One year in remission

At my 3-monthly checkups my CA125 results have gone up every time. My latest in February was at 76 The oncologist says that is still stable. Was 9-11 last January, so to me it seems a big jump but he reassures me it is nothing to worry about. I still get niggling pains every now and then. Recently the pains have only been when I go to bed.

I have also put on a lot of weight and feel bloated again. I have another scan at the end of April and see the oncologist again at the beginning of May. I am again, seeing a different oncologist, the second one I saw last year. I wish there was some consistency in seeing doctors.

We did go on our holidays last year and was fine and we enjoyed ourselves. This year we are holidaying in Scotland at the end of May/beginning of June. Really looking forward to going away and hoping for good weather. I hate these dark mornings and earlydark nights but the days  are beginning to stretch out again, thank goodness.

  • Hello EAH, 

    I can completely understand why seeing your CA125 results go up every time would make you worry that it signals something to be concerned about but the most important thing is that the oncologist doesn't seem to worried about it and says that is still stable and nothing to worry about. Don't hesitate to share your worries with your oncologist and mention any niggling pain that has been bothering you, the fact that you have put on a lot of weight and feel bloated and I am sure they will be happy to answer your questions and reassure you. I can imagine the lack of consistency in seeing a different oncologist every time is a bit unsettling; on the other hand you get to have the opinion of different experts rather than just one person so it can also be a positive thing. 

    I hope that all goes well when you have your scan in April and see your oncologist at the beginning of May. I hope that it will all be positive news and that you can then make the most of your holidays in Scotland at the end of May/beginning of June. The weather should certainly be warmer by then and Scotland is so beautiful! Something to really look forward to for you. I think spring is definitely coming... slowly, but surely... 

    Best of luck with your scan - keep us updated if you don't mind on how it all goes. Keeping everything crossed for you!

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Update. CT showed new disease in serosal around liver, 3 lymph nodes around my heart, and lymph-nodes in my pelvic area. After our June holiday in Scotland I started chemotherapy again, same drugs. I was very ill after the first chemo and ended up in hospital on the Sunday night on a rehydrating drip for 6 hours. They did another CT which showed another new area of disease around my colon. The oncologist said he would reduce the chemo by 20% for the rest of the treatment. Second chemo was better but the nausea was dreadful, took 10 days before it went. This time I have also had really bad indigestion. I have not been someone who suffers indigestion and I couldn’t believe how painful it was! I asked for stronger anti sickness tablets which I did get for the 2 days following chemo and this reduced the nausea to one week. Following third and fourth chemos I just felt wiped out and it took me over a week to feel anything like normal. Also sessions 3 and 4 were both postponed a week because of low neutrophils. After the 4th I was given an injection to administer at home to try and stop the white blood cells from dropping too much. My 5th chemo is due next week so we will see if the injection has worked. I am on the same drugs and again using a cool cap but just can’t believe how badly my body has reacted this time around, First time I had very few side effects and those I had were not too bad but this time everything has been so much worse,I will be glad when the 6th chemo session is over.After chemo I am going to be taking cancer targeted tablets but don’t know which yet. I am hoping the side effects of these will not be so bad but will have to wait and see. I just can’t wait until the tinal chemo session is over!