Hi everybody, having been diagnosed with stage 3 primary peritoneal cancer a couple of weeks ago, I had first chemo on July 24th. The chemo was brought forward as apparently there is a risk of bowel obstruction. Over the last few weeks I have gradually lost my appetite completely and had a lot sickness and acid reflux. This got so bad I was admitted to hospital a week ago. I had 6 litres of fluid drained which helped for a couple of days, then I was back to being sick again. Now it looks like I might have a bladder infection. It seems to be one thing after another. This is a truly awful illness and I am scared because the prognosis isn't good for me if the chemo doesn't start doing it's job. I'm trying to stay positive but it isn't always easy. Need some words of wisdom I think, or just some words!
Amanda
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Purple2589
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Hi Amanda. Sorry to hear you are having such a rough time of things and hope you are beginning to feel better. I imagine the hospital are doing everything to make you feel comfortable. I hope you will be able to resume yr chemo soon and that it has the desired effect. Big hug. Kathy xx
I'm really sorry your feeling so awful. The Ascites (I assume that's what the fluid is) will stop you eating and make you feel sick as it is pressing on all your internal organs. The bladder infection will soon be relieved when you take some antibiotics. Stick with it, as soon as you start chemo the fluid will stop accumulating and you'll begin to feel better.
I'm also in the one thing after another syndrome, I finished chemo and immediately got pneumonia and pleurisy just getting over that now inflamed hip. Sometimes life is like that, I don't know about you but I've always been healthy up to now so it's a bit of a car crash.
Take care, the light will soon appear at the end of the tunnel. Sue xx
You will feel so much better once the bladder infection is sorted out. I had that when I started chemo and it made the whole thing just so much more miserable. Hang in there, it's a bumpy road but you're in good hands. Little by little you will get better.
I was diagnosed last June and was told that surgery may not be possible.
By the time I had my 3rd chemo treatment my cancer had shrunk enough for me to have surgery before finishing the chemo in early December. I also had a spell in hospital feeling very unwell with a virus.
I'm now on Lynparza as I'm BRCA 2 positive. I feel well, if a little tired, at the moment and am hopeful that this maintenance treatment will work for me.
Over the last year I felt at times very unwell, alone and I had some very bleak moments early on when I feared the worst..... but things have got much better . I feel I have a future now which makes all the difference.
I'm really hoping the same happens for you, that your treatment is working and that you start feeling better very soon.
Hi Liz, thanks for your reply. It is good to connect with other people who have PPC, it seems so rare. I didn't even know I had such a thing as a peritoneum until recently! Like you were, I have been fearing the worst recently. I had breast cancer 10 years ago, and except for some chemo side-effects which were manageable, I felt well. This is very different. It is good to hear of your progress and I hope it continues.
I knew nothing about PPC either . You just can't believe its happened to you . Knowing there are others out there does help though doesn't it? And so many ladies here tell really positive ongoing stories despite the ups and downs of this rotten illness. I'm hoping that's helping you and gives your spirits a lift. Really hoping you're starting to feel better too.
I too was diagnosed with stage 3 c high grade PPC in 2011 and thank
God I'm still here in my tenth year.
Mine was inoperable , CA125 of 8000 and eight litres of ascites which was immediately drained before chemo consisting of Carboplatin and TaxoI. I cried for the whole night after diagnosis until they told me they would be treating me. Then I cheered up and couldn't wait to start tackling it.
I responded really well to chemo and was clear for almost 5 years until it recurred in my Lymph nodes . I have been treated twice for that. Recently I was told the swelling reduced with no recent treatment. A little miracle in itself! I was told my nodes were indolent which in my head means lazy. Long may they stay lazy !
In between all this I had a totally unrelated breast cancer followed by a mastectomy and Radiation. After the rest this was just a blip!
I'm telling you all this Amanda so you will see there is hope after a diagnosis like this. Removing the fluid will ease everything. You will feel more comfortable and get your appetite back. You will recover from the initial shock and start planning and organising your life around treatment. This website is amazingly helpful with advice and knowledge.
I want to wish you all the best as you start your journey towards recovery.
May that journey be filled with light and hope and even joy along the way.
Hi Amanda, sorry to hear your feeling so unwell. I had a rough time on chemo with numerous side effects and frequent hospital admissions but by some miracle I managed to have all 6 sessions every 3 weeks and 4 years on I’m still doing well with no recurrence! I do hope you will start to feel much better soon and can continue with your treatment. Best wishes, Jo xx
Hi Amanda. As the others have said you should feel better once the antibiotics and chemo take care of your symptoms though the chemo itself is no walk in the park! The chemo hasn’t really had much chance to work yet. Sending hugs!❤️
Dear Amanda , you have a lot to cope with at present and each time things don’t go according to plan it’s easy to lose sense of hope and trust but Chemo for all its faults and side effects ( I’ve had nine of them ) is a powerful weapon against cancer. The Oncologists are very experienced and wise and I found they quickly make adjustments to accommodate your reactions.
Don’t worry about appetite loss at present but keep drinking loads if you can .
It’s certainly a challenge at the best of times but you’ll get through it even with a stop and start routine.
Sending you all best wishes for strength and peace and very good care
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