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#96250 - 04/22/08 04:33 PM
Prayer is Appreciated
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LaraK
Junior Member
Registered: 05/18/05
Posts: 47
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I started chemotherapy yesterday for invasive gestational trophoblastic disease, in a saga that has been going on since November. I'm glad to just be doing something about it, but it's still amazingly nerve wracking. I'm on low-dose methotrexate 5 days every 2 weeks for at least 3 courses, depending on my blood work in between.
I appreciate all the prayers and support I can get. This is scaring me more than a bit.
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#96253 - 04/22/08 04:59 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: LaraK]
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BlankKeys
Member
Registered: 04/09/08
Posts: 464
Loc: New York
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I'll be happy to say a prayer. Good luck and God Bless.
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#96271 - 04/22/08 11:16 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: BlankKeys]
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RoseMT37
Member
Registered: 06/17/04
Posts: 679
Loc: Texas
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Praying for you! Keep us posted. Hang in there and try to hold on to your faith. Hugs!
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#96880 - 04/29/08 11:38 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: RoseMT37]
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LaraK
Junior Member
Registered: 05/18/05
Posts: 47
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Update: They're monitoring my tumor growth by my hCG levels, assuming that if the chemo is killing the tumor, then my levels will go down since there'll be nothing fooling my body into thinking I'm pregnant. My hCG level went up after the first round of chemo, which was not totally unexpected. They started chemo at a point in hCG levels when every other documented case like mine (not many) didn't respond to it. They assume that the low hCG level meant the tumor was growing too slowly for chemo to have much of an effect, but they wanted to be safe and start it sooner rather than later. If their theory is right, then I should respond quickly to the next round of chemo. For now, all that means is more needles and gross drugs.
ETA: I'm used to needles poking me now, but I still don't have to like them.
Edited by LaraK (04/29/08 11:39 PM)
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#96890 - 04/30/08 06:59 AM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: LaraK]
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BlankKeys
Member
Registered: 04/09/08
Posts: 464
Loc: New York
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Keep the faith, LaraK. My mom is a cancer survivor (15 years in remission) and always says a positive attitude is just as important as any medication/treatment. We're praying for you. 
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#96899 - 04/30/08 09:51 AM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: BlankKeys]
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LaraK
Junior Member
Registered: 05/18/05
Posts: 47
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Thanks I really appreciate the prayers.
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#97282 - 05/05/08 04:03 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: LaraK]
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LaraK
Junior Member
Registered: 05/18/05
Posts: 47
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Update: Apparently, the chemo just needed time to work, which is part of the reason they do one week on, one week off. The previous blood test was from Monday, and my hCG was in the 2200s. I got another test Friday and got my results when I went in to start my next round of treatment: 520. With that kind of dramatic drop, my doctor's partner (doc is out of the country) is even saying that I may be within normal limits by next Friday's blood test. After that, they'll do 2 rounds to make sure I don't relapse. I could be done by the 1st Friday of June.
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#97295 - 05/05/08 08:09 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: LaraK]
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BlankKeys
Member
Registered: 04/09/08
Posts: 464
Loc: New York
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I'm glad you updated us - I was wondering how you were doing. Keep your chin up! 
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#97556 - 05/09/08 01:36 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: BlankKeys]
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LaraK
Junior Member
Registered: 05/18/05
Posts: 47
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Well, another week down and feeling fine for the most part. I'm exhausted, but I'll take that over sick. I have a couple of blood tests next week, and I'll have to wait until the 19th to find out how effective this course was.
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#97558 - 05/09/08 02:09 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: LaraK]
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RoseMT37
Member
Registered: 06/17/04
Posts: 679
Loc: Texas
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Hi there Lara...thanks for the update! I see you have a caring bridge site, if you wanna see an awesome story go to Micah Farmer's page. He is my cousin's little boy and a living miracle! Take care and hang in there!!
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#97580 - 05/09/08 08:12 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: RoseMT37]
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LaraK
Junior Member
Registered: 05/18/05
Posts: 47
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Micah does have an amazing story. Thanks for pointing me that way, Rose.
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#98286 - 05/19/08 06:34 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: LaraK]
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LaraK
Junior Member
Registered: 05/18/05
Posts: 47
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And it's update time again. My blood test on Friday showed my hCG at 6. (YAY!) I'm not actually within normal limits for this, normal limits being <2 (sigh); but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Looks like I should be done June 20th. This course should get me into normal limits, then they'll have me do 2 more maintenance courses.
Basically, my blood tests have gone:
4/28: 2200
5/2: 520
5/12: 17
5/16: 6
Chemo is definitely working.
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#98289 - 05/19/08 07:14 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: LaraK]
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BlankKeys
Member
Registered: 04/09/08
Posts: 464
Loc: New York
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Glad to hear it -- you keep hanging in there!
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#98533 - 05/22/08 06:50 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: LaraK]
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truetran350
Member
Registered: 10/31/06
Posts: 283
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#99304 - 06/02/08 08:01 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: truetran350]
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LaraK
Junior Member
Registered: 05/18/05
Posts: 47
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I'm in the first of my maintenance courses. My hCG on Friday was <1 (apparently not 0, but I'm fine with that). I have 9 more treatments to go, 4 this week and 5 in 2 weeks. YAY!! I also found out today that the only person I've seen there who is younger than me (she's 17) is finishing the week after I do. I'm so happy for both of us. 
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#99305 - 06/02/08 08:06 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: LaraK]
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BlankKeys
Member
Registered: 04/09/08
Posts: 464
Loc: New York
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You hang onto that positive attitude. Glad to hear you're doing so well! We'll keep up the prayers!
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#101013 - 06/20/08 02:50 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: BlankKeys]
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LaraK
Junior Member
Registered: 05/18/05
Posts: 47
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I just finished my last treatment about an hour ago. I'm so thrilled to be done with this. Now I'm down to just one poke a week (blood test) for the next month. I never thought I'd be happy with just having a weekly blood test.
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#101044 - 06/20/08 07:05 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: LaraK]
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RoseMT37
Member
Registered: 06/17/04
Posts: 679
Loc: Texas
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Yay!! Continuing to pray for you!!
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#101046 - 06/20/08 07:28 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: RoseMT37]
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BlankKeys
Member
Registered: 04/09/08
Posts: 464
Loc: New York
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Me too! Glad to hear you're doing so well. I knew you'd come through!
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#103833 - 07/16/08 06:32 PM
Re: Prayer is Appreciated
[Re: BlankKeys]
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LaraK
Junior Member
Registered: 05/18/05
Posts: 47
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I had my post chemo one month checkup, and everything still looks good. My hCG has stayed at <1, and my oncologist is thrilled with the way everything looks.
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