I am an ovarian cancer survivor.

When I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 15 years ago, the survival rate was very low. All I wanted to do was talk to someone - anyone - who had survived. I understand the survival rate has improved, but if there is anyone with ovarian cancer who would like to talk to someone who has survived - then please get in touch!!

  • I was diagnosed last summer as a result of an operation called cytorductive surgery which was for bowel cancer and spread in peritoneum. I had fallopian tubes, ovaries, womb etc removed and heated chemo washed through. It was only afterwards that on examination they found ovarian cancer 3c. I then had 6 lots of carboplatin and taxol chemo for this. To find I had 2 different cancers has been devastating. My cancer count came down to 9 when I finished 4 weeks ago. I have follow up appt in April but wonder if this is normal./ I have a CT scan in a week but that has been arranged by my bowel specialist at Christies so I assume that may cover both. Are the CEA levels crucial do you think. I hear people who have Avastin and Caelyx is that something that is not now offered or was I just given the basic line of treatment. I feel well now although lost all my hair this time which I didnt when I had chemo for the bowel. Any feedback would be appreciated

  • Gosh.  That's a lot to cope with.  So glad you're feeling well.

    I was always glad when my cancer marker score came down and at each check-up I used it to reassure myself that I was staying well.  I would imagine the CT scan should cover both.  At one point they thought my cancer may have spread to the bowel and they used the C.T. scan in exactly the same way. Though I don't know about bowel cancer, I can say that I had many follow-up CT scans for my ovarian cancer.  Though they are necessary, the waiting for results can be very stressful.  Not sure what you're doing to cope with all this but I literally took one day at a time.  I would wake up each morning and whilst in the shower I would say to myself "Well, nothing bad is going to happen to me today" and then just allowed myself to get on with the day. 

    Losing your hair during chemo is quite disturbing, isn't it?!  It doesn't take too long to grow back though - so don't worry.  Not sure if you're using a wig.  I did for a while and then decided I had nothing to be embarassed about and took it off.  It was quite liberating!  When it grew back - I had very curly hair for a while!