Yes it has. It has been horrendous, worse than I ever could have prepared myself for. I am in a horrible situation right now and my positivity has gone. I am at rock bottom with side effects and don't know how I will survive. This is genuinely the worst time of my life and I have only had 1 cycle so far. The thought of 5 more cycles and surgery is beyond my comprehension at the moment. 

I am hoping that someone who has had chemo will reply. I haven't so cannot understand it, but I do send my support.

Thank you Mary. I am day 7 post chemo and seem to be turning a corner slowly thankfully. The last week has been awful and I was at a very low point when I last posted. Day by day is the only way I can get through these challenges. I am lucky to have such a supportive partner to look after me and the household whilst I have been incapacitated due to pain or fatigue. 

I’ve been reading your posts with interest.  I have stage 4 ovarian cancer.I'm 79 years old and was diagnosed in September 2024.   

I recognise your despair, and overwhelming feelings, as well as that first week to 10 days  after chemo as being the worst. Also the relief after ascites being drained.   I have found that the tiredness is the most overwhelming  effect, with a nauseous feeling for much of the time. And bowels that are not consistent! 
However, I’m still here, just having respite from chemotherapy, next due  Jan 16th.

so, on we all go.   Please let yourself be hopeful, I was in the same place as yourself but I have made some progress.    When I look back to the beginning of my treatment and compare it to now, I can see that improvement.
I too have good family support.  Husband and daughters who look out for me. 
try to rest as much as you can,  I wish you every bit of success with your treatment. 

Thank you Rose-w for your message. This is a rollercoaster of physical endurance and emotional ups and downs. One day I feel like I cannot go on and the next I feel hopeful that I may reach a point where cancer is not controlling every minute of my existence.

A lot of this has been down to side effects, pain, discomfort and sometimes relief but then different side effects happen and I am learning about how the chemo is affecting me personally as each day of this 1st cycle passes. Today is the first day ( day 8 post chemo) that I have not been in pain of some sort throughout and I managed a school run, some dishes and a quick whizz around with the vacuum. After that I have collapsed on the sofa with Netflix feeling quite pleased with myself!

I hope that in subsequent cycles of chemo that I cope with it all a bit better because this first round felt brutal. 

I miss being able to do the things I enjoy like walking my lovely dog. I wouldn't last 5mins out with him at the moment but maybe next week?! I played 3 rounds of cards with my son at the weekend and I needed a rest after because my brain just gave up! I never understood real fatigue until now. 

Thank you for posting,  it is always a positive thing when people share their experiences and make a human connection in tough times. 

I wish you all the best for the 16th,  my next is on 26th. X