Diagnosed with OC stage 3 in May 2014. New to this site and very frightened.
stage 3 OC had chemo first as had gross ascites... - My Ovacome
stage 3 OC had chemo first as had gross ascites so hoping to shrink cancer first, due scan 15/7 so scared of whats next
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kazrazmataz
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Firstly welcome to the site, but it's such a shame that you had to find your way here. I'm a newbie too, diagnosed in January 2014 and am just coming to the end of my chemo.
It's very natural to feel frightened and confused so don't feel any less about yourself for being that, we all have at some stage and it's how we cope with it that makes us what we are.
I had a huge amount of ascites and it was drained several times whilst the chemo kicked in and too care of it. I had surgery mid way through chemo.
You will find a lot of info readily available here, the ladies ( and gentlemen ) are very helpful at passing on their experiences and insights. The Ovacome nurses are also readily available during the day, should you need someone to chat through what is happening.
I wish you all the best in your treatment and practically can advise you to drink lots of water ( though you won't feel like that until you get rid of the ascites) and keep a positive thought somewhere in your mind.
Dawn xx
Just to add to Dawn's really helpful post I thought I'd say welcome to the site, and to mention there are some old-timers still here after a diagnosis of Stage 3C a few years back. Hopefully sharing our experiences gives new joiners hope and adds to the arsenal of positive thoughts that can be a great help as you go along this journey.
Love Annie xxx
Many thanks, am trying to be positive, does ascites mean stage 3C?
All I know is that some women get ascites which is a build up of fluid. I have 3C but have never had ascites. I'm sure the nurse-led line would give you the low-down on the significance, if any, of ascites. Have you tried calling them? They're really helpful and knowledgeable. Tel: 0845 371 0554 during office hours.
Sending lots of positive vibes to you. I try to have a few treats lined up each week and find that helps, as does chatting to friends here. Sometimes having a bit of a laugh at ourselves helps too. xx Annie
I will call the helpline as think it might help, I am by nature a positive person and trying hard to live in the moment. Every morning when I wake up I think 'do I feel OK Today' the answer since 2nd chemo is 'Yes I feel good' in fact am amazed at how well I feel and the ascites has all gone, chemo must be doing something. Thinking if time allows will squeeze a little break just for a week (CT 15/7, see surgeon 17/7) maybe have a bit of time before they op. Told my sister I am going to book a flight to join them on their greek holiday in Lefkas on 20/7, thought will ask GP for some antibiotics just in case temp goes up, then thought how do I know if temp is not due to the heat Lol x
Love your outlook Kazrazmataz. Sadly what I've learned here is that not everyone is lucky with chemo and it can affect some of us really badly. Indeed we can get off lightly with one chemo and not another. If you're feeling well I agree with the idea of making the most of every moment. Chemo hasn't stopped me doing much and I took several holidays with flights during my first line with no worries. I read all the literature and then built up my exposure to crowds, etc to 'test the water'. These days I have to travel to chemo on the London underground at rush hour and I haven't even caught any bugs there! I think it's a good idea asking your GP about antibiotics to take on holiday. A raised temperature may well be due to the heat lol. My friend Ron who knows all about avoiding germs says wash hands like they show you in hospital at least 10 times a day.
My hospital has set a number of fundraising challenges and one option is to be a stand-up comic. Yikes that's a serious challenge. I'm thinking of trying it. There must be lots of mileage in a cancer story and they say laughter is the best medicine. xxx
Rang helpline, nurse was not very keen on my holiday idea especially when I said I was planning to fly to a greek island, she advised I speak to the GP or hosp doctor but I wont hold my breath there either. If I feel well I might just throw caution to the wind and go anyway, hell you only live once.. If anyone tells me to wait till next year I think I'll scream as this time last year I broke my right arm and could not go abroad as could not get arm wet and the sea/pool would have been too tempting also more to the point could not fasten my bra which in my case is necessary Lol xxx
PM coming up. xxx
Ascities is the medical name for a build up of fluid.
Thank you so much for the speedy reply, so scared of the thought of surgery debulking sounds horrendous to me, also scared of being in Intensive Care Unit as had a bad experience before.
Hiya, ascites does not mean stage 3c, as far as I understand you can have stage 3c without ascites, the staging relates to the location and spread of the cancer. They have recently changed how they grade cancer now, but the old stages are still available to read about on websites such as Macmillan. (but don't, don't get trapped in the mire of reading all you can from all websites, as not all of them are accurate and some have horrific untrue stories) I'm stage 3c too because the cancer had spread to my ommentum and lymph nodes.
I wish they could come up with a better phrase than debulking, it sounds awful. The surgery is obviously major but to me wasn't as bad as the name suggested.
I didn't have to go intensive care and I would imagine that nor would you either, unless you have been told otherwise.
The surgery lasts for a few hours depending on how much they need to do, then you go to recovery for short time before back to the ward. I was lucky to get out of hospital within 3 days post op. I was planning a week as that's what my surgeon told me.
Dawn xx
3 days in hospital sounds good to me! thanks Dawn made me feel much better xxx
Hi there. I'm glad you posted here and I am sorry you are feeling scared and overwhelmed. I too am 3c (Sept 2011) and had a large amount of Ascites drained initially 9litres. Debulking is a horrible word but the operation and recovery aren't as bad as you think. I had my stitches out within a week and was back home within eight days. Stay as positive as you can all the procedures will actually make you feel better as the Ascites clears up and stops putting pressure on your abdomen. Wishing you all the best xxx Trish p.s not all women with 3c get ascites. Strangely everyone is slightly different when dealing with ovarian cancer. That's why you will find lots of help and good advice here xxx
Was stage 3 oc in november 2007 after histo and 6 rounds of carboplatin enjoyed 6 years remission until January this year when it ha mastesised to liver and lungs with pelvic mass. Did 3 months carbo but although mass shrunk liver lesions didnt so yesterday had 2nd round of caelyx, hopefully another August, then ct scan. Keep positive I am living proof things can be scarey but there is hope. Good luck xxxxx
Thank you, good luck xxxxx
Three years ago I was in the same position, about to be diagnosed with stage 3c with ascites that made me look 7 months pregnant and I had to wear clothes 3 or 4 sizes larger than usual. I had some of the fluid drained before starting chemo in September 2011. After the third chemo, I had my own body back and the tumours had dramatically reduced. Had surgery in November 2011 and finished the final cycle of chemo in January 2012. So far, there has been no recurrence and I've been able to get on with my life.
So here's wishing you all the best with your treatment. Keep us posted.
Love Mary xx
Many thanks Mary, everyone is very supportive on this site.
I know it is all very frightening but we are all here to help you on this journey. None of us would have chosen this but we have got to make the most of it and fight the nasty disease with all our vigour. There is a lot out there in the way of treatment to help us so try to keep positive. Lovis xxx
Hi,
Welcome to this site, though naturally sorry you need it. Having ascites does not mean 3c. Some ladies have already said they had stage 3c with no ascites. I had stage 1c with ascites and a pleural effusion (fluid round my right lung). Neither have returned since my initial treatment.
Di
Made me realise its dangerous to assume stuff about stages etc and that the mind can be our worst enemy, thanks for this
Hi, it is frightening, but then the unknown always is.
Hopefully your scan will show shrinkage and surgery will be next step. Don't be dismayed though if it isn't at this point. My chemo buddy didn't actually get surgery until she had completed all 6 cycles of chemo. Wishing you all the best. Ann
Hi, I also had chemo first, stage 3c, was told inoperable at first but after four cycles of chemo which worked brilliantly, was able to have successful surgery, then had three more cycles of chemo and am just coming up to a year in remission. Went for check up yesterday, everything fine.
Was never told I had ascites though I looked hugely pregnant, stomach went down after first two chemo and I looked quite normal again after third one.
Take care and all the best to you.
Love Kaz xx
