Advance Ovarian cancer stage 4. I’m 42 years old

Hi Elz

Ive finished chemo now and it was a success for me, but yes I did have constipation for a 4 to 6 days after each session… my nurses said to take movicol, which is a stool softener rather than a laxative. I also had achy body, primarily in legs/ankles which does subside after about a week.

it’s important to drink lots of water to keep hydrated and to flush your system… so permanent water bottle by your side is a good idea.

Im no expert but I think all painkillers have a constipation effect, but check with your oncology nurse..( you should have a number to ring to connect straight through to the cancer centre) they will reassure you and prescribe whatever they think you need.

I ate prunes, drank fresh orange and lots and lots of water. A tiny bit of exercise ,like a short walk will also help if you can manage it. Milk is another easy option, if you don’t feel like eating. Do try to eat though, fresh veg , and high protein….

on the cold cap front, I didn’t do this but many on here did with positive experiences, it may thin a bit, 

Sometimes I had a metallic taste to certain foods, but I could taste. Another one of our wonderful ladies may have some ideas on that.

Be kind to yourself and don’t expect too much of yourself, I was ok by 2nd week and really ok (buzzing) by3rd week and then your in for your next session then, you will know what to expect and I started taking the movicol on the evening of session 2. It’s a learning curve as we are all different…tiredness was a constant for me but I managed to get other things under control (like mouth ulcers, quite quickly).

Take care,

Sue

Hi Sue and Elz143.  I'm new to this forum and two months late to your conversation. However, I just wanted to get in touch. Hope you don't mind. I've not shared my situation as I was afraid I'd compare and lose positivity. 

I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in September by a gastroenterologist.  My GP had dismissed my family history of breast cancers as irrelevant and told me remotely that I was menopausal. I'd had to use my husband's private health cover to access a diagnosis. My sister in-law is a  GP in Manchester and she was  very frustrated. 

I hadn't wanted to know the stage etc only that it was treatable. After that I was of the mindset let's get on with it.  I held on to this like a life belt. I discovered I hadn't caught it early and was stage 4 in a letter from the surgeon. I was terrified. But, my oncology nurse was great at resetting my thinking. I started with exhaustion and fluid had squashed my lungs. I had to have 3 chest drains before I could have chemotherapy and I was on oxygen for a week.  This was successfully treated so, although awful at the time, my body got through it and off I went onto the next part of the plan. I've taken all pain killers, drugs suggested without any hesitancy. I'm no martyr.

I had surgery on the 9/12  and I'm on my last 3 cycles of chemo of which I've had 2. Constipation has been my biggest and only issue whilst having chemo  and movicol is my best friend.  On one occasion I had to take 7 sachets as advised for fecal impaction but there was a cheer from the ensuite at 4 in the morning!!  My husband was laughing into his pillow. Another win.  

Elz143 and Sue I hope you're both well and that the last 2 months has been kind to you. ️️

Hi Elz143,

Apologies for not responding to you earlier, and hopefully by now you’ve found some constipation solutions that work for you?

Re. Metallic taste in the mouth, I was recommended peach juice, which I found worked well for me.

Wishing you all the best,

Bx

Hi Biarritz, 

Im so glad you felt able to post now , your positivity and humour are apparent.

You have certainly been through it haven’t you and I hope you are being kind to yourself…it’s still early days. 
I was only a grade 1c, but the surgery and chemo are relevant to us all, and we share all the same fears and emotions that it brings with it. 
For me, I’m indeed ok, cancer clear for 6 months and oncologist said let’s just move you to 6 month checks as it is a worry on the run up to an appt….

This site was so important to me as you can read others story, ask advice anonymous or not, because however good your support network is connecting with ladies that know exactly how you feel and are going through what your going through is priceless.

So a warm welcome to you and a huge virtual hug

Sue x

Hi Sue, so pleased to hear you have been clear of cancer for 6 months now.  You say you are moving on to 6 monthly checks.  Can I ask what that will include please?  Will that be a CT scan and a blood test every six months? 

I wondered what the quarterly or 6 monthly checks entail as my cancer is also grade 1c, however I am still to reach that stage as I am currently undergoing chemotherapy which I hope will be successful.  I was told it was the 'belt and braces' approach to mop up any cancer cells due to my tumour rupturing during surgery - thank you xx 

Hi Sarah,

Thats exactly same as me, the mass which was 17x9 had one very tiny hole in it when it went to histology so surgeon said to be on safe side to have “belt and braces “ standard treatment of chemotherapy 6 x 3 weekly that ended in June. I was more scared of chemo than the surgery anyways…. The 3 month post chemo was a blood test and consult with oncology to make sure I was ok in managing any lingering problems…..that was Oct 12…..then Jan 12, this was full bloods and CT scan…. Then consult with oncologist to make sure we were all happy with results…. In my case we were all very happy, my CA 125 was only 35 at diagnosis went down to 7 after surgery and is at 4 now so that wasn’t a red flag in my case. Next appt  is July 12 , bloods and CT scan will be done.

As my surgery was DEC 2020, I just fell into the category of 12+ months  in my last appt (January) so she said if I was happy too she felt 6 month gaps would be fine, as it is stressful for me prior to going wondering if it’s come back, etc and she thought it unlikely in my case as all scans / bloods were all fine. She said that any worries to consult with GP and I would get to see them asap. It takes awhile to start getting your life back so to speak…and longer appt times must be a good sign.

Congratulations on being nearly there, next few weeks be super kind to yourself and I always pop on, so any questions feel free 

Sue x

Hi. So lovely to hear from you.  I feel great!  Feel really uplifted by your response. I got a puppy Eddie, last week and he's magic.I can't tell you how much he's helping me. He's such a distraction and gets me out. Here's to getting confidence in my body again. 

Thank you Sue, that's really helpful xx