Hi, just diagnosed yesterday.

Hi Plantgeek and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I'm not a member of this group but I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list. 

While you're waiting for replies it would be great if you could pop something about your diagnosis and treatment so far into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

x

Hi there, I am about to start chemo in a couple of weeks too. How are you feeling now? I havent even thought about eyebrow loss but you go girl, I am sure you will be beautiful no matter what falls out! Sue xx

Hi there,I'm Tracie,I'm 53 and I went to the doctor's after months thru lockdown of not being seen by my doctor& receptionist saying my early menopause was to blame for sweats& needing too pass urine 10/12 times a night.after begging& crying on phone,I was finally allowed a face to face with my doc in full PPE..upon examination I saw his face change,my extended tum which the receptionist assured me was weight gain down to early menopause,( which incidentally started in 2010, ) upon him feeling my tummy top of my pelvis,he then told me I needed to go to hospital that minute,I was in disbelief,I'm a single mum at that time my daughter 14 at home.he never mentioned anything about suspected cancer only poss gyney problem.i explained I couldn't just up& leave her alone,had to get my older sons who lived in Stockport to look after her,promised I'd go bk next morn.i went straight to day unit,at 7am as was told.blood tests examination even up my bottomfinaly gown and into CT scan then admitted on ward( maternity!! Less covid was told so I was in own room next to nurse station,stayed three hrs,still was told gynee problem,so I asked &  it was then was told suspected ovarian cancer! What a shock but I still didn't blv it,yes I'd been bit tired,had noticed weight gain but cancer!? No not me.was told I'm being discharged and would have appointment within  14 days,had my letter 3 days later for 23 Dec 2 days later!!! I still thought rite up until my app they must be mistake,they said they had blood counts ,high,and showed tumour on my ovary.told meneeded radical hysterectomy in 4 weeks time booked into Bangor hoz miles away from home  prestatyn  we were in lockdown.i hastily had to arrange my daughter's care luckily my ex hubby( chef) was on furlow( we stayed very goodfriends and he  had understanding partner came to look after me& my daughter..I went into hospital my hospital taxi at 5 am on Jan 27 th 2021, for hysterectomy,and woke on ICU 3 rd Feb ,my bladder had  been burst during hysterectomy,they had opened me up to find cancer in my bowel as tumour from ovary had attached it's self to it,hence fluid in my tummy,they had to cut piece of bowel& give me a stoma & also found tiny amount in my stomach..my body then went into shock& my recovery took six half weeks in Bangor hospital..I nearly died twice,once after bladder burst,then by not eating.they withdrew 11 litres fluid out my tummyi went in an 18, came out a 10!!! But also weak as kitten,couldn't climb one step,my body was still in shock,I was only let out as they thought if was kept away my family anymore I'd die this was mylast chance to go home& fight& eat high fat meals by my  ex hubby.hed been hear a month pre opp with me now 6 half wks then two half months after released on 18 march!! 2021...Wales was still in lockdown so no visits at all from stoma nurses I was more scared of it,than the cancer.was told another CT would be needed 2 wks after left hoz,( I'd had one two wks before left hoz then another day before! Not told why thou...CT scan week 10 wks  post opp in home glan clwyd hoz,told my cancer had spread to my liver..if didn't have chemo as soon as fit from opp,I'd seen my last Xmas!! 15 wks later I started chemo,2 kinds,once for 6 hrs,ever three wks,had 6! Cancer was clear my body!!! Even thou terminal,I know how extra time my family,I was lucky only last couple chemos made me tired& had no side effects apart from losing my long brown shiny healthy hair& body hair of course,but I didn't really mind as wanted be alive& bald than hair and deadi managed to get 7 months in remission rang the bell at hoz,but cancer came bk in liver just after Xmas,very tiny nodule has barely grown but also popped up in my spleen too,again tiny nodule cancemarkers only rose by 7 so not too bad all while having new scans every 12 wks& blood tests monthly( can't fault my gyney cancer oncologist& my new consultant,my doctor's specialists have been absolutly amazing with me I can't fault them.always honest,there down to earth and I ,can ask anything...few wks ago my new nodule turned up on my tube coming from my kidney to bladder which started causing me pain peeing a lot again,so had my new chemo started yesterday,only 3 half hours and althou had few attacks nausea& fatigue which was scary as sailed thru first bout chemo no side effects..I'm assured with  6 it should be made smaller if not gone and my other little nodules too.fingers crossed!! I'm positive I trust her completely,I know I'm not going to win the war but I can win a few battles lolmost of time I forget I have cancer,I'm well apart from now peeing a lot,take painkillers at night(7)  and now steroid& anti sickness  in day for 5 days,new blood test Monday to see I'm fit for top ,on weds then get two wks to recover before repeat process,shud be done by end Augusti wonder how long I'll get then to enjoy cancer free or maybe I won't,my tomorrow is not guaranteed I've made bucket list but so much involves money so only  achieved one I got to go to Devon in caran my middle son paid..we spent quality time together with me& his sister who is now 16 revising and sitting exams..she's always on my mind as I worry if I rapidly decline for any reason,she will notonly loose her mom lived alone me& her since she was 1.5 yes old,and she would have to leave skl/ college,all her friends since aged 7 when moved bk to Wales & her home& move to Stockport to a town she barely remembers..it scares me what this would do to her( my ex hubby is father to my 3 sons not her).id been with a new partner for 5.5 years before I had her,he didn't have children& mithered me  constantly,I gave in and had her at 38 nearlywe split year after as his mom died suddenly and he went down a dark place shut me out& we separated! He stopped seeing her by mutual consent..my ex hubby I asked to step in as role model and he has done,could not fault him,good dad to my 3 sons& now the only dad my daughter remembers.she knows he's not biological dad thou,(but she loves him  as her real dad)I don't talk to anyone about my cancer t's too hard for my older sons& certainly not to my 16 year old.my friend I made in my first chemo round last year 2021 I stayed friends with we meet up go for lunches,tea drives  out.were there for each other our only support network..I'm sometimes fearful of my end& what lies ahead but after few minutes I get back in right headspace& think come on you give your head a wobble live everyday to the max,which I do,I'm 10 mins from beach,I may not be jumping out aeroplanes but I opened up a charity( long process making chemo therapy bags for North Wales cancer centre for new patients)....we make 25/30 a month.have volunteers who make bags chemo hats from,donated material,church groups help with donations I ask for to fill bags,mints,choc bar,chemo hat,puzzle book,reading book,pen,hand sanitser,lip balm hand cream,sml note pad,mask,fluffy socks& face packs.when can get them.mens bags vary with men's things lol.anything to help with there time whilst having chemo as it can be very lonely  some are not talkative...I'm also trying to set up support group for each town and also wig resales...I'm currently collecting Easter eggs for children suffering with cancer too.the  prestatyn nightingale project covers Denbighshire to Conway so flint to abergele.its a long process and were very new.i have an admin to help with my little web site for media as I'm only on a phone with not great internet speed..so that's my little story about meid love to hear your journeys& your experiences good& badstay safe& hope to hear from you soonstay strong

Sorry not sure why there's lots of laughing emojies popped up along my post??! I assure you I'm not mocking but I am on a phone,with not very good eyesight lol maybe it's from that but I had to editt lots before submitted& thought they were gone!! Obvs not...

Wow that is one hell of a journey that you've been through. I just wanted to say what an amazing person you are to have all of that to deal with and to be thinking of others and making bags to help their chemo experience be more pleasant. Such a kind thing to do. 

I'm so sorry you had such a difficult route to being diagnosed and I'm glad your oncology team are very supportive. I really hope they keep everything on track until you finish this next round of treatment at the end of August. Just wanted to say how good it is that you've got a support network of friends to talk to as it really helps to have people who understand what you're going through. I was diagnosed with Stage 3c nearly 10 years ago and I'm still here and cancer-free. Wishing you all the best for your journey, and keep the amazing positive attitude- I think it really helped me. Natalie x

Hi, Just wanted to give you some support before you start treatment. I also had chemo before surgery, and it really did the job and got rid of all visible cancer cells before surgery. I was diagnosed in Nov 2012 age 40 with Stage 3c. Good idea to get your eyebrows sorted! It will be a boost because it is difficult when your hair/ eyebrows/ eyelashes fall out! I had my long hair cut into a bob and then had it shaved off when it started falling out in clumps! I got an amazing wig in a bob style, which gave me a lot more confidence when I went out and some soft beanie hats for bed and round the house. I never got the hang of scarves, but try everything to see what you find most comfortable. 

Happy to answer any questions. Good luck with your journey- it's hard to stay positive, and you'll have bad days (and nights) but I think it really helps to have little things to look forward to, and people you can talk to about it if and when you need to.

Natalie x