Ovarian Cancer

Hello Annie21

Welcome to the Online Community. I am sorry to hear that you have had a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

Being diagnosed is such a worrying time and it is normal to have these thoughts. I remember myself thinking of what was ahead and panicking and thinking do I have to do it and would there be an alternative. In the end I pout my trust in my consultant and CNS who said there was no alternative and I soon came round to their way of thinking. In the end I knew I had cancer in my body and just wanted it out.

I had my hysterectomy (for womb cancer) in April 2022. It was straightforward, I had little pain afterwards and I recovered well. I was discharged the following day to recover at home. It was a case of resting up and listening to what my body was telling me. I did not need any pain relief other than the odd paracetamol. No lifting/housework. Showers not baths. Moving around slowly at first but was walking around my garden the day after surgery. Within a few days I felt well enough to walk to the local shops 5 minutes away with my son. 

My post op histology came back at 3 1/2 days post op- this showed I needed chemo and that was followed up with external beam radiotherapy. If you have any questions or worries about the chemo please do ask but my advice would be to focus on one step at a time- the op first. Otherwise it can all feel a bit overwhelming. 

I will pop a couple of links to some information that you may find helpful. 

Hysterectomy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Cancer of the ovary, fallopian tube, or peritoneum booklet | Macmillan Cancer Support

I hope this helps and I wish you well with your treatments. If there is anything else you need or want to ask- please do so. If talking things through would help, then I recommend you give the Support Line a call. The number is below and they are lovely on there.

Jane

Hello Annie21. I’m really sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It is a really frightening time for you. I know how you are feeling. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer almost 3 weeks ago. It was an awful shock. I had open surgery 6 weeks ago, ovaries and fallopian tubes and an adnexal mass removed. I thought I had an infected cyst on my ovary. The histology report from this op gave a diagnosis of stage 1c1 ovarian cancer. I now have to have a staging surgery which includes a hysterectomy and omentectomy. I am waiting on a date for this and have been told last week it will be 6-7 weeks before I have the op. . I have gone through a whole range of emotions. Like yourself I think I have no alternative. I also pray that I get good news from my second op. I wish you well with your treatment. Sending you hugs. 

Hi Jane,

Thank you so much for finding the time to reply to my concerns.  Everything you have said about the way you were feeling before your treatment is exactly how I am feeling right now.  What you have said about your surgery and recovery has truly lifted my spirits.  I will take your advice about ‘one step at a time’ and worry about the chemotherapy side of things when I have to.  I do believe I have been feeling totally overwhelmed, all because I am focusing on everything at once and I don’t need to!  Once again a big thank you for sharing I really do appreciate you taking the time to reply to my post

Hello Merry, What an awful shock you have had, it would seem you’re about have the same surgery as myself.  However, from your diagnosis of stage 1c1 ovarian cancer I think this means they have caught it early. As a result I would think your prognosis should be really good.  I sincerely hope and pray this is the case for you. I consider this to be the most terrifying experience I have ever had in my entire life.  Some days I just wish I could have my surgery immediately and not have to wait another three weeks, but then again I’m so frightened of all I have got to face I think it’s better I’ve got more time to come to terms with everything. To be honest emotionally I am all over the place and don’t know what I want!  I’m thinking a Fairy God Mother with a magic wand would come in useful right now!  Of course we do have such a person, we have The NHS with its excellent surgeons and nurses who are going to do everything in their power to get us fit and well again.  I pray you get the best possible news following your second operation. From  what you have said it does sound very very promising indeed. I wish you every success with your treatment.  We’ve just got to stay as strong and positive as we can be and put our trust in the health care professionals who will be doing their very best for us.  Sending you huge hugs.

You are welcome and if there is anything you need, please do ask

Thank you so much for your good wishes  Annie21. It is really good to talk to someone going through a similar experience. I’m all over the place too. I had been having bother since last Christmas. Bouts of excruciating pain and hospitalised a few times with this. Ca125 and Ca19-9 and Cea test in March all within the normal range. Cancer was never expected. I was initially very shocked still am but now I’m angry. A whole range of emotions that are in themselves exhausting to deal with. We do have to try and stay strong and be as positive as we can. You are so right about the NHS. They are brilliant and have been so far. We are so fortunate to have them looking after us. Advice from Jane2511 is so true. One step at a time. I wish you the very best with your operation. I pray all goes well with you and you get the strength you need. Sending you huge hugs back. We’ve got this. 

Annie21 it was actually 9th September I received my diagnosis. It is only two weeks tomorrow. Shows you how much my head is all over the place. I thought it was three weeks ago.
Big hugs. Stay strong. 

Annie21 I’ll get this right yet. It was 6th September. It’s two weeks tomorrow. 

Hello Annie21

I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis.    You posted this a week ago, hoping you are doing ok at the moment.   you've had some great advice and information already and the one day at a time is really good advice.   I was down to one hour at a time on some days!   I used to keep telling myself 'the fear will subside'.  I mean it never goes away for me but it does subside sometimes.   When I was given my diagnosis and treatment plan - full hysterectomy with lots of bits and bobs taken!   I was scared about the op.   But the anxiety about having a cancer inside of me definitely overtook that fear and I could not wait to get it all out.   I was utterly relieved the day I went in for surgery and hoped I would be first - I was.  Huge op that went very straightforward (fantastic surgeon and team!) and woke up not feeling in the slightest bit nauseous or in any pain at all.   Very straightforward physical recovery (from the op) - no issues at all.     Please do ask any questions about any practicalities - lots of people on here who have been through this will be only too happy to give some tips about getting through the hospital stay!    There is always someone on here available if you want to have an offload about how you feel and there is also the MacMillan Support line.  Hugs x   

Good Morning Pickles1959

Your email has given me a wonderful lift!  I’m dreading the surgery but reading about what a positive experience you had has made me feel so very much better.  You are so right about the cancer, we want rid of it ASAP.  I must confess I have allowed the anxiety to overwhelm me and it’s time to be positive. I spoke to a lovely lady called Lorna on the Macmillan support line yesterday, she was so kind and extremely helpful.  Also she sent me some links which have cleared up a few things that have been playing on my mind.  Once again thank you for your lovely email it really did lift my spirits.  Good Luck with your journey. Hugs x