What to expect after chemo for stage 4 ovarian cancer at 73?

Scared tissue? What does that mean? Get a second opinion!!! Have you gone to a Cancer Hospital like Moffitt?

Hi Geri. How do you feel? What have they told you such as your response/CA125? What are their next steps/plans? I was diagnosed with stg IVA in 4/24. I was NED until my CA125 started ticking up late June...long story short I am back in treatment with carbo/doxil and responding well. I unfortunately had some hernia issues and had several surgeries but am now feeling good and back to work FT and living my life! I've found that considering thus as living with this as a chronic disease has helped my mindset and spirit. Best to you!

Been NED since end of treatment May/25 ..full hysterectomy..Im heading to Moffitt on Monday..CA125 going up and the CT showed 1.8cm on the vaginal Cuff?? Has anyone experience this?? No sure what this means or what happens next

This period after completing chemotherapy can feel incredibly uncertain, and it's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed while waiting for next steps. Many people in this community have walked through similar feelings of disbelief and uncertainty after a stage 4 diagnosis. Your lifelong commitment to exercise and health shows incredible strength that will serve you well during this time. Consider connecting with others here who have navigated similar treatment paths - their experiences and insights about what comes after initial chemotherapy rounds can provide valuable perspective and support.

I'm going through something so similar and that waiting period after chemo feels absolutely terrifying - you're definitely not alone in feeling this way. At 68 myself, I completely understand that sense of disbelief when everything changes so suddenly after a lifetime of being healthy.

I am 74. Diagnosed Feb 2024. Had chemo then surgery them the rest of the Chemo. Tried a clinical trial at Nebraska Cancer Specialists. Call them! They called it liquid radiation. Hardly any side effects. Huge improvement. Now doing keytruda plus a couple chemos. Feeling fantastic. CA125 down to 8. Get another opinion!

Thank you for responding. I am with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota.

Hi Carrie I’m feeling fine, I go back to the Mayo Clinic on the 4th of March to have blood work, Cat scan and meet with oncology. Should find out what the next plan will be. The last blood work in December showed my CA125 was actually near normal ! Did your cancer stay at bay for over a year prior to your CA125 starting to raise? From 4/24 to 6/25? If so, that is promising, right? I wish you the best, I hate this stupid cancer. You stay strong Lady!!

I was diagnosed on 12/31/24. Had a 7 hour surgery everything was removed and had an intestinal resection after 3 chemo cycles of the 2 platinums followed by 4 more chemo cycles. Was cancer free 9/24/25 only to have it return in December 2025. I am now on Avastin and Doxil as I am now resistant to platinums. I am on the second cycle; my CA-125 had risen from a 13 to 109 and after first cycle I am at 76. Looks like it’s on the way down. I will have another blood test before the next complete cycle #3. I am 74 and was very fit before finding out I had cancer and I was plant based. I walked every day, was doing strength training 3 times a week and could ride my road bike up to 28 miles 2 times a month. Only exercise I can do now is walk moderately. I am praying for a decrease but I don’t know what the plan will be once I get back to safety zone.

I am 75 and was diagnosed Stage 4 in January. Apparently the chemo has been very successful. After first chemo, my CA 125 went from over 1000 to 284. After the second chemo, it dropped to 25. I have my last chemo Monday, after which, I’m flying North for surgery at UPenn, followed by two more chemos. Apparently the biopsy of my tumors show the type is amenable to pills after that prevent recurrence. I’m praying for all this to go as planned and I am praying for all of you to improve as well

That is fantastic news! Good for you.

Geri, your never SOL with God by your side. This life is just a pit stop to eternal paradise with Jesus! Gods Peace