79 yr old w/Stage 3

[Aries2017]

Hello Everyone...Quite a journey, isn't it? Just wanted to share that tomorrow will be my 1 yr Anniversary of NED, Stage 3 OC, rather complicated dx but have made it this far since 10/2017. Just wondered if anyone else my age has OC, how r u doing and any I do u would like to share. TY

[Aries2017]

Sorry auto correct..any who are my age who would like to reply.

[Ryleebrown in reply to Aries2017]

Hi...

Well, I’m 78 with recurrent OC. Was cancer free from 2008 thru 2016, then CA started to increase. Have had 18 chemo treatments in 2017, then it recurred again in 2018 and I could only tolerate 5 treatments of Doxil and Carboplaten. Side effects were terrible. I’m now on KeyTruda, (immunotherapy) and feel I will be back on chemo if I choose that route again. I’m between a rock and a rock....Chemo or no chemo....both horrible.

All I can do now is pray to make the correct decision.

I also pray that you don’t have a recurrence. 🙏

[Aries2017 in reply to Ryleebrown]

I never thought I would get a response, given my age and case. Can we PM or talk somehow? I don't want to be an annoyance to you but perhaps we can be of some help to each other. At this point, I am thankful, but everyday is stressful as I fear the unknown. My CA went up slightly last test , but ONC thinks it is because I had diverticulitis last month. I will not have Chemo again, ever...not worth it...I live in AZ and got Valley Fever concurrent to OC remission, and if you know anything about VF, the meds are as , if not worse than Chemo...so my whole year of remission has been HELL> Am planning trips ...after 3 years and hope to make them. Thank you so ever much for responding. [e-mail]. GOD BLESS !

[Ryleebrown in reply to Aries2017]

I sent you a message. Did you receive it?

[Aries2017 in reply to Ryleebrown]

yes I did, sorry, I have been so sick last few days. I am so pleased to hear from u & will get back to u as soon as possible. Ty, Barbara

[malka210]

I’m 81 having been on several medications for 5 years. I am now finding my C125 is rising. Started a week ago on a parp oral meds, will speak to

doctor about increasing the 300 mg twice a day. Stay strong sister warrior

Millie

[Aries2017 in reply to malka210]

I really wany to communicate with, but have been so sick lately. Plz bare with me. TY

[malka210 in reply to Aries2017]

Thinking of you sister hoping this will pass....hugs Millie

[Aries2017 in reply to malka210]

ty...am somewhat better. never know from one day to next. So 😟

[Pianoplayer731021 in reply to malka210]

Hi Malta, I take 200 mgs. Nightly, because of my weight. I’m about 135 lbs. My dr. didn’t want me to take 300mgs, because it might be too much for me. I don’t know if a person can take 300 mgs. twice a day. I’m on Zejula, not sure what your oral med is. I was stage 4, just wondering what your stage is. I’m almost 74, so I hope you do good at 81. It gets tough the older we get. I have a pelvic exam every 4 weeks. Not looking forward to those miserable exams. Hang in there. 😊

[Margsantovi]

Hi I am 81 and was dx with stage 3a OC in July 2017. I had surgery followed by Chemo and see my Oncologist every 3 months. Will see him April 4 and am keeping my fingers crossed. My prayers go out for you and all who are going through this same ordeal

[Aries2017 in reply to Margsantovi]

Hi, I am almost at a loss for words asI am so down all the time. I cannot tolerate anti depressants. My biggest issue is back pain that chemo undid all the surgeries I had done. I was so active, golf 3x a week, gym, constantly on the go. Just have not been the same since all this happened...going for second epidural next month. I realize at such an old age...wow, never considered myself old till this hit me, was always on the go. I also see oncologist every 3 months. Can u explain the “a” after 3 as dx? I asked her and she said no letter just stage 3...guess I should have pursued it, but always rattled when I go for that dreaded appt.

God Bless You & Ty for answering me.

[Husbandteal]

I am 78 diagnosed August 2017. Surgery, chemo, now on inhibitor for almost a year.. Very normal until January when ca 125 began to rise.....now over 400. Scan today. Am in clinical trial and followed closely. Am weary of all the blood tests....sometimes weekly. Tough road we are traveling.

[Aries2017]

Thank you for your reply. I find it more beneficial to converse with women around my age as we have totally different circumstances....not that they all don't end up with the same result.

I live in constant fear, which seems to strike me when I awake early and think too much. I am blessed, I guess, to have lived this long and was , for the most part always healthy. Now, I freak out all the time. My 125 went up last time, by a few points, am 28...wow..400. What was it b4? I'm hoping to reach 80, will be 79 4/17...not that it really matters. My sons live far away and not that they don't care but...............what can I say. When told you are NED everyone thinks you are healthy again! Even my husband.

Plz let me know what your scan results are...BEST WISHES!

[Husbandteal in reply to Aries2017]

Scan looked good.....a bit of a mystery as to what is going on. My med was increased in January from 100 to 200 mgs. and am finding it more difficult to tolerate with increased side effects, but grateful at the same time. No taste, no stamina.....am going to start walking more but am not comfortable out alone and realize I must get over that. At times I need a hand or shoulder to hold for balance......awkward for me as I was a very active independent critter! My wonderful radiologist saw ascites when I originally had CT scan preparing for prolapsed uterus surgery. He saved my life! My primary physician immediately sent me to a specialty surgeon who scheduled the debulking immediately. We live about 40 miles north of Washington, DC and are blessed with outstanding med care. Am very concerned that we read of so many who are misdiagnosed. I was quite bloated and thinking it was just "age fat". A clue should have been that I just could not lose weight.....turned out I was carrying 18 pounds of cancer filled fluid! So.....with two other specialty doctors who missed the indicators....it was my radiologist who recognized a potential huge problem. He goes over everything now giving us time to think about what to discuss with oncologist.....his job is to simply take the images but he goes over and beyond. I can never ever thank him enough! Thank you for letting me share. My 15 year old grandson recently commented that his Nana hates to hear it said that someone is in a better place because she likes it here! Between that and the saying, "that everyone wants to go to heaven but not tonight!" I try to keep my sense of humor. My Christian faith sustains me daily.

[Aries2017]

Isn't it unbelievable how many misdiagnosises there are? Every case is so different. I was told by my PCP that I had IBS, otherwise, very healthy. I knew something was not right when I started to bloat so much when I am a thin person and eat very little. It was sooooooo uncomfortable. My Cancer was actually on my colon which sent me to ER with extreme pain.... almost immediate surgery...then told colon cancer and sent home to die. 11th hour, Oncologist came in and said it was Primary Peritoneal, treatable. It was so much stress and at that point I really did not care...!

Keeping a sense of humor is easier said than done isn't it? I do not have any grandchildren of my own, wish I did, but their choice. I lost my husband in 2003 to throat Cancer, so sudden! 2 years later married a golfing buddy of ours who also lost his wife of 40years to brain Cancer. When I was dxed, I thought, OH NO, how can he go thru this again. He has been there every step of the way, but lately since NED, kinda distant. We are both the same age. I am going on my first "trip" Friday with my BFF who is 80 and healthy! Have not been away for over 3 years.

Yes, Christian Faith ...I pray day and night, not just for me. God Bless You!

ps..I was born in DC...now live in AZ after many relocations...but this is it!

Take care!