Now what?--finishing chemo

[KateKett]

Hello all,
I haven't been posting much lately, so I'll re-cap what's going on before I ask my question.  I was diagnosed with a borderline serous neoplasm with positive washings this past december-both ovaries removed.  In February, I had a staging surgery-- lymph nodes and all biopsys came back fine except for 1 non-invasive implant on my bladder & positive washings.  I am going on my 3rd and final round of Carbo/Taxol this week.  I saw my gyn/onc for a check up last week.  They said everything looked/felt fine & that I'd see them again in 3 months.  
However, I am wondering how we know that the cancer is gone?  Am I supposed to just have faith?  I've only had one CA-125 and that was after the last surgery (which was 16, I believe) So I don't know if it's a good marker for me or not...  I'm just so worried about knowing if the washings are still postive or not after chemo.  I suppose the only way to tell is through another surgery.  
I guess my other question is-- What is the standard for post-chemo follow up appointments-- What do they do? What are they checking?!  
Thanks In Advance-
Kate <3

[nyc lady]

It all goes back to, there is no screening test for ovarian cancer.  

At the 3 month check up the doctor will do a CA125, vaginal and recto-vaginal exam.  Some doctor's will order a CT Scan, other's won't.  Talk to your doctor about your concerns, ask him/her what their plan is, what tests they will be doing, ask about CT Scans, etc....also, listen to your body.  I was diagnosed stage 1A, and you know what, I had every single symptom, I knew something wasn't right, but, did nothing about finding out what was going on.....know how you feel, and know when something is up.

Right now, chemo is done, no doctor's appointment for 3 months, you can't be checked every day....sooooooo, enjoy life, get healthly and strong!!!

Be well,
Pam

[Sue838383]

Hi Kate,
Well done you only had to have 3 treatments. I understand the normal CA125 is less than 35. My Dr's like to have 3 CA125's within normal range to show a plateau and demonstrate no cellular activity. Unfortunatly the grey area for us all is when cells or tumours have been present in certain areas and our blood work is normal. Having further chemo in our bodies when cellular activity is small or non symptomatic is just putting our bodies under unneccessary strain, especially as some side effects of chemo can be accumulative ie neurotoxicity. It seems we are to accept a few cells as chemo reduces the size and activity of cancer cells. It might be a bit unrealistic to think that every cell has gone. Some positive thinking and a good immune system is the way to go in between seeing the  Dr's.

Depending on what agents you have had, generally speaking a check up in 2-3 months would be acceptable. Of course you can always contact your Dr if you have symptoms at any time.
I thought I had some symptoms reoccuring after 5 months. My Dr's said it was highly unlikely after such a short period of time. It seems that in a woman who responds easily to chemo, who's numbers drop easily, they are not expecting any cellular activity to increase the CA125 within a 6 month period. ( I had carboplatin 6 & gemcitabine 12) I hope I have reassured you somewhat.