Friday, October 19, 2007

Halfway through - or not?

Chemo went fine today (as usual). I did get the results of my CA125- not bad news, but not good news either. It went up from 19 to 21. It was 19 before I even started chemo. After these two sessions of chemo, I had hoped that it was going to be much lower - so that was a small disappointment today. However, considering that it was 321 before surgery, and 192 immediately after surgery, and normal range is below 35, I guess its still ok.

The other news I got from the chemo nurse, was that the doctor often extends the 6 treatments to 8 treatments in patients with ovarian cancer, who are young and healthy. Young? Me?? ;) Yes - she said. I am glad that she told me that. I had my heart set on finishing this year, but if that is not to be, its ok. I would rather know of that possibility now than to find out after my fifth or sixth treatment. So maybe I'll be celebrating the Chinese New Year (guess I'll have to Google the date of that!) instead of the usual New Year. However, extended treatments are not a sure thing yet. I want to do everything I can to cure this, but I also don't want to keep doing these treatments if they don't seem to be helping. I have an appointment with the oncologist after my next one, and I'll talk to him at that time (especially about the CA125).

Well, I did start taking the b-complex vitamin and the glutamine. If that doesn't help with the numbness, then I will take writer's advice from my previous post and ask about the pills she suggested (whoosh - the name of it just flew out of my head! Glad I have it in writing ;))

Guess that's it for today - have a great weekend!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your thoughts through this most challenging hurdle in your life.

As a friend of your father's, I can see the ability to communicate via the written word like mom and dad.

You are in my prayers and thoughts as I too am a fellow travellor learning through the life of pain and suffering being a polio survivor and a suicide survivor having lost our 20 year old son, Ryan, Dec. 14, 2002.

God works in and through mysterious ways as we endeavor to empty our of ourselves.

K Dignan

Anonymous said...

Natalie:

Have been following your ordeal via your dad - he just gave me your blog. We're praying for you. Keep your chin up...i'm sure there are good days ahead!

Dave Weeks

Anonymous said...

Feb. 7, 2008 is Chinese New year - year of the Rat! If we have to wait til then, that's what we'll do - it's all good kid!!!

Jama Kay