New - Starting First Round of Chemo on Thursday

sandyinmi
sandyinmi Member Posts: 17
in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi all. Been lurking for a week or two, time to share my story as I'm starting chemo on Thursday. First inkling of problem was visit to ER on 12/18 - thought I had a gall bladder problem. By the time I left the ER I knew I had lesions, and possibly tumors, on both ovaries. I heard the word cancer for the first time that night. Went into the hospital on 1/6 for surgery; ca 125 was 2093. They removed two tumors - one the size of a small watermelon and one the size of a cantaloupe...together 32 cm long. Got pneumonia while in the hospital - stayed for 10 nights.
First visit to the gynecologic oncologist after surgery - pathology report showed I should be staged at IIB, with a grade G3 tumor. I was so happy and feel so very lucky. I start chemo on Thursday - carboplatin and docetaxel - 6 sessions, 21 days apart. My CA 125 was 114 during my last visit to the doctor.
I live alone - okay, actually with my dog Gidget, in a small town in SW Michigan. (No spouse, ex-spouse, kids, etc.) I have no health insurance. Will be 59 in April.
Look forward to getting to know you brave women.
Sandy

Comments

  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #2
    WELCOME SANDY
    As we always say, welcome to the club that no one wants to join. But I'm so glad you've found us. You sound very strong, and very independent. Do you have any family that is by your side during this journey? Did you have a complete hysterectomy? Your treatment plan sounds pretty standard. And that's a remarkable decrease in your CA125! Feel free to ask for recommendations as you proceed with chemo. There are many wonderful women (and a few men!) here who have much to offer. Someone may also be able to recommend something regarding your lack of insurance.

    As a side note, just curious what gynecologic/oncologist you see. I am in SE Michigan, and have a wonderful doctor through Providence Hospital. I will be seeing him next week, hopefully to confirm ongoing NED (dx in 2000, recurrance in 2006). I am 57, I am married (almost 37 years), have three children, 2 grandchildren. We lost our precious doggie last year, and miss her terribly. Aren't they such angels? So comforting, especially when we're going through something like this.

    Hope to hear from you again soon, Sandy!

    (((HUGS))) and Prayers,
    Monika
  • sandyinmi
    sandyinmi Member Posts: 17
    #3
    mopar said:

    WELCOME SANDY
    As we always say, welcome to the club that no one wants to join. But I'm so glad you've found us. You sound very strong, and very independent. Do you have any family that is by your side during this journey? Did you have a complete hysterectomy? Your treatment plan sounds pretty standard. And that's a remarkable decrease in your CA125! Feel free to ask for recommendations as you proceed with chemo. There are many wonderful women (and a few men!) here who have much to offer. Someone may also be able to recommend something regarding your lack of insurance.

    As a side note, just curious what gynecologic/oncologist you see. I am in SE Michigan, and have a wonderful doctor through Providence Hospital. I will be seeing him next week, hopefully to confirm ongoing NED (dx in 2000, recurrance in 2006). I am 57, I am married (almost 37 years), have three children, 2 grandchildren. We lost our precious doggie last year, and miss her terribly. Aren't they such angels? So comforting, especially when we're going through something like this.

    Hope to hear from you again soon, Sandy!

    (((HUGS))) and Prayers,
    Monika

    New - Starting First Round of Chemo on Thursday
    I don't quite understand why, but I did NOT have a full hysterectomy. They did not take out my uterus. Nothing was found in the omentum in the pathology.

    I am going to a gyn/onc in Westville, Indiana, who I like very much.

    I do not have any family nearby. Am estranged from some of my family, and the rest are on the east coast. I have been incredibly lucky with my friends, who have truly rallied around me. My dog Gidget (a toy poodle) is also a comfort to me.

    Sandy
  • anicca
    anicca Member Posts: 334 Member
    #4
    sandyinmi said:

    New - Starting First Round of Chemo on Thursday
    I don't quite understand why, but I did NOT have a full hysterectomy. They did not take out my uterus. Nothing was found in the omentum in the pathology.

    I am going to a gyn/onc in Westville, Indiana, who I like very much.

    I do not have any family nearby. Am estranged from some of my family, and the rest are on the east coast. I have been incredibly lucky with my friends, who have truly rallied around me. My dog Gidget (a toy poodle) is also a comfort to me.

    Sandy

    Hi, Sandy. Sorry to meet
    Hi, Sandy. Sorry to meet you this way. It is surprising that you didn't have a full hysterectomy, and that's something you can ask your gyn/onc about next time you see him. It's great that your CA 125 came down so dramatically after surgery. It often goes up because of the release of fluids from tumor cysts.

    Don't know how much they told you about chemo, but they will give you IV benadryl, so you will need a ride home. Also, just a heads-up that you should be prepared to take anti-nausea meds the moment you feel the least bit queasy. Zofran worked wonders for me, but I didn't realize what I was feeling the first time and had almost a week of misery. After I figured out when to take it, I was much more comfortable. Since you have no one at home to help, you might want to prepare some small meals in advance, that you can freeze and nuke as needed. Everyone is different, but most of us prefer bland food during chemo, as it's easier on the tummy. I ate a lot of chicken, and couldn't stand beef, pork, or fish, and especially disliked anything smoked or BBQ - the exact opposite of my true preferences.

    I hope everything goes well for you, and look forward to keeping up with your progress.

    DB
  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #5
    anicca said:

    Hi, Sandy. Sorry to meet
    Hi, Sandy. Sorry to meet you this way. It is surprising that you didn't have a full hysterectomy, and that's something you can ask your gyn/onc about next time you see him. It's great that your CA 125 came down so dramatically after surgery. It often goes up because of the release of fluids from tumor cysts.

    Don't know how much they told you about chemo, but they will give you IV benadryl, so you will need a ride home. Also, just a heads-up that you should be prepared to take anti-nausea meds the moment you feel the least bit queasy. Zofran worked wonders for me, but I didn't realize what I was feeling the first time and had almost a week of misery. After I figured out when to take it, I was much more comfortable. Since you have no one at home to help, you might want to prepare some small meals in advance, that you can freeze and nuke as needed. Everyone is different, but most of us prefer bland food during chemo, as it's easier on the tummy. I ate a lot of chicken, and couldn't stand beef, pork, or fish, and especially disliked anything smoked or BBQ - the exact opposite of my true preferences.

    I hope everything goes well for you, and look forward to keeping up with your progress.

    DB

    Hi Sandy
    Thank you for sharing your journey thus far. The ladies on this board are wonderfully supportive and can offer lots of good information and sympathy and a "shoulder to cry on" if need be. So glad to read that you have good friends and your beloved Gidget by your side. Looking forward to hearing from you again.

    Kelly
  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    #6
    lovesanimals said:

    Hi Sandy
    Thank you for sharing your journey thus far. The ladies on this board are wonderfully supportive and can offer lots of good information and sympathy and a "shoulder to cry on" if need be. So glad to read that you have good friends and your beloved Gidget by your side. Looking forward to hearing from you again.

    Kelly

    Welcome
    Welcome but sorry it has to be under these cercumstances. God be with you hon,I am praying
    Hugs Lynda
  • ktamp
    ktamp Member Posts: 81
    #7
    Hi Sandy
    You're about a month behind me. I got my diagnosis nov 20. I started chemo pretty quickly though. Dec 7. I am halfway through my 6 cycles. I finish on march 21, my birthday.

    This is a very nice place for support. It has been very helpful for me to be able to talk to other ladies who have gone through the same thing. Good luck!
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #8
    not alone now
    You did it now and you are never going to be alone now. This site helpped me so much and will help you so much. These brave ladies have been through alot and give such great advisce but also alot of love and support. I am glad you found us. I am praying for you and will be praying tomoroww for you it will be easy to remember because I have my maintanie chemo tomorrow :)

    Amme
  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    #9
    AnneBehymer said:

    not alone now
    You did it now and you are never going to be alone now. This site helpped me so much and will help you so much. These brave ladies have been through alot and give such great advisce but also alot of love and support. I am glad you found us. I am praying for you and will be praying tomoroww for you it will be easy to remember because I have my maintanie chemo tomorrow :)

    Amme

    you are so not alone
    you have us now and we are all in this together... Good luck on your first round. Make sure you drink and get plenty of rest. Also bring a blankie and a book or something....val
  • Honordon
    Honordon Member Posts: 49 Member
    #10
    poopergirl14052 said:

    you are so not alone
    you have us now and we are all in this together... Good luck on your first round. Make sure you drink and get plenty of rest. Also bring a blankie and a book or something....val

    Never Alone
    I am having paclitaxel and carboplatin started yesterday , Good luck for Thursday with be thinking of you on this journey seems we all must take .......xoxox Donna
  • Susan53
    Susan53 Member Posts: 178
    #11
    Hi Sandy
    I am also sorry to meet you under these circumstances. I live in Muskegon, Mi. on the westside of the state. I doctor in Grand Rapids, Mi. with a wonderful gyn./onc., surgeon. I am also very surprised given your age that they didn't do a complete hyst. and remove the uterus. I did not have any sign on my omentum but that was removed along with my appendix. I did wind up having ovarian, uterine and appendix cancer. They were totally surprised about the appendix cancer because they only removed it because they were in there. I would be interested to learn what kind of ovarian cancer that you do have. Mine was adenocarcinoma Endometriod Grade 3. my stage was a 1. All three of my cancers were a stage 1 and they were all primary and not metastic. I was 56 when I was diag. on 8-9-10 a year and a half ago. I finished my chemo in the middle of Feb. a year ago. I am married with 2 children that are married and have 6 grandchildren. If you ever need to talk you can message me. I do go on the chat sight and find a lot of support on there. Wishing you all the best Sandy. Hugs Sharon
  • sandyinmi
    sandyinmi Member Posts: 17
    #12
    Chemo delayed until Friday
    Well, the chemo is delayed until Friday. Some kind of communication breakdown between the doctors office and the hospital. No biggie except that it is just another day for the anxiety to build.
  • AnneBehymer
    AnneBehymer Member Posts: 738 Member
    #13
    sandyinmi said:

    Chemo delayed until Friday
    Well, the chemo is delayed until Friday. Some kind of communication breakdown between the doctors office and the hospital. No biggie except that it is just another day for the anxiety to build.

    you will do fine and we are
    you will do fine and we are still praying for you

    Anne

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