Found out that no tumors does not mean no cancer cells

The good news is that I got my new hearing aids last Thursday.  I'm still not used to them, but hope they will help me hear - especially in crowds.  I have a microphone aid for my "dead" ear which transmits sounds to a receiver in my good ear.  The receiver sticks down in my ear canal, so seems to block out some of the sound - still figuring this out.

Following my ear appointment, I saw my oncologist and she told me that my CA-125 has shot up to 158.  This means the cancer cells are growing fairly rapidly, and most likely in my spinal fluid.  Ovarian cancer to the brain and spinal fluid is a rare occurrence, so no definitive treatments are currently available. We have opted for no more tests or treatments.  My balance is getting worse and my concentration periods shorter.  I'm feeling much as I did about a year ago when the docs rushed me into full brain and spine radiation.  I am thankful to the docs for that because it gave me several good months to spend with friends and family.  (I was even able to play a little golf!)
I wish to thank all of you who were such a big help to me and my family last spring and summer while I was going  through treatments.

I believe that I officially terminate from LANL on January 10.  That is the date they are currently giving me - could change and has several times over the past few months.

Good news - no tumors

Had MRIs of my spine and brain - no tumors detected!  Now have an appointment with a neurologist to try and figure out and help with the tailbone and leg pain and the neuropathy in my feet.  (I may be asking too much of this guy.  I hope not.)
I am taking some pain meds. which help with the pain - just hate to take this every 4 hours, but does seem to help.
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers.  I really think this has helped keep me here this long.

Family went to see the Blue Man Group at Popejoy Hall.  Great Show!

Update after seeing Dr.

I've been having pain and numbness in my tail bone, pain down my left leg, and some on the right.  Neuropathy increasing in my left foot, and starting in my right.  Dr. thinks either tumor or scar tissue in my tail bone is pinching a nerve. I'm taking hydrocodone for the pain - works part of the time.  My CA-125 cancer marker has risen from 7 to 24 - not very good.  So, I'm getting an MRI or my brain and upper spine this week, and of the rest of my spine next week.  They didn't want to keep me in the MRI machine for 4 hours, so split the scans.  (Nice of the techs to think of me.)  I will be taking permanent disability from LANL soon to give my try at being a full-time"House Wife" and "Taxi" driver for Jamie.  (Although I'm not much for cooking.  If family wants good meals, will cook themselves.)

I'll update again once I get the MRI results

Beating the odds

The doc at MD Anderson Cancer Center gave me 4 - 6 mths.  I'm now in my 7th!  Yippee! (Goal is to see Jodi graduate, but I'm hoping for Jamie also.)  It is nice to be around.

Got my MRI and CT scan results.  Both show no signs of "metastatic disease" (cancer tumors); although MRI does show some brain cell damage.  (I was the youngest of 3!)

Now I'm in holding pattern - no treatments, just try to stay healthy and get stronger.  My Doc says she will be watching me closely for any caner growth.

For those of you not familiar with cancer treatment left over side effects, here are some I have - not too bad.

Fatigue
Neuropathy (nerve damage)  in my left foot and right hand
Short term memory loss (I am 52 years old!)
Trouble concentrating (probably from brain radiation)

Back pain (probably from spinal radiation)
Trouble sleeping (they have pills for this)
Hearing loss in Rt ear (possibly from radiation)

A lot of you probably have a similar list and haven't even been through cancer treatments, so I can't complain.
All in all, things are good.

Update

Had my CT scan and MRI yesterday.  Probably will get the results on the 26th when I see my Dr.  My platelets and red/white blood counts are down, and they wanted to do another blood transfusion.  I opted out at this time and hope to build them up on my own.  Will get blood checked later this week to see if cells are building.

The exciting thing today was Jodi getting her elbow drained.  She had here bursa sack burst and her elbow was swollen a couple inches with blood/fluid - 3 syringes full!  She is so happy to have it drained, and we no longer have to look at the "ugly" elbow.

Starting my 52nd year

What a nice way to start another year of life.  I have gotten so many well wishes for my birthday - who knew I had so many friends!  Thanks so much to all of you.  I finished my round of chemo yesterday and got a couple pints of blood - all is looking well.  I should start to get stronger as the chemo effects wear off in a few weeks. I'll get a CT scan and MRI to ensure nothing is growing and then I'm in "monitor" mode.  Let's hope I stay in the mode for a long time.

Nothing Found

Had an MRI of my brain and spine last week - Doc today told me they found nothing.  This explains why I'm a spineless blithering idiot!  When I'm slow to find my words, just remember that I'm pulling them out of my elbow.


Good news though, no signs of cancer in either brain or spine.  I'm getting chemo this week, then off to Alaska, then chemo again - hopefully last one.  Doc will then have a full scan done to check for cancer hiding away.  I don't think there is any though.

My CA-125 (cancer marker) is still 7.  yipee!

Keep up all the good thoughts and prayers.  Something is working.
thanks.