Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis - speed of spread

Hi Maw and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.

While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

1. Hi Maw, I have stage 4 and I’m still very hopeful. I’ve got it more in my omentum but I’m having surgery on 19th. It sounds like everything is moving in the right direction for you. As long as the chemo works well you will see shrinkage and get the op. Try to keep away from anyone with viruses/colds, eat healthy, loads of veg, no alcohol or cigarettes - give yourself the best chance possible and try some gentle exercise it all helps. 
   my chemo has been really successful and I’m hoping the surgery is also successful. Don’t worry about long term and when stage 4 will occur. Deal with each day at a time and be positive like you are. 
   have you had any fluid on your lungs? When it gets to that stage it’s stage 4, if you don’t have that you’ve got a great chance. It’s a horrible cancer, late to diagnose, or don’t know about you but I had no symptoms at all. Good luck with chemo, again I dealt with that really well and had hardly any side effects, they tell you worse case scenario but everyone is different. Good luck xxx

Hi Labradors 1. Thank you for such a helpful reply. No I haven't got fluid on my lungs fortunately. Let's hope it stays that way! I'm glad to hear your chemo went well. I shall keep my fingers crossed mine does too. I had breast cancer 11 years ago and the chemo for that floored me! I don't think ovarian cancer chemo is quite so brutal, at least I'm hoping not. I lost my hair last time and am expecting to do so this time. Did you lose yours? 

Yes I am eating healthily and have cut out both alcohol and refined sugars although the NHS don't advocate even reducing refined sugars which I found quite amazing. It seems nothing has changed in that respect over the last 11 years. I thought it was common knowledge that refined sugar was not a healthy choice for anyone really?

I saw the consultant today and although I shall have to wait nearly 6 weeks to start chemo he put my mind at rest that this would not be detrimental. I just need to live life to the full until then. So gym tomorrow, a sea swim with a friend on Friday and kayaking Saturday all wrapped around a healthy diet. I will get through this. Especially with such helpful replies like yours I do hope your surgery goes well. Please let me know how you get on, if you feel able, of course. Good luck to you also xxx

Hi Maw,

I was diagnosed as Stage 3c at the end of October and I had the exact same concern as you regarding the speed of the spread. I remember crying to my husband that it was killing me and they weren't doing anything about it. I think the time for initial diagnosis to the first treatment felt like 10 years but once the treatment starts everything moves very quickly.

My treatment plan is chemo - surgery - chemo. I started chemo on 16 December and have had 4 cycles so far. I have surgery scheduled for 24 March and then another two chemo treatments afterwards. 

I found the initial 2 cycles of chemo quite difficult but I spoke to the Dr and they reduced the dose of one of the drugs for the third and it made such a difference. I'm normally ok for the first two days after treatment and then I experience muscle/joint pain on days 3-5 but after that I'm fine.

I tried using the cold cap but it didn't work for me and I have lost my hair but i have decided to embrace wig wearing and have some fun with it.

I hope all goes well with your treatment. Best of luck x 

Hi Hopeful 25

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I'm really pleased to hear things are moving forward for you. I have decided I have no choice but to put my faith in the system. I was very appreciative that the consultant took time to lay my fears to rest. That helped tremendously as I was feeling just like you were.

I lost my hair with my breast cancer chemo. I started wearing a wig but decided I looked like a monkey in mine!! One day on a visit to the hospital I took it off and never put it on again! Although I did have to wear a hat to keep my head warm!!

Good luck with your surgery. We can get through this!! Stay positive and thank you again for your reply.