Biopsy and drain

Hi Foxygirl and welcome to the Online Community - bit of a drastic weight loss solution, you must feel a lot better without the 4.5 litres of fluid. I have a different type of cancer so forgive me, I'm not familiar with symptoms. I do hope you're feeling a bit better now.

I see you've joined our Ovarian cancer group, I'm sure the other members will be along soon to chat and support you now the waiting for the biopsy results begins. No matter what the cancer is, we all agree here the waiting for scan and test results is the most stressful time

It’s always helpful to others if you write a little something (or a lot) about yourself and your journey to date. You can enter it into your profile (click on your username and select “Profile”) It’s helpful to other members with a similar diagnosis who can then hopefully answer your questions. It also means that you don't have to keep writing the same thing over and over. You can amend or update it at any time. 

To find more information covering diagnosis and treatments there are pages covering most types of cancers which can be found on our Online Information and Support Section. 

The Macmillan Support Services also offer lots of information, support, financial guidance or just someone to listen. It’s free to call 0808 808 0000. Most services are available 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. Have a look by Clicking here to see what is available and we also have our Ask an Expert section, but do allow two to three working days for replies from our expert team.

Sending you welcoming hugs B xx

Morning everyone following the biopsy it's stage 3 it took 2 weeks for the results. Now have an appointment with the oncologist 23rd September. Hopefully the treatment will start quickly as the ascites is already starting to build up. 

Hi Foxygirl, and thanks for coming back to let us know how you’re getting on .

Sorry your biopsy has confirmed the cancer, but not too long now until you see the oncologist, who will hopefully be able to outline a plan for your treatment and get things started for you very soon.

I know how hard it is when you feel you’re just waiting around, and having the Ascites build up again must be a big worry too. Not sure what you’re doing diet-wise, but I found eating less salty food and not having late night drinks before bed really helped. I also gave up alcohol, dairy and gluten, which seemed to help my stomach generally.

Hope all goes ok for you on September 23rd - think that’s probably the day I’ll be starting another round of chemo (as my CA125, which went right down after surgery and first 6 chemos, is rising again !). 

Be good to hear from you if you feel like posting again - all the best,

Love Bxx

Morning thank you for your support its much appreciated, I'm very positive even if like you I have to endure endless chemo. I have a lot of living to do. At the age of 66 thought my life was going to take off but hey ho curve balls happen, let me know what your chemo experience was like.

Thanks Suep 

Hi Sue,

Sorry it’s taken me a few days to get back to you, but it’s been a bit of a punishing week appointments-wise.

I’m now gearing up for a return to chemo this Friday - Paclitaxel with Avastin this time, as it seems my cancer is platinum resistant, which is why the Carboplatin didn’t keep it away for long

Anyway, no fears about returning to chemo. Will be having a port inserted rather than using cannulas, and will be using the cold cap again to preserve my hair (which I managed to do last time). I’d definitely recommend asking your medical team if either/both of these could benefit you, as they certainly took away some stresses for me.

I found my first ever chemo visit very daunting, but it’s reassuring that you have expert nurses around you who explain each step, from pre-meds that you need through the treatment itself and what to do if you experience side effects - and tell them everything you experience even if you’re not sure it’s connected.

The anti-sickness meds are amazing these days, so apart from feeling tired sometimes (and wide awake at others due to steroids they give you for the sickness), I only had very occasional nausea (usually on about day 3-4 after treatment). I found ginger biscuits and ginger tea helped amazingly. The main thing is to listen to what your body tells you, and not push yourself too hard (especially in the first week after each treatment).

Other tips for chemo sessions themselves - wear comfy clothes, and take magazines or something else light to read (I found I couldn’t fully concentrate on a book - too much going on around me !).

All the best for your appointment on Thursday - I’ll be thinking of you, and would love to hear how you get on,

Barbara x

Hi Sue,

Hope your appointment went OK on Thursday? 

Bxx

Went as expected it's stage 3 C3. I'm starting chemotherapy on the 29th 6 cycles weekly. Having a fitting on Wednesday for a Wig, booked in for another scan, bloods etc . Decided to have a few days away before it all starts going to the seaside on 11th October . Remaining very positive told the oncologist he could give me whatever it takes. Hope you're well. 

Hi , I've been quiet and dipping in and out as I've been recovering from surgery (and my first cycle of chemo) I too battled to lose weight on SW , 3 weeks after surgery I lost 2stone 7lbs , that's my little bit of a bright side to this ... F*ING bastard of a disease.

I'm glad you're going away , that sounds like s really lovely thing to do. I've only had 1 cycle (I'm having 6 cycles , 3 weeks apart) I'll have 3 then break as I'll have a double mastectomy as just for fun o have 2 different types of breast cancers too) then I'll continue with chemo.

If you need to know anything I can try an answer your questions. The one thing I can say is the first round wasn't as bad as I thought.

Hi Sue,

Lovely idea to fit a seaside break in before you start treatment - give yourself the opportunity for some quality time and fresh sea air, and hopefully help the time until your first treatment pass more quickly.

Great that you’re managing to stay positive too - as you say, we have to do whatever it takes !!

I hope you’ll find, as I did, that the weekly treatment regime helps prevent the extreme highs and lows with the side effects that some people get on the 3-weekly interval regime. I also found it quite reassuring seeing the medical team every week and having bloods checked, etc, to catch and address any issues (particularly dropping white/red cell count) quickly.

Wishing you all the best for the 29th, 

love Bxx