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
So pleased to hear you are feeling good at the moment and got some gardening done, hope it lasts. Yes, Mary does like her garden too and she was out again today pottering. I'm not into gardening myself but I do like to see the garden looking nice, and I don't mind doing the donkey work to help her. Yes she did make a start last Sunday and got me mowing the lawn and strimming etc. We went out for a steak meal tonight, just trying to take advantage when Mary feels well enough to do stuff.
Did you have your treatment yesterday? I thought you went on Thursdays or was it your week off? Is it Carbo/Taxol you're having?
Mary has started taking her anti-sickness tabs (Metoclopramide) three times a day, It's difficult to tell if it's this that is making her feel better as it's all subjective, maybe it's just the chemo doing it's work (there's one almighty battle going on I guess).
No, no chemo this week, thank goodness, I am on the basic three weekly treatment of TaxolCarbo at the moment, as it's my first time for ovarian ca - next one is on 29th. I think they start almost everyone off with that one, as far as I can gather from reading all the stories on here. The plan is 3 chemos at three weekly intervals, then CT, then if tumours have shrunk enough a hysterectomy, then 3 more chemos every three weeks again to "mop up". I couldn't have the hysterectomy first unfortunately (got that to look forward to) as my tumours are attached to the bowel as well and I would probably have needed a colostomy - not that that would have bothered me, as an ex-auxiliary nurse I've seen and dealt with a few of those in my time - but the decision was made to do it this way. I'm hoping it does all go to plan, but we all know what Robbie Burns said about plans!
Hope Mary enjoyed pottering in the garden - it's very therapeutic, you know - I find that while I'm gardening I'm not thinking about anything else, just concentrating on what I'm doing. I've always thought that, but even more so now. (It was a bit nippy today, but the old "syrup" kept me warm!)
Nice to see that everyone is keeping their spirits up whatever they are going through, and some of it sounds pretty unpleasant!
Neutraphylls were up to 2.1 so just had 2nd chemo this week - Carbo/Gem - not had the best few days but think I'm coming round now, just wish I could get out in the garden while the sun is shining but everything feels such an effort! Ah well there'll be other weekends I guess.
I feel the same wanting to get out in the sun, at least we can see it shining through the window. I hope you start to book up a bit in next few days.
My bowels are back to normal ( well as normal as they can be ) I have slept really good for 2 nights now which makes such a difference. I am still a bit nausea's but nothing like I was. I have a 2 week break now from my chemo and then another 3 to go.
Good your nuetrophyls are up. mine have been ok up to now ...
it is great to see everyone so positive even through their struggles.
I got myself into a pickle......I had a little dry patch on my calf, I scratched it trying to see what it was and thought no more about it, a wart appeared (yes on my leg) how the heck that happened I have no idea, anyway it was inflamed and was painful, waited a while then saw the Doc, as most of you know I have lymphoedema following the removal of my lymph glands (this doesn't happen to everyone by the way) I was told to be careful to not break the skin as once there is an infection it is difficult to control.........as you can guess it is infected lol I am on antibiotics and Doc said if it didn't clear up I had to go back as I could get Cellulitis, so I am sitting with fingers crossed.
This isn't a whinge, just thought I would update you all.
On a lighter note, I take it you all had the vertical cut for your hysterectomy, now this is a whinge, they stitched my belly button back wrong hahaha, I am now lopsided, when I saw the hospital doc I joked around with him and told him I wanted a tummy tuck lol, I have put on a lot of weight which I hate and my belly swells up and down, no chance I will ever wear a bikini again hahahahahah.
Oh dear, Dot, what ARE we going to do with you, eh? Here we all are thinking you're OK, and now what do you do?!
Seriously though, please be careful, never mind about the bikini! (Do you know, I've never worn one, always too plumpish, and now I'm skinny for a change I'm too blooming wrinkly and saggy! Can't win! Not that I really want to at my age, prob scare everyone off the beach!)
Take care, Dot,
Love Hazel xxx
PS. I haven't even had my hysterectomy yet, so I'll make sure I give them instructions to sew me up neatly!
Oh dear, Dot, what ARE we going to do with you, eh? Here we all are thinking you're OK, and now what do you do?!
Seriously though, please be careful, never mind about the bikini! (Do you know, I've never worn one, always too plumpish, and now I'm skinny for a change I'm too blooming wrinkly and saggy! Can't win! Not that I really want to at my age, prob scare everyone off the beach!)
Take care, Dot,
Love Hazel xxx
PS. I haven't even had my hysterectomy yet, so I'll make sure I give them instructions to sew me up neatly!
