encouraged me to try injections to boost my bone marrow to make more hemoglobin. It has its potential dangers, but am into palliative care and quality of life now rather than longevity. Will keep hanging onto hope. Best wishes to you, Jo, as well. Thanks again for your encouragement.