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

Hello Carrie,

I have just read your message and you sound like myself as in I had my Mum pass away with cancer 3 years ago this year. The day before my birthday little did I know what was in store for me. But to be honest as I have said before there are worse things than cancer.

I hope John that this information that Carrie has passed on is a comfort to you and your wife. I think having the dreaded needles in your veins is very painful when they start to shrink.

Good luck anyway. xx

Hey Dot & Ladies,

I thought it was about time we updated our pictures

As you can see I am bald again on this one but it is coming back slowly...So it will soon be back to washing and blow drying Anyway come on ladies let us see some more pictures.....

John sorry about your dreadful day. Things will get better xx

  Love as always Eileen xxxx

Mine hasn't grown that much Eileen, not got around to updating pic, I will have to make the effort!!!

Sorry to hear that your wife is having problems John, hopefully everything will go smoothly this time.

Hugs to all

Hi Carrie, Eileen & Dot

Thanks for putting my mind at ease, I read and it sounded terrible! So it's nice to hear a good experience.

Mary looks at it as yet another procedure to endure! But she's only had 5 of 18 weekly treatments so it's only going to get harder finding veins.Her hair is thinning quite a lot now so that doesn't help matters.

Anyway, I'm taking her away for the weekend, hopefully a well timed break in the Cotswolds

Hope you are both doing ok,

John

Hi John,

That's were me and David are thinking of going to. I am in Pembrokeshire which is beautiful but the Cotswolds is suppose to lovely...

I hope Mary is up to going.

  Love Eileen xx

Hi John, Hi Ladies!

John I'm so sorry to hear of your wifes problems with the PICC line being fitted. I know my boss has a Hickman line, but I don't know much about it. Carries advice seems pretty helpful though, so good luck for next week I hope it goes smoothly. Hope you both enjoy your weekend away.

I spoke to the nurse yesterday and she has advised me to get vitamin B12 from the doctor for the neuropathy - has anyone heard of this or taken it & does it help? Also been told the anti sickness Ondandestron would have caused my constipation so to take lactulose the week of my chemo! Other than that my aching and pain has gone and I've had no sickness. Apart from feeling tired I'm doing ok!

Take care everyone,

Sarah x

ps I'm gonna try and get a picture on!

Hi Ladies,

We had a better day today, I felt I was less than supportive to Mary yesterday, I was frustrated about what happened at the hospital, we both were. Nobody's fault, just one of those things. The hospital staff have all been lovely so I feel a bit bad about feeling this way.

Mary is coming to terms with having the Hickman line now, it's not great, but it's going to be less traumatic in the long run.

@Sarah - Mary has more success with senokot than lactulose when she needs something, maybe worth trying if it doesn't work. Glad you're feeling a little better.

@Eileen - See you in the cotswolds!

Thank you for your support,

John

Hi Eileen, and all you other lovely ladies out there hope your all well.

ive been to hospital today start my chemo next friday.just wondered

if you can give me any advice on cold cap as i can try one if i wont to.

heard a few stories so really dont know what to do.also met the hospital

hairdresser to discuss wigs!.now all i have to do pepare myself for all this!.

hugs and xxxxxx to you all sharon.

Hi Sharon,

Try not to worry about the hair thing, I know some really hate the fact that they are losing hair but it does grow back..

I have not heard of anyone who has had the cold cap but have read about it. As for the wigs then I personally couldn't wear it. It was hot and looked like a wig so I wear scarves which you can buy online and if you get different colours then you can match them with what your wearing..

Good luck with the chemo  keep your positive thoughts and if you need any advise then don't be afraid to ask the Doctors..x

  Lots of Love Eileen xxxxx

Hi Julie,

           I was never offered a cold cap, I just accepted that I would lose my hair. I had it cut short before I started my chemo in preperation for the fall out. I was fitted for a wig which was as near to my own colour and styles as he could have got. Some people get something completely different from their own hair, so if you fancy being a bit of a devil try a different colour or style try loads on before choosing.I told them all I was going to go blond and look like Diana Dors ( for the younger ones of you this might not mean much ha ha). Also as some of the other ladies said I bought lots of bandanas in different colours, to go with my clothes. When my hair started to fall out big time I got my hubby to give me what he called an american marine hair cut, which is straight over the top with the electric shears, right down to the wood. It was a bit of a shock at the time, I got a shock when I looked in the mirror, I couldn't decide who I looked most like, my dad or my son, but then again they both look alike.

After a while I didnt wear anything, as sometimes the wig got rather warm, that was once everyone got used to my condition. The hardest was telling my grandchildren, the youngest was just a baby, so I wore my wig if her mammy brought to our home. The next one was 7 years old, when I explain to him that I was having to take special medicine which would make my hair fall out, I said I will get some scarves,he look at my like only a child can and said, I dont think so grandma,I said well bandanas then, he said you will get a wig wont you, it amazing how resilient children are. He wait a few weeks until my air had fallen out, then bought me some bandanas on his holidays, when he gave them to me he said gran have you really got no hair? So I asked him if he wanted to see, he nodded so I took my bandana off, he just said wow you have even less than grandad. So its best to prepeare them before it falls out.

Everyone has to do what makes them happy, if you feel you want to give the cold cap a go, then go for it, you have nothing to lose have you, if it doesnt work at least you have tried. My hair grew back very dark and wavey, from auburn and straight as a poker. It s not as thick as it was but it is lovely just the same, when it first came back in it was oh so soft just like baby hair.

Well I wish you all the best with your decision on the hair front. Just keep telling yourself it only for a short time it WILL come back. xxx

Hi Julie,

           I was never offered a cold cap, I just accepted that I would lose my hair. I had it cut short before I started my chemo in preperation for the fall out. I was fitted for a wig which was as near to my own colour and styles as he could have got. Some people get something completely different from their own hair, so if you fancy being a bit of a devil try a different colour or style try loads on before choosing.I told them all I was going to go blond and look like Diana Dors ( for the younger ones of you this might not mean much ha ha). Also as some of the other ladies said I bought lots of bandanas in different colours, to go with my clothes. When my hair started to fall out big time I got my hubby to give me what he called an american marine hair cut, which is straight over the top with the electric shears, right down to the wood. It was a bit of a shock at the time, I got a shock when I looked in the mirror, I couldn't decide who I looked most like, my dad or my son, but then again they both look alike.

After a while I didnt wear anything, as sometimes the wig got rather warm, that was once everyone got used to my condition. The hardest was telling my grandchildren, the youngest was just a baby, so I wore my wig if her mammy brought to our home. The next one was 7 years old, when I explain to him that I was having to take special medicine which would make my hair fall out, I said I will get some scarves,he look at my like only a child can and said, I dont think so grandma,I said well bandanas then, he said you will get a wig wont you, it amazing how resilient children are. He wait a few weeks until my air had fallen out, then bought me some bandanas on his holidays, when he gave them to me he said gran have you really got no hair? So I asked him if he wanted to see, he nodded so I took my bandana off, he just said wow you have even less than grandad. So its best to prepeare them before it falls out.

Everyone has to do what makes them happy, if you feel you want to give the cold cap a go, then go for it, you have nothing to lose have you, if it doesnt work at least you have tried. My hair grew back very dark and wavey, from auburn and straight as a poker. It s not as thick as it was but it is lovely just the same, when it first came back in it was oh so soft just like baby hair.

Well I wish you all the best with your decision on the hair front. Just keep telling yourself it only for a short time it WILL come back. xxx