The headline is that my numbers are up - the CA 125 was 142 then 163 now 205. The last time was not an aberration as we hoped - this chemo that is raising my blood pressure is not working. Now what?
Yesterday was amazing in that 10 minutes after I learned my numbers - while I was in pickleball on a break - I got a call from a researcher who wants to talk about a clinical trial. I found myself in her office at 1:30 in the afternoon and learned about the trial.
Now I am Waiting - to learn if I can even be eligible. Something about my protein which will be tested and will take 2 weeks. Then I find out if I qualify and if I am on a waiting list or can be treated immediately.
If I am treated I will meet with my new doctors. I will have to leave Dr. Backes for the duration of the clinical trial and then go back to her when it is over.
Then I will go in hospital every week to receive the infusion = the first week for 3 nights and the second and third week for two nights. And then it will be every three weeks in the office.
The most disturbing possible side effect is hearing loss. There are currently three people in the study at OSU but one of them is leaving because it isn't working for her. That concerns me as well.
I am game for anything. This is what I learned from my mother when she had ovarian cancer - the clinical trials may not work for you but they guide the researchers in their work and will help the next generation of women who suffer from this disease.
I have lived through this cancer journey always waiting for news. And it frequently has been disappointing. Every three weeks I have had my blood work done and learned "my numbers."
I have had two wonderful trips since I last wrote - one to see my brothers and one to be with my best friend Susan. In the midst of the joy of these relationships - in the background - I am waiting. That is my life.
Tomorrow I see the doctor. I am definitely waiting to hear what she has to say.
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