Ovarian Cancer - Please help

Speaking from recent experience (diagnosed with Stage  3C in December) I was overwhelmed and scared.  But the wonderful ladies on this board answered every question, even the silly ones, walked me through the process, and told me exactly what to expect.  It took all of the fear of the unknown out of it for me.  They gave me resources and information that I could take to my doctors and have informed discussions.  I don't think I would be as well off as I am now it it were not for the support of this board.  Looking forward to hearing about your wife's travels through the maze of cancer.  We will be here to help.

I'm so sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis.  It's wonderful that you are being proactive in her journey, as we need all the support we can get.  As everyone has already said, this discussion board carries a wealth of support, info and might I add, HUGS.  Let us know what your wife's oncologist is going to recommend.  Then we can be more specific with our suggestions.

In the meantime, I will be praying for you, your wife, and your family.  There is much hope, many reasons to be positive and uplifted, as you will see the more you visit here.  Please encourage your wife to take a look also.  She may find it very therapeutic to 'vent' her feelings.  If anyone understands, we sure do.

(((HUGS)))

Monika

dannythakur said:

Thanks indeed monika for

Thanks indeed monika for help, wishes and prayer. 

We have got surgery done and would start chemo in next 2 to 3 weeks time once she recovers form surgery. 

Would surely share what oncologist is recommending. 

 

Danny 

Hi danny and welcome.  First  let me say a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence.    Please remember that.  Second.  Don't believe everything you read on the internet and try not to search statistics.  Every case is different.

I was diagnosed January 2012 with stage 3c after my hysterectomy.   3 weeks after that surgery I was back in having an intraperitoneal  port put in.  That is a port in the abdomen for chemo.  Three weeks after that I started chemo. 6 rounds of cisplatin/ttaxol.  If and IP (abdominal).  I finished June 25th and just celebrated one year cancer free last month.

Encourage your wife to join us.  It truly helps to chat with ladies who know exactly what she is going through.  This is a helpful, caring bunch and we are all here to help each other.  I was so happy when I found this wonderful group of ladies.

Good luck and please come back with any questions you may have.

Eileen

I am a little late to the party on this one - but still wanted to chime in.  I was diagnosed with Stage 3C ovarian cancer 6 years ago this month.

Medically there are a few different options - usually surgery (hysteroctomy and any other "ectomy" that is required - I also had my appendix and part of my colon removed -  and debulking) then chemo.  Usually first line drugs are carboplatin and or cisplatin combined with taxol.  I trust you have a good gynecological oncologist on board. He will help guide you through any decisions you and your wife have to make.  But be sure to read and seek out any information you can that will help you to make better and more informed decisions - or that will just reinforce that you are doing the right thing.   

Be careful on the internet.  Not sure wher you live but I would suggest you try to stick to reliable sites like the American Cancer Society, Mayo Clinic or MD Anderson and the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.  Knowledge is power. But DO NOT let any statistics you read get to you either.  The first and only time I mentioned stats that I had read about to my doctor.  His nurse responded with "Oh we don't discuss statistics in this office"  He said nothing, he simply gave me a stern fatherly look that was in total agreement with what his nurse said.  Best advice I have received so far!    

I won't surgar coat it - this is a devistating and life altering thing.  However it is not the end of the world either.  As I have said many times before on this board:  There is life after AND WITH cancer!  

As worried as you are about your wife - chances are she is at least as worried about you.   Most of the time my husband and I have  sort of been able to take turns if you will.  When I was weak he was strong and visa versa.  But sometimes we were both blibbering balling idiots together - the key word there being "together".  

Cancer is a very scary word - but believe it or not it will get a little less scary as things progress.  I am 6 years in and although I have had a few - ok more than a few - bumps in the road we are still getting up everyday and doing our thing.  We just got back from a fabulous week long vacation in the mountains.

So much is going through my head because I am so familiar with the impact this has had on my husband and the hurt and helplessness it has caused him.  I can't fix that any more than he can fix me!  It is frustrating for sure. 

Hang in there and just stand by your wife as you go through this journey.  My husband and I have learned a lot and have a bit of an altered perspective on life and what really matters.  An unfortunate way to come about it but ... I believe you have to look for the silver lining where ever you can.  

Please keep us posted.  I hurt so much for my husband and am sure your wife does for you as well.  

The thing that helped me most in finding correct treatment for my cancer was to understand exactly what type of Ovarian Cancer tumors I have. There are a number of different kinds and some respond to different treatments. That being said, I believe most women receive the same chemo as your wife for front line treatment because it statistically has been shown to be effective. In the meantime, see if you can get more precise information about her subtype of cancer and then go to ACS or any other reputable site and google that. It'd be good if you knew if her tumors are hormone receptive or not.

Everyone is different in their reponses to medicine and how the disease presents itself. It's good to remember that what one person believes or experiences may not necessarily be the same as your wife's. So take this time during the chemo marathon to do some research...unless you don't want to, of course! 

dannythakur said:

Ovarian Cancer

 

Three chemo are over and surgery scheduled .. please pray for her. 

 

 

You wrote that your wife had surgery in July prior to starting chemo. Was it just exploratory surgery and is she having interval hysterectomy with debulking now?

She has the best chance if the surgery is performed by the experienced GYN-ONC. Right after in the recovery room the surgeon will tell you if it was optimal (no visible cancer over 1 cm left). She will be able to get up and start walking the day after surgery and should be out of the hospital in a few days once her bowels start working, even less time with laproscopic surgery. Pain should be manageble with painkillers. Wearing an abdominal binder helps. Avoid foods that cause gas. Avoid constipation and straining while having BM. Staples come out in 10-11 days. Full recovery takes 6-8 weeks. I was able to drive and go shopping after 2 weeks. No heavy lifting, no reaching, no sudden movements if she doesn't want hernias or to pop the insicion.

They will restart chemo a few weeks after surgery to kill microscopic cancer cells and will do another 3-4 rounds. If they offer her IP (intraperitoneal) chemo - take it.

Best wishes to both of you.

Alexandra