I went for a second opinion with a gyn/onc, Duke University trained, at Medical University of South Carolina. I only picked this institution as I was visiting my sisters near Charleston, SC and have an increasing CA125 and my sisters insisted I get a second opinion. I am on a monthly CA125 testing and appointment schedule with my oncologist here in Chesapeake, VA, who I have great confidence in, but it never hurts to get a second opinion. The doctor reviewed everything, had his pathologists look at my original pathology slides, and he did a new CA125 on Friday. My CA125 on September 4 was 248, having risen from 222 only a month before. On Friday, September 12 yesterday, it dropped 74 points!!!! It was 174!!! I had noticed that the pain in my back and abdominal fullness has subsided AND my reflux has improved. There is no other explanation other than prayer and my granddaughter. I have been sitting for my granddaughter who is the love of my life (she was the answer to my prayers as one of my greatness sadnesses in this besides leaving my children and husband prematurely, was that I may not live to see my grandchildren and then my daughter and SIL got pregnant unexpectedly). When I am with her, the world around me disappears and I feel 20 years younger and feel so at peace, calm, all my problems disappear. She has brought so much joy and hope in my life. Also my daughter and her husband, a budding young pastor, were attending a pastor's program/retreat with pastors and their wives from all over the country and many people there prayed for me. There is absolutely NO medical explanation for this drop. I feel better too. Dr. Matthew Kohler the MUSC oncologist basically said that with an increase in my CA125 from normal range I am definitely in a recurrence BUT there is no way to tell WHEN the cancer would become large enough to be seen on a CT scan or the numbers rise high enough to justify chemo at this point. He had no explanation for the drop in CA125. That was music to my ears. He said that it could be 6 months before I need chemo again, or even longer, but he can not predict. Regardless, I will for now accept this gift and try and enjoy this good news. I wanted to share it to give hope to others. Don't give up. Keep praying and hoping. None of us knows what is in store for us or what direction God may take us. Today I feel like a very blessed woman and I pray that my sisters with this disease will be blessed too.
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Second opinion and unexplained drop in CA125 without chemo
- By momanderson920
- Posted September 12, 2009 at 5:54 pm · 37 replies
- In Good news
- Shared with the public
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37 replies
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- By FavoriteAunt
- Posted September 12, 2009 at 6:02 pm
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Momanderson920,
You have much to be thankful for and I celebrate with you. I know how stressed you've been for a while, worrying about what was going on and what to do. Well, someone has answered your questions and prayers.
I hope this will give you a new optimism and keep you strong for the future. You truly have been blessed and I am really happy for you. Thank you for sharing this amazing story. Continued good wishes to you.
- By youngmom
- Posted September 12, 2009 at 6:36 pm
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Wow Momanderson, that is good news - a 74 point drop !!!! Keep on spending time with that precious grandbaby as she is definitely the best medicine. I've also read studies about the benefit of having people pray for you. These 2 things combined must have had an impact. Maybe, just maybe, you can continue to reverse the trend. It has happened with other people. It reminds me of a story I read in one of the Bernie Siegel books of a woman whose cancer disappeared after quitting her job and spending all of her time with her children. Miracles do happen. I will continue to send prayers and positive thoughts your way.
- By Brown_Eyes
- Posted September 12, 2009 at 7:01 pm
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Wow, what an awesome report to hear from you :) That's great! Thank you for sharing, that's encouraging.
- By lovemnms
- Posted September 12, 2009 at 7:49 pm
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Wonderful news Momanderson! I'm happy for you! Give that granddaughter an extra hug, for she is yor best medicine! Prayers are still offered for you.
Lisa/Lovemnms
- By momanderson920
- Posted September 12, 2009 at 8:37 pm
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Thanks to all you girls for sharing in my wonderful news!!! I agree, I told my daughter and SIL that their daughter has a healing affect on me that I actually feel when I am with her. At least for me, she has the gift of healing. And the visit with my sisters, their families, and my stepdad along with my daughter and son in law also had a healing effect. But the source is a heavenly one, there is no doubt in my mind. We must all try and keep that hope alive...when I have had setbacks with this disease, a sliver of hope often resulted in a turning point. Trying to think positively which is very hard at times is good for our bodies. And I do think the positive influences in our lives, which are usually our faith and our loved ones and friends have a healing influence. I pray that for all my sisters.
- By katelynsmamaw
- Posted September 13, 2009 at 7:22 pm
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Cindy, my doc told me that your CA 125 would not go down if it was cancer. Hmmmm.. I know I have alot of people praying for me and I do feel it has an effect. You know, miracles happen everyday. Some of us may just get one! ..... I'm so glad your getting to experience the joys of being a grandma. It IS good medicine.
- By Shearaw
- Posted September 13, 2009 at 9:15 pm
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Awesome!!! I recently found out how often one of my nephews has been praying for me. He was just Bar Mitzvah'd, and he took on a Relay for Life Team as his related charity project. His team purpose was to honor his good friend, his grandfather (my dad), and me in our cancer battles. I did not know that he has regularly been asking for the special prayer for healing for all of us. I was moved to tears.
- By MinnieM
- Posted September 14, 2009 at 9:49 am
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That's wonderful. Are they sure that it is the cancer that is causing the CA-125 to rise? Regardless, I'm so happy for you.
- By momanderson920
- Posted September 14, 2009 at 11:20 am
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Up till now, my CA125 has been a good indicator of the cancer. When I was first diagnosed it was in the 200s and when the inoperable lymph nodes were untreated for 6 weeks post op, my CA125 rose to almost 900. On chemo it dropped to 8 after 6 cycles of taxol/carbo. You are right, the oncologist said some forms of inflammation can cause CA125 increases and that is possible that there is some inflammation causing my pain, reflux, etc., but they can not find an explanation after CT scans and an endoscope. The second opinion at MUSC, Dr. Kohler, told me that the CT does not pick up tumors 1 cm and below so I could have many small tumors not showing up on a CT. That is precisely what my oncologist here at home said...she referred to them as little pebbles. Whatever the explanation, my pain and reflux is better, almost gone, and I feel good so I am banking on no chemo until I have to. Dr. Kohler said if my CA125 goes above 500 and a CT reveals disease then he advises going back on chemo which is precisely what my oncologist Dr. Rogers here at home has advised me. I will continue to pray that the cancer is kept at bay and I will face it when I have to. Until then, I am enjoying being chemo free and feeling good. For that I am thanking the Lord for this blessing.
- By Shamrock2009
- Posted September 14, 2009 at 4:27 pm
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This is great news. Prayer does work!!!
- By blacksea_turtle
- Posted September 14, 2009 at 5:06 pm
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i am really happy that your visit with your granddaughter had such a great result
Elmira
- By DianaS
- Posted September 14, 2009 at 5:37 pm
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I just had a new grandson last Friday and when I was holding him I felt just like you - like I was healing just being with that sweet little guy. I've also been getting prayers from a lot of people and I think those two things help.
My prayers are with you and I'm very happy that that number is going down. That's great news!
- By quacker
- Posted September 14, 2009 at 6:26 pm
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A psychologist named Lawrence LeShan spent 50 years studying over 20,000 cancer patients, all of whom were considered "hopeless". A full 50% of them went on to long term (like 10 years or more) remission when they found something that made them feel "alive" and something to look forward to every day. Even with that, never forget that God is still in the miracle business. I believe you are the recipient of one, and the 74 point drop is just the beginning. I get the results of my PET scan and CA 125 tomorrow. I am trusting God for a similar miracle.
- By Cheryl4Teal
- Posted September 14, 2009 at 9:47 pm
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Hi Momanderson, first thats awesome news. I do beleive in the power of prayer, and family and being with people you love to make you feel good inside.
A 74 point drop is amazing, and Im so happy your feeling good and getting time to spend with your lovely grandbaby.
I hope you continue to do so wonderful and enjoy living your life to the fullest!
You'll be in my prayers.
- By momanderson920
- Posted September 14, 2009 at 10:03 pm
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quacker, I am praying for your miracle too! This past week taking care of my granddaughter and being surrounded by my family, I completely forgot the cancer and I truly felt like it was healing me. I do believe that relieving stress and trying to keep positive helps our body. I find that hard at times but last week I had alot of people helping me. Quacker, try and stay positive, surround yourself with happy things....your loved ones, friends, good laughs and fun activities. My prayers are with you for good news. Much love, Cindy
- By momanderson920
- Posted September 14, 2009 at 10:06 pm
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DianaS, I am so excited for you with your new grandson!!! This the one club that is a happy one. I know you will find this too, when I am with my granddaughter, I feel 20 years younger and time stands still. ENJOY! Cindy
- By quacker
- Posted September 14, 2009 at 10:42 pm
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Thank you. One thing I've learned is that in trusting God, any fear or doubt will neutralize an equal amount of faith. I thought I had strong faith, but was running scared all the time. No matter what the scans or blood tests show, I will not be afraid any more. I have started to have fun, to surround myself with people who really care, and to pray with new confidence.
- By momanderson920
- Posted September 14, 2009 at 10:51 pm
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Quacker, I totally agree. In the beginning I was terrified all the time, but as time has gone on, God has given me more of a peace and acceptance when I have had new symptoms or bad test results. I realize that I still may have times of anxiety, but everytime God has gotten me through a crisis or rough patch, it increases my faith that He will continue to get me through. This most recent good news is such an unexpected gift. I pray it will give hope to others. And I realize it could be temporary, but for now I am rejoicing.
- By Stoogemom
- Posted September 15, 2009 at 3:01 am
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Fantastic news...momanderson.
stoogemom
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