I was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer in May of this year. I have undergone three chemotherapy infusions and had cryroreductive surgery with HIPEC ( warm chemo ) two weeks ago. I am doing very well considering how extensive the surgery was. However, the surgeon said I had a very good response to the chemotherapy and believes she was able to get all the cancer cells out. I am feeling very hopeful thoughI know there is a long road ahead. I will be having three more chemotherapy infusions and then a year of a maintenance medication.Read
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My doctors also worked together for the best possible outcome. One of the best tips the surgeon gave me about a month before surgery was to do about 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily ( I walked) and eat lots of protein. I really feel that helped me throughout my recovery. Wishing you the best.
I started that about 3 weeks before surgery. I was fortunate to have few side effects from chemo. The fatigue was the hardest so I did pace myself once I started walking. I worked up to 30 minutes after a week of 20 minute walks.
I had the same drugs. I napped on and off all day.
At one point, I told the nurses it was a nice break to come to chemotherapy.. getting out of the house, a change of scenery, and lots of special staff to talk to. She said she’d heard that from lots of others! In the midst of a pandemic, you take what you can get😆
I did very short walks at first. I stuck to walking in the backyard with my husband by my side in case I didn’t feel good and I didn’t push myself. When the doctors told me I would be very fatigued, I told them “fatigue is my middle name“. Walking to the bathroom might as well have been climbing Mount Everest in the beginning.!!
But with time and an appetite, I gradually improved. Hang in there.
I used to run spartan race 3 times a year and they were easier that my walk to the bathroom last night!!
Are the 3 weeks this exhausting? I thought I would be feeling well the first 2 days now I am a bit frightened. No worries as I am not working now and have lots of help but....
The first 3 to 5 days people say are the hardest so try not to have such high expectations. Your body is not used to the drugs and has to adjust. I slept quite a bit but continued to make an effort to walk a little bit each day around the house. Remember to drink lots of fluids and eat when you are able to.
I had similar things done. Had 4chemo, surgery(TOTAL hysterectomy)then 3 more chemo. I was told they got all the cancer cells out but micro cells can hide. I had no problems with chemo. Had scan in July, two suspicious findings but very small was told they were non-specific. I was put on a PARP inhibitor(ZEJULA). So far, so good. had another scan yesterday, doc said it looked ok, nothing that much changed from July scan. MY CA-125 is still the same (7) So, now I go for blood work each month, because of Zejula and will be doing that until November and then maybe once every 3 months after that. Guess all we can do is hope for the best. I wish you all the luck in the world! Try not to woory about all the what-ifs. I did at first but hardly think about it now since there is nothing I can do about any of this.
So glad you had good response. Good luck with your journey! My surgery is scheduled for September 3rd. Due to covid no family allowed at hospital. Apprehensive about surgery, but just want to get it over with! Will find out stage and next steps to be taken after surgery. Hoping for good news. Thanks for listening.
I had massive ascites- about 20 lbs was drained from my abdomen and lungs as soon as I was diagnosed in the hospital. What a relief that was.
The oncologist told me that I might get some ascites once the chemotherapy started but it certainly won’t be that dramatic. So far I have not had any problem with that.
Hi! Thank you for your reply! Hope it works for me too
I also had a lot drained... 9 litres first day.. Ascites took me to hospital and that's how I got diagnosed.
Had a very bad night with stomach issues but I fell less bloated, still looking pregnant but my tummy is not as hard as yesterday. Chemo is working... My right leg looks normal left looks much better.
Hello Ladies, I am so grateful for all of your posts. Your strength and positivity is such a welcomed and uplifting read and you all are so amazing. Does anyone have a lot of nausea after chemo? That is one of my biggest battles. I drink a lot of water and liquid and take nausea meds but it is so difficult. Thoughts and thank you for your incredible attitudes.
Have you let your oncologist know? There are many anti nausea medications and combinations of medications that can be tried. I had a medication that was infused before each chemotherapy that they said lasted for about 3 days. I’ve has 3 infusions and only had one episode of nausea . Hope you start to feel better.
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