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

No it don't sound stupid, I think the hair loss is such a physical reminder that you can't avoid seeing that it makes the whole thing seem far to real. Sounds like it time to get rid of whats left it really isn't so bad once its gone, honest. Bad days are normal, you just have to except it and get up the next day refusing to have two in a row . As time passes it does get easier to deal with. keep logging on, vent if you need or just tell us how your feeling, we all car and we're all here for you and each other.

Here's to a good day tom!

Jackie

xxx

Sharon,

I am sorry that you have been feeling down and as Jackie has said it's a normal thing to happen to you / us because at the end of the day we are all scared and lie awake at night sometimes thinking what will happen to us. We have all probably said why me ? but at the end of the day we have to cope with it and don't let it beat us. Your mind is a powerful thing and remember that if you can stay positive then things will be ok.

I have been having these twinges as I said last week and rang the hospital so my chemo nurse told me to get my bloods done for the CA125 which I did and got the results yesterday. My count has gone up since last month so I have to have a scan on the 29th but so what if it's back I will deal with it. And if it is then I have caught it quickly.

So please remember when you are down that we are all here for you....

Love Eileen. xxx

Hi Jackie,Eileen.feeling a little better today.even more so after reading you messages of support

where would i be without you! I thank you fm the bottom of my heart.as you say eileen think positive

and you will be positive.hpe everything goes well with your scan.i see my oncoligist on thursday and

chemo on friday comes round so quick. thanks again.

love sharon.xx

Hi Eileen

Sorry to hear your ca125 was up but remember it goes up for many different reasons which is why it is an unrealible test by its self! the scan should give a more accurate picture and fingers crossed will show its not back. My Ca125 was 'up' at my 3 monthly appointment but as I feel fine we're ignoring it!

Hi Sharon

Glad your feeling better today one day at a time sunshine! Once you start on the chemo cycle time seems to both stand still and fly! silly I know but the days seem to last forever and the weeks fly past, maybe thats just me lol.

take care

Jackie

xxx

Hi Everyone,

Sorry to hear you have been feeling down Sharon, but as the other ladies have said - stay positive. We all have down days, and yes I have cried about it, why me, etc. But then the next day I pick myself up, put my make up on & a smile on my face & get on with things again! It's not easy, but we will get through it. I understand your feelings now your hair is falling out. But it will be fine. When mine came out I thought ooh I have quite a cute little head! Wasn't as scary as I thought.

Eileen sorry to hear about your CA125 result. I hope everything is ok. Keeping my fingers crossed for you x

Hope everyone else is ok? I'm fine been feeling really well this week. Next chemo is on 29th. Have an appointment to see oncologist tomorrow.

We've been busy sorting the garden this week and now it looks all nice and tidy so I'm looking forward to sitting out there on sunny days!

Take care everyone,

love Sarah x

Keeping fingers crossed for good news with the scan.You have had enough without this worry as well.Sending you a huge hug.

Rose xxx

Eileen I am glad you queried the twinges you had, hopefully the ctscan will have a positive result......everything crossed here

Hugggggggs xxxxxxxx

Hi Everyone Its been a while scince i added something to this discussion and i was the one who landed on the wronge site or mars  as i was diagnosed with uterine cancer and then thought it was ovarian.I just want to give you all a great big hug and lots of support you are all so good and strong.I am back to work on a phazed return i am tired but mentally . i think everyone treats you as normal and dont wish to ask questions in case its a bit sensitive but i am feeling fine apart from some hip sciatica type pain as we have stairs here at work.i dont know if i said when i first posted but i lost my son from non hodgkins lymphoma burkitts like and he was just 20 years old .It was very difficult for the  family but i was the one who was at his bedside everyday I know now both sides but feel the pain for him more than mine now as mine appears to be clear i only have to be seen every 3 to 6 months .Wish i could help you all but i am saying my prayers that you all make a good recovery .I know its hard god bless you all .liz xxxxxx

Hi Ladies,

I have been reading the discussion but have not had time to respond until now. I hope you are all coping ok with your individual issues and that no news is good news.

And hello to those of you who have not posted for a while and may be wondering why this bloke is posting in a predominantly ladies thread. I am here supporting my wife Mary, as she is not really into forums etc so prefers me to waffle on and pass back any useful info to her. I feel like I'm imposing a little sometimes but I hope you don't mind me bringing my contribution to the discussion, and can relate to it in some ways.

Mary took the decision last saturday to shave off what was left of her hair, and I obliged with the clippers. It was a bit of a shock for her when she first looked in the mirror, but she is getting used to it now, and it is a much better look than having a sparse head of hair. I never thought the day would come when I actually have more hair than Mary! But it's a stark reminder for her now every time she looks in the mirror (as too is the Hickman line). She has a pretty good shaped head, so that helps, and she only covers her head when we go out. She has a good selection of lightweight beanie hats, and she only wears her wig for social events. She has also bought a couple of bandanas from that site that Sarah mentioned (Thanks Sarah!) Saving these for our break in Portugal at the end of April (if she still feels well enough to go).

Talking of holidays, I got a big shock this week when I tried to renew our travel insurance, her diagnosis has sent the premiums through the roof! and some will not even touch her because she is still having chemo! Hmm what to do??!! Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on this?

Good news is, Mary started her 4th cycle today and the registrar is very happy with her bloods, her progress, and particularly how little she has suffered from side effects. He obviously cannot predict the chances of it curing her as there are too many variables, but his positive response does give us a bit of hope all the same. He said that they were giving her this "dose-dense" weekly treatment because they felt she was young enough and strong enough to cope with it. I don't really understand that, because it seems to me that having a massive dose of chemo every 3 weeks would be harder to cope with than spreading out the dose weekly. I wish I'd asked him about that now as I'm curious, I shall have to ask our oncology nurse next time we speak to her.

I really don't want to give anyone false hope, but I do think it is worth discussing this treatment with your oncologist (if the time is right) as the clinical trial results were very promising. More info in my thread

Best wishes to you all,

John & Mary

Hi Liz,

good to hear from you!

It must be really hard getting back into work, I admire how you are dealing with all of this.

You have gone through a lot Liz, to lose a son so young and then to find out that you also have to deal with it is a devastating blow, big hugs, it is a hard place to be. I hope that all your scans stay clear and that you find some sort of peace.

Dot xxxxxxx

Hi Liz,

good to hear from you!

It must be really hard getting back into work, I admire how you are dealing with all of this.

You have gone through a lot Liz, to lose a son so young and then to find out that you also have to deal with it is a devastating blow, big hugs, it is a hard place to be. I hope that all your scans stay clear and that you find some sort of peace.

Dot xxxxxxx