Date for surgery

groundeffect
groundeffect Member Posts: 639 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hello to all!

I have a date with the oncologist now - September 14th. He said there is a 20-30% chance I may have a temporary colostomy when it's done, because the tumor is close to my colon.

He did say the CT/Pet scans were clear in all other areas, and I am grateful for that! I've already made a post-surgical appointment with my doctor who will do the chemo.

The oncologist told me to stop taking tamoxifen, and now I'm waiting for its effects to wear off. I'd really like to stop having hot flashes, but I guess they're a minor annoyance in the scheme of things, and the drug did help suppress the growth of the tumor. I'll be having a CA-125 done prior to the surgery, and I'm curious to see if it has risen...

I had hoped to take part in an NOCC OVCA walk event in Pittsburgh on October 4th again this year, but it's doubtful I'll be able to participate at this point. Last year our little troop (three) from our support group went, made a wrong turn at the Y in the paths, and walked the LONG way-at least 5 miles, rather than the 1 mile path in the other direction. It was a hot day, and I was afraid our older member was not going to make it, but we all did! It's given us a lot to laugh about, although it wasn't so funny at the time.

Guess it's time to check my chemo beret inventory. I've made some for others since I last had it, but need more for myself. Here's a URL for the pattern: http://tiny.cc/Beret - it's a free pattern, and makes really nice soft berets out of fleece.

Hugs,

Sue

Comments

  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #2
    Good news
    Hi Sue,

    Thanks so much for the update and glad to hear things are moving along and surgery is getting closer, I will continue to keep you in prayer -- and you please will keep us posted. I am sooooooo glad to hear the scan showed no other cancer and with the great results you got the first go around I am sure all well be well.

    Sending lots of Teal Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #3
    Sue,
    I'm glad to hear that you only have one tumor and that it is removable. Such good news! Wishing you smooth sailing with the surgery. Sounds like you are already gearing up for the chemo too. Will it be carbo/taxol? It has been quite awhile for you since you had that right?
    Love the walk event story...
    Warm hugs,
    kathleen:)
  • jamilou
    jamilou Member Posts: 200
    #4
    Glad to Hear From YOU!
    Sue
    I am glad that things are moving for you and you have a date! As always my prayers are with you for a quick recovery. Now it is time to let someone take care of you. You seem to always be taking care of everyone else and I know it is hard being the one in need. Wish I was close so I could walk in your walk for you. It would be such an honor!
    Love and Hugs
    Jami
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #5
    Surgery
    Hate that you have to have the surgery. Last option for me, though I too, have only one tumor showing on sigmoid colon. We are trying the chemo first. I'm so old and scarred. The anti estrogen held mine off for ten months. I have not had any for about 6 weeks now and can say I still have a few hot spells, but maybe it is just Texas. I will not miss them. Will you do chemo after the surgery? Saundra
  • groundeffect
    groundeffect Member Posts: 639 Member
    #6
    saundra said:

    Surgery
    Hate that you have to have the surgery. Last option for me, though I too, have only one tumor showing on sigmoid colon. We are trying the chemo first. I'm so old and scarred. The anti estrogen held mine off for ten months. I have not had any for about 6 weeks now and can say I still have a few hot spells, but maybe it is just Texas. I will not miss them. Will you do chemo after the surgery? Saundra

    Date is now Sept. 16th
    It's ironic that when my OVCA was found it was in September, and now I have a new date with the surgeon for September 16th to remove the tumor.

    I'm not as apprehensive about this surgery as I might be, because I've already had a surgery to remove uterine fibroids (1995), and then the hysterectomy in 2002. I spoke with a consultant from our health insurance today at length, and she described what a colostomy is like when I asked. I can't say I feel any better about that, but I'd rather have time to look into such things in the event it's done. Because I was clueless about OVCA, that cancer was a total surprise!

    My oncologist will be putting in a port for intraperitoneal chemo, and it will be carboplatin and taxol (I think the taxol is given intravenously on a different day), and I will be able to have it at our local cancer center, and my original chemo-administering doc will be in charge of that; I don't know how many rounds yet.

    It's good that I'll be able to have the chemo here rather than traveling two hours to Pittsburgh for it. Speaking with my friends who have seen this oncologist has really given me a lot of confidence in him, and I know I'm in good hands now!

    I hope the tamoxifen wears off soon! I'm still sleeping with little or no coverage, and our temperature has dropped into the 50's at night.

    Thanks for all of your kind words!

    Sue
  • jane65
    jane65 Member Posts: 277
    #7
    groundeffect said:

    Date is now Sept. 16th
    It's ironic that when my OVCA was found it was in September, and now I have a new date with the surgeon for September 16th to remove the tumor.

    I'm not as apprehensive about this surgery as I might be, because I've already had a surgery to remove uterine fibroids (1995), and then the hysterectomy in 2002. I spoke with a consultant from our health insurance today at length, and she described what a colostomy is like when I asked. I can't say I feel any better about that, but I'd rather have time to look into such things in the event it's done. Because I was clueless about OVCA, that cancer was a total surprise!

    My oncologist will be putting in a port for intraperitoneal chemo, and it will be carboplatin and taxol (I think the taxol is given intravenously on a different day), and I will be able to have it at our local cancer center, and my original chemo-administering doc will be in charge of that; I don't know how many rounds yet.

    It's good that I'll be able to have the chemo here rather than traveling two hours to Pittsburgh for it. Speaking with my friends who have seen this oncologist has really given me a lot of confidence in him, and I know I'm in good hands now!

    I hope the tamoxifen wears off soon! I'm still sleeping with little or no coverage, and our temperature has dropped into the 50's at night.

    Thanks for all of your kind words!

    Sue

    Sue
    Hi Sue,
    I wish you the best of luck with the surgery, quick healing, and good health after this episode is over.

    We'll all be here to give you caring and support.

    Jane
  • Cindy54
    Cindy54 Member Posts: 452
    #8
    jane65 said:

    Sue
    Hi Sue,
    I wish you the best of luck with the surgery, quick healing, and good health after this episode is over.

    We'll all be here to give you caring and support.

    Jane

    Sue
    Hi Sue, I am sorry to hear about this latest thing. Let's pray that it goes far away. My Mom had a colostomy after her surgery. It is really not as bad as you might think. The worst of it is getting used to it being there. She used to worry that people would know she had one...that it would show or there would be an odor. They do make the pouches with I believe charcoal chips or something in them. And they also told me to get the ones that have like a small little escape valve on them so that they won't puff up with gas and stay inflated.There is also an organization that provides samples of different types of bags and such. I also got to know the ostomy nurse at St. V's pretty well. She has samples of things that you can try before you order.

    I wish all good things for you, Sue, hugs, Cindy
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #9
    groundeffect said:

    Date is now Sept. 16th
    It's ironic that when my OVCA was found it was in September, and now I have a new date with the surgeon for September 16th to remove the tumor.

    I'm not as apprehensive about this surgery as I might be, because I've already had a surgery to remove uterine fibroids (1995), and then the hysterectomy in 2002. I spoke with a consultant from our health insurance today at length, and she described what a colostomy is like when I asked. I can't say I feel any better about that, but I'd rather have time to look into such things in the event it's done. Because I was clueless about OVCA, that cancer was a total surprise!

    My oncologist will be putting in a port for intraperitoneal chemo, and it will be carboplatin and taxol (I think the taxol is given intravenously on a different day), and I will be able to have it at our local cancer center, and my original chemo-administering doc will be in charge of that; I don't know how many rounds yet.

    It's good that I'll be able to have the chemo here rather than traveling two hours to Pittsburgh for it. Speaking with my friends who have seen this oncologist has really given me a lot of confidence in him, and I know I'm in good hands now!

    I hope the tamoxifen wears off soon! I'm still sleeping with little or no coverage, and our temperature has dropped into the 50's at night.

    Thanks for all of your kind words!

    Sue

    Thanks for the update
    Dearest Sue,

    Thank you so much for the update, I will be praying extra for you the day of the surgery. Healing energies and the docs doing the surgery. IP therapy, according to my chemo nurse, gives women a way better chance of beating this disease and even if they only manage to get one. At least that is what she told me, she said those that got it years ago did way better than those that didn't. It is a tough one though so extra prayers for when you start chemo also.

    I hope this post finds you pulling the covers up too..I know my body takes a long time to clear out drugs that I have added to my system.

    Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie

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