Felling wobbly after surgery

[Emmacrispins]

Hello ladies, I had my debulking surgery on Friday. The surgeon has told me that there are tiny traces of disease left that the chemo will clear up. Is this normal? I guess I kind of wanted to hear that it’s all gone, feeling wobbly xxx

[Frenchhouse3]

Hi Emma,

so pleased for you that the dreaded op is done and dusted. I think it’s very common for some traces to be left and that’s why we have the mopping up chemos afterwards to make sure everything is gone. At the end of the chemos you’ll have another CT scan which will reassure you.

I totally understand your disappointment though because I think it’s human nature to focus on any little negatives after being diagnosed with cancer. After my post chemo scans, my consultant said that I was clear of all the cancer in my abdomen but still had two very slightly raised lymph nodes that he would keep an eye on. All I could focus on were those lymph nodes and yet he was telling me that my results were really positive!

Anyway, your surgery sounds very successful and in a few weeks those odd little cells will be history.

Wishing you much luck and love with the final chemos; on the home run now!

Denise xxx

[Emmacrispins in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Thank you so much Denise. This journey is so full of ups and downs, and I’m only at the beginning. Before I went in for surgery the surgeon gave me the worst and best case scenarios. Of course I drifted under the anaesthetic focused on the worse case scenario! That didn’t happen, but I’m still anxious! I think I need to have a firm word with myself. Thank you for your love and support xxx

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to Emmacrispins]

Ah, Emma, we sound so alike! I always think the worst too and yet there are many long term survivors, my friend Sandra being one of them. ( Clear ten years now, no recurrences).

To be honest, I sometimes think we prepare ourselves for the worst so as not to be disappointed. However, you’ve got the op out of the way now and though you’re probably feeling pretty rough at the moment, you’ll feel much better over the next few days and weeks. The last three chemos will fly by and then you can start planning really nice things to do ( despite Coronavirus!)

I have positive and negative days all the time, but more positive than negative on the whole now.

The lovely ladies on this forum will also keep your spirits up.

Lots of love and a big, gentle hug to you xxxxx

[Emmacrispins in reply to Frenchhouse3]

Thank you lovely, when were you diagnosed? xxx

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to Emmacrispins]

Last June, though I knew I had the tumour on May 14th, my son’s birthday. I remember thinking, I was giving birth 26 years ago today. ( I didn’t tell him though as I didn’t want him to have such a horrible memory every year). I started chemo in the June after a biopsy confirmed it was cancer. Such a violent shock isn’t it? I was always so healthy before!

So far, so good though I’m always anxious whenever I have a test but I think most people here say the same. It’s like we never take anything for granted anymore.

Incidentally though, I was explaining about my illness to a lady I know well in our local chemist and the lady behind me said that both her sisters had had OC ( stage 3 and stage 4) both had stomas ( which they had reversed) and both have been in remission for several years! I was over the moon when she told me! She did say they avoid refined sugar in their food now, so I’m taking her advice.!

D. Xxxxx

[Emmacrispins in reply to Frenchhouse3]

I have a bit of a refined sugar thing now too!! It’s like me bodies telling me to avoid it xxx

[Frenchhouse3 in reply to Emmacrispins]

Yes, it’s weird but I’ve a actually gone right off sweet things; i didn’t ever think I would! I crave salty foods now! Xxxxx

[Lyndy]

Hi Emma

I think that it is often the case that a little residual disease remains and even when they talk about‘optimal’ dubulking they only mean that visible disease has been taken away..we know that microscopic disease can still be present. This is why chemo is given and I was told that once they have taken away the bulk of disease... that’s when chemo is most effective! So have faith... you are still headed in the right direction xx

[TarbonNZ]

Hi Emma. A good proportion of us get this news, and it is human nature to then focus on it. In my case I had extensive small nodules left on my right diaphragm, where I was told that to remove them they would have had to remove the whole diaphragm. Major shock to me., and quite frightening. There is usually a size they remove, and a smaller size they don’t, or where it is impossible too, leaving the chemo to mop the rest up. You just need to focus on getting through the rest of the chemo, and know that this is not unusual. They will do an end of treatment scan, and fingers crossed you will come up Ned. Take care, Therese

[Madmolly]

I had my debulki ng op 5 weeks ago I am oc 4b and am on ICON 8b trials. The surgeon said she was pleased with the result and that the follow up chemo would mop up any residual cells. This is the norm for the majority of us. I will eventually be going on avastin which stops cells forming their own blood supply. I wish you a good recovery e good to yourself and be careful not to get constipated I'm finding prunes and popcorn working for me

[juliamillen]

Have you had 3 sessions of chemo and about to have 3 more to clear up what is left? That was the procedure with me

[Emmacrispins in reply to juliamillen]

Hi Julia, no I have surgery first and wil start chemo in 4/6 weeks 🤞

[Differentforgirls]

I completely understand where you’re coming from. It’s scary to think you may have cancer cells still lurking.

Think most of us ( if not all) are told we’ll be having chemo after surgery ( or before & after) to mop up any teeny cells not seen with the naked eye.

During treatment ( in 2018) I felt like it wasn’t really me going through it - part of the denial I think. Looking back I’m glad I did whatever I was told to give me the best possible outcome.

You’ll get through it.

Take one day at a time & don’t deny your feelings. It’s better for your mental health to let your feelings out.

Take good care of yourself,

Lynne xx