New to the Group

dinny
dinny Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi, I just located this support group. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on 1/23/99 and had surgery on 1/25/99. This was five months after my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer, so I was not only a caregiver, but also someone who needed care. I lost my husband in 5/99. I had nine months of chemo, Taxol and Cisplatin, and out of the surgery came an abdominal hernia which really started bothering me. When I decided to have it repaired a year ago last April, another tumor was found. I then had 8 months of taxol, cysplatinol and two months of cytoxin. I finished this past February. I have had nothing but problems with the hernia because one of the sutures is hitting a nerve; I have and have had a lot of pain from head to toe. It feels like it's in the muscles. I'm not sure at this point if it's a nasty flareup of fibromyalgia or if it's related to the chemo. We're looking into that now. I'm also having edema in my arms and ankles. My stomach always seems bloated. Fatigue always seems to be there and I do things whenever the fatigue is less. It's all relative! My oncologist just had a stroke and his nurse of 15 years just retired, so I feel as tho I've lost a major support group. Are any of you out there in the Chicago area? I must say that in order to try to keep this all at bay, I am totally changing my eating habits after reading many books. I'm eating as many raw vegetables and some fruit as I can. I am totally off red meat and eat very little chicken and dairy products. I'm also drinking lots of juices, especially carrot juice with celery and parsley. I've read many times that those with cancer should eat 60-80% raw foods. I look forward to hearing from all of you and if there's any questions I can maybe answer, let me know.

Comments

  • crtsang
    crtsang Member Posts: 102
    #2
    I can certainly understand how you feel you have lost a major support group. Have you thought about checking out the Gilda's Club in Chicago? You don't mention where you are, and maybe it isn't convenient: It's on North Wells, I think around the 700 block, but I'm not sure. It's a community for people who are living with cancer--broadly defined. They have a variety of activities, including different kinds of suppport groups.

    It's been a godsend to me (though I'm not, just now, in Chicago.
  • snockums
    snockums Member Posts: 2
    #3
    Dinny, I also just found this support group and wish it had been around years ago. First I want to send my sincere condolances in the loss of your husband. Knowing the love and support given me by my husband during my cancer treatments and beyond, I can't imagine how you held on through it all. I hope you get your strength from Jesus Christ, as I did, for He is there for you.
    I am a cancer survivor of 10 years!! Praise God! I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer (endometrial stromal sarcoma, stage III) in Aug. '91. At that time I was 41 with 2 daughters (ages 17 & 13). I had a hysterectomy 2 weeks later and was told to go home and assume all the cancer was gone. The doc said it was a rare type and little was known about it. When I went back for my 6-wk check-up another tumor was found. Thankfully, I was sent to another doc who had treated this type cancer 6 yrs earlier. I had a second surgery Oct 7, '91 and began chemo one week later. I was given Chisplatin and Adramician every 3 weeks by IV. Had to go into hospital on Thurs., was put to sleep and woke up Sat. morning after having received the treatments. This went on for 4-5 months until side effects of the Chisplatin demanded that it be stopped. After that I received a couple of months treatment of a cocktail of several other chemo drugs. To make a long story short, I finished chemo March '92 and have had no signs of cancer since!!
    Research I did said I had less than a 10% chance of survival for 5 years. My wonderful doc would only say that statistics mean nothing. I guess if you are in the 10% then they don't! Anyway, I just want you to know there is LIFE after chemo. My daughters have since married and given me 3 terrific grandchildren. I still go to the Cancer Treatment Center once a year for a check-up. Other than taking lots of vitamins, I have not changed my habits. I do not have the strength I once had, but blame myself for part of that (I'm lazy!) I did develope fibromyalgia, I think because of the chemo, and have some nerve damage in my legs and feet. Other than that, things are as normal as normal can be.
    I would love to correspond with you, if you would like to. You will be in my prayers.
    Snockums
  • cybrkat
    cybrkat Member Posts: 1
    #4
    My names Kathy & i am from chicago but live in nc now.I also have ovarian cancer & am recieving chemo again for a reoccurence.My last chemo was in 99.I am recieving taxol & carboplatin weekly.I just found this web site also so if you need to talk feel free to e-mail me @ cybrkat7@aol.com
  • cyndee
    cyndee Member Posts: 3
    #5
    I have and have had a lot of pain from head to toe. It feels like it's in the muscles. I'm not sure at this point if it's a nasty flareup of fibromyalgia or if it's related to the chemo. We're looking into that now. I'm also having edema in my arms and ankles. My stomach always seems bloated. Fatigue always seems to be there and I do things whenever the fatigue is less.
    This sounds like you are describing me to a T.
    They finally decided I have fibromyalgia and neropothy. i did 9 rounds of Carboplatin and taxol after my suboptimal debulking surgery. The fatigue is is a real pain in th butt.
    I am so sorry about your husband. My Father died of colon cancer.
    But girl.. look at it this way, your still fighing the fight. and from the sounds of it, you have given cancer a real good run, so keep strong and keep running.
    Wishing you "wellness"
    Cyndee

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