Ovarian cancer....

[ricky23]

I didnt have chemo, i couldnt cope. I have stage 1c grade 3. Diagnosed feb 2012, total hysterectomy. Ca 125 was 2800 First ca 125 after op 7!!. I am finding it difficult to live with, im frightened all the time. Any advice?

[Whippit]

Dear Ricky, Thank goodness you've found us. You've had a terrible shock and you've got through surgery already so you've done so well already.

It's a blow to have a diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer and each of us process this in our own way. Give yourself time to absorb the information of the expert advisors at your hospital. Tke time to recover from your surgery.

There are some real positives about your situation. It's been caught early and you've had prompt action on the part of your local team.

Keep things under review. If your team advise chemotherapy come back and talk to us. We've been there and can help and support. It really isn't bad at all. It isn't painful, all the staff are wonderful and so good at helping people who are terrified. If they counsel chemotherapy I would keep this in mind. Hopefully you might not need any further treatment but if you are advised to go this route I promise you it's really the best way forward.

Keep posting and let us know how you are. Lots of love, Annie

[Hidden]

Dear Ricky,

OC is a horrible thing to get -everyone on here knows that and has been there. It can be very frightening, but unfortunately when it has arrived there is nothing you can do about it. Your oncologist is there to help and advise you, and if you want more advise phone the helpline. You can only take one day at a time, but stay positive and Give yourself some treats to look forward to. You don't give us a clue to your age or circumstances, but family and friends can be very supportive if you give them a chance. Don't bottle up your feelings, if you can't talk to them, you can say what you like on here where everyone is the same.

Good luck

Love n hugs. Viv

[iamstillme]

Hi Ricky sorry you have had to find us but glad you did as this site offers a wealth of support/advice and understanding . Unfortunately we have oc and this involves having to cope with fear of it coming back . For me i focus on my kids and they are the reason i will not give up hope and why i function normally as feel would not be any use to them if spent all my time crying and panicy . This is only me and you will find a way to cope and what is best for you . As viv says it is good to talk either here or to family and friends . Sometimes counselling can help and maybe you may want to explore that option . My specialist is very positive and talks about IF it should come back and i am exploring options such as supplements and homeopathic treatment to hope help with a very long remission . Feel this gives me some power back . If you do need chemo then it may not be as bad as you fear . Yes it is not easy but you do get through it .

Best Wishes

Ally

[Cadbury]

Dear Ricky

It is still very early days as you only had your operation in February 2012. The raw feelings that you are experiencing will settle in time but it is not a process that can be rushed. You have been through much physical and psychological upheaval and it takes its toll.

The diagnosis of OVCA changes us all. Somehow, we become different people as it is such a life-changing event. In the early days, it is normal to feel jittery and tearful at times. Please do not expect too much of yourself.

So many of us feel a sense of unreality. How or why did this happen? Could we have done something to prevent it? Should we have sought medical advice earlier? These are all questions that have gone round and round in our minds.

In time, most of us find the strength to settle down. It is surprising how such adversity can actual make us stronger. Little worries no longer matter and one learns to focus on the more important things in life. In a strange way, this is a liberating process. We see life through a different perspective.

Give yourself time. Try to keep busy. Draw strength and support from the Ovacome site where you will see that many women have felt the same way as you and come out the other side.

Best wishes

Isabelle

[Hidden]

Dear Ricky,

I am sorry that you have joined our club that no one wants to join...but it would seem as if they have caught it early so that's a good thing...if you need chemo at anytime it really isn't as bad as what you think...many people on here including myself... have had chemo more than once and if it was that bad we would not have taken it again...it is very good news that your ca125 has gone down to normal...we are all here to support you

love and best wishes x G x

[Hidden]

Hi,

You've had a very good result from your surgery (ca125). Now is the time to recognise what you can do to help yourself, and I advise you to read 'Anticancer; A New Way of Life'. Then you will be able to make a more informed decision about whether to have chemo.

I did not want to - and my disease was 3c, grade3- my ca125 also plumetted, but was persuaded to by the oncologist. I did the research and decided to have carboplatin, rather than the standard carboplatin/taxol, as it seemed to offer me the 'insurance policy' I wanted without the more drastic side-effects. I'm still ambivalent about chemo.

I'm in complete remission 3yrs after ending treatment.

Very best wishes,

Isadora.

[angelina]

Hi, I too didn't want to have chemo the idea of it frightened me to death - so to speak -

but my oncologist and macmillan nurse were very helpfull and talked me through it.

On the day of my first chemo session I could have run away while sitting on the ward,

but I though well if I do that then I will be worrying about my future. I plucked up the

courage to carry on for my lovely husband because what would he do without me -

we dont have any children!! and i'm all he has. Some people dont get many side effects

after chemo, but others do and It doesn't last for ever so I would say to you give it a try.

Have you talked with your family about what they want you to do. All the ladies on this

site have done the chemo thing and we have all gotten through it just like you will.

Sending you lots of love and hugs

Please keep in touch with us.

Angie x

[Cinderella]

Hi Ricky

I am so glad that you have taken the first step of asking a question on this site. You have fought the first battle of having surgery and it is really good news that your CA125 has come down to 7. It is understandable how frightened you feel however you must keep asking questions and reading posts on this site since you will get inspired by some of the experiences that the ladies have been through and how they have faced their OC.

I know the thought of having chemotherapy must be really daunting. I have had 3 cycles of chemotherapy and have not felt ill with it at all. The only thing that upset me at first was my loss of hair however i have now come to terms with that. I am able to cook, do odd chores around the house and drive in between my cycles of chemo.

I have told all my friends and family of my diagnosis and I have had so much support from everyone.

Do talk to your consultant and the Macmillan nurse or Macmillan helpline and discuss your fears with them. They will understand and help you come to a decision.

Please try to be more positive and optimistic about life since that really makes a difference. I was really shocked when I was diagnosed and my first concern was how will my husband cope since he is blind and I am his carer. I am glad to say that because I have been very positive both my son who is 21 and my husband are coping very well.

I send you lots of love & hugs and hope my response helps overcome some of your fear.

Samixa X

[ricky23]

I wont be having chemo at any point, seems im the only one at the moment that hasnt had it!! Im not impressed with my treatment since op, i have to chase everything up, no contact from hospital, im shocked that we are on our own with it.

[Nesie237 in reply to ricky23]

Ricky, like the rest of the ladies who replied, I have also had ovarian cancer, stage 2b. I had an abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo oophorectomy, omentectomy, excision of multiple lymph nodes. Then I had chemo almost weekly for 4 months. That was 2 years ago. It still feels like I went into it in a fog and very afraid of the outcome. Maybe I'm a chicken, but I'm still afraid. It's a nasty type of cancer, none are good, Knowing my chances of recurrence still make me feel afraid. Unlike you, everything was planned out, I must have signed consents but don't remember.

Just keep after your surgeon/Doctor/oncologist. Please don't let it go because they are falling down. Sometimes we have to be our own advocate and fight for what we need.

Sorry to go on, but I feel strongly about this. Best wishes and hugs, Nesie 237

[RuthPOvacome]

Dear Ricky

We are really sorry to hear of the very difficult time you have had at the hospital. It sounds like you have had a very unfortunate experience. If you want to talk things through please feel free to give us a ring on 08453710554 or send us an email at [e-mail]

Best Wishes

Ruth

Support Line Nurse