Ovarian cancer

Hi Emma, 

My story is quite similar to you but I’m 5 months on from you, as I have just finished 6 rounds of chemo finishing on June 2. Waiting to see oncologist on July 13....

So first of all so very well done for what you have achieved so far , the physical toll of the hysterectomy isn’t to be underestimated and in my case they waited 6 weeks from staging to start of first chemo session. I’m telling you this so you can get a time frame in mind, it helps such a lot to know when , so you can focus on an end date. I was also spinning really , more scared of the chemo than the operation.

I had a lower grade 1c but still had carboplatin and plaxitaxol.

So you do get to meet the oncologist about 2weeks prior, and very through medical history taken, asked about allergies, took bloods,COVID test, Blood pressure and weight recorded, ask about lifestyle, if your eating,sleeping, exercise...just to see how well you are in yourself. 
lasted about 1 hour. You get an out of hours number so you will always have a nurse to connect with.

They will also go through the extensive list of side effects.

I found the period between diagnosis and starting chemo, stressful..I was basically scared, I didn’t know what to expect, there was a lot of tears. I reacted ok thankfully to session 1 and had about 4 days of being groggy and tired but picked up quite quickly.. and in the following period was bouncing around the house, buzzing in fact. So it’s not all doom and gloom, of course you will have good and not so good days as you go on.

Day 16 after the first sesssion my hair started shredding, luckily I had a wig lady who was great, by day 18 it was very thin and we shaved it off, I had long hair which we had been cuttting shorter in stages, but it had to go... it was better after it had gone ...some people use cold caps but it wasn’t mentioned to me as a possibility. 

And later on it’s a  good idea to get a chemo diary so you can document how your days go, as you can then see a pattern on how you will feel, what your temp is, when you needed to take meds ..stuff like that as the nurses will want to know all that sort of information...

#2 to 6  were similar with a cumulative effect.

Actually going to chemo isn’t a terrible experience, my centre is a very happy place with lovely ladies willing to share, help and encourage and in a way a therapy session as they really understood

It’s a lot to take in initially, so be kind yourself, talk when your ready

take care 

Sue x

Hi

Thank you for replying. I have cried a lot but I think a lot is shock. I really don’t want to lose my hair I know that’s stupid b. I can’t help it. I am looking in to getting micro blading done so I at least have some eyebrows. I think I will wear a scarf or beanie and like you will probably just shave it once it starts to fall out. 

My surgeon was very optimistic and said yes it’s ovarian cancer but it has all gone we got rid of it all but we will need to do chemo, it’s just the word cancer it’s so scary. I’m scared what if it comes back I know it’s silly to think that far ahead but I can’t help it. 

Has your hair started to grow back yet?

You must be happy your treatment is finished.

Emma

Hi Emma,

Yes it’s very surreal at the start, I couldn’t even say the word, it took me a a while to accept... I just didn’t want to be a cancer person.... and it seemed like I had no  control...just seemed to be catapulted into a unknown scenario which  was completely alien. 
With a good group of sensible ,calm family and friends around you it should become easier for you, I found the drama queens and the doom mongers were draining and try to limit my conversations with them, you really do need calm and steady.

6 rounds of chemo are the belt and braces approach, and doctors really don’t say positive things unless they mean it so take heart from what the surgeon said,  if they are optimistic so should you.

On hair, my eyebrows were there till chemo 5, but I have a few hairs there now, so yes get that organised and that will be worthwhile.

For me that was a defining moment shaving my hair as I couldn’t hide the fact I had cancer/ doing chemo.... it made me stronger, in a weird way.... a bit of control..

Also worth booking a dentist appt for routine check, you don’t want to have work done while your having chemo.

My scalp is starting to feel a bit rough, but it’s not smooth so hopeful hair will gain momentum soon and burst into life. 

Yes, I rang the bell after my 6th session and there wasn’t a dry eye in the chemo suite, happy tears .. I’ve had my end of treatment CT scan, which my GP says has no areas of concern.... my CA125 was 7 on last blood test... so I’m  just waiting on a confirmation from oncologist on 13/7 to say the same. 
I also have the odd spell when I ponder over a reoccurrence, but that’s why I had the chemotherapy to give me the best possible chance of it not happening... so I know I will be monitored from now on every 3 months , then 6... I’m flagged at my GP as a chemo patient and they treat you as a priority.... and as I’m a glass half full kinda girl, rather than half empty I’m going to get on and enjoy my life to the full.... I’m through the other side now and  after the past year I want to be happy for myself and my family, 

It’s all do able Emma, 

xSue

Hi Sue

it must be an amazing feeling once you have had that last chemo, really happy for you and I can’t wait to be in that position. I’m a lot more positive today than I was yesterday. I’m a very positive person and don’t let things get me down for long I just needed to process it all, now I need to fight which I will do with everything I have. I have a family I need to survive for they aren’t losing me yet.

Just want to get things moving so I can see a finish line, I’m not the most patient person and a control freak so this whole process from the op till now has been a challenge but I will get there. 

Hope you get the results you want on the 13th I will keep everything crossed for you.

emma

Hi Emma ,

just to say hi and let you know I’m cancer free, finished treatment and signed off, with 3 monthly blood tests and a scan in 3 months. Oncologist said your a normal person now, (debatable ) just wanted to share and wish you all the best, and it’s hard but do able.

Hair is coming through nicely now , probably another 2 weeks and I will ditch the wig, eyebrows are back and feeling so well now.

so you take care and be so kind to yourself, 

xxSue

Hi Sue

wow that is amazing I’m so happy for you. It must be good to feel some normality coming back into your life. I start my chemo Tuesday scared but glad it’s starting. Just want to get on with it and hopefully fingers crossed get my life back.

xxx