Hi my name is Sandy and I’m new here. In July 2023 after falling very ill one day with no prior symptoms, I was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal ovarian cancer, it was also attached to my liver, spleen and top of my stomach. Initially I was offered no treatment but thankfully they took a chance on me and offered chemo. I finished that course March last year, and with on going medication I had remained stable up until a few months ago. I was given a CT scan which showed a new area of cancer at the bottom of my stomach, thankfully all the other areas were still stable. I’m now going through chemo again, I’ve had 3 rounds and have 3 to go. This one is much harder than the last. The side effects such as nausea, constant headaches and of course tiredness. Well I’m always tired to be fair, has been pretty hard going. Thankfully the sickness tablets help a bit. It would be really nice to be able to chat to anyone going through the same x
Hi Sandy
Welcome to the Ovarian group.
I am sorry to hear of your ovarian cancer and that a CT scan shows a new area of cancer.
My chemotherapy was for endometrial cancer in 2022 but it is often the same treatment as for ovarian. Mine was carboplatin and paclitaxel. Chemo is not easy and it must have been hard to have to do it again.
I found with each cycle the side effects did build up and I know for me that recovery after chemo can take a long time. I still have some fatigue even now.
With the nausea tablets I found it helped to take them regularly and around 30 minutes before meals. My CNS advised it was better to take them before the nausea really took a hold. Smaller and lighter meals helped me and also avoiding too much dairy. I found that taking the ondansetron am and then domperidone before meals did help. If these medications are not having a full effect then if you let your team know they can give you alternative medications.
With the headaches I found that these were pretty regular- not really bad but just enough to feel like they got in the way of doing things. Drinking plenty of fluids and lots of rest helped. Sometimes they can be related to the medication they give you so it is always worth mentioning. I found keeping a note of how I was feeling and any side effects in the chemo booklet that they give you could really help when the reviews came up with the consultant.
I found that the hospital 24 hour phone line was helpful and do give yours a call if you have any worries or need support. Mine could often provide medication or simply offer support and reassurance. Sometimes just being told that it was a normal effect and would pass, did help.
If you are feeling rubbish and feel like you need to talk things through then do give the Macmillan Support Line a call. They are there from 8am-8pm daily.
I wish you well for your next cycle of chemo and hope that the side effects begin to settle down. In the meantime we are here if you need us.
Jane
