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..
Hello everybody, may I join you and introduce myself? I opened a new thread on this subject the other day in the "introduce yourself" section, but I really wanted to get onto this site. I am 67 yo and live in Essex, UK and have recently been diagnosed as having tumours on both ovaries, plus some areas on the omentum and outer bowel. However, my hospital MDT wants to ascertain whether my ovaries are the primary site or secondary to breast ca I had 15 years ago before planning my treatment, so I've just had a biopsy and await results on 22nd Feb. I found your site about a month ago and was both heartened by all your posts, and at the same time scared - not of the treatment particularly but the outcome. Some days I feel that I won't get through this, other days I think "No, you won't get me, you (expletive deleted!)"
The last post on your site was 28th Dec, I have been checking, so I hope you are all getting along OK
Thanks for the reassurance Jackie. So your dose was reduced too? I know what you mean about your body having to cope with it but I think I'd prefer to soldier on if it was for the greater good, if you know what I mean. I was wondering whether to challenge the doctor about this next week when I go and I quite like the idea of having equal doses over both weeks like Mary does rather than more the first week so I might mention that too.
I dream of getting 16 months - only got 8 months first time, then 6 months so feeling pretty despondent about the whole thing at the moment. Just hope this different chemo works better. Delaying it has really thrown me, and I thought I was coping well - guess we're all nearer to the edge than we realise, or care to admit!
Thanks for the messages of support and love and hugs to you all.
Sue, I think that's the point! there is no point soldering on if it means you have to keep delaying each treatment, which is worse: a) chemo reduces bloods and you have to delay treatment or b) chemo reduced and you get treatment on regular basis? don't know the answer but my reduced dose worked well for me and I think I'm starting at the reduced dose again this time. Ask you onc along with your question regarding spreading the dose more frequently. Know what you mean about it not keeping you going, I only got 6-8months the first time so was delighted when I went 14 months this time (however have been symptomatic for 12 months lol), think I left it a bit late this time as have never been so symptomatic and CA125 up 200 in 6 weeks higher now than at any other time!
Just heard from onc department and have cancellation for tom at 10.30! sorry for the other person but wow do I feel I need it!!!
am worried that I'm expecting to much from this chemo! itch, skin and stomach sorted within a week????? too much to ask???
Hope Eileen is recovering and everyone else is coping!
Jackie pointed out that Eileen was the one to chat too as she has always had problems with her neutraphylls, she is going through a hard time at the moment, she does seem to struggle with her treatments and I am sure once she is up to it she will respond.
I was put on weekly chemo as I had lots of side effects, I was told it would be better with a lower dosage which would be better for me, but I don't think it is the same thing as you are going through.
I just want to say that I was given a bad prognosis, a year to live as I had an aggressive form of cancer, it spread from ovaries to liver and lungs......yet here I am, proof that things can rapidly change, my CA125 is down to 10 and hopefully it will continue that way. I am always aware that it can come back at any time but force myself to look at the positive side and take things day by day. It is sad for me to watch everyone struggle, this is no easy thing to deal with.
I always worry that I might say the wrong thing and cause distress to someone, it is so hard knowing what to say to everyone going down this difficult road, I just want to say that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers
Well I completed my third round of chemo,. Unfortunately I was not feling well 4 days after, but now I feel great. My next one is Marh 20. How is everything with you. Talk to you soon
Hi, Dot, don't worry, I'm sure you never upset anyone, we all know the score even if we don't always say it. We all love you, you can see that from how over the moon we all were at your good news. xxx
Laura, glad you've got through no.3 and are feeling OK now.
I have just had no.1 today, and it's been a VERY long day as I had an allergic reaction almost immediately to the Taxol - face burning, dizzy and chest tightening, so had to stop it for a while and check with oncologist. She advised slowing drip right down for an hour and gradually increasing speed, which worked perfectly, thank goodness. Of course this meant it all took much longer than anticipated.
Hope it's better next time but will bring it up at clinic a few days prior to that. xxx
Everyone else, Mary today, Jackie, Eileen, Sue, Sharon, hope you are all managing to weather whatever's being thrown at you!
Thanks John and it's a lovely picture of you and your wife - you both look so happy!
Hi Sue,
You're welcome, and thank you for the compliment. We really did enjoy that evening but have had to cancel a few things since then. Yes, do talk to your doctor about treatment options, of course it is too early to say whether Mary's treatment is going to be good for her, nobody really knows that.
Jackie,
pleased to hear you got in early on a cancellation, I hope all goes well for you tomorrow.
Dot,
I know exactly what you mean about posting your good news when everyone else is struggling, I felt the same when Mary was doing well last time around. But please do not feel bad about it because it is so important for everyone to hear good news, gives us all hope. Long may your good health continue.
Laura,
Good to hear you are feeling good, hopefully it's working for you now.
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Mary has been feeling awful since her good day last Saturday, last night she went to bed at 6pm. The nurse that visits has prescribed her some different anti-sickness tablets, Metoclopramide, anyone tried these? She hasn't had any yet but felt much better today, just as well because she went for her 2nd chemo. The Gem hurts her arm so they had to run it very slowly, having her portocath fitted and 2nd cycle on 26th March so should be better.
We are supposed to be going to a charity ball on Saturday for Muscular Dystrophy (Mary lost her brother to this when he was just 14). Tickets were £50 each but we will have to wait until the day to see if she feels well enough to go.
