Hi all well today was d day for me , diagnosed with ovarian cancer which is in my womb and a small surface of bowel , they are doing chemo first , has anyone else done chemo first? So scared so any advice would be appreciated xx
Hi Janet. I have ovarian and a small spread to the peritoneum. I am having chemo first. They like to blitz the cancer and then scan after the first 3 chemo's. I had my scan last week and am awaiting the decision about surgery from the team. Meanwhile, I am due for chemo no.4 tomorrow. (6 chemo's in total). The chemo suite is lovely and friendly and the staff are excellent. After chemo, day 4-6, I am achy, after that things improve. But I do stay at home and away from infections, day 7-14. The anti-sickness tablets work fine, and I have not had sickness, the thing I feared most. Hair has mostly gone, I just keep my head covered. Just do as your body tells you. My worst enemy is my mind working overtime, but the sensations I do get, the Oncologist tells me is completely normal and down to the drugs. Any problems or worries, just speak to your unit or CNS nurse. Its completely normal to feel as you do, this ride an be very emotionally. My Best wishes to you. Jan. x.
Snap - chemo first with scan to review after 3 cycles to consider surgery. I have just had first chemo last week and it wasn’t as bad as I feared. The steroids have kept nausea at bay but I do seem to have developed a bit of a water works infection so am on antibiotics. I stupidly ignored pain after 2 days thinking it was the effect of the chemo so do phone your CSN if you are unsure about anything. As dexta2005 said, your mind is your own worst enemy - I definitely need to find some distractions!
I have only just joined this group and it is such a relief to be able to talk frankly to people who are happy to share.
Hi thank you both so much, i feel a bit better now, i had breast cancer 6 years ago and escaped chemo , (this diagnosis is not connected) so i am so glad you both are there . I have an appointment next Thursday with oncology to discuss treatment plan and when i start chemo. Need to keep busy is a good idea! Xx
Hi Janet, Sorry to hear your news. I am a bit further on the journey. I had chemo first (3 cycles of carboplatin + paclitaxel) before surgery. Then I had 3 more cycles of chemo with the addition of Avastin for cycles 5 & 6. I am now having Avastin every 3 weeks. I have the same treatment plan although I was diagnosed with a rarer ”cousin” of ovarian.
Hi Janet, I feel for you. I have a ‘probable’ diagnosis and having various tests at the moment. The waiting is the worst thing and I’ve been really unwell so I just want to get something started. I have a kidney blood test tomorrow and a biopsy on Friday so I hope after that will either be chemo or surgery. It’s so debilitating but I’m determined to push through with family support and of course the help of great women in this group. All the best. Deb.x
Hi Deb , nice to meet you! Yes all the waiting is the worst , i started my first appointment on 6th January , mri ,ct scans and biopsy followed , and was diagnosed yesterday, have a appointment with oncology next Thursday to discuss my chemo plan, i just want to get started cos i worry about it still growing while all this planning is going on . Good luck with biopsy , keep us posted , thank goodness for this group and its wonderful ladies and support xx
Morning. So bloods done, biopsy done, all ok if a bit uncomfortable. So now I wait. I have no idea what will happen next and like you the thing that goes through my mind is this ‘thing’ is growing/spreading. Strangely I feel better in myself, got my appetite back so a bit more energy although even lying around for 4 hrs is tiring? I suppose it’s all part of a process but it’s frustrating that I can’t plan things especially regarding family. Deb.xx
Morning Debs, glad all your tests are done, I waited 2 weeks for my result appointment! Try to keep busy , but its so hard , i have been going to work which helped, i work part time at John Lewis in menswear so was always busy, but my boss has said not to come in now, so i will have to spring clean the house! Just want to start zapping this unwelcome visitor! Have a good weekend , take care , love Janet xx
I'm pleased things are happening. I know the waiting is awful, but please try not to worry. Getting your appetite back is fantastic, that will make you feel a lot better. My mid scan can back good and now I am having surgery in a bout 3 weeks time. My c125 score has gone from 1200 to 94, so things are working well. So please be positive, it does get better. Jan. x.
Glad to hear that things are starting to move along for you now. I had my test results appointment within one week of the biopsy/laparoscopy - it was already booked before I left the hospital - and I started chemotherapy a week after that. I felt bizarrely excited to start chemo so that something was actually happening to treat the cancer rather than investigating it, but it also made it all very real and I did feel quite low for a few days. I have my schedule for the next two treatments so in my diary I have labelled each day of each cycle, ie. chemo day = day 1 and so on, so that I can have some idea of when my immunity will be lowest and when I may be feeling well enough to make plans. Obviously this is all subject to change but at least it gives me some idea and I’m looking forward to week three! I hope you don’t have to wait too long.
