Hi Kelly,

I just read your post and wanted to reach out.  I’m the same age as you and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in July this year (initially thought it was early stage but it progressed before chemo started).  I’ve had a total hysterectomy and 3 rounds of chemo so far... three more to go.  The Google stats are scary so I try not to look anymore unless something positive catches my eye.  One of the good things I’ve recently learned is that we now have access to drugs that people had to petition for a few years ago.  I hope chemo goes okay for you and please know that you’re not alone in this.  xx

Sorry to hear this is also happening to you. How are you finding chemo? Many side effects? I'm just so annoyed because I was having all the symptoms for 11 months and doctors kept putting me off I was on pain killers solphadine for 11 months but at some point I had to take it every hour to atleast get a tiny bit of relief ! Done nothing to figure out what's wrong until I ended up in hospital because I nearly past away with a infection from all of it and still they didn't do anything right away but nearly three months after it happened... 

That’s awful that you’ve been in pain for so long.  Hopefully the chemo will help reduce the pain before surgery.  I haven’t found chemo to be too bad... I usually feel fine the day of and after chemo.  My side effects tend to kick in two days after chemo and last for about four days, mainly achy joints and fatigue.  After that, my energy starts creeping back up each day and I feel back to normal by 14 days after chemo. I live alone and have been working between treatments so all in all it’s been manageable so far.  Hair loss started about two weeks after my first treatment so I had a couple of wigs and chemo caps ready.  How are you feeling about starting chemo?

sounds quite manageable and how often do you get chemo? I'm so worried about starting chemo I've 4 young kids the youngest being 1 and I'm already spending very little time with them as I'm sleeping most the time , I'm afraid I won't cope with chemo as I'm constantly sleeping not eating getting sick all the time if not the fluid in my abdomen I'd look like just bones

I remember that feeling of extreme bloated ness.  It was horrible and must be very difficult to deal with when you have children to look after.  Hopefully the anti sickness meds and steroids they give you with chemo will help with eating difficulties and tiredness.  I have had a really good appetite while on chemo and have actually picked up a bit of weight since starting it.  I have chemo once every three weeks (Carboplatin & Paclitaxel) and the infusion takes at least 6 hours.  Will you be on the same regimen?

You seem to be coping well that's great to hear. Did you also have fluid ? Was it treated completely? I'm in hospital since yesterday because I got really bad they drained 7 litres from me now they're trying to strengthen me up cause they say I'm too weak to start chemo so not too sure yet how my chemo is going to be like 

I’m so sorry to hear that you are in hospital!  Hopefully having the fluid drained will help you feel much better and enable you to build up strength for chemo.  At least you know you’re being taken care of in hospital, which is better than being in pain at home.  I had a large cyst and some fluid but they were both removed during surgery and I haven’t had a fluid build up since.

I really you feel better and are able to go home soon. I’ll be thinking of you.