Pain while waiting for op

Hi RMM

I turned 66 in January 2024 and was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer just after my birthday. I began five rounds of chemotherapy in February. In August, I had debulking surgery, followed by more chemotherapy starting in September. After a nine-hour surgery, the consultant assured me that all the cancer in and around the womb, including any dead cancer cells, had been successfully removed.

I turned 66 in January 2024 and was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer just after my birthday. I began five rounds of chemotherapy in February. In August, I had debulking surgery, followed by more chemotherapy starting in September. After a nine-hour surgery, the consultant assured me that all the cancer in and around the womb, including any dead cancer cells, had been successfully removed.

I recovered from surgery incredibly well and, after six weeks, felt absolutely fine. I was amazed by how quickly and smoothly my body bounced back after such an extensive procedure, and to emerge without any complications was such a relief.

Unfortunately, the cancer had spread to my underarm and neck. So, the next round of chemotherapy will target these areas, after which I’ll go on a maintenance drug for 12 months. My cancer markers have flatlined after the chemotherapy and surgery, dropping from 2,900 to 0—not indicating the complete absence of cancer but rather that it’s so microscopic it can’t be detected by scans.

I know my fight isn’t over, and there’s a chance the cancer could return in the future, but that’s for later. For now, once this round of chemo is complete, I plan to live, live, live! I feel absolutely fine, really well, in fact. Of course, the chemo makes me tired for a few days and affects my appetite, but I don’t feel ill—no pain at all.

Each of us responds differently, and no one can guarantee that everything will go smoothly. You’ll be informed about all the potential risks of the operation, and I won’t deny that I felt nervous about some of them. But I believe most of the risks are low, and they’re obligated to inform you of these just as with any other surgery.

I recovered from surgery incredibly well and, after six weeks, felt absolutely fine. I was amazed by how quickly and smoothly my body bounced back after such an extensive procedure, and to emerge without any complications was such a relief.

Unfortunately, the cancer had spread to my underarm and neck. So, the next round of chemotherapy will target these areas, after which I’ll go on a maintenance drug for 12 months. My cancer markers have flatlined after the chemotherapy and surgery, dropping from 2,900 to 0—not indicating the complete absence of cancer but rather that it’s so microscopic it can’t be detected by scans.

I know my fight isn’t over, and there’s a chance the cancer could return in the future, but that’s for later. For now, once this round of chemo is complete, I plan to live, live, live! I feel absolutely fine, really well, in fact. Of course, the chemo makes me tired for a few days and affects my appetite, but I don’t feel ill—no pain at all.

Each of us responds differently, and no one can guarantee that everything will go smoothly. You’ll be informed about all the potential risks of the operation, and I won’t deny that I felt nervous about some of them. But I believe most of the risks are low, and they’re obligated to inform you of these just as with any other surgery.

I wish you every success and luck with your surgery, it’s normal to feel nervous but I can honestly say I felt so relieved once it had taken place just knowing the main tumours were no longer present and I’m sure you will too. 
Best wishes.