Second recurrence of ovarian cancer

[iloveidli]

After surgery and 6 cycles of chemo, I was disease free for a year. With rising ca225, and PET scan showing recurrence had 6 more cycles of chemo. After 8 months of disease free life, my ca has shot upto 42 from 8. My oncologist sats as there is no symptom, let us wait for another month and decide the next course of action. Now what? I am worried and terrified

[Lind58]

thinking of you 💙

[Tracey1207]

hi I’m in a similar situation based here in the uk .. NO surgery for me but 6 cycles chemo followed by avastin 15 cycles now parp inhibitors .. ca125 went from 288 in April to 741 now and yet I’m told nothing happening everything the same .. wait ..

Since December of last year I’ve been watching & waiting & praying they know what they’re doing .. I’ll be honest with you I’m also very scared .. still here still scared still doing everything I can to fight this with my exercise routine/ smoothies/juicing / clean living ( I love wine 🍷.. I miss it ) stay positive ( that comes & goes ) .. I will send you all my positivity & prayers my lovely 🩵🩵

[Pooshon]

I’m so sorry to hear your news but try not to worry. It is best to leave restarting chemo until you have symptoms because the longer you’re able to leave it the more likely it is to work.

Try to enjoy every day and make the most of your time while you’re able.

Wishing you all the best 🙏

[Katmal-UK]

I’ve had 2 recurrences, the first after 4.5 years NED, the second after just over a year NED. Currently a month shy of 11 years NED albeit on a trial for Olaparib. What I’m trying to show/say is that you can come back from this. I have to say both times I started back on chemo within a few days. Good luck x

[SGC2021]

I’m going through the same! CA125 crept up but this week it had tripled! It’s 71 now. So CTscan coming. No idea what the strategy is on a 2nd occurrence. It’s really hard to watch your numbers go up and do nothing!

[delia2]

Hi. One month isn’t likely to make a big difference and it’s giving your body more time to recover from your last chemo. Also your CA 125 is relatively low and a scan might not show anything for a month or three months. I’m wondering why you weren’t on a PARP inhibitor after frontline? Maybe you can go on one after your next chemo.

[iloveidli in reply to delia2]

i was suggested maintenance with Bevacizumab, but my husband was of the opinion that looking at the side effects, let us go for chemo. moreover, i did not understand the working of Bevacizumab. it will go on for 2 years, until side effects become unmanageable or the disease is not controlled.

[delia2 in reply to iloveidli]

Bevacizumab stops new blood vessels from forming and without them the tumors can’t grow bigger. I assume you don’t have a BRCA mutation and are not HRD positive or they would have suggested a PARP inhibitor. Bevacizumab is not used instead of chemo but in addition to it. It starts during chemo and carries on as maintenance.

[iloveidli in reply to delia2]

thank you so much for that clarification. What happens once bevacizumab is stopped?

[delia2 in reply to iloveidli]

I think just watch and wait.

[iloveidli in reply to delia2]

thank you

[iloveidli in reply to delia2]

thank you

[Goodgirl98]

Sorry you are doing through this uncertainty, Akila. My understanding is they can wait for up to 3 readings of ca125 going upwards or if symptoms show up before deciding on next course of treatment. This is because ca125 can elevate for other reasons as well. I would recommend to wait for one more reading before pushing for a PET scan. Best wishes

[iloveidli]

Thank you to all of you out there. I was feeling lonely and afraid. This waiting is killing me and my husband. Both of us are trying to cheer each other. Moments of relaxation are few but moments of worry are many. God be with us all.