Hi everyone.
Ovarian cancer diagnosed 2021. Surgery at that time to remove the mass, ovary with total hysterectomy.
2 years on secondary cancer diagnosed. De-bulking surgery two weeks ago currently recovering as such a big op
Onchology will be contacting me this week with plan to start chemo. I've been told this will be a 18 week course with 2hr chemo every 3 weeks. So scared again about the side effects and if i will lose my hair!
Anyone with similar experience that can put my mind at rest?
Thank you x
Hi Positive vibes and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll both find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I'm sorry to read that your ovarian cancer has come back and I can understand how daunting facing chemotherapy can be. I had two types of chemotherapy for breast cancer last year and did lose my hair while on the first, but it started to grow back while having the second.
As you don't always lose your hair, it would help others reply to you if you tell them the name of the chemotherapy drug that you'll be having.
While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and proposed treatment 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.
Wishing you all the best with your upcoming treatment
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hello Positive Vibes
I am sorry to hear of your ovarian cancer journey. I know it is early days after such a big operation but I hope that you are comfortable and that you are recovering as planned.
I had chemo for womb cancer in 2022. To be told you need chemo can be very scary and when you are told about the side effects it can seem overwhelming. But everyone is different and can react differently. They have to tell you about all the potential side effects as they need you to be aware so they can get your informed consent. Its a bit like when you look at the leaflet on the inside of a packet of paracetamol- there are many potential side effects but you are unlikely to have them all.
I did have some side effects but on the whole these were short lived and could be managed by medication and adjustments in dosages.
Hair loss can be a real worry for a lot of people and you are definitely not alone in that respect. I did scalp cooling and did retain a lot of hair so that may be an option to speak with your CNS about.
There are different types of chemo and chemo regimes. For ovarian cancer it seems to be carboplatin and possibly paclitaxel, which are the same ones that are used for womb cancer. They are the ones I had. However given the 2 hour timing and the 3 weekly regime you are on I would imagine that it could be carboplatin for you. Does that sound familiar? Maybe ask your CNS if it is Carboplatin you will be having or something different?
If it is carboplatin, I did not have many side effects from it. My side effects were caused by the paclitaxel according to my consultant.
Carboplatin is done via drip and takes 1 hour to infuse so a 2 hour slot would sound normal. During my chemo sessions many people were on just the carboplatin- you do start to get talking to people as you see them each time. With carboplatin people tend not to lose all their hair although there may be some thinning. Paclitaxel needs to be infused over 3 hours so it doesn't sound like that one for you. Not all chemo makes you lose your hair.
I hope this helps a bit. I wish you well with your continued recovery from the surgery and with your chemo. If there is anything else you would like to ask then please do so.
Jane
