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Why are cancer markers 15-3 and 19-9 rising while CA-125 isn’t?
Gynecologic Cancers | Last Active: 35 minutes ago | Replies (43)Comment receiving replies
Good morning this is great grandma and you are the first case that is exactly what I have 3c2. Thank you for posting I hope you continue. I am on the fence for Chemo and radiation that is suggested. I'm 80 years old and they say I am an excellent candidate for this treatment. I had surgery July 9th full hysterectomy and removal of one lymph node as it had a .8 tumor. All evidence of cancer is gone and three CT scans show no cancer. I am told that there could be microscopic particles that the laparoscopic surgery could not see, that's why they ordered the treatments. They call it a cleaning up process. In my case the treatments could damage me as well as my organs and losing my hair is something I'm not looking forward to. I am told I can stop any time, but again at what cost? There are no guarantees either way. My family is divided as they want me to live but don't understand if CT scan says no cancer why get treatments. I am a very active person was doing 15000 steps or more a day but have slowed a little most likely stress about my situation. I have two bad knees and also I was told before this happened to see a Venus Dr. as I have heavy swelling of my legs. I am happy to see someone asking questions as I think I have asked too much, but my quality of life is very very important as I have 9 Great Grandchildren. The oldest is 19 and youngest is 6 months. I haven't told them yet. I kept it from my immediate family until after the surgery. I am thankful for 80 yrs but would like a few more God willing.
Replies to "Good morning this is great grandma and you are the first case that is exactly what..."
@greatgrandma2025
You are an inspiration Great Grandma. I'm 65 with IIIC1.
Complete hysterectomy Aug 8. Tumor removed and cancer cells present in one sentinel lymph node. Tumor board recommended both chemo and EBRT but my oncologist said chemo only. I didn't want either as I also want a want l good quality of life for whatever years remain.
I agreed to chemo a week ago and had the first infusion Friday which didn't go as well as planned.
I was told that the cancer cells in the lymph node are so small that they aren't detectable in the CT which is why I should have chemo.
@greatgrandma2025
I am 74 and was diagnosed with serous 4B endometrial and had surgery with no evidence of diease on CT-scan afterwards (january). but apparently these suckers are AGGRESSIVE. I went through the 6 carbo/platin/herceptin infusions and lost hair 3 weeks after first infusion and have had rather messed up gastric/intestinal stuff but no pain or nausea and (using foot coolers), VERY little neuropathy. but if you are active, neuropathy is NOT something you want to have. Am i glad i did it (considering that if you google stage 4b serous endometrial cancer with omentum involment you get 4-7 months!)? - yes. would i do it again if things recur? - probably not. I am very active, never really had any fatigue and have continued to travel extensively internationally (I flew to japan the day after my 3rd infusion (wearing diapers for temporary urinary incontinence primarily due to all the stuff that gets dripped in)). currently am on Herceptin every 3 weeks (only 1 hour infusion) and my hair is back and finally i am getting my gastric/intestinal stuff under control (5 months after end of the BAD chemo).
everyone DOES respond differently to chemo and i think i was lucky. quality of life is important. I never thought that i would do chemo - i mean how stupid is it to try to kill all your actively dividing cells in order to slow the growth of some demon? good luck with whatever your decision - and remember it IS YOUR decision.
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@greatgrandma2025 At 80-years-old and with 9 great grandchildren I think I can understand why you are reluctant to do the chemo treatments. If you've read the comments here and in other Gynecological Cancer discussions you will see a range of responses and reactions to chemotherapy. Some people have few side effects and some people have more. Do you know the names of the chemo agents that are proposed by your doctors? If you do, then you might like to list the names of the chemo agents here as some of our members can then respond with their own experiences.
I did not have chemotherapy so I cannot provide my own experience.
I've had pelvic radiation therapy. I had 28 external beam treatments and 2 internal (brachytherapy) treatments. I had very few side effects with radiation therapy other than fatigue and occasional diarrhea. Again, do you know what your doctors are proposing for radiation therapy?
Quality of life is certainly very important. You are the best judge for what you consider your own quality of life. You mentioned that you've kept your diagnosis from your immediate family. Have you now told your children? Or your grandchildren? Perhaps they can helpful although ultimately it is your decision on how you would like to proceed.