I was diagnosed with Cancer in March and although we knew it was Cancer its still a shock to be told it. I have had 2 chemo cycles now and have my 3rd at the end of the month. I would love to chat about the chemo side affects to anyone..
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.
You have made my day getting in touch. I am sorry you are still going through all this still and yet you never complain about it.. I really don't know how you carry on. It must be awful having that itch for so long, I suppose you have tried everything to try and stop it. I can't believe how the time goes as it's a year next month for you with the chemo and Dec for me. I have been doing really well and apart from the pain lower down in groin I feel fine. But when I read what you and the others are going through I am lucky.
Keep coming on to let us know how you are doing as we have all worried about you. I know we all stay off the site for ages but once someone writes we all reply so when we didn't hear from you it was a worry.. I can smile all day now as I know your ok....
Jackie thank goodness you posted, we were so worried about you. You really have had a lot to cope with, it seems never ending for you, no respite, I can't begin to imagine how you are feeling with the skin problem and totally understand why you don't want any chemo at the moment.
I agree with you Jackie on the neuropathy bit, they put me on weekly chemo because of the problems with my feet hands and the tinitus (the bells the bells lol), although the tingling is still there it is very mild.
When I read how others are suffering I think why on earth did I mention my tiny niggles, but then I noticed Eileen seems to think her problems are less than everyone else's lol....but I know how much you two have struggled and mine honestly cannot compare. Not trying to compete with who has the least problems hahahhaa............was just a thought.
Eileen you mentioned that you have read up on different cancers and could probably relate to them all, well I don't even read side effects of drugs because I know I will think I have them all, haaaaaaa just trying to stay positive in all of this.
Ben it was lovely that you posted and that you still check in on all of us.
Tony it was nice to see you post here too, it is true...what would we all do without the support we get from this site, I do get very attached to many on here and it is very emotional for me when I see them suffering, and I know that is how we all must feel.
I just popped by to say 'Hi' to you all and wanted to say how lovely it is to see this thread come back to 'active' again....(although I do really wish it was active again with all of you in remission, rather than going through new or continuing struggles & challenges).....
You've all been missed on here - although I don't generally post on your thread I did always read it and kept up to date with how you were all doing...
I noticed tonight that there is a new member who has just been diagnosed with Stage 1 Ovarian cancer, she has started a new thread but I will put up a link to you ladies as I'm sure you will be able to help her.
Thanks Dizzy, not surprised the new member couldn't find us - must remember to post more often to keep thread 'active' and reassure everyone we are ok (ish!)
Having lived with this for 21/2 years its hard to know what to post, hi I'm fine sounds to much like tempting fate lol. Dot and Eileen I don't feel I suffer as much as you guys so I guess we can all basically cope with what we have but don't like the sound of what others have lol. The itch is annoying but then I don't feel ill like you would with say a cold, so I tell myself if I don't feel ill I must be ok! and I'm only half way to beating my self imposed 5 year mark - will soon be time to extend it .
Like Eileen I'm about to undergo massive changes, not moving house but having an extension built and total re-organisation and redecoration! not sure which is worse as I still need to pack up a lot of stuff but sure it will be worth it in the end. The extension will include a new bedroom for my friend plus each of us ends up with an ensuite bathroom. Mine will be designed to accommodate a wheelchair just in case and can't wait to have a shower which I can easily use - the legs struggle to get me in and out of the bath and that's when I'm good lol. The old bedroom will be turned into a lounge which will allow me to view the garden instead of the road and gives me a place to put a conservatory! unfortunately that bit means knocking down walls etc which I am not looking forward to, would move out for a while but the dogs won't let me lol. oh nearly forgot having the place re-wired to, which means at some point will lose Internet but hopefully not for long cos that would not be good
Good luck for Tues Dot, daft as it sounds I go into these appointments expecting the very worse, my theory is if it is that bad I'm prepared and if it isn't as bad as that, then its time to celebrate but then my doc told me at the start mine wasn't curable but it was treatable. I know I'm dying but I refuse to do so quickly or quietly but knowing that stops me worrying about it come back cos in reality mine never goes away!
Enough waffling for now
Keep calm till the results ladies (worrying won't change anything!)
I'm so pleased that this thread is active again. Please do not feel that you're complaining or competing, it is very helpful to know what others are feeling and thinking. I know that Mary gets paranoid every time she gets a pain or a twinge somewhere. Unforunately the experiences that we have all been through messes with your head, and even though the oncologists are very happy with Mary at the moment, she is a long way from being convinced that she is ok.
What can I say, Mary deals with it in her own way, she cannot discuss her feelings with fellow sufferers, that's just the way she is. That is why I'm here, I have learned a lot from you all and that has helped me so much to support Mary. So thank you all for that, and long may we continue to support each other, or just come and share our fears and feelings, or let off steam.
I hope too that readers of this thread will also contribute, if only in a small way, because your comment may just help someone a little.
