Post Chemo Scan Consultation - Good News

[Emcee71]

Hello wonderful women

I saw the Oncologist yesterday, 5 weeks after my post chemo scan, which was clear! What a long time to wait!

Some ladies will know that I was staged at 2B because they were concerned that it was cancer cells making the ovary stick to the sigmoid colon. But 'pathologically' the tumour was a 1A. Just breaching the inner lining of the ovary (so not with clear margins) but still contained within it.

Well, if it was a 2B, those cells have gone!

It may sound obvious that a clear scan is good news, and of course it was/is, but I was anxious to know if the Onco would confidently say that if there had been spread to the colon, it would have been visible by the time of my scan. And she did confirm this!

She said I don't need any more scans (unless of course I get symptoms). I will be seen for a checkup by the surgeon in 6 months time and then (again, all going well) it will be just once a year for the next ?4? years!

I wanted to share this news partly because there was a great deal of confusion caused by this staging and it had me extremely worried, particularly because the cancer was Clear Cell. They don't restage anybody after diagnosis. And the Onc has said that we won't know which stage it really was!

I know from talking to so many of you that you'll probably not be in this fortunate situation as you read this and I send all of you strength and love. And thanks for your replies .. helpful advice, reassurance, empathy and laughter. I'm not going anywhere but somehow I've felt able to thank people because it is a cornerstone here that I have reached, though I will still probably always have an underlying niggling worry about this possibly coming back, like everybody has in this situation. I also wanted to write this so other ladies who might be in a similar predicament can see how things can turn out 8 months after a surgery and chemo journey.

HUGE LOVE TO YOU ALL

xxx Em C xxx

[Sunsetime]

that’s brilliant news, so very pleased for you. Go celebrate Em . X

[0462County]

Brilliant news xx.

[SuffolkJen]

Hi Emily

That’s just the best news possible!

We had soo many similarities as I too had ovary adhesion to the bowel, was an early stage diagnosis, and most importantly clear cell, which agreeing to having chemo for brings its own deliberations.

I’m soo glad you’ve gotten to this amazing place today xx Jen

[Emcee71]

Thanks so much Jen! And yes, we are twins in so many ways! xx

[nordic5]

Hello Emily, do You use at the moment testosteron (or estrogen) for menopausal problems? As I remember it was one of difficulties in past. I wonder if it can help with fatique.

[Emcee71 in reply to nordic5]

Hi Nordic! Well remembered! I haven't been prescribed it yet, but do need it as I am still KNACKERED! I will certainly be chasing it up ... unfortunately I have a swollen kidney part ATM and need to get that sorted first but seem to be stuck in a waiting list! Do you take it? X

[nordic5]

Not yet. I'm on Olaparib therapy, so fatique is probably related to it. But "combo" - lack of estrogen, PARP, some SSRIs and I'm really collapsed.

[Emcee71 in reply to nordic5]

Oh you poor thing. I hope things improve for you in time. That sounds like a real humdinger of a combo there...x

[Pawpaw22 in reply to nordic5]

I can confirm olaparib causes fatigue and, in my case, depression. Onc confirmed that some studies agreed about depression. I did not enjoy the experience and have stopped the tabs. Will do watch and wait and rescan in 3 months.

[Schnauzer19]

that’s fantastic news 😃

[Fluffyjumper]

Fantastic news both for you and to help others with clear cell who are considering whether or not to have chemo. The five week wait post scan must have been nerve wracking.

I hope that you do something special this weekend to celebrate.

[SopSinger]

Great news! Go and LIVE your life. My oncologist said that any new symptom that persisted for two weeks should be checked out, otherwise NOT TO WORRY!

[bananayo]

So pleased for you that’s great news, hope you get the kidney issue sorted soon xx

[Motiva]

Well done Em C on a great result and presenting with an early diagnosis. Fx

[candyapplegrey]

Well, that's good news! xx

[Doggies221]

congrats Emcee! Hope you enjoy your life and future. I can’t remember if you had an ER+ situation. HRT + testesterone is big help in survivorship. Best of luck going forward!

[Emcee71 in reply to Doggies221]

Thanks Doggies, I don't (well only the other endometrial cancer which had only just tipped into being cancerous at time of surgery) so fingers crossed I can have low does oestrogen and def testosterone which the doc said she would prescribe me x

[Newbery3]

Wonderful news for you and your family X go get life now and don't look back X

[Jholly4]

Great news

[Kazzh]

Amazing news & so very happy for you! Chemo is definitely worth considering for clear cell, as you know I am stage 4 and currently in remission. Now you enter the next phase of your journey, getting back to normal life, however that looks for you & I hope its a long & happy one for you! Im still recovering from recent surgery, a set back but not insurmountable xxx

[Emcee71]

Kazzh thank you. I feel like I know you a bit, as our diagnoses were about the same time. Also weirdly I saw you on FB ringing the bell and just wanted to give you a massive hug. We live quite close to each other by the way. Big Love and I will be following your journey xxx

[PPSCENE]

brilliant brilliant and brilliant x