I am heading back to CTCA in Phoenix on Thursday. I hate to start chemo, but I really don't know what else to do!! The doctor says it's so aggressive and we need to reduce the tumors to side track the tingly feeling that has recently started in my lower legs and arms.
The oncologist says I have platinum refractory ovarian cancer which I think means it is resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy -- which is what I had from January to September of 2012. I never reached "remission" and so that is what our goal is now. He has devised a concoction of Carboplatin (the platinum-based chemo I had before) in conjunction with Gemzar (chemo) and Avastin. Our goal is to get the CA125 down to the "normal range" within 6 treatments and then stay on Avastin for a year. My treatments will be once every 3 weeks, just like before.
They assure me that they have had much success in keeping nausea at bay by using nausea patches, and of course, synthetic medicine. Ughhh! I really don't want this option, but I just don't know enough to do anything else. I am really at the mercy of the doctors.
thankfully my sister will join me at CTCA on Friday.
Appreciating prayers, advice, encouragement, etc.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
2nd opinion at CTCA
Cancer Treatment Center of America...so far the experience has been quite good. We have been treated as queen and king. Really. It's a relaxing place, lots of activities planned, good food to eat, smoothies to drink and lots of lattes! Our transportation is free and available to drive us just about anywhere. Our hotel is super nice and just a stone's throw across from CTCA.
We arrived Thursday night. Tests were performed Friday. I have a few pages to share on this blog about the actual details--only cause i want people to know and I want to remember!! but that will be my next blog:-)
Quickly I want to share that my CA125, although tested just under a month ago, is still climbing - it is now 1,730. WOW!! or UH OH! It's always a surprise to hear a higher number especially when i think I have done a "good" job NOT eating the things I want to eat:-)
The CT Scan shows tumors in my lymph system in the abdomen, in my left neck area and under both arms. This is discouraging (very discouraging) news. It seems that our option is going to include chemotherapy - again. We will meet with another oncologist, the naturopath, the nutritionist and nurse educator on Wednesday for a detailed plan of treatment.
Asking for prayers, as always, to be brave, to live each day, to allow God's will with grace:-)
We arrived Thursday night. Tests were performed Friday. I have a few pages to share on this blog about the actual details--only cause i want people to know and I want to remember!! but that will be my next blog:-)
Quickly I want to share that my CA125, although tested just under a month ago, is still climbing - it is now 1,730. WOW!! or UH OH! It's always a surprise to hear a higher number especially when i think I have done a "good" job NOT eating the things I want to eat:-)
The CT Scan shows tumors in my lymph system in the abdomen, in my left neck area and under both arms. This is discouraging (very discouraging) news. It seems that our option is going to include chemotherapy - again. We will meet with another oncologist, the naturopath, the nutritionist and nurse educator on Wednesday for a detailed plan of treatment.
Asking for prayers, as always, to be brave, to live each day, to allow God's will with grace:-)
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