New to this board

Tethys41 said:

So sorry
You have sure been through a lot. No one should get more than two cancers in their lives.
I understand your fear regarding the surgery. We've all been there. But as foreboding as it seems, it will be over before you know it.
I hope your surgery goes well and the waiting in between now and then goes quickly.

Welcome Lisha
You already know how helpful these boards can be. I happen to be a little prejudiced and feel that the women on this board are some of the strongest, kindest and most knowledgeable women I have ever known.

I am sorry you had to come here but we are here to help you however we can. I have often posted about finding this board and sobbing as I typed my first post. I was in treatment and at my wit's end because I felt so sick and hopeless. But I also cried because I felt I finally found people who really understood what I was going through.

We come here to share our experiences and all experiences are welcome. Happy, sad, angry, relieved, hopeless, helpless or just thoughts we may be having that day.

I wish you well on this journey and will remember you in my prayers.


Karen

HUGS & PRAYERS TO YOU
What a way to meet, Lisha, but I'm glad you find solace and comfort here. It certainly is a journey, part of which you have already traveled. Don't be too anxious about the next part of it, as there are lots of people here who care and will support you all the way.

If in fact you have to face OVCA, I hope the surgeon is a gynecologic oncologist. They are best equipped to handle it all - surgery, treatement if necessary, follow-up visits and tests. As for the surgery, I was also nervous because I remembered how much my sister was in pain when she had her hysterctomy. But that was in 1976, and my first surgery was in 2000. What a difference. My doctor is so aggressive and so pro-active with ALL aspects, that he didn't leave any stone unturned - from pre-surgery testing, prep the whole week before, the recovery in the hospital, and at home. My pain was minimal. I couldn't believe how quickly I was up and around. And I was back to work in 5 weeks instead of 6.

I don't want to overwhelm you with details, because this isn't a sure thing yet. So, in the meantime, I will pray for you and send lots of hugs your way. Please keep us informed. You certainly are a strong individual to have gone through so much already. May your strength and hope increase day by day!

Monika

Aw Forme (Lisha)
I am so sad to read this. But this is a great board with caring, compassionate, strong, supportive women. I first started coming to CSN in 2009 . My mother had uterine cancer, a brother-in-law had esoph cancer. I know you are scared , who wouldn't be. Just wanted to say thinking of you and sending great big hugs your way.
Cindy

AnneBehymer said:

welcome to the club no one wants to be a part of.
I so understand overwhelmed is an understatment I felt that way a year ago when I was told I had ovarian cancer. You have come to the right place these ladies have helpped me more than I could say. They are very loving and can help you with all you questions and fear. Please do hesitate in asking for help they are always willing to give it and more and no question is to dumb trust me I know lol. Please come back as much as you want you are in my prayers and thoughts.

Much,
Love, Hugs, and Prayers
Anne

Hi Lisha
The ladies on this board truly understand the fear and anxiety that you're feeling, especially with surgery coming up soon. My tumor was baseball-sized and yet the surgery went smoothly, the pain was kept to a minimum, and my recovery at the hospital and at home went very well. I was ready to go back to work by my fifth week. This may sound weird but I look back on my surgery and hospital stay with fondness because they got the bad stuff out of me and saved my life. Plus I got great care there.

Sending you good thoughts and prayers as you prepare for surgery and whatever comes next. We're here to support you in anyway we can.

Hugs,
Kelly

forme said:

Thank you
Hello sweet ladies

Thank you for your warm and kind words. Every bit of info can only help.

I was in nursing many years ago and by nature I am a researcher. I always want all the facts and time to sort through them. Of course, when it's me needing the surgery, I am scared. Surgery has always scared me. I have had many. It's the being put to sleep part and the pain that follows when you wake up.

I know that any question is a good question, so here goes...

The bowel prep before surgery concerns me some. Since I now have continual pain from the size of the largest tumor (17cm) and even a small amount of gas pains are truly bad, will the bowel prep add greatly to my pain. Do any of you ladies have any tips to ease this first part of the journey?

Thanks again
Lisha

Bowel Prep
Lisha,
As you know, every patient is different. I had no pain relative to the bowel prep. I was having pain with gas and with bowel movements prior to surgery, but the "GoLytly" did not aggravate these symptoms. I was well on my way to a bowel obstruction, which I didn't realize until half way through my gallon of prep, when it was backed up into my stomach. But even that wasn't painful. Very uncomfortable yes. Good luck.

forme said:

Thanks
Hi Tethys

Thank you. I don't have pain with bowel movements, a little with constipation and a lot with gas. Also, am now having constant pain all the time from the large tumor.But it's different from the sharp gas pains.
My onc is having me drink 1 bottle of magnesium citrate, it's a very small bottle and also using two of the small fleet enemas. one the day before and one the day of.
Hopefully this type of prep will not be to uncomfortable.

Thanks again for your input.
Lisha

Hi Lisha
I hope your bowel prep goes easily. I, also had thyroid cancer, but that was many years ago. I had my debulking surgery in 2006 and was amazed how quickly I recovered. We'll be right here for you and waiting to hear that you had an easy "go".
(((HUGS))) Maria