hi everybody first of all a happy and healthy christmas and new year.

[nikki9]

i wonder if anyone can help me, i recently went for my first three month check, but my ca125 had gone up from 17 to 23 my onc. He said they look for symptoms which now i seem to keep finding although do feel well! He didnt seem to be worried but i am. , can the ca125 go down again when one has oc.? I do so wich they could find treatment to keep this horrible disease away, I know i am only saying what everyone wants. I would like to say what a godsend this sight has been, many many thankyous nikkixx

[sarah1963]

Dear Nikki

As you know there are lots of reasons why your CA125 can go up and down.

Mine once came down by 1,000 - and I wasn't having any treatment at that point! Take your cue from the onc. They will worry if there is something to worry about.

Happy Christmas to you too.

I feel as though Christmas involves some effort but that we really all need some cheering up. I have got to force myself a little bit to get into the spirit of the Season. Any tips on doing that??

Sarah

[nikki9]

i just try and be glad that i am here this christmas and feeling well. Have joined a ladies gym called CURVES it takes 30 mins and does help to make the old endorphines to work. Also looking forward to having everyone round for christmas dinner. So just be Glad. Happy christmas nikkix

[Hidden]

Dear Nikki - I've just had my post chemotherapy appointment with the oncologist and my first check-up will be in March. She did suggest that we didn't take more CO125 counts as there is no evidence that continual monitoring of proteins in the blood has any more positive effect than just monitoring how you feel. I think we can get too wound up about CO125. My oncologist said the count can go up for various reasons and it doesn't necessarily mean you need more treatment at that particular time.

I think the best thing to do is listen to your body and if you feel well enjoy the things you do. I know that's hard advice to follow after you've been through such a scare. We're both going through a similar phase of this illness and it does make you very sensitive to the least 'symptom' - real or imagined. Take heart but make sure you go back to your cancer nurse if you have any tell-tale symptoms or feel over-anxious. I'm sure he/she will reassure you.

with best wishes. Annie xxx

[Hidden]

Nikki, your rise isn't huge and nor is it so far the pattern that suggests a recurrence, which is your CA125 value doubling and then doubling again within a short time. I would ask for a repeat test in a month. It's very possible that the rise is caused by something else - even a mild stomach upset can cause a rise, as can a different machine in the lab or even a new reagent for the machine. I know someone who panicked because her CA125 doubled - lo and behold, the lab had changed machines. My CA125 when from 7 to 17 when I had heat stroke, but it normalised within two months, thank God. What about your CRP, because a heightened CRP is also an indication that something may be up, but again it can be anything involving inflammation, upset stomach, bowels, etc.

It's not a good time of the year for this to happen, but I hope you can console yourself that it's a relatively small rise.

Take care, Chrissie

[wendydee]

I know it's always worrying when CA125 levels mess your head up, but anything under 35 is not suspicious and, as others have said, the reading can vary for ll sorts of reasons not linked with OC.

So, my tip for a Happy Christmas .....make a big pan of mulled wine, it smells wonderful, so festive, and tastes even better;-).

I make mine in a slow cooker pan and keep it on the lowest simmer, adding a satsuma studded with cloves, red wine, cinnamon sticks, grated nutmeg, a splash of apple juice and sometimes elderflower cordial and sugar to taste. Mmmmm, must get going! Where's that slow cooker?

I hope you can find some sense of calm and enjoy the run up to Christmas. My first Christmas after diagnosis, when I didn't know what my future was going to be, was helped considerably by the mulled wine, as well as the love of friends and family!

Love, Wendy xx

[TinaWright]

I can`t really add anything else to what everyone else have already said apart from Happy Christmas and praying for us all to be cancer free throughout 2012.

I am looking forward to see our little grandsons face when I turn up on Christmas day with a massive santas sack for him.

I ke the sound of your mulled wine Wendy, I may give that one a go.

I made 8 dozen mince pies today, gave 5 dozen away and froze the remaining free ready for visitors.

Love from tina xx

[Frenchdeb]

My last chemo of six is on 23rd December so I'm going to spend Christmas with my head in a bucket! The rest of you, have a good one!

Nikki your figures are still very low so try not to ruin the celebrations by worrying too much.

xx

[JanetS in reply to Frenchdeb]

I spent last Christmas day in a chemotherapy sicky fog. slept through most of the tv shows and hardly ate any dinner. Husband and children cooked the turkey for the first time and they ejoyed themselves. I made a big celebration of new years day with another roast dinner with my family. this year I am active and back in charge of festivities but mainly am glad to still be here!!, Merry Christmas everyone

[wendydee]

Hear, Hear, Janet! A Happy and Healthy Christmas to us all! Especially those of you who are going through chemo and can't enjoy the food and drink this year. I still get a kick out of getting out my Christmas decorations .... the first Christmas after my op, I put them away wondering if I'd still be here to get them out next year, with a real sense of fear. Since then they have been re-used, like a talisman, 9 times. Good health to all xx