What is Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is a malignant ovarian neoplasm (an abnormal growth located on the ovaries). It is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women, the leading cause of death from ...
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Hi everyone, I am new to this support group...since finding out i have stage 3 ovarian cancer on June 10th to having the surgery June 29th with a hospital stay of 12 days, now home recouping. I just was taken off the wound vac for fluid that was building around my incision site. Now I start chemo next week.
I am in pain when I lay stand and sit. Is this the normal healing process? I am scared about taking chemo when I hurt. Also, I am still only eating bland foods. I was not eating for the 2 weeks in the hospital since the dr had to remove my intestines and then recconnect them. I now have digestive issues. I am excited to find you all out here to help me with questions, to cope, to have someone to talk to who understands. Thanks for being there. Deb in Cedar Rapids Iowa Posted on 07/30/09, 12:07 pm |
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Hi Debs, first off welcome to our group. You will find lots of info here and fabulous ppl to help and support you.
I had my surgery on 29th May...I have Stage 1A Grade 3 and started Chemo at the end of June. I was very lucky in that I was originally told I may have to have a temporary colostomy bag but the surgeon managed to complete the op without that. I have recovered very well from my op and in fact was back at work 3 weeks later. I am sorry you have had a few small problems with your woulnd Do you know what chemo you are having? I am having Taxol and Carboplatin, with no issues so far (2 treatments down, still at work). There are many different types of chemo, although this appears to be the usual mix. I can assure we ALL understand what you are going through, many chicks here have stage 3 and are doing really well. Hugs xx 
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HI deb welcome to our support group . I found out i had oc Jan 16 had surgery was in 4th stage they took my gallbladder and found it after biopsy. anyway I have a very good doctor thats important #1 I went thru my 6 chemos and had cat scan and am cancer free. But it has a high percentage rate to come back. so now i took about a month off and now on a low dose of chemo taxol 3 weeks one and 1 week off ive had my second treatment and feeling good and going back to work. if i did it any one can dont get me wrong its hard, but you will be fine. I lost my hair after 14 days but now is growing back im starting to look like the activia lady Jamie lee curtis hair style . Have faith and lots of hope we will make it. write me any time Stay Strong what other choice do we have. Linda
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Hi Deb:
I can understand your concern about chemo following surgery. My mother had 9 chemo treatments prior to surgery. Then she had surgery, and was so weak, in pain, and had lost 30+ pounds. We asked the doctor to please delay the chemo since she was so frail and weak, but he didn't want to delay it, so with his advice, Mother agreed to go ahead with it. She has amazed it, and done so well this time. She has had a few bumps with her white blood cell count and platelets, but she only missed chemo a couple of times, and has almost finished these 9 treatments. She has felt much better this round. I just wanted to encourage you, because you are young, and will probably do even better than my mother, who is 82! Just get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, have a protein meal replacement at least once a day! (You can put protein powder in the your oatmeal or make milkshake.) Also, Mother has found that probiotics, such as Kiefer, a liquid yogurt, help the stomach and digestion. I hope this helps! XOX Susan Wales
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He Debis,
I can understand your concern. I was diagnoised with Stage 3A. I started chemo 4 weeks after surgery. It was not easy because I as already tired from trying to heal from surgery then chemo. I had taxol and carboplatin. I had six cycles of them and am having two with just taxol. I did not work during my treatment. I just took care of my house, husband and mother-in-law. I would suggest that you do what you can, do not over do it. Take care of yourself. Also talk to your doctor about your side effects there are many things that he/she can do to help you. Ask as many questions as you need to understand and feel better about your process. Get into a support group in your area and if you have Pathways then get into that as well. You will have several emotions regarding what has happened to you. Please seach help. You have to talk about it! You will get through this! Cassie
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Just to add...I began chemo both through the vein and through the stomach just weeks after the surgery. I recall one problem I had was that I had to be hospitalized for treatments and they were not very good at helping me keep clean. I finally got a nurse to take me seriously when I said, "if I die from an infected incision I will REALLY be pissed!!!!" She had a "wound specialist" come to my room. Gave my husband some instructions and also sent me home from the hospital with a bag of "goodies."
You should also have this sort of stuff if you are concerned about the areas of incisions, etc.. That was 5 years ago. Even though I am in recurrence now, I can tell you that you can surely have a quality of life. I encourage you to keep trying and you can get to the "other side" of all of this. lots of hugs...hope this helps. lindamae
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