Saw Onc today-not good news

Hello Ladies,
I saw my oncologist this morning and was due to go upstairs for my 5th round of Carbo/Taxol afterwards. I have been filling up with ascites since my last round of chemo and have been concerned that it is perhaps not working. Disappointingly I couldn't have chemo today because my blood counts are too low. Usually the chemo reduces the ascites a bit. My CA 125 is still 196, the same as it was after the 2nd treatment. My Onc agrees that the Carbo/Taxol is probably not working. I'm going back next week and we will decide whether to carry on with the current regime or try something else. He mentioned perhaps having a shunt fitted to drain my ascites directly into a vein.
I feel so miserable about all this. I was looking forward to being finished before christmas and perhaps going away with my DH in January. It seems I have lost my hair for nothing. I'm sorry to be so down, I'm very grateful I have you ladies to talk to. s Rachel x

oh dear rachel...i'm so sorry that the treatment may not be working. at least the ca125 level has remained stable. i hope the shunt will give you some long-term relief from the ascites and your oncologist gets you on a regime that works for you. sorry you're feeling so down...it's perfectly understandable. i'm wishing that you will cheer up for the coming season. i know your onc will find the right chemo combination for you. take care, rachel and keep us posted.
colleen.

Rachel, so sorry to hear the current chemo is not knocking those little devils to where they belong and hoping that there will be something that will hold them at bay for a while. I know what you mean about hoping to have an enjoyable holiday - I too was hoping for no recurrence and no treatments over the holidays, and here I am starting again, just three weeks short of a year from the first go-round.

I worry about not being able to get all the chemo as it is scheduled, as I had really low counts the last time, and had to get Nuepogen shots for several days after the treatments. After the 2-5 it was three shots, and after the sixth and last treatment it was six shots. My insurance is not great, but thank goodness it covered the chemo and shots. My white counts are still not back to the 'normal' range' so this latest chemo should prove interesting. Have you gotten anything to boost your counts?

Hopefully they will find the right treatment for you and you and your DH can get away after the first of the year and just forget everything for a while and relax. We all need to do that from time to time - we can't let our lives be ruled by cancer.

Just sending a little of everything your way

Dear Rachel,
It's completely understandable that this would bring you down. But it sounds like your gyn/onc is completely on the case, and I hope that he comes up with a plan that blasts the cancer and also gives you some relief.
xx

Rachel,
I am so sorry to hear this news. I have been wondering how you were doing. Please ask your doc about gemcetebine and cisplatin. It is a great combo. I know how hard it is, my treatment had failed working prior to a holiday as well, and it was very emotional for me. But try to keep your spirits up and keep looking. You are way early enough in the process to be seen by cancer research clinics. Check them out and see what they offer.

Rachel - I am sorry. It is good though, that your doc is on top of things, and that you won't have to tolerate any treatment that is not currently working!

I agree with Faith- try a cancer research clinic - or at least get another opinion from another gyne/onc. I am becoming a big believer in getting lots of opinions!

Rachel, I'm so sorry to hear your news. Please keep searching for the right treatment - I'll keep you in my prayers.

Rachel,

I am so sorry to hear that it appears your current treatment is not working. Are you going to a teaching hospital? They often have the best resources for fighting the alien, which is my special name for the big C.

I will pray that you and your DH will be able to steal away on holiday together - as other hystersisters have said, we need a life outside of cancer.

Also in my prayers will be the thought that you will have a gorgeous head of hair when it returns!

No need to apologize for being down - one of the great things about this place is that we come here to share feelings, and it doesn't matter if they are sad or unhappy feelings. All of us are in this together.

Rachel,
I'm so sorry the treatment isn't working. You didn't lose your hair for nothing. Your CA125 didn't go up. So it must have worked enough to keep you stable. It's normal to feel so down, It's a scary time. Remember when you feel better to always smile as much as you can so you can look at the world through those happy eyes. Hugs
Bertha