Ovarian Recurrance

Hello! I am also 40 years old. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer last June. I am still on chemotherapy (I've had Taxol/Carboplatin, Doxil, and now Topotecan). I understand how you feel. After 10 straight months of chemotherapy, I'm getting pretty scared too. I am able to work part-time, but there's still plenty of time I don't have the energy to do much of anything. I've been doing meditation and practicing Kundalini yoga and it's made a big difference in how I feel. It's helping me feel better about my body (after two surgeries, my abs aren't what they were!), and friends tell me that it has made me much calmer and more grounded. I've also been doing a low fat/high fiber, mostly vegetarian diet. Other than the side effects from chemo, I actually feel pretty good! I just try to focus on the things that I can do, not what I can't. I've also found that working with my hands helps a lot--painting, making jewelry, working with clay, crocheting. It's very calming and gives you a sense of accomplishment. Best of luck to you, and hang in there!! There's lots of hope for all of us!!

Lisah: I am 48 years old and was diagnosed with Stage 1C Ovarian in 2000. I went through a total hysterctomy, including removal of omentum and some lymph nodes. I also had 6 months of chemo. Today, God willing, I am cancer free. I say that because it is just that - one day at a time. I won't ramble on here, but I hope we can continue to communicate. I am so please to see that many of the responses you receive are people who are lifting you up with their faith and prayers. Please know I am doing the same. In the meantime, I have a couple of suggestions. Because my husband and I have always been 'health nuts' so to speak, we have tried to keep up on everything regarding nutrition, exercise and general health. Now, even though I was taking care of myself before this happened, it doesn't mean I wasn't doing something right. Things could have been much worse. And I believe EVERYTHING you do helps you in some way. So, during my struggle with cancer I focused more on certain things and found out the following: Estrogen is a huge factor in ovarian cancer. Because I had a history of endometriosis, that was also a factor. So, to keep my estrogen levels down I am on a resistive training program (weights, although I use a Bowflex). I exercised before, but I have really maginified my approach. I stay away from 'estrogen friendly' products such as flax seed (which I used before all of this), soy products, and I have dropped my carbohydrates, and increased my protein. During my chemo, when it was difficult to eat, I used protein bars for nutrition. I used MetRx products, you can seek out your own favorite! I would break off little bits at a time and drink some ice water with it. It sustained me during the long days of no appetite, no interest in eating. Anyway, here I'm rambling on again! I will close for now. I hope you find some of this helpful. And there is certainly more we can talk about. Right now, I am going to get my monthly CA125 test. Although my level fluctuates, it has remained fairly steady since the chemo. I believe that these things I am doing helps to keep it that way, so I am hoping for a good report next week! Please, don't get down on yourself for your 'feelings'. God understands and so do I. Even though I am not going through what you are at this moment, this will always be in the back of my mind, worrying if it will recurr, it's scarey. But look at it this way: you are doing what you have to do, it is in His hands. Allow yourself your weak moments, but also allow yourself to enjoy the moments that you can. I will write more later. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
Monika

I am 44. I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer stage 3 in May 01. Right after my surgery and even during my chemo, I started to change my diet. The main advice is eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, seeds, which I followed. I am careful with my fat and sugar intake. I am eating more salmon and less meat. I am also taking a few supplements. A year after my chemo I started to do a form of qigong (chinese exercise). Almost immediately my fatigue was gone and I was less afraid. While I did walk before, this year my goal is to walk at least 45 mins. 4-5 times a week. I have lost some of the fat around my waist as a result, although I still weigh pretty much the same as before diagnosis. My main aim is to improve my immune system. My ears ring and sometimes I don't get a good night's sleep. Recently I started to pratice deep breathing. I try not to think too far ahead. I know a recurrence is a possiblity. Rather than dwell on it, I prefer to research and following a healthier lifestyle. It beats mopping around. I do allow myself to ask "what if". I think I will still do all of the above - and more.

Hi Lisah -- I was diagnosed originally in 1993. I went for 9 years without a recurrence. In January 2002, it came back. I have been getting chemo for 15 months. It gets pretty hectic but I am still here and plugging along. Like the others that responded, I focus on the positive things in my life. I think its absolutely wonderful that I wake up every morning. Things could be much worse. Don't be scared of it. Life is too short to worry about things we can't control. If I can give you any support, please let me know. I am the cockeyed optimist. Keep the faith.

padic said:

I am 51 years old & was diagnosed with ovarian cancer April, 2002. Had both ovaries removed & started on 8 rounds of taxol/carboplatin. They changed taxol to taxefene after 4 treatments because of neuropathy in hands & feet. CA 125 went down to 25 after the 4th round & stayed there for 6 months after chemo finished. Then it began to go up rapidly. It was 537 when we began carboplatin again. I now have ascites (never had this during 1st round of chemo) & stomach is very tender. I am on extra-strength Tylenol & Pepcid before each meal. I also am having discomfort when I urinate. Occasional constipation has been a problem since the 9th round of chemo. I had a severe allergic reaction to the carboplatin last week & almost lapsed into a coma. I was told this can happen on the 8th or 9th round of carboplatin--I was on #10, so they thought I had passed it. Now they are going to start me on topotecan next week. I will have 3 weekly treatments & see if the CA 125 number goes down. I am looking into changing to a vegan diet & trying to start walking a few times a week. I admit I do very little exercise & the chemo fatigue doesn't help. I feel like I need more information about everything. The recurrence happening so soon after the 1st round of chemo really knocked me for a loop--I thought I was in remission & safe from a recurrence. Always the optimist--never let it get you down. Wrong---now I am dealing with reality & need some answers to some tough questions. Anyone out there experienced this? Send me some feedback.

I am 50 and am worried about recurrance. I am having much anxiety. Some pains but the CA125 is okay. Feel so lucky but really emotionally upset

padic said:

I am 51 years old & was diagnosed with ovarian cancer April, 2002. Had both ovaries removed & started on 8 rounds of taxol/carboplatin. They changed taxol to taxefene after 4 treatments because of neuropathy in hands & feet. CA 125 went down to 25 after the 4th round & stayed there for 6 months after chemo finished. Then it began to go up rapidly. It was 537 when we began carboplatin again. I now have ascites (never had this during 1st round of chemo) & stomach is very tender. I am on extra-strength Tylenol & Pepcid before each meal. I also am having discomfort when I urinate. Occasional constipation has been a problem since the 9th round of chemo. I had a severe allergic reaction to the carboplatin last week & almost lapsed into a coma. I was told this can happen on the 8th or 9th round of carboplatin--I was on #10, so they thought I had passed it. Now they are going to start me on topotecan next week. I will have 3 weekly treatments & see if the CA 125 number goes down. I am looking into changing to a vegan diet & trying to start walking a few times a week. I admit I do very little exercise & the chemo fatigue doesn't help. I feel like I need more information about everything. The recurrence happening so soon after the 1st round of chemo really knocked me for a loop--I thought I was in remission & safe from a recurrence. Always the optimist--never let it get you down. Wrong---now I am dealing with reality & need some answers to some tough questions. Anyone out there experienced this? Send me some feedback.

I have a similar situation. I am 54 years old. I was diagnosed in June of 2001. Had hysterectomy, then 23 treatments of taxo/carbo. My CA started at 10,500 and got down to 92 then started to rise again. I got off taxol/carbo in Feb. with CA at 400 and it is now 1400. Cat scans show no cancer and my Doctor says I don't have to do anything. Do I just wait for it to attach somewhere else? No thanks. Anyway I took first round of carbo alone last week and had a reaction, flush and chills. I am afraid of what you said about coma, but Carbo has better odds than most. Ca went up 200 pts. but my reading says it takes 2-4 treatments to work. I went to Dr. this morning and he said I could try again or start on something else and he likes topetecan. I am having trouble imagining going in 5 days in a row. How are you feeling from it and any ideas. If you want to answer by e-mail it is pksold@earthlink.net. Thanks for any help you can offer.

leonorafriend said:

hi lisah230, I found out I had ovarian cancer at age 45, and that was 5 years ago. I get scared it will come back. I also believe in God and pray alot for stength and courage to meet each day. If you need to talk or pray together, I'm here! Leonora G. Friend

Do you mind sharing what stage your cancer was in?