CA-125 Cancer Markers...

 



I have to admit I have a HUGE love/hate relationship with science... The data, research and knowledge you can gain through it's processes and ability to prove theories is fascinating. Then there is the realm of taking God out of the equation even when I can look at what they have shown and see the BEAUTY in God's design, that always tends to bug me. Then there is this weird need from a lot of science to just take the natural, God made materials and make them man made... Why?

Anyway, it bugs me to no end and I fight that frustration a lot. ON THE OTHER HAND I enjoy the fact that I can take a cruddy situation, use some science and see results that I can put numbers and truth to. My CA-125 cancer markers have offered me some insight as to how things that my medical team and I have been doing along with what seems to be showing promise. Cancer at this point has become somewhat of a "challenge" for me. It's not going to define me, so this is where I find it's usefulness to go out and help others.

First off, I just want to explain, as simply as possible, what a "CA-125" cancer marker is. To determine treatment success certain "markers" have been found that show up when cancers are present. Using these markers at the beginning of a diagnosis gives a starting point to see whether there is change in the markers during courses of treatment. That allows medical staff to change or relook at what is or may not be working and adjust. For me the specific markers for ovarian cancer are the CA-125 markers. I want to point out that unfortunately these CA-125 markers can not currently be used to diagnose ovarian cancer BUT when taken at the time of diagnosis it's very useful to be able to see a change as treatments work. Other cancers have "markers" that have been identified also, this just happens to be the numbers that I deal with.

For those that want to read more about the science behind the CA-125 I suggest starting at the wiki link. It was very helpful for me to start the process of learning about it. Basically it is a protein that is specifically released by ovarian cancer in higher amounts than normal when that specific cancer is present. They use those numbers to determine things such as initial prognosis (>65 generally carries a poor prognosis) and then as the numbers change it can help predict prognosis after treatment (lower numbers, especially <30 carry a better overall prognosis after treatment.). These numbers can be present in those that don't have ovarian cancer due to other factors making them present naturally in the body. A healthy person can have a CA-125 of 5 and not have any chance of having or getting ovarian cancer. So knowing this can help as I talk about how I have used these numbers to see some awesome things God has done for me.

I specifically STILL (I am waiting until the end of all treatments) am waiting to see the initial results of my CT scan, for me I don't need that visual at this point so I can keep full healing in my brain. I just don't need that visual. My CA-125 on the other hand has been a useful tool as I blindly was using oils before any treatment started. I REALLY wanted to see if I could set out to help increase my chances for complete success from the chemo. The more resources I use I figure the better chance of a positive outcome plus decrease my chance to have any reoccurrence.

As I mentioned in a previous post I set out just to use a couple essential oils to see if there would be a difference in my course with cancer. Those methods were a) primarily topically and b) limiting how many oils I used. I knew there would be other factors involved seeing that I have had a VERY successful debulking surgery with 99% (all visible cancer) removed and LOTS of prayer. I honestly can't discount either of those two factors. But what I have seen so far definitely has made me step back and get excited. I have seen some VERY good CA-125 numbers with just using Frankincense and the Cellular Repair Blend (frankincense resin, wild orange peel, lemongrass leaf, thyme leaf, clove bud, summer savory plant, and naiouli leaf essential oils). Obviously I know every person is different but after doing the research and seeing what early studies in a lab showed it made me intested to see things for myself.

I found out quite a while after they were taken that my initial CA-125 results came back there were at 282, well above the "poor prognosis" numbers. THANKFULLY I hadn't asked and found that out before because that would have definitely messed with me on some level. I found that out after they drew a new set (per my request) the Friday before I started chemo to see if the frankincense and cellular repair blend had made any impact along with the surgery. My results?? 14.1. Yup, BLOWN AWAY, not to mention my nurse had rarely, if ever, seen numbers change that drastically. Talk about putting a grin on my face and some excitement in my heart. THANK GOD I had just given those oils a chance. I went INTO chemo with numbers they were hoping I would be at the END. Since then I have gone through one round of chemo and kept with the oils and I am now at 7, yes, normal numbers that any average person could be walking around with. God has blessed me with the tools to make everything I have chosen to do successful in a way I NEVER thought possible. My team and friends that are familiar with and work in oncology are all very excited with my progress and change in prognosis. Attitude plays a huge role in my success also, and having numbers like this REALLY helps to make keeping that positive attitude easier than ever.

UPDATE!! Here we are now and I have completed four cycles now, I am down to 2 left and only one month left of treatment. As of the first day of my forth cycle (they only do the Ca-125 on that day) I am at SIX!!! I was stagnant at seven for 2 cycles and now instead of going up like people had been preparing me might happen I went down one. I did change one aspect before that happened. I started taking my vitamins a few days earlier because I don't need my MEDS after the last treatment. SO I have 2 cycles to see if doing that is what made my numbers go down again. I will see in a week if that's the case and then the last week I will go back to the old time that I took then and see if I level off again. I will post my results after the next two cycles so check back!!


Disclaimer: Please understand that this information is for educational purposes only. I am a mom, I am not a doctor, I enjoy passing on the knowledge I have learned in doing these types of projects and through my research. The statements made here have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and they are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease. Don’t take my word for it…you should always engage conventional wisdom and consult with your medical professional to determine potential drug interactions and safety of use. Always when using essential oils for a medical condition or if on prescribed or over the counter drugs, seek advice from a medical professional (DR./PA/NP/Naturopath/pharmacist) on whether the oils will cause potential adverse reactions. 

These practices are what work for me and my family, if you chose to take and use them I encourage you take my research and do some of your own prior to using the tips I give. While I do a lot of research when putting these posts out it generally fits into what I would do with and for my family. If you have specific issues, allergies or conditions these practices may not work or may be detrimental to what you are intending to do for yourself. Again, I encourage wisdom and discussions with your healthcare provider to determine safe use of all posts that I provide that can be used for health reasons