Pulled myself together and finished my profile

Hissy_Fitz

I have so enjoyed seeing other people's photos and reading their stories (what a bunch of amazing ladies you all are!), so I decided to stop whining long enough to introduce myself a little more.

saundra

Just read it!!!
I just took a look...great picture. Saundra

Hissy_Fitz

saundra said:

Just read it!!!
I just took a look...great picture. Saundra

Thank you!
It's my official "work photo", taken about a year ago. I actually hesitated before I posted it, out of respect for those who have lost their hair to chemo. As soon as mine is gone, I promise to post an updated photo.

The thought of losing my hair does not bother me much. It's just hair.....it will grow back. And I've seen some great looking wigs. I'm more concerned about my head getting cold in the winter. Do any of you wear caps to sleep in?

jane65

I'm sorry
Hi Carlene,
I want to apologize to you for my reply to your first post. After reading your profile I can see that your PCP is a very thorough and caring doctor. He made a medical evaluation after ordering several important tests, and called you personally to discuss the findings.

I want to express my condolences to you on the loss of your husband, I know it must have been horrible for you and your family to go through that disease with him.

My reaction to your first post was due to my former internist missing my symptoms as being a disease, even though I had the same symptoms that you experienced.
For SIX months, he dismissed my complaints as being "side affects" of a drug I'm on for arthritis. He never ordered a test or scan, or suggest that I see my GYN. I did see him and told him of my diagnosis, and that he shortened my life. His reply was "sorry".

I did see my GYN for a routine exam, and he immediately felt the mass on my ovary, did a transvaginal ultrasound and a CA125. He called a couple of days later with the bad news. and referred me to a GYN/ONC surgeon who did surgery a week later. After my chest port was in, I met with my Medical Oncologist, and started chemo.
That was 2 1/2 years ago. I've been on chemo pretty much since then. After my hernia surgery next month, and recovery from that, I go back on chemo.

So, I hope you can understand my "outburst", and reaction reading your post, again please forgive me and I hope we can start over,

Hi, I'm Jane... I understand how frightened you are, cancer is the most frightening word in our language, especially for you and your family. I remember how terrified and confused my husband and I were when we got my diagnosis.

I'll be here to listen, and offer you support and information from my unfortunate journey along the way, as will all the wonderful ladies on the forum.

Your doctor was right, unfortunately there is no cure for OVCA and diagnosis is made usually not early stage, (mine is 4B), but there are so many chemo drugs, and treatments for our doctors to fight the cancer, and give us quality of life, that we must not surrender or give up.

Good luck to you, Carlene and take care of yourself!
Jane

Hissy_Fitz

jane65 said:

I'm sorry
Hi Carlene,
I want to apologize to you for my reply to your first post. After reading your profile I can see that your PCP is a very thorough and caring doctor. He made a medical evaluation after ordering several important tests, and called you personally to discuss the findings.

I want to express my condolences to you on the loss of your husband, I know it must have been horrible for you and your family to go through that disease with him.

My reaction to your first post was due to my former internist missing my symptoms as being a disease, even though I had the same symptoms that you experienced.
For SIX months, he dismissed my complaints as being "side affects" of a drug I'm on for arthritis. He never ordered a test or scan, or suggest that I see my GYN. I did see him and told him of my diagnosis, and that he shortened my life. His reply was "sorry".

I did see my GYN for a routine exam, and he immediately felt the mass on my ovary, did a transvaginal ultrasound and a CA125. He called a couple of days later with the bad news. and referred me to a GYN/ONC surgeon who did surgery a week later. After my chest port was in, I met with my Medical Oncologist, and started chemo.
That was 2 1/2 years ago. I've been on chemo pretty much since then. After my hernia surgery next month, and recovery from that, I go back on chemo.

So, I hope you can understand my "outburst", and reaction reading your post, again please forgive me and I hope we can start over,

Hi, I'm Jane... I understand how frightened you are, cancer is the most frightening word in our language, especially for you and your family. I remember how terrified and confused my husband and I were when we got my diagnosis.

I'll be here to listen, and offer you support and information from my unfortunate journey along the way, as will all the wonderful ladies on the forum.

Your doctor was right, unfortunately there is no cure for OVCA and diagnosis is made usually not early stage, (mine is 4B), but there are so many chemo drugs, and treatments for our doctors to fight the cancer, and give us quality of life, that we must not surrender or give up.

Good luck to you, Carlene and take care of yourself!
Jane

No need to apologize, Jane....
My PCP had done a pelvic on me back in January and evidently found nothing suspicious. Now he says I have probably had ovarian cancer for over a year, but being a "soft tumor" it is almost impossible to detect via regular pelvic exam. I don't know if that's true or just his excuse for not finding it earlier. He had done extensive blood work since May, trying to find out why I was so cold all the time. I guess he didn't do enough blood tests, however, or at least not the right ones.


I did not experience pain until a couple of weeks ago. Even so, I have days that are almost pain-free. Yesterday I took only one pain pill and had great energy. I shopped for my grandson's first birthday and made his cake, plus cooked our dinner. No pain, no feeling like I am 4 months pregnant, no urinary issues. It's times like those that make me feel like it's all a really bad nightmare and I will wake up any minute. Don't I wish.

saundra

Hissy_Fitz said:

Thank you!
It's my official "work photo", taken about a year ago. I actually hesitated before I posted it, out of respect for those who have lost their hair to chemo. As soon as mine is gone, I promise to post an updated photo.

The thought of losing my hair does not bother me much. It's just hair.....it will grow back. And I've seen some great looking wigs. I'm more concerned about my head getting cold in the winter. Do any of you wear caps to sleep in?

I do
I got several wigs. The one I got thru the Look Good, Feel Good shop was not satisfactory to me so I shop on line. I did have to wear a cap to sleep in at night in the winter because it is cold. Bandanas work well to. I got several soft caps and bandanas also. I had lost my hair when I had surgery, after four chemos, so I did take sleep caps to the hospital and a robe but everything else was unnecessary. I was Stage IV when diagnosed because I had three large tumors in my liver. Those were burned out at Baylor during the and have not come back by a different surgeon during the main debulking surgery. My hair had grown back the year I was free of tumors, but I am thinning again now that I am back on carboplatin. Saundra

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