Hi,
I was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer last October just after turning 54. I had spent the summer getting a bigger and bigger stomach (ascites), losing my appetite and with terrible diarrhoea. I then spent the next 6 months getting treatment which consisted of 18 doses of chemotherapy and a major operation to remove everything halfway through. I wore a cold cap and although I lost a lot of hair I had so much to start with you'd never really know! So I don't look sick, something I didn't realise would be a bonus. Please consider wearing a cap if you're reading this and wondering. My oncologist nearly insisted and she was right. To finish chemo and have your hair is a win! On finished chemo I was so excited to be done and then was so exhausted I needed a blood transfusion and then I developed two blood clots in my leg. I'm still on blood thinning medication which isn't the easiest of medications re side effects. Just feel so tired and sickly still.
I am now on post chemo treatment of a drug called Aybintio which stops cancer growing back. I have this by infusion every 3 weeks. So far so good re side effects. Just a bit achey.
And so while still waiting to feel better physically, it's been tough lately dealing more with the mental health side of being sick now that I've more time to reflect. The fear just never goes away. And it's hard not to think about cancer 24/7!
I have a super great support network. Just writing this to feel better really.
Hang in there everyone else who's going through this.
