monthly bloodwork ??

[Heidels]

I am supposed to have blood work, including the Ca-125 done monthly because I am on Zejula. I asked doc why the Ca-125 every month since I was told earlier it would be every 3 months. Doc said when someone is taking Zejula and other PARP meds, they get tested every month but it is my choice. Is that really necessary to have a Ca-125 done every month along with the CMP and the CBC ? I am at a 7 CA-125 number at present.

[Cjbloomq]

Hi, I have been on Zejula now for over 2 years. In the beginning my doc had me come in once a month to check bloodwork. You can get low blood counts on Zejula that is why they check you .My doc did Ca125 everyother month. Now that I've been on Zejula for a while I go every 6 weeks for bloodwork and see doc. I asked my doc if I could go longer than every month.No issues for me. Good luck on your journey. Great site here to help along the way.

[Pianoplayer731021 in reply to Cjbloomq]

I had blood work once a week for the first month. Now i’m having it once a month. Don’t know what my ca 125 will be, if monthly or every other month. I’m stage 4 oc and now my ca 125 is 14.8. I was all the way up to 187 in the beginning. What is your ca125 count? Just curious.

[Cjbloomq in reply to Pianoplayer731021]

I have stage 3c ovarian since 2013, My Ca125 at that time was over 4000. between chemo surgery chemo and now Zejula my Ca125 goes up and down from 7 to 11 to 7.5 to 12. Doc not too concerned about numbers could have inflammation that can effect numbers. All good otherwise

[Pianoplayer731021 in reply to Cjbloomq]

Wow, your ca125 was really high. Didn’t know it could go that high, I guess. I had 4 rounds of chemo, then major surgery, then 3 more rounds of chemo. I started my cancer journey last Oct. , stage 4. Now, my dr. put me on Zejula. I started that on July 3. Thanks for telling me about the inflammation with ca125. You have been a warrior for sure. I am 73 and will turn 74 in November, 2020. Just wondering about your age? Glad that you have been good since 2013.

[Cjbloomq in reply to Pianoplayer731021]

I am 62 now. I have had 1 recurrence since 2013,was good for a year then came back late 2014 and had additional chemo,Avastin,chemo and now Zejula since 2018.

So many new treatments coming for ovarian cancer. Funny thing is I was never sick my whole life and then wham! Keep the faith.

[Pianoplayer731021 in reply to Cjbloomq]

I’ve had a few health problems in my life, but this oc4 is a real journey. Never thought I would get cancer. Keep the faith!

[Heidels in reply to Pianoplayer731021]

last check it was still at 7

[Pianoplayer731021 in reply to Heidels]

Hi, just saw your message. What was your highest reading on your ca125? Just curious. Mine was 187. Now , I am 14.8. Zejula since July 3.

[Heidels in reply to Pianoplayer731021]

I was a 135 at beginning and after 1st chemo, it dropped to 66 and then did a steady downward slide and was 7 at last chemo, NOVEMBER 2019. Was still at 7 last month.I do not carry the Braca gene. Been taking Zejula for a bit over 3 months and so far, so good. They did see two tiny " spots" on scan but are too small to do anything about. Doc said they are non-specific. One spot on my sigmoid and one on urinary bladder. I started taking Zejula to keep these areas at bay. I just hope they do not grow and stay small or just go away !Ca-125 again in two weeks.........hate waiting for results on that, makes me a wreck!

[Pianoplayer731021 in reply to Heidels]

Hi, I don’t carry that gene either. I started Zejula on July 3 of this year. I hope that we can overcome this. I get scared too when I have to see my blood results. I also hate having a pelvic exam every 4 weeks. I’m getting too old for all of this. Almost 74. I will be getting a ct scan probably in October. I don’t like my port either. You probably have one too. Thanks for your message. It’s also hard to sleep at night. Sometimes my brain won’t let me. Everything about this cancer is crummy. If we don’t take Zejula, the cancer comes back. When we take Zejula, we suffer from side effects. We are caught between a rock and a hard place. Don’t even know if the Zejula will work. Take care and thanks again

[Sashay2020 in reply to Pianoplayer731021]

I’m OC4 too. Similar numbers. My CA 125 was 177 when I was diagnosed in April this year. After debulking and 3 of 6 chemos, my CA 125 is 12. I’m hoping all goes to plan and I finish chemo in November so I can enjoy Christmas. Avastin will be added soon and I guess I will be on that a while. I imagine I will have bloods done every three weeks the day before infusion for some time to come. Best to us all.

Sashay

[Pianoplayer731021 in reply to Sashay2020]

Iv’e never had Avastin. My doc suggested that I should be on Zejula. Hope that you will keep your cancer at bay. Be thinking of you.

[Pianoplayer731021]

Read my message below cjbloomq

[Zand]

I also am on zejula and have bloodwork every month. This was part of the protocol - I’m have been part of a clinical trial for the past 3 years. They track your response to the zejula as well as the Ca125. My advice is to keep having the bllodtests monthly...

[Zand]

Yes, I forgot to mention that I had the testing done just prior to surgery and was found to be positive for the BRCA 2 gene. I was told at the time that zejula works well for BRCA positive patients but that it was also in use for people who don’t carry the gene. I was diagnosed at age 66, and am now 69. My CA125 count has been steady between 6 and 8.

Please continue to stay positive! I am determined to part of the 15-20 percent who survive this. Your faith has been so inspirational - thank you for sharing this

[Pianoplayer731021 in reply to Zand]

Thanks so much for your message. They told me the same thing about Zejula. I hope and pray that I can keep going. I’m almost 74 and I feel it. I’m generally a healthy person, so I am thankful for that. Keep the faith. It’s wonderful to know that there are God fearing people out there. I know that I don’t carry that gene, so my chances are slimmer in beating this. I just take one day at a time. 🥰

[Zand in reply to Pianoplayer731021]

When I was diagnosed I was given a lot of information on statistics for recurrences and for 5 year survival rates. But there was absolutely no info about the individuals involved, whether family history or lifestyle or reaction to stress had any impact on whether the cancer was going to recur. During a support meeting after chemo was completed there was a 55 year old woman who had been cancer free for 20 years. She said that after numerous recurrences she just decided that she wasn’t going to get sick again and it seemed that so far it has worked for her. Somehow it struck a chord with me...and although my doctors said that it was incredibly naive and that it doesn’t work that way, I decided that worst case scenario the cancer would return but at least I wouldn’t have constant fear and that I’d have some quality of life. If there’s such a thing as mind over matter i want to benefit. Please don’t give up. Your emails have reinforced my belief in determination, in staying strong and having faith.

[Pianoplayer731021 in reply to Zand]

By the way, I didn’t get information about people’s cancer coming back either. Sometimes I think that stress can make a person have cancer. Not sure about that, but I know that stress can make a person’s immune system weaker. I’ve read that a person can catch a cold easier. Who really knows what is behind this cancer. I read a lot on the internet and try to learn about it. I’m so tired right now, but really wanted to reply again. 🥰

[Cjbloomq]

I was tested for braca gene. I am negative. Hope Zejula helps you. So far for me it has. Faith goes a long way.

[Pianoplayer731021 in reply to Cjbloomq]

Hi, maybe there is some hope for me on Zejula. I’m negative too with that gene. We just need to keep our faith. Jesus can carry us through all our burdens. Take care. 🥰