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
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!
I am so pleased for you! I agree about the bowels, I always feel worse and have more twinges if I can't "go".
Maybe you'll be able to get out for some fresh air and sunshine - if it's still about - during the next few weeks before your next chemo. Bet you're glad to be having a break, aren't you?
That is funny about your belly button. I couldn't get into mine after the hysterectomy so I couldn't clean it. Anyway since my tummy started to swell it opened like a flower ha ha so I now have a clean one.
Hazel so now you know what instructions to tell the surgeon..
Dot that sounds painful and I hope you can get it sorted out soon. Always something new to worry about.
Re chemo, I guess Mary was different to everyone else. She had her surgery first followed by weekly Taxol/Carbo with no weeks off, it was a regimen that was trialled in Japan with good results, and she did respond well to the treatment although it left her with some neuropathy in her toes which has still not gone. That is why her onc has opted not to give her any more Taxol http://cancerchat.cancerresearchuk.org/message/31764#31764
Mary agrees with you about gardening being very therapeutic, she loves her garden and it does take her mind off of other things. I personally love to listen to music and that does the the same for me.
Sue, good to hear that you are starting to feel a bit better. Mary has noticed a big difference by taking the anti-sickness tablets as prescribed whether or not she feels nauseous. Like Hazel, she was wondering if she was ever going to feel better. Mary has had five good days in a row now and had a lovely mother's day at home with our family, our daughter cooked the roast dinner (with a little guidance from Dad).
Eileen, Sounds like you're starting to feel a bit better too. Just out of interest, do you take your anti-sickness tablets whether or not you feel nauseous? Mary's nurse recommended some different tabs (instead of Domperidone) which also help to keep things moving in the bowel. They are called Metoclopramide, and she is convinced they have made a big difference.
Dot, what are you like?! Just when you were doing so well you start having another problem. Hope that the antibiotics sort it out for you. Mary was very lucky with her vertical op scar, she thought it would look horrendous and was really worried about that. But it healed really nicely and is hardly noticeable now.
Sharon, I hope you had a good day today too and are feeling ok, I know you must be anxious having such a long wait for your scan results.
Re chemo, I guess Mary was different to everyone else. She had her surgery first followed by weekly Taxol/Carbo with no weeks off, it was a regimen that was trialled in Japan with good results, and she did respond well to the treatment although it left her with some neuropathy in her toes which has still not gone. That is why her onc has opted not to give her any more Taxol http://cancerchat.cancerresearchuk.org/message/31764#31764
Mary agrees with you about gardening being very therapeutic, she loves her garden and it does take her mind off of other things. I personally love to listen to music and that does the the same for me.
Sue, good to hear that you are starting to feel a bit better. Mary has noticed a big difference by taking the anti-sickness tablets as prescribed whether or not she feels nauseous. Like Hazel, she was wondering if she was ever going to feel better. Mary has had five good days in a row now and had a lovely mother's day at home with our family, our daughter cooked the roast dinner (with a little guidance from Dad).
Eileen, Sounds like you're starting to feel a bit better too. Just out of interest, do you take your anti-sickness tablets whether or not you feel nauseous? Mary's nurse recommended some different tabs (instead of Domperidone) which also help to keep things moving in the bowel. They are called Metoclopramide, and she is convinced they have made a big difference.
Dot, what are you like?! Just when you were doing so well you start having another problem. Hope that the antibiotics sort it out for you. Mary was very lucky with her vertical op scar, she thought it would look horrendous and was really worried about that. But it healed really nicely and is hardly noticeable now.
Sharon, I hope you had a good day today too and are feeling ok, I know you must be anxious having such a long wait for your scan results.
