New member

Granny j

Hi there, I had an operation a year ago for ovarian cancer and uterine cancer, since then I have had 6 months of chemo. Now I feel angry with myself because my body hurts, sore joints and muscles, I don't seem to be able to complete many of the tasks I used to do with ease. Is there anyone else out there with the same problems? I felt better 3 months ago.

debrajo

Welcome!

Sorry you had to be here!  I am not from the overian board, but I am on the Uterine board}UPSC}.  I think we have ALL been where you are now.  I know I am and have been for almost four years.  My smart mouth son said I was like the "rod-ragers", mad all the time due to the steroids!  But it hss been going on for a lot longer than just steroid use.  For me the cancer was just one more,"NOW WHAT"!  I still have my days, scattered in with depression , anxiety, and just everyday crap!  I hurt all the time...somewhere!, and then the "what if it's back" thing happens.  This journey for me is somewhat like the story"The Pit and the Pendulum" never knowing whet it's going to be some new horrow story.  I am still finding my new normal if there is such a thing, 

The Teal ladies will be here soon.  My UPSC ACTS like Overian so we Lurk on each others boards.  Let us know how we  can help ...you can email me through here or I will be over at the Uterine board.  We all try to help each other...just let us know!  Best Debrajo

scatsm

welcome to this board!

I've been done with chemo for 2 years and there are still days when I feel exhausted. Most days I have joint pain, but I had that before the cancer. Taking a hormone suppressor doesn't help (I had breast cancer after my ovarian diagnosis). Some days I feel like I did after taking that horrible neulasta shot (muscle aches and cramps), some days the neuropathy in my hands and feet bothers me, however, I try to remember every day how grateful I am that I am alive and mostly ok. I am 64 and some of this would be happening anyway...

For some of us, depression can contribute to feeling tired and unmotivated. When my ca125 started to rise, I had several days of feeling unable to function...anxiety and sadness overwhelmed me...then I was able to move forward with more energy. 

be kind to yourself...you have been through a rough surgery and treatment. The consequences of that can last way longer than we want it to.

All the best,

Susan

 

Granny j

debrajo said:

Welcome!

Sorry you had to be here!  I am not from the overian board, but I am on the Uterine board}UPSC}.  I think we have ALL been where you are now.  I know I am and have been for almost four years.  My smart mouth son said I was like the "rod-ragers", mad all the time due to the steroids!  But it hss been going on for a lot longer than just steroid use.  For me the cancer was just one more,"NOW WHAT"!  I still have my days, scattered in with depression , anxiety, and just everyday crap!  I hurt all the time...somewhere!, and then the "what if it's back" thing happens.  This journey for me is somewhat like the story"The Pit and the Pendulum" never knowing whet it's going to be some new horrow story.  I am still finding my new normal if there is such a thing, 

The Teal ladies will be here soon.  My UPSC ACTS like Overian so we Lurk on each others boards.  Let us know how we  can help ...you can email me through here or I will be over at the Uterine board.  We all try to help each other...just let us know!  Best Debrajo

Thanks so much, it helps me a

Thanks so much, it helps me a lot to know how other cancer survivours feel, some days I feel very lonely and just can't explain to family and friends how I feel, I don't want to worry them either. This web site is so helpful. Many thanks.

Granny j

Thanks for the kind word of

Thanks for the kind words of encouragment, I have an appointment next week with my gyno to talk through my ct scan results, I am feeling very anxious but keep telling myself that all will be well. I am 59 years old but feel a lot older right now, I have a big garden that I love and am trying very hard to keep up with, I also have a very supportive family that help so I concider myself very lucky in that respect. Our youngest son gets married on the 28th March so I need to keep positive and well for that. So nice to have found a web site with people I can relate to.

lovesanimals

Granny j said:

Thanks for the kind word of

Thanks for the kind words of encouragment, I have an appointment next week with my gyno to talk through my ct scan results, I am feeling very anxious but keep telling myself that all will be well. I am 59 years old but feel a lot older right now, I have a big garden that I love and am trying very hard to keep up with, I also have a very supportive family that help so I concider myself very lucky in that respect. Our youngest son gets married on the 28th March so I need to keep positive and well for that. So nice to have found a web site with people I can relate to.

Welcome!

Your body will need time to recover from six months of chemo but I think you will feel better with each passing day.  I'm glad you finished your chemo before your son's wedding; it always helps to have something good to look forward to.  I will be praying that you get good results from your CT scan.  Between now and your appointment next week, try to focus on other things like your garden and family.  (I know, easier said than done!)

Kelly

Granny j

Thanks, yes I am really

Thanks, yes I am really pleased that I have had some time to recover and my hair has started to grow back, I am concerned about my weight. I had hoped that if nothing else I would have lost a few pounds during chemo but no instead I put weight on. Did anyone else gain weight or am I just unlucky.

debrajo

Granny j said:

Thanks, yes I am really

Thanks, yes I am really pleased that I have had some time to recover and my hair has started to grow back, I am concerned about my weight. I had hoped that if nothing else I would have lost a few pounds during chemo but no instead I put weight on. Did anyone else gain weight or am I just unlucky.

Nope!

Its not just you.  After I started looking for the silver lining in the cancer, I thought , well one of the "perks" of getting cancer is you lose weight.  I have been horribly over weight all my life.  Well, NO, I actualy GAINED 30, only ten of which have come off!  During the worst of it, no hair, 30 extra pounds, terrible attitude, I really resembled Jaba the Hunt from Star Wars.!  I do not believe there      is anyone on any of the boards that you WON"T have things in common with.  By the way, we talk about EVERYTHING here, nothing off limits even if it's off track or off color.  Go ahead, I dare you to be able to make a one of us unconfortable.  And if you do, well, then Alexandra will set you back a bit.  She is Massad, KGB. MI5, and Canadian Royal Mounted police all rolled into one.  She knows all!  Best, Derajo

worldsojourner

I'm new too

I've been reading the posts here for a few weeks and you all have  helped me more than you will ever know.  And I"ve b een praying for you all.

Granny J, I am also 59, was diagnosed with Stage 2c ovarian cancer in January, 2013, did 5 months of chemo, got scanned on Thursday and get results this Wed.  Sister!

 The physical stuff if legitimate. I can tell I've lost strength in my hands and feet, and my endurance is not near what it was, despite exercise. The cognitive problems I had after chemo are improving, when I couldn't add or subtract anything but signe digis [ Yeah, like that! SINGLE digits!]  and couldn't type a sentence on the computer that resembles what I meant to write.

 The emotional part remains hard.  A counselor once told me that I have a low tolerance for unresolved situations. Ha! I struggle to find a reason to act as though I expect to be alive a year from now when I m not sure I will be. But have no reason at this time to think I won't! I got some good info on dealing with this from the American Cancer Society and NIH. I belong to a support group, but two members died last month. Sucks to be in our club! I do have a few people who get it. But my family (sisters, brother) don't want to hear any of it any more. I'm finished chemo, it's over, move on, is what they think. Just not that easy for me.

Thanks for listening, my sisters of teal. Bless you all!

Anne

Alexandra

Welcome to CSN Granny J and Anne

I hope that you start feeling better as time goes by. I know of many people who bounced back.

I can only speak for myself. 15 months after last chemo I came to realize that my long-term chemo-induced physical side effects are permanent (fatigue, weight gain, neuropathy in feet and hands, short-term memory loss and cognitive impairment). I learnt to live with them. Luckily I don't have any emotional issues despite having recurred after first 9 months' remission.

Ovarian and uterine CSN boards are the right place if you need information or want to share with compassionate like-minded patients and survivors.

Virtual hugs,

Alexandra (46 y.o., BRCA1+, stage 3C ovca, 1 recurrence)

 

Granny j

Fun Person

Hi debrajo, you seem like a fun person, I can relate so well to you or should I say the way you write. The weight thing is not a matter of life or death but just adds to the already stressful situation. I have gained 10 pound and was already a round sort of a person before chemo. To make matters worse the mother of the bride is a stick figure so I will not be found standing next to her ha ha. Today I am away to see my GP because I have had a very sore back for a week, I keep thinking it will come right on it's own but each day is painful. I have started taking codine again but that messes with my bowels, not good.

  On a lighter note I am also getting a light trim of the chemo curls, yay.

Granny j

worldsojourner said:

I'm new too

I've been reading the posts here for a few weeks and you all have  helped me more than you will ever know.  And I"ve b een praying for you all.

Granny J, I am also 59, was diagnosed with Stage 2c ovarian cancer in January, 2013, did 5 months of chemo, got scanned on Thursday and get results this Wed.  Sister!

 The physical stuff if legitimate. I can tell I've lost strength in my hands and feet, and my endurance is not near what it was, despite exercise. The cognitive problems I had after chemo are improving, when I couldn't add or subtract anything but signe digis [ Yeah, like that! SINGLE digits!]  and couldn't type a sentence on the computer that resembles what I meant to write.

 The emotional part remains hard.  A counselor once told me that I have a low tolerance for unresolved situations. Ha! I struggle to find a reason to act as though I expect to be alive a year from now when I m not sure I will be. But have no reason at this time to think I won't! I got some good info on dealing with this from the American Cancer Society and NIH. I belong to a support group, but two members died last month. Sucks to be in our club! I do have a few people who get it. But my family (sisters, brother) don't want to hear any of it any more. I'm finished chemo, it's over, move on, is what they think. Just not that easy for me.

Thanks for listening, my sisters of teal. Bless you all!

Anne

Any time

Hi there, any time you want to talk I will be here, god willing. I understand how you feel because even tho my family and friends don't tell me to move on and stop talking about cancer I can tell what they are thinking, move on you have had all the treatment and your hair is growing back so what's the problem. There are a hundred reasons why I am struggling to move on and you will feel the same. Some days I feel quite good and other days I feel sad and painful, I hope the good days are more and the bad one less soon for yourself too. I live in New Zealand and find that the support here is not as good as the support in the USA just going by what I read. So glad to have found this site. Keep well.

 

debrajo

Granny j said:

Fun Person

Hi debrajo, you seem like a fun person, I can relate so well to you or should I say the way you write. The weight thing is not a matter of life or death but just adds to the already stressful situation. I have gained 10 pound and was already a round sort of a person before chemo. To make matters worse the mother of the bride is a stick figure so I will not be found standing next to her ha ha. Today I am away to see my GP because I have had a very sore back for a week, I keep thinking it will come right on it's own but each day is painful. I have started taking codine again but that messes with my bowels, not good.

  On a lighter note I am also getting a light trim of the chemo curls, yay.

Hi

Relate away my dear!  I am the humorus one on meds!  Like I said, I'm not Ovarian, but I've been through the chemo, radiation, sorry doctors,less than supportive family/husband....all the things that when we were well we didn't let bother us.  Now, we belong to a club that, Thank GOD. our families can't relate to.  I'm a night owl and usually up late.  Be aware, I have lousy internet and sometimes it takes DAYS to get on, but I do catch up as  soon as I can.   Hope your back is better.  Get them to do a bone density test.  I had the internal radiation and at the least it has pushed me right into osteprosis on my pelvis, spine and hips.  I am at M.D. Anderson in Houston Texas.  Let me know what you need on just about any topic and if I can't help, we'll find someone on here that will know.  I only has the curls after chemo for about two months, then back to very thin and straight.  I haven't had my hair cut  since I lost it.  Trying to grow enough to donate to Locks o Love, but it is driving me nust and I usually wear long hair.!  See you later!  Debra

Granny j

More codine

Well back from GP and he thinks I have just been doing to much and it will come right in time so more codine is needed for the pain, I hope he is right. My hair was soooo straight when it first came back and very grey but now it is very curly and so soft. I used to have very strong corse hair, dark with a few greys through it. I like my new hair and hope it stays curly. One of my friends who has had cancer and chemo said she was told to get it trimed regularly to keep the curl and make it grow stronger, don't know if that works, but will try. Wendy.

 

poopergirl14052

Granny j said:

More codine

Well back from GP and he thinks I have just been doing to much and it will come right in time so more codine is needed for the pain, I hope he is right. My hair was soooo straight when it first came back and very grey but now it is very curly and so soft. I used to have very strong corse hair, dark with a few greys through it. I like my new hair and hope it stays curly. One of my friends who has had cancer and chemo said she was told to get it trimed regularly to keep the curl and make it grow stronger, don't know if that works, but will try. Wendy.

 

Get even

2014-03-10with that cancer..have a positive attitude and live your life!  Our bodies have gone through trauma and takes a very long time to heal. I have been on non stop chemo for three years and counting. Dr said I looked good and to keep up what I am doing...pace yourself ..if in pain you can smoke too. Welcome to the board and if you have any questions..we are here...stay strong. Val.    PS..I was so happy I had one eyelash..yesterday it was gone..oh well....

Mwee

Welcome new sisters!

Boy, did you come to the right place! Count me in on the gaining of weight, body aches, sore stiff joints and chemo brain. Please don't be angry with yourself and stay in touch. I think you'll find what you are experiencing is quite common and does get better over time.

                                                                 ((((HUGS))))    Maria

Cafewoman53

This disease is the gift that keeps on giving !

The many different side effects from chemo sometimes are temporary and sometimes not but I would not trade them for the alternative . You are alive celebrate that but do it gently lol. I  don't mean to make light of your pains I know it is no fun, insist your doctor address your quality of life issues but in most cases it gets better.

Colleen