Hi ladies
four weeks over TAH, yesterday finally diagnosed at stage 3a will start chemo in three weeks of carbo/taxol, As everyone on this site is so helpful, any suggestions on how to prepare and what to expect, grateful for any information
Best wishes to all
L x
Hi Loren, I am so sorry you got the news you didn't want. As I am writing this I am hooked up to Taxol so the easy part is getting the drugs (I can't think of the word for it ) . Have you seen an Oncology nurse yet if not you should see one before you start your treatment and she will go over everything with you also write down anything you want to know because your mind will go blank also if you can bring someone with because if you don't take in something they will. Also drink plenty of water the day before chemo. I know the other Ladies on this wonderful site will give you loads more advise . I know I could say don't worry but I know that is impossible to do . Take care and the best of luck Kittie
Thank you Kittie for your quick reply, have spoken with the oncology nurse in Dublin yesterday, but I will probably see the nurse in my local hospital before hand, it's just nice to hear first hand from you wonderful ladies who have already been through it, hope all goes well for you today,
Take care
L x
Hi Lorent, well you have a plan and that is good. As Kittie said do go and speak to a gynae liason nurse who will fill you in and give you some handounts on the drugs and their sides effects. Remember they are only possible side effects and you wont get them all. Nausea and constipation is the worst for me. Emend was the drug which worked well and also Maxolon. Although with Maxolon after taking the dosage for the day, I would have to go to bed and sleep around the clock but would wake up somewhat better. Eating smaller meals and perhaps a kiwi and prunes are good to help with constipation. On your not so hungry days, have Bovril and Carrs Water biscuits, that did help. Also have a packet of extra strong mints and peppermint tea in your cupboard together with Seven up. It is better to flatten the 7 up and sip slowly.
Hi Suzuki, I have just been prescribed Maxolon and it is great to know it might knock me out because even thought I got a prescription for sleeping pills last week they didn't work for me 4 hours and then awake😴Kittie
I would take one in the morning one lunch time and one at tea time and by seven or eight would be hard to keep my eyes open and would sleep for hours without sleeping tablet. Next day might take two and folllowing day just one. But it could just have been my reaction too, so if you need all three during the day do take them. So another one down tg
Hi Suzuki
as always thank you for your wise words, I will stock up on these items before hand,
Take care
L x
Hi Lorent, sorry you got the news nobody wants to hear but at this stage remember that everyone is different and you have as much chance as anyone of getting rid of the blighter or at least getting a long remission after chemo.
As the other ladies have said, drink loads of water if you don't feel like eating try to snack on crackers/clear soups and I found chunks of pineapple helped with nausea. Also ginger tea or mint tea are good. I didn't get nausea with carbo/Taxol but did with Caelyx, So hopefully you might not feel sick. Always ask to try a different anti sickness drug if what they give you isn't working. The fatigue builds up as the course goes on, I found I just had to sleep when my body needed it but gentle walks and exercise are also good to combat fatigue.
I used the cold cap and kept my hair with taxol. It's freezing for first 20 minutes but then you get used to it. It does take more time but for me it was worth it. But there are loads of great wigs and headwear too, it's really a personal choice.
It's really daunting at the start but you will find you get into a routine, get to know the nurses and your oncologist and it won't be as bad as you thought. Good luck!
Madeline x
Hi Madeline
Thank you for taking the time to reply, the nurse did mention the cold cap, did you find it hard to get used to ?
L x
Hey Lorent,
As everyone else said sorry you find yourself in this position but you will get loads of great advice here! If you have 3 weeks before you start I would get yourself as fit as you can with plenty of walking! Also as the others said drink loads of water especially just before and during Chemo but I have now taken it on as a mantra and am drinking at least 2 litres a day! It made a big difference to me during chemo and it still does especially with regards to your digestive system! That was the part I found the hardest my digestion went haywire!!! I found out from research that it was likely to be just as much the fault of the antisicknesss Meds as the chemo so I asked for a different one they gave me Emend and it really helped me!
Rest when you need to rest and listen to your body! The fatigue does get debilitating towards the end of the treatment and for a couple of weeks after! Apparently the effects are cumulative!!!
You will get through it! It might not feel like it now but you will get there!
Wishing you all the best! Keep in touch as I can absolutely say that this forum has been a lifeline all the way through the process!!!!
Onwards and Upwards!!!
Dx
Hi D , have been watching all your posts through your journey you have been marvellous, hope I can follow that, will take on board the drinking water, excerise is a little difficult at present as only 4 weeks over TAH, but will start as soon as my 6 weeks are up !! Will keep posting and hope to sail through as you 
Take care
L x
Hi Lorent - I am 3a also and completed 6 cycles of carbon/taxol in January.
2 days after treatment I would have 2 1/2 days of tiredness, pains in my lower legs and feet but no nausea, take all the preventative drugs they give you, take your temperature every day and keep clear of anyone with obvious germs. Avoid arranging anything for those few days you should be OK after.
You will be given the option of the cold cap during treatment which isn't pleasant but I recommend 100% as although my hair thinned and I lost some kept probably 75% of it.
Lots of luck xx
Hi Lorent,
Sorry to hear about your news. But chin up. Chemo is not that bad. And will give you kind of comfort that is working, is killing cancer cells. Alsoas treatments are scheduled you have kind of specific plan and job to do. You will get into routine, and will keep you busy, which in my opinion, is good.
Think about practical things:
1.Can I avail for hospital car park ticket with flat charge? (most hospitals does it but they won't tell you, you need to find out)
2. Medical card, I didn't have MC before, but I got it for 2 years, only for cancer reasons. Meds are expensive and also you will see gp often so it's good to have it
3. If you can't get MC, get the drug scheme card in your pharmacy
4. Talk to social worker in your hospital. She is the person to organise MC and maybe also once of payment from Irish Cancer Society
5. I used to take small pillow and blanket with me for my chemo. I felt warm and cozy with them
6. Wear comfortable clothes, easy to pull of pants, you'll be visiting toilet with drip in your arm. Make things easier for you.
7. I would recommend always to have higenic hand rub and baby wipes. The last think you want to get - that germs 😉
You can read my journey through the stage 3c OC on hairlessbeauty.ie
Keep strong and positive!
Best wishes and take care
Zaneta xx
Zena, how did you get on with your check up? I've been thinking about you but understand if you don't want to share
Clare x
Thanks for asking. No results yet. I will wait till tomorrow, otherwise I'm going to ring or visit hospital tomorrow 😯
Hi Zaneta
Thank you for that bundle of information , As starting on this journey and not knowing what is what, this will be very helpful,
I have read your journey, you are an amazing woman, keep strong
this horrible disease!! has amazed me at how many women are affected by it.
Take care
L x
I'm on a course if 6 three weeks Carbo and Taxol and have number 3 yesterday. I suffered very badly from sickness and nausea on chemo 1 and 2 so Im just ading a few more tips to those given already:
If you feel or are being sick or feeling nauseous then ring your Unit straight away. I didn't the first times and suffered unnecessarily, the unit can advise and sort your meds out. Mine were changed for chemo 2 and changed again yesterday and so far I'm feeling better.
If your temp goes over 38 then go to A& E, I didn't and I was unwell for longer (there's a pattern here with me as I didn't want to be a nuisance!!!! DONT BE LIKE ME,!!)
The comfy chairs in the Unit have a reclining button, I didn't find that out till yesterday!
Most units also have electric heat pads or blankets do ask for them if you feel cold, I had a heat pad yesterday and it was bliss.
I didn't try a cold cap and although I was worried about hair loss and very nervous as each hairless stage was reached I found it ok once it was either cut short, chopped, clippered or shaved. You'll see on my posts I've put a couple of pics up. I go au naturalist the house and garden and pop on a combat cap or scarf when I go out.
Wig- I have a great short wig which I took to a wig specialist and had trimmed and thinned. That made such a difference and it looks so natural. That cost me £25 but was worth every penny. I'll wear that to a wedding in Sept and when I go back to work in late Aug (expected return date)
Deoending on your job you won't be able to work, in fact I'd say don't. You need to focus on you and your journey. Leave any guilt at the door!
If you can make your bedroom or a room as comfy as you can so that you can lie in, relax and not feel irritated by anything that bugs you in the room. Take the time you need. I always was up before 6am and out of the front door at just gone 7. Now I wake up early, chat to my hubby goes off to work at 6.50 and I then watch tv or read in bed until 9 before showering and getting dressed. Then depending on what chemo day it us I'll either lie back on top of my bed or mooch around downstairs or in the garden
Factor 50 sun cream - I'm in the garden loads and have still managed to get a tan even plastered in high sun cream, liberally applied and frequently applied.
Get yourself on a Look Good Feel Better workshop if there's one near you, these are fab sessions and you are given a huge bag of high end makeup and toiletries to keep. If there's not one near you then you can get a free sheet and DVD of make up techniques, drawing on eyebrows, scarf tying etc etc. A small donation is requested fir that.
Chemo - keep a journal if his you feel on each day, that will help you discuss symptoms etc with your Oncolgist at your meetings.
Chemo infusion day is counted as Day 1, this counting is very useful and you'll use thus again with your mtgs with Onc. Plus you need to know which days you will be most sensitive to infection from others! Mine is day 10 to 14 so a no contact time! Stay away if you gave a bug or don't feel well and try and stay out of large groups.
Use this forum to let us know how you are getting on, to ask questions, to share concerns etc etc. You will always gave a reply, thus is a fab group
Take care
Ps you'll notice loads of spelling mistakes in posts on this site, some tablets (including my iPad) just don't like it much!
Clare X
Hi Clare
Best of luck with your treatment, grateful to you and these amazing ladies for all this information, will definitely look out for the look good feel better workshop, as I am a great believer of that, ( hope to be still feeling that after my 1st 
) the journal is a great tip and will start that as soon as,
Will post again and let you know how first session goes
Take care
L x
Hey L!
Defo go for the Look Good Feel Better workshop it's fab and you really do feel better after it! They are on quiet regularly all over both Ireland and the UK!
Dx
Hi Loren,
I was diagnosed last June - stage 4, with spread to my liver and spleen. This was downgraded to stage 3c after surgery as the 4 sessions of carbo/taxol I had before surgery taken care of the cancer in the liver and spleen and there was no evidence in these organs during the surgery (full hysterectomy, ovaries, fallopian tubes and omentum removed). I then had 4 more chemo sessions of carbo/taxol finishing in December last
My experience was very similar to Bevi55;
2 days after treatment - 2 -4 days of tiredness, pains in my lower legs and feet but I also had some nausea for which I took anti nausea drugs. These can be quite constipating, but drink plenty of water, try to walk around as much as your condition will allow. I found constipation problematic, but I took Movicol and I drowned it in orange juice and found it did actually help enormously. If you feel unwell at any time, take your temperature and call the hospital if if goes up to 38 deg. Try to avoid anyone with colds etc. The hospital I attend doesn't offer the cold cap, so I lost my hair and purchased 2 really nice wigs. My hair is now growing again, very short and hassle free- I'm still trying to get used to my new look, but it's growing on me ( no pun intended!)
I know you are at the beginning of your treatment and the whole situation is daunting - but you will be amazed at how quickly the time goes......I can scarcely believe it's year next week to when I first when to my GP with abdominal pain and bloating. My advice to you is to be as good to yourself as possible, rest when your body is telling you to, and although we all react differently to our situation both physically and mentally, fatigue is almost certain to effect us all. Take any support from family and friends that is offered - and use this site for information - it's a great source of help, advice and support.
I wish you all the best !
Take care
Juliet
Hi Juliet, thank you for your reply, it is so nice all you ladies take time to answer questions for us starting out on this journey, it is so good to have some idea of what is ahead , I am now five weeks after TAH, not doing too bad feeling very tired in the afternoons, but I do take time to rest, will know on Monday when 1st chemo will start ....
I hope you will continue to do well,
Take care
L x
Update
Should I push to be seen sooner?
Caelyx or Gemzar
Taxol/Carboplatin experience?
Newly diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer
