I would like to chat to someone who has or has had Ovarian cancer - especially the malignant clear cell carcinoma type. I was diagnosed stage 1c and undergoing chemo at the moment.
Hi, I have stage 3b ovarian cancer and I will be having my sixth, and hopefully, final chemo session this Friday. I had a radical hysterectomy at the end of May. If there’s anything I can help with, anything at all, please ask. Ovarian cancer isn’t one that gets much publicity!!
Hi - Thank you for your message. I had a radical hysterectomy in September - I had a tumour that was 25cm big and getting bigger everyday. It weighed around 8 pounds - I looked like I was having twins. They graded it 1b because it was contained but then on biopsy when they got it out they told me that it was a nasty malignant tumour with a possible leak hence the chemo and upgrade to 1c. Fortunately they don't seem to have found any cancer cells elsewhere and they took out everything they could that I didn't need anymore to make sure I was as clear as possible. I am 57 so I had already gone through the menopause.
The first chemo hasn't been so bad. Probably because I feel better having got rid of the tumour which was affecting my insides and recovered relatively well from the Op.
3b sounds like it was not caught as early as mine - can I ask what your symptoms were? I know that this type of cancer is sometimes difficult to detect and there are different types of Ovarian cancer.
I have now read your other posts regarding lung cancer as well as ovarian cancer - I am really sorry to hear that you are having to undergo even more surgery. Are you able to still get out and about?
I had no signs or symptoms at all! I was very fit and healthy so it all came as a terrible shock. Chemo - well, the first three were the hardest; I had the usual side effects especially from the Paxol which made my hair fall out, although I have kept my eyebrows and lashes. The worst was the peripheral neuropathy in my feet. Twice I ended up in hospital the second week due to my temperature going up to 38. However the second three sessions I have had the two chemicals reduced by 20% and that has made a big difference. I haven’t gone into hospital, and all the side effects have been eased. I’m also feeling much stronger and fitter in general and not wiped out with tiredness.
My side effects were/are as follows - constipation, peripheral neuropathy, hair loss, extreme tiredness so that walking upstairs made me exhausted. But I didn’t have any sickness and as I have said, these side effects have really diminished.
I hope you have a less troubled time with your chemo. It does depend on the chemical dripped in!
Hi I have not been on the chat line for a long time. Thank you for your message. Now on 3rd chemo and finding it hard work. Steroids meant that I was high and couldn't sleep at all for a few days so I was exhausted. My hair has fallen out but also managed to keep my eyebrows and lashes. They've reduced the steriods now so a lot more tired but prefer this to being awake all night for 3 nights.
I haven’t been on the chat line for a while - I think it’s because my chemo has finished, and Christmas is coming.
I had a PET scan yesterday which will show up any cancer if there is still any. I do have lung cancer, which, fortunately for me is stage 1 and will be removed with an operation. I’m hoping that will be after Christmas as it would be lovely to have Christmas free from drugs and scans, especially as we have a grandson due to be born at the end of the month.
I hope you’re coping with the chemo and the neuropathy. I still have it a little in my feet, but it is going, and mostly I forget about it. Oh, and my hair is growing! Good luck with it all.
