Mucinous ovarian cancer

Hello jholly - I am really sorry about your diagnosis of mucinous ovarian cancer.  I had a similar diagnosis and my surgery was in March (two months post op).   I am guessing everyone's recovery experience will be different but I can identify with the colicky pains!   I still get them from time to time and I cannot work out if it is what I am eating?   or still relating to the op?  I feel pretty much back to normal now and have felt this way for a couple of weeks but I did as I was told in terms of my recovery and not over stretching myself.    Yes i also did some research on MOC  and even my oncologist said MOC  responds 'poorly' to chemotherapy - having said that, he still felt it was worth me having this as my tumour had also burst prior to surgery.   I have had my first round of carboplatin two weeks ago now.   The day after - I felt absolutely fine and was up and about and socialising!  But I was taking steroids and anti sickness meds - wondering if the steroids gave me some super powers!   I did have the usual side effects - nothing too dramatic so I did not feel it impacted upon me as much as I was expecting.   I am not sure how future doses will go mind!  Please ask away if there are any questions you have......   oh p.s. yes, I also had an odd painful dragging feeling when having a wee - that lasted for around 10 to 14 days and then settled down.  I have no idea what that was about!  Warmest of hugs are sent your way :) 

Thank you for sharing your journey. 4 weeks post op I have started to get menopause symptoms, oh joy. The leaflet I was given basically says such it up as can't have HRT. So other than purchasing a quiet fan I can use without disturbing my sleep and being kind to myself have you found any other nuggets of wisdom you found useful. I hope your 2nd cycle goes ok. I have started looking at moisturisers, mouth care bits and books for my chemo bag as suspect Wednesdays meeting will give me my start date. 

Hello jholly - thank you for replying to me as well.   I hope you are doing ok.   4 weeks post op is still early days physically isn't it?     Its interesting about the menopause info as I was well past the menopause when I had my op - so I have not noticed anything different.  I might ask about that!   I have no idea what my organs were doing prior to being removed (apart from trying to bump me off that is!).    I think my main thing has been fear and I have been extremely anxious since diagnosis - fear of appointments, treatment, scans and of course the obvious fear of being diagnosed with cancer.   I found my mind racing off into the future and it didn't look great.  So I started to really 'be in the present'.  Every time i found my brain racing off - I used to mentally pull it back and ground myself where I was.   Outside is better as there are more things to ground you in the present - especially nature (sky, birds, trees).   Then in the house - I would reach for my 'normal' stuff - it might be doing a household task (I did NOT feel like doing it at the time) but the longer I kept my mind busy on the task - the fear would reduce.  I would then do something that I liked or make myself a really nice drink or even bake a cake!   I also tell myself repeatedly - be in the present, you're ok right now.   It has really helped me.  It sounds like you are a bit more mentally prepared than I felt able to be.   Oh , the one thing I will say (I was on carboplatin) - I was quite badly constipated and it caught me by surprise on day two (post chemo).  So maybe ask about that and get some advice on best thing to take - just in case.  Any questions or if you want to just chat - let me know as I am always here to listen and support.  

Hi Pickles1959

Met my oncologist today and she felt with the poor evidence in MOC for chemo that the risks outweighed the benefit for me as my surgery cleared tumour and I have expansile type with is less aggressive than invasive type . I am pleased I don't need to go through chemo but whether you do or do not have chemo for MOC feels like a lottery as we are dammed if we do with risk of chemo side effect but no guarantee the drugs will kill off MOC cells anyhow or prevent recurrence but dammed if we don't and end up being in that 10% who get further disease. They are monitoring my tumour markers every 3 months for a couple of years and 6 monthly until 5yrs out  so if things change we should see it. 

Jholly

Yes - I hear you.  I have felt the same.  I think I have the invasive type so that is probably why they want to do the chemo - plus it had burst prior to the surgery.  I have settled my mind that I will always be in between scans/checks and I have to just focus on being in the present!

Thanks Pickles, I know there would have been doubts with either option so am sure over time I will feel more confident. My concern is like you my tumour ruptured back in March and has been leaking these cells up to the surgery in May so risk is definitely  there but it doesn't mean they will go on to cause issue any more than for someone who hasn't had rupture. We all hope we are in the 90% group at 5 yrs and in the meantime just need to get back to living. I hope your second cycle has gone OK and not giving you too many symptoms. Look forward to hearing how you get on in the weeks to come. 

Jholly