Hello- I am new here

jadav1956
jadav1956 Member Posts: 95 Member
I am unfortunatly a newly diagnosed ovarian cancer pt. I am having surgery on Monday 5/9/11 at UK hospital in Lexington, KY. I have been reading some posts, and I have to say there is a lot of support and love here. All my gyn/oncology told me yesterday has just flown out of my head. It was too much for me to hear. I am numb I think right now. I remember he said I would have the rt ovary removed- prev. hysterectomy 2/03- except for the rt ovary that now has cancer. He would also remove the omentum and any other cancer that he could see. After I have healed from surgery I will start chemo, but I don't remember much else. I hope to post and read here frequently. Thanks ladies so much for your input and support.
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Comments

  • Lisa13Q
    Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
    Dear Jadav
    I am soo sorry you have to join this clyb, but you have come to the right place. The women here are an encyclopedia of ovaraian cancer knowledge. I, myself, don't have OVCA, but my Mom does. WE have been fighting this battle for 2 years now and I am amazed at this board. I am sure you will be getting the de-bulking surgery and then carbo-taxol, which should get rid of any leftover seedlings of the OVCA....although you are overwhelmed right now, you will soon move to fighter spirit!!! Please keep us posted and wait for all the ladies here to give you great advice on what to expect!!
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    Welcome
    Of course you're numb for it's just so very much to take in all at once. Sounds like you're getting the standard debulking surgery. Best of luck with you're surgery. We'll be waiting to hear how it all went for you and ready to help with any questions you might have about chemo, etc.
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • Lmm041
    Lmm041 Member Posts: 33
    Support
    I'm so sorry you have contracted this horrible disease. I understand how you feel overwhelmed at this point...my wife was the same way (diagnosed OVCA Stage IV, March '10).

    It was my job as her caretaker to absorb all the minutia and guide her in decision making processes.

    Hang in there! There is life after diagnosis of this disease. Never let it steal your joy of living!

    Bless you.
  • MK_4Dani
    MK_4Dani Member Posts: 314
    So sorry you have be here but...
    welcome. Ask questions, vent, tell us something funny. We are all here to help in any way we can.
    Mary
  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    MK_4Dani said:

    So sorry you have be here but...
    welcome. Ask questions, vent, tell us something funny. We are all here to help in any way we can.
    Mary

    Jada
    Sorry you had to join the club but we are all sisters,,,teal sisters that is. Good luck on your surgery on Monday. I will be thinking and praying for you. Keep us updated when you are able as we are here to help. Stay strong..val
  • VickiReed
    VickiReed Member Posts: 66
    Welcome Jada
    So sorry to hear the news. You have come to the right place for information and friendship both. Feel free to ask any questions.
    XXXX
    Vicki
  • jbeans888
    jbeans888 Member Posts: 313
    It's shocking
    Dear jadav,
    I am also sorry you have to join the group. I know how shocking it is to find out you have cancer and the word chemo just sucks and is scary. I am 31 and can't believe I have ovca stage 3c. I was diagnosed in late February and have 3 of 6 Chemo's done. I also had my first chemo a week after debulking surgery. Just keep your head up even when it feels down. It will pass. I will pray for you Monday. Welcome to the teal club.
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    Welcome Aboard
    Welcome to the Teal Princess Cruise Lines! If you play your medications correctly, you will be able to avoid the vomitorium altogether (although if you need it, it's to your left!). Please feel free to lay about the house in your jammies for the first three days following chemo, then gradually work yourself up to full activity (just in time for the next round of chemo!)

    In all seriousness, chemo is life saving. You will be so glad you elected to fight with all of the armaments at your disposal! I have found that my mindset is strongly affecting my recovery (although don't ask me about my CA125 at the moment!). I had no problem with surgery, and chemo went fairly smoothly. If I need to revisit chemo, I may need to reconsider whether or not to take a medical retirement (I'm a fourth grade teacher).

    As for the surgery, here is a list of things you will NEED:

    several extra large comfy nightshirts
    extra large boy short underwear
    your own pillow
    dry shampoo (and brush)
    word search magazines
    light reading (magazines are ideal, my concentration was shot)
    cell phone
    toothbrush and toothpaste

    Everything should fit into one bag. You'll only be there five days if you're lucky (and there's a snow storm going on.) If you need to be there longer, that's when your family can step in and keep you supplied with stuff you need.

    I'm praying you're in and out with no complications!

    Hugs,

    Leesa
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    Welcome!
    Sorry you had to join us! Take it a step at a time and come back a often as you can to give us updates. Great bunch of gals here. It has made my 4 year journey much more doable.
    Hugs,
    kathleen
  • jadav1956
    jadav1956 Member Posts: 95 Member
    Lisa13Q said:

    Dear Jadav
    I am soo sorry you have to join this clyb, but you have come to the right place. The women here are an encyclopedia of ovaraian cancer knowledge. I, myself, don't have OVCA, but my Mom does. WE have been fighting this battle for 2 years now and I am amazed at this board. I am sure you will be getting the de-bulking surgery and then carbo-taxol, which should get rid of any leftover seedlings of the OVCA....although you are overwhelmed right now, you will soon move to fighter spirit!!! Please keep us posted and wait for all the ladies here to give you great advice on what to expect!!

    Thanks
    Thanks ladies !!! I remember the doc said it was a de-bulking surgery. I have fluid in my abdomen that makes me feel so awful. No pain just this fluid. I also remember he said probably stage 3- I don't even know what that means. I mean he said usually that is what it is when finally diagnosed. I just want to feel better so I can get on with this fight that I am in. I appreciate all of the advice I can get. I hope to be out of hospital by the end of the week at least. I think the doc also said the chemo would start as soon as I felt better after the surgery. He said it would be a big surgery ? I don't know what that means other than he said he would take out all he could see. Thanks Jackie
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    kayandok said:

    Welcome!
    Sorry you had to join us! Take it a step at a time and come back a often as you can to give us updates. Great bunch of gals here. It has made my 4 year journey much more doable.
    Hugs,
    kathleen

    Welcome
    and prayers to you for your upcoming surgery. Once the fluid is gone, you will feel so much better. I had 5 liters removed and another 3 a week later. This was before surgery or any other treatment. Just that made the difference from me not being able to get out of bed to actually feeling pretty normal. So best of luck. You're going to find out you are a much tougher person than you ever imagined.

    Karen
  • carolenk
    carolenk Member Posts: 907 Member
    kikz said:

    Welcome
    and prayers to you for your upcoming surgery. Once the fluid is gone, you will feel so much better. I had 5 liters removed and another 3 a week later. This was before surgery or any other treatment. Just that made the difference from me not being able to get out of bed to actually feeling pretty normal. So best of luck. You're going to find out you are a much tougher person than you ever imagined.

    Karen

    Welcome Jackie!
    Welcome Jackie! You haven't mentioned the infusion port. Even though there have been some recent postings from ladies who are having problems with their ports, overall, the port is a good way to get through chemo without ruining your veins. You might be getting one of those after surgery & before chemo.

    Hope everything goes smoothly for you. Please keep us updated.

    Carolen
  • Chemo_Princess
    Chemo_Princess Member Posts: 105
    Welcome
    Sorry you had to join our group, but there are wonderful ladies here. I'm in KY too! In Louisville. I was diagnosed stage 3C at age 30. Two years later and I'm not giving up the fight. My advise for your surgery is make sure you take your pain medicine! It's easier to prevent pain than control it. Also if you are going to wear a wig go ahead and get one before your hair falls out; that way you can find one that matches your current hairstyle.
    Praying your surgery goes well and your recovery time is short.
    Blessings,
    Natalie
  • LaundryQueen
    LaundryQueen Member Posts: 676

    Welcome
    Sorry you had to join our group, but there are wonderful ladies here. I'm in KY too! In Louisville. I was diagnosed stage 3C at age 30. Two years later and I'm not giving up the fight. My advise for your surgery is make sure you take your pain medicine! It's easier to prevent pain than control it. Also if you are going to wear a wig go ahead and get one before your hair falls out; that way you can find one that matches your current hairstyle.
    Praying your surgery goes well and your recovery time is short.
    Blessings,
    Natalie

    Good ideas & information
    I guess we are not supposed to give each other advice on here--let's just say you'll get lots of good information, ideas & support here. Natalie is right about the pain medicine--it's harder to get rid of pain if you wait & it's better to take it to manage pain before it gets a hold on you.

    No discussion about pain management is complete without mentioning the constipation that is caused by narcotics. Find something that works for you. I used Milk of Magnesia and steel-cut oatmeal. It's a balancing act.

    (((HUGS)))
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834

    Good ideas & information
    I guess we are not supposed to give each other advice on here--let's just say you'll get lots of good information, ideas & support here. Natalie is right about the pain medicine--it's harder to get rid of pain if you wait & it's better to take it to manage pain before it gets a hold on you.

    No discussion about pain management is complete without mentioning the constipation that is caused by narcotics. Find something that works for you. I used Milk of Magnesia and steel-cut oatmeal. It's a balancing act.

    (((HUGS)))

    Welcome to the club no one
    Welcome to the club no one wants to join. You will love the girls you meet here.

    I had my hair cut really short before my surgery, because I knew it would start falling out 2 weeks into chemo.

    I took my laptop to the hospital with me, or I might have had my husband bring it up later. I forget. But either way, it helped keep me occupied. I also bought an eReader and loaded a ton of books onto it, pre-surgery.

    The chemo is usually 6 doses, one every 3 weeks, with blood draws in between. In about 5 months it will all be over (unless you do maintenance chemo). And this time next year, you will have hair again, and a man in your life. He's called NED - no evidence of disease - and all of us chase after him shamlessly.

    Be sure and let us know how you are doing. We tend to go all mother hen on each other, otherwise.

    Carlene
  • Best Friend
    Best Friend Member Posts: 222
    info
    I always take a tablet into my mom's appts. Also, it helps to bring someone else so that they can speed-write it for you. It helps you learn more about everything. You are the one that has to go through it so you should know just as much as your doc.
  • pstur1
    pstur1 Member Posts: 37
    Welcome Jadav
    Hearing the words, "you have cancer" is not exactly an easy thing to take in. I am going into my fourth year of this and I still don't know half the stuff they tell me though I figure it out soon enough. Welcome and I am sorry we have to meet under these circumstances.

    Until recently I didn't read the boards or participate, stupid really, there is a lot of great info, great support, and great people on here. Welcome aboard and best of luck in your journey.
  • vj1
    vj1 Member Posts: 150
    pstur1 said:

    Welcome Jadav
    Hearing the words, "you have cancer" is not exactly an easy thing to take in. I am going into my fourth year of this and I still don't know half the stuff they tell me though I figure it out soon enough. Welcome and I am sorry we have to meet under these circumstances.

    Until recently I didn't read the boards or participate, stupid really, there is a lot of great info, great support, and great people on here. Welcome aboard and best of luck in your journey.

    Jadav
    Welcome and I too am sorry you have to join. Keep your spirits high and positive. I am approaching year 2 of 3C. Each day is a special day (always felt this way) but even more so now. You will do fine and do not hesitate to contact this group of teal sisters. We all have cried, vented and screamed. Good luck to you and our thoughts and prayers are with you. Stay in touch.

    Verna
  • srwruns
    srwruns Member Posts: 343
    WElcome! Of course sorry
    WElcome! Of course sorry you had to join...I finished chemo two months ago and this group kept me sane through the whole ordeal... it was very manageable. Best of luck.
  • anicca
    anicca Member Posts: 334 Member
    Thinking about you today,
    Thinking about you today, and hoping your surgery went well and they have caught it early.

    DB