Rising CA125 levels - what would you have done?

Alrighty sisters! I'd like your opinion.

This is a two part question - one dealing with the past and one with the future.

The Past: Yes I know we can't turn the clock back. What's done is done but I am curious as to what you think. If you read my first post it says that my CA125 level went from 42 to 150 to almost 200 in the space of three months. Now I know CA125 is not completely indicative of ovarian cancer but can be. I had a total hyst but am regretting it now as I feel it was unnecessary. I was not feeling any pain - in fact I had never felt better. But I went on the advice of doctors (yes I got more than one opinion) and now I wish I hadn't. I must say though that I was having heavy bleeding the first two days of my period (1 tampon and maxi pad got soaked every hour) and my iron reserves were down to almost 0. Despite this I did not feel tired, in fact I was bounding with energy.

Question: what would you have done with such increasing levels of CA125 in such a short space of time?

I'll ask my 'future' question in another post under Post Hyst questions.

Before having myself tested, I've had to ask myself that question. My decision was to have the test, prepared to act, in the event results were abnormal. Otherwise, why bother being tested?

Therefore, if my results were the same as yours, I would make certain my doc had plans to do follow-up testing/procedures to assist in ruling out ovarian cancer.....or at least to explain what triggered the results.

..........................s.....Deb

Did you have an exploratory lap procedure to look around and get a biopsy first? My CA levels were high also, the lap was the next step, which ruled out cancer but did find endo, thus the high CA levels. Sometimes we like to go back and review our choices, it is pointless to dwell on the past tho. I would not have gotten the hyst/BSO without a biopsy/lap surgery to see exactly what was going on first. Try not to be so hard on yourself, what's done is done and its torture to go back and analyze yourself to death. I trusted my Dr to lead me along the journey but also researched for myself. Did you have cancer?

Good point, auntdot.................My Grandma always reminded us that spending too much time looking in the rearview mirror keeps you from going forward.

veryangry...........I pray you are doing all you can to cherish your present and future.........life is so very short. This journey can be a bumpy road, in places. Take care..................s.....Deb

First of all, I'm so sorry you're feeling such regret about your surgery.

I haven't had to deal with the issues you have, so I honestly have no idea how I would have dealt with the rapidly rising CA125 levels you faced. But as a hypothetical question, I think I would have had surgery if it had been recommended.

However, I can say that I have had, like all of us have had, moments in life I wish I could have changed, or where I wish I had said "No" instead of "Yes" or whatever. I try to remember to be gentle with myself, and remember that all I can do is the best I can with the information I have at the time.

Hope this helps.

	Quote:
Originally Posted by veryangry Question: what would you have done with such increasing levels of CA125 in such a short space of time?

With the history of all kinds of cancer running rampant in my family, I would have "had it all out" for sure.

I hope that in time, you can move forward in the "hysterectomy timeline" from pondering the "what ifs" and "should I haves" to concentrating on being the best "you" that you can be, at this stage of the game. It took me a while to reach that point, but it did happen.

Many s and Best Wishes,