Ovarian Cancer Support Group

Dear Teresa:

You are so young to have endure this suffering and treatment. My heart really goes out to you.

My mother has now had 16 chemo treamtments. Nine prior to her surgery, and then after her recovery another 9 . . she only has two more to go. Some weeks she was fine and others she felt miserable, so this is definitely normal. She has done much better during the second round, but has experienced a different set of problems. Her red blood count has been really low and has prevented her from taking chemo for two weeks. However, I will say that her improved condition in the second round of chemo is due to the fact that she has learned to pace herself. Also, fear of the unkonwn can be very stressful. Once you've been through the chemo treatments a few times, you will have less fear and get used to it. You will know what to expect, what you can do and what you cannot do.

If probably helps you to stay busy at work, but you should probably take some time off when you're feeling really badly. Be good to yourself!

It is only a normal reaction to be exhausted during the chemo. The more rest you get the better . . . rest if truly recuperative and has great healing power. I'm glad my mother is not at home while she is receiving treatment, because she would not be resting . . she would stay busy all the time. At my sister's house there is nothing for her to do so it's kind of a forced rest, and it has been a real plus! Talk to your boss and maybe there is some work that you can take home . . .maybe you can telecommute a couple of days a week; depending upon your job. Also, ask your boss about assigning you tasks that do not require so much physical strength and stress.

You are certainly in my heart and prayers! I hope you will feel better soon.

Love,
XOX
Susan Wales

Hi Teresa

I had my surgery on 29th May and started chemo on 30th June this year, I will be having my 3rd session on Monday.

Apart from the obvious hair loss, and a bit of tiredness, I have been able to carry on with work as normal but I DO think I am one of the lucky ones. However, I believe that carrying on work has actually helped me as it gives me something else to focus on. I do rest a lot in the evenings and dont have any mad weekends and I also drink a lot of water and fruit juices, this helps with any possible constipation.

I am assuming (maybe wrongly!) that you are on a carbo/taxol regime. Are you sent home with tablets for anti sickness and steroids for a few (3) days? I find the steroids help with the tiredness straight after the chemo.

Another thing is that I found my 2nd treatment didnt effect me the same as the first. I was a LOT more tired for the first few days this time but then my energy levels have improved a lot in the last 2 weeks, more so that treatment 1.

Good luck with the rest of your treatment.

Hugs
x

The beginning of my own experience was 5 years ago. Surgery, first of chemos, etc..much like you. Myself, I wasn't offered pain meds back then (of course was dealing with so much else, don't think it would have occurred to me to ask!) I have them available to me all the time now, and if I need it, I use it and find it also gives me strength and ambition.
Many of us are afraid to appear "weak" I believe...everyone telling you "oh, you are so brave!" etc..
I couldn't return to work for over 8 months initially...as I was hospitalized each chemo session and I felt like it almost killed me.
Once back at work, it felt good to be "normal" once again...hair, eyebrows, no more "poor thing" looks.
Now, with recurrence, I battle it all quite differently. New Doc, more control, less fear, and yes, pain pills if I need them!
I am thinking of you...and hoping you will get to the other side of this and have many happy moments.
lindamae

Feeling tired and crap.. is perfectly normal with chemo.. Some women do better working through it and others find that difficult to do. There are many potion to help us cope with effects of treatment.. it might help to keep a note of the side effects you are getting and to see what the doctor can do to help with these.

I think we all accept that going through this stuff is a bit of a roller coaster, to say the least. Emotionally it's waring and draining, which can then effect how we feel physically.. apart from remedies and so on.. a very important thing is to do what we can to keep our spirits up.. to counteract all the negative aspects of what we are going through.. to build lots of better things into the day than just dealing with treatment and cancer..

Find things to make you laugh and to enjoy.. sounds very simplistic.. but these things can have very powerful, beneficial, physical effects.. Treat yourself to your favorite things.. funny films.. comforting herbal baths.. yummy food.. anything you can enjoy.. This gets easier to do the more you do it.. as you build up a store of positive energy.. Hope this is helpful and that you get to feel loads better.. Inka xxx

Hi Teresa, People have given you good advice. I know that I could not work during chemo because I was also dealing with surgical complications as well but it was mentally encouraging when I was finally able to return to work. Right now I'm facing a possible recurrence. If and when I begin chemo again, I'll have it on Friday (I've already arranged my work schedule that leaves my Fridays open) so I can have the weekend and Monday to recover. I do think it is important not to overdo anything. Healing is the main work you need to do now. Be sure to eat well - get advice from a dietician, if possible; plus, there are great cookbooks available for cooking during cancer treatment. Take advantage of anyone who offers to help. In the meantime, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. XXJanet

Dear Teresa,

Everything you are feeling is very normal. You may get more tired as you recieve more chemo. I would talk to your employer to see if they will let you work part-time some days so you can rest. Resting will so much. Also make sure you drink all the 10 glasses of water. I see that this helped me with the side effects. I am a person who decided not to take all the other medication after treatment because I felt it was just to much for my body to handle.

Things are going to get worse before they get better. Just make sure you are talking to others about you feelings. Tell your doctor about all the side effects even if you do not think he needs to know. He/she may be able to help you more with the side effects. Make sure you ask as many questions as you can. I had the feelings of not having control of this process the only thing I could control was my questionns. When you feel better go out and find a support group. Here in Minneapolis we have a young survivor group. It is nice to be with a group that know just what we are going through. I also would sugguest that you find Pathways in your area (if it is there). They have classes and help if you need it. Lastly, do not let the feelings get you to far down. Ask for medication to help it.

What you are going through is not going to be easy, but you are doing the right thing and seaching help to get through it. You are a strong person and this too will pass.

Cassie

Yes, it is horrible. It's like being in the dark ages, in some ways. Must be very frustrating working as an oncologist. Of course, we who suffer go way past "frustrating" and straight to miserable at times.
Just remember that one can have a quality of life. Much of this depends on you being aware of what you want and trusting that your Doctors are doing their best for you.
I recall 5 years ago at the initial diagnosis, and treatment, there was a day when I told my very good friend, Dale, "I think I will just stop all these treatments...I think I would rather die." Dale said, "Oh, lindamae...I just can't imagine a world that doesn't have you in it." Strange that that was a turning point for me...as I have a loving husband, children, grangchildren...and yet it took a friend to help be get around that corner. So, yes...there are some very difficult times to go through, but you can do it.
At first, it seems that the shock issue has you doing whatever the Doc says...like you are suddenly this sad little sheep that has to be led through this medical miasma.
It was after my surgery and my doses of chemo that I finally took the reins. I recall asking my Doc what was next and he said, "more chemo" and I said, "for how long" and he said, "the rest of your life."
It was funny, I stood up, shook his hand and told him..."you know, I am truly grateful that you have saved my life. But now, I have to think about the treatment options. I will let you know." He was really flabberghasted, and I'd say angry too. I called the woman Gyn/Onc that did my surgery, and she really helped me. She even called that initial Doctor. Then, he called me and said, "oh, you maybe aren't the candidate for more chemo."
What I guess I am trying to say is this...perhaps I wouldn't have recurrence right now...but I would have been living with chemo all these years. (Dr. #1 had a patient who was doing it for 7 years and did not want to be "cut off".)
I have had and still have a very good life. We can get past this...
Last night, I had a thought about it all. It was like cancer came and was a dark storm that swallowed me up. You are maybe feeling this right now? Just try to experience the good moments when they are there...and you will find that there are more and more of them once you get past this initial phase.
lots of hugs, lindamae

Hi Teresa, Everyone has given you fine advice. I am just starting my first recurrence after a too brief but wonderfully healthy remission. I am back to work after having my first round of chemo just two days ago. I think I'd rather turn into a vegetable on the couch at the moment because my meds are making me tired. But work also stimulates me even though I've gone back into "cancer world" where normal people never really understand how we feel. I actually exercised yesterday and that made me feel better. The doctor said it was okay to do since I regularly exercise. It just seemed to give me more energy. Take care and you'll get through this - it is a hard road but this is what we have to do. Many hugs, Janet