Hi Redlizzie

I to have ovarian cancer diagnosed in Jan 2009. I had 3 lots of chemo, operation, and another 3 lots of chemo.

The main problems I had with the chemo were gross taste in mouth and nothing tasted like it should, neuropathy of fingers and feet, these got worse with each chemo, but taste improved after about 6 weeks, fingers and feet improved but I still have neuropathy in my left foot (and right but only when I walk!). Hair loss - very slow to grow back and now have corkscrew curls! Tiredness but only realised how bad once I returned to work!

Most of the complications I had with chemo have been rare ones but then I only got diagnosed with ovarian cancer due to a rare autoimmune disease! I developed arterial bloods clots (aortic settling in left Femeral artery) just before my 4th dose, had daily blood thining injections but still developed another clot 5 days after the 6th dose! The onchologist/haematologist aren't sure if its cancer or chemo related and they don't seem to have personally come across it before so please don't worry about it!

I would be interested in hearing about plans for followup when you get that far.

Best of luck

Jackie

Jackie,

I am worried about you as I have not heard anything from you and the other Ladies..xxxx

Hi Sharon, glad you have sorted out the hospital situation. Hopefully they can sort out the gremlin for you without too much worry, let us know how you got on. Blood count going down is great, even if it is slow

Hugs Dot xxxxxxxx

Hi Dot, hope alls well with you ive got to go to hospital thursday t see what they have decided to do

ie.surgary or some more chemo dont really fancy surgery again if im honest

ill keep you posted.take care sharonxxx

Hi ladies just to say pleased your all ok

I am going back to work tommorrow on a phazed return.Got my check up 16th feb fingers crossed all ok.

Still not able to do much ie lifting and have trouble with my hip but have an xray on monday to see if its anything or not.Good luck to you all

Best wishes Liz xx 

Hi everyone,

like Jackie, I am hoping you are all getting on with your lives and doing good.

Sharon how did you get on at the hospital, have they made any decisions yet?

I have to be honest and say I wouldn't want any more surgery or chemo either, but we have to think about what is best for us.

Dot xx

Hi Liz,

Good luck with work, I will keep my fingers crossed for you too on the 16th and hope all will be well with you.

It seems never ending, but try to stay strong

Hugs Dot

Hi Ladies,

Sorry I have not been on for a while. Anyway I went to see my Dr last Wednesday and he was pleased with me. I have to go back every 3 months now for blood tests. I am beginning to feel better everyday and I am so glad the chemo has finished as it really floored me. Jackie, Dot, Rose, Sharon, Liz, and if I forgot anyone sorry....I hope we all keep in touch still and we continue to keep healthy..

Love always Eileen. xxxxxxxx

Good luck tomorrow,hope everything goes well for you.

Hi to everyone,things very quiet which I hope means everyone is OK.Roll on the warmer weather and we will all feel better then.

Rose xxx

Thanks Rose, im feeling a little unsettled today like i said dont fancy chemo or surgery again

but what must be must be. ive got to be there for 12 so il let you know how i get on when im back.

thanks for wishing me good luck it really helps.xx

hi all.

hope everyone remains well. I feel better this time round which hopefully means the 2nd lot of chemo was more effective than the first, one can but hope! am picking up colds like they are going out of fashion, on the 3rd one since the new year but otherwise feeling really good, legs working and arms not to bad, even done a load of weeding down the allotment!

Good luck for tom julygirl, I'm thinking this is the second time as it was for me, I was suprised that I found it more intimidating than the first time, thought it would be better as i knew what to except but didn't work that way so can well understand how your feeling. Let us know how you get on

All the best

Jackie

xxx

Hi Rose,Eileen.Jackie.and all you other lovely ladies out there.been to see new oncoligist today

seems very nice! news is ive got to have chemo again having he first one in 3 weeks time.

hairs going this time! so this is new for me didnt happen last time!.feel a litle numb about it at

the minute.but what must be must be, speak to you all soon big hugs sharon[julygirl58] xxxx

Hi Rose,Eileen.Jackie.and all you other lovely ladies out there.been to see new oncoligist today

seems very nice! news is ive got to have chemo again having he first one in 3 weeks time.

hairs going this time! so this is new for me didnt happen last time!.feel a litle numb about it at

the minute.but what must be must be, speak to you all soon big hugs sharon[julygirl58] xxxx

So sorry Sharon.Take time to get your head round this ,thump a few cushions and throw a few things.Do you know which chemo you will have?

Loads of good wishes for you

Rose xxx

Hi Sharon, at least you now know! Hate the hair loss, know its ridiculous but hate it anyway . I've been through my second lot of chemo and am now out the other side feeling better than ever, so stay calm and try and fill the next 3 weeks with things you like doing if you can! I spent my 3 weeks on holiday, I explored lots of local places I didn't even know existed. I struggled with walking but did it anyway cos it was what I wanted, I went out to lunch somewhere new everyday and really enjoyed myself. It kept me going once the chemo started but I have to be honest I found the chemo psychologically second time round, though physically it was a lot easier! obviously now am really glad I had it, just spent the day walking which I haven't been able to do for the last couple of years (weird symptoms but that's me all over lol)

Chin up you can do it

Best wishes

Jackie

XXX

Hi ladies I hope you don't mind me writing this, but I've been reading your posts on and off the last few months and I have to say you are all such an inspiration.

I was diagnosed with serious borderline ovarian cancer with invasive implants in Nov 2010. I had a hysterectomy and have just started my first lot of Chemo - Taxol/Carbo on Tues 15th. I'm starting to feel very tired and have a bit of numbness in my fingertips. But I am mostly apprehensive about the hair loss that is to come. I have felt very down today and can't face the next 5 cycles. I'm scared.

Take care ladies I hope all goes well for you - stay strong x

Hugs Sharon,

I agree with Rose, throw those cushions around.

I dreaded losing my hair too, but you know I love it lol, mine started growing back even through the hair loss. I don't even wear a wig, it was not upsetting like I thought it would be.

You are bound to be apprehensive, but we are here if you need to let off steam.

Big hugs and try not to worry too much!!

Dot xxxx

Hi Sharon,

Well that takes us all back about the hair loss, remember Dot ? you were dreading it and then found it wasn't as bad as you thought. I think I was prob the only one who it didn't bother. ( I have always been a bit odd ) Anyway just remember it grows back, maybe a different colour and it could be curly, straight, but it does come back. Just keep your thoughts on getting better and the only way is more chemo. Mine grew back and I had to have more chemo I must admit it was harder the second time as it was winter so not good having a cold head .

We are all still here for you Sharon and keep chatting. I know we have been very quiet for a while but we are here.. Just think how much you will save on shampoo and no more washing your hair.Sorry bad joke but keep laughing and don't let it get you down please. 

Welcome to our new girl lovely to hear from you. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

HI Cubdear,

I am glad you decided to join us, it does help having the support from this group.

I too had numbness and tiredness, my fingers and feet are fine now, all of my side effects have gone apart from the tiredness, I am beginning to think it might be laziness now lol.

Hopefully your down feeling will go soon, it isn't unusual to feel like that at times.

hugggggs

Dot xxxxxxxx

Eileen it is so good to hear from you and that you are doing good!!

Yes I remember worrying about my hair lol. Mine started to come back pure white but turning to a grey now lol, the back and sides are really thick but the top is a lot thinner, I could become Friar Dot lol.

hugss

Dot xxxxxxxx

Hi Dot,

Thank you so much for your reply, it would be good to talk about the effects of Chemo as time goes on. As I said before, reading all your posts has been very helpful and it helps me to not feel so alone in all of this.

My name is Sarah & it's lovely to meet you x x

hi Sarah, welcome to the group.

The very first dose of chemo is a scary one cos you never know what to expect, from here on in its much of the same though i'm afraid to say your symptoms will get worse with each dose but bizarely you except them better!! As you may have discovered I don't like the hair loss, twice for me now, actually I don't have a problem being bald its the lead up to it I hate and thats the bit your on at the moment. It's not knowing what your going to look like, how your going to manage it, what it'll feel like etc. Just so your warned the worse bit is when you need to descide when to get rid of it, it will get to a point when there is so much hair loss it will drive you mad and you will be forced to shave the rest off, once you do this you'll be fine. Honest.

Let us know how your getting on and post any questions or concerns. We may not be on treatment at the moment but we will be able to help. Try and stay positive cos it helps loads.

Take care

Jackie

xxx

Hi Sarah,

As the other ladies have said welcome to the group. I hope we can be a little help to you on your journey, and that's what it is a journey into the unknown but it's a challenge that we can all get through and remember we are here for you for any questions you need to know and for emotional support.. I found my partner was fed up listening to me moaning all the time as we forget they are actually going through this as well and have nobody to talk to.

I sound like a councellar sorry ha ha ......

Anyway take care and lots of love Eileen xxxxxx