Ovarian cancer

Hello Trish - I am so sorry that you are going through this.  It is indeed, a very scary time.  I was 63 when I had my hysterectomy for OC and like you, I had never been in hospital for anything.  I had never been under a general anaesthetic either.    All went incredibly smoothly - as smooth as things can under the circumstances.  Op went well, I woke up without a problem!  Recovery was fine also.  I went on to have chemo about 6 weeks post surgery.  I managed that ok (just carboplatin).  Hopefully, this gives you a bit of hope about your experience.  To be honest, by the time I went into hospital for my op - I was so unwell, that I think that level of being unwell prevented me from worrying.  Otherwise I think I would have been very worried indeed.   Try and focus on being in the here and now Trish - that is my best advice.  It is what helped me.  I used breathing techniques (square breathing) when I got anxious.  I also got up and walked about (sounds a bit odd but it helped me).   Remaining in a sitting position whilst worrying, is not helpful.  So get up and move around (to another room, outside and back in or - go for a walk, do some housework that sort of thing).   I hope all goes well for you op wise - have you got a date yet?

Hi pickles, thanks for your reply.  I keep busy, have a dog so although walks are shorter I do get out, I still do school pick ups for grandson..  I’m training my husband at the moment in the kitchen and using appliances, I do everything  getting very tired and generally have a nap after lunch.  It def affects you mentally so much.  I do get up and walk up and down stairs and around house.   So nice that I’m not on my own. I have download a meditation and breathing app that I’ve not tried yet.  Have to cancel next months holiday too.  All the best with your recovery 

Trish 

Hi Trish,

I note that someone has already replied with encouragement and useful ideas and want to add some more. I am 68 and was diagnosed with OC 2 years ago. I went through the same emotions as you (we all do!) with all the anxieties and fears about the future. Two years on, while I am still receiving immunotherapy treatment, my life is very normal. I too have a stoma and wear a bag; I wear close fitting clothes and no one can tell that I have a bag. I swim, ski and go to the gym, it hasn’t affected any of my physical capabilities at all. 

A few thoughts for you, which hopefully will help. 

- continue to exercise, as the fitter you are now the better you will recover from surgery and cope with chemo. Post surgery do the exercises you are given and do the daily walk, as it helps with recovery.You will be amazed at how quickly you can go from only being capable of a 5 minute walk around the garden to a 20 minute walk around the neighbourhood. The body is astonishing in its ability to heal  

- create a playlist of favourite songs / music to help you through difficult times. The moments immediately before going into theatre were hard for me and listening to songs recommended by my friends and family lifted me and made me realise how much I was loved by them. 

- keep a note book to write your symptoms and feelings. This is particularly useful when chemo starts so that in cycle two onwards you know what to expect. 

A few things to watch out for:

- chemo will mess with the output (the polite name for shit ) which goes into your stoma bag. This isn’t nice but it does settle down. In the meantime I suggest you put a mattress protector (I bought a toddler one ) for under the sheet on your bed. Leaks can happen at night. 
- chemo results in constipation ( or with a bag, very thick output). You will given sachets of lactulose to be drunk 2 or 3 times a day. I hated these and we eventually found that we could better regulate the output with a few days of high vegetarian meals such as vegetarian lasagne or curries. Much more pleasant than lactulose. 
- you will feel tired post surgery and for a few days after each chemo session. Be kind to yourself. It is ok to receive help and to sit on a sofa and rest.  
- your hair will fall out from the first chemo session and this is upsetting. I found the distress from loads of hair in my brush greater than the distress of having it shaved off. My lovely hairdresser came to my house so the shaving was private. It felt better because I was in control. I didn’t wear wigs because friends had said they were uncomfortable, preferring to use colourful headscarves instead. The beauty of headscarves is that people know you have cancer and strangers smile at you or make kind gestures, which is lovely.

Finally, do remember that as horrible as this diagnosis and time is, everything that is happening is to give you that most precious thing, life. I was very complacent about life. I am not anymore. My husband and I enjoy our lives much more now, than we did before. Best wishes for the next few weeks and months.