3rd Chemo and hopeful

[MrsSkippy]

All,

Have just joined the Ovacome community so hello! Hope you are all doing ok and have a chance to enjoy the long overdue sunshine!

I’m half way through my 3rd Chemo session as I type and wanted to share my latest CA125 result - before round 1 which was 6 weeks ago i reached a massive 16,985. Round 2 and I was down to 13,480, which was great news. Today I’m showing 5,240!.. never in a million years did I expect that today.

I’m trying to be realistic and understand that my journey is in its early stages but I’m very happy with the lastet result.

I have a 3rd scan scheduled in 2 weeks time to see where we are, at the ‘half-way’ point and maybe do the de-bulking surgery. I was scheduled for the surgery in the middle of March but once opened the surgeon decided not to proceed. I was disappointed but understand that things can change. I have a lovely scar running down my tummy and my wound is taking its time to heal, but I’m happy to say it’s finally all dry and far less sore. I’m even contemplating driving this weekend!

Stay safe everyone

xx

[Lind58]

Hope is key 💕 thinking of you

[Differentforgirls]

Sounds like you’re making very good progress. Hope this continues for you 🤞🏼With love xxx

[Lyndy]

Hello and welcome! It can be a bit of a roller coaster but sounds like the chemo is doing a really good job for you. Did they consider revisiting surgery once your chemo is done? I was stage 4 with cancer wrapped around my colon but I had an exceptional response to chemo and managed to have optimal debulking in the end. Afterwards I was cancer free for over 4 years...so it’s worth pushing if there’s a chance xx

[delia2]

Hi! You sound very positive which is great, especially considering your experience with the attempted surgery. I do hope you’ll be able to have the surgery during or after chemo. Welcome to this wonderful forum. Xx

[Irisisme]

Hello Mrs Skippy, Welcome to the forum,

It is possible that the chemo reduces the cancer to such an extent surgery becomes possible, just as Lyndy says. I also had to have chemo before surgery was possible. You also need a very experienced surgeon and I just wonder if a more experienced surgical team could do what your first surgeon couldn’t.

The CA125 coming down as it is does indicates that it’s working and I hope it continues to beat this horrible OC so you can have your surgery. Also, do consider a 2nd opinion if you are told at the end of the course of chemo that you still can’t have surgery. Optimal de-bulking is the best treatment, it means removal of everything larger than a cm and not necessarily that there’s no evidence of disease.

After my op the surgeon told me my bowel was “like sandpaper” because of all the grains of cancer cells- but my surgery was still optimal and improved my prognosis considerably.

I hope the chemo continues to reduce your masses and lesions etc, and if there is no surgery they can try other drugs that will keep the cancer down.

Please keep us posted, I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

And send hugs 🤗🤗

Iris

[SASSY196]

So sorry you are in a position to join but welcome and what a brave, positive lady you sound. Like all other ladies will be hoping for the best for you and agree with suggestion to ask for second opinion re surgery or ask for a review of surgical options when chemo finished from a specialist surgeon- Prof C/ Christie's/ Marsden etc. Sara xxx

[MrsSkippy]

SASSY196 Irisisme Lind58 Differentforgirls Lyndy delia2

Thank you all for your responses, welcome and support.

The consultant surgeon did tell me in March before my treatment started that the de-bulking surgery may have to happen in the ‘middle’ of the 6 scheduled chemo sessions so I was sort of prepared for my current situation.

After the op in March the team told me the cells had scattered further than they thought and proceeding at that stage would have been a big risk so they decided to take a biopsy, close and switch to chemo first to hopefully reduce the mass/scattering.

Yes, I am disappointed that my first visit to the table didn’t have the original planned outcome as going under the knife is a really scary experience and knowing that I may have to go through it all again is daunting.

I’m encouraged to read that others have had the surgery during/after chemo with great results so I will continue to believe this will happen for me.

Thanks ladies and have a great weekend. If you are in the U.K. enjoy the sunshine and bank holiday!

Best wishes

Fiona

[Jacky5 in reply to MrsSkippy]

Your results sound really positive well done. Im really pleased for you. Its just what you need after the initial shock of your diagnosis and your first trip to theatre. I too was told surgery wouldnt be possible at first but after 3 lots of chemo and another scan they decided I was suitable. 3 more lots of chemo after. That's coming up to 2 years ago and now I'm on maintenance.

Hoping your not feeing too bad with the chemo and do let us know how your getting on. Enjoy your weekend .

Liz.x

[Leniko]

You sound like you have a positive attitude which is so important. Saying prayers for your complete remission.

[Elsp1925]

Hi, I’m a newby to the forum also, I joined yesterday. I haven’t come across anyone in my 4 years of OC that had over 16000 like me. I knew there were others out there so welcome. I had 3 cycles of Chemo then debulking followed by another 3 cycles and my Ca125 dropped at the end of the Chemo to 9. I hope your treatment goes well. Best wishes. X

[MrsSkippy in reply to Elsp1925]

Hello, lovely to hear from you and welcome to the forum.I’m really encouraged by your story and so happy that you took the time to reply to me - thank you.

Take care xx