Need advice. :)

Sandy10
Sandy10 Member Posts: 80
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hello!!

I am new to this board. i am so glad some one told me about it. Finally have a place to talk to people who know what i'm going through!! :)

I need some advise and info. I was diagnosed at stage 3C on Feb. 1st this year. i underwent a massive surgery including ovaries, appendix, omentum and 2 bowel resections. 5 months of IV and IP chemo. my last CT and CA125 were last week with the CT showing no metastatic disease and CA125 was 8.7. although I know that is GOOD news, i am still exhausted all the time and have digestive issues and I was wondering how long it takes to actually start "feeling better?" My doctor says i'm pushing too hard. I feel like I should be feeling better than i am. Any advise or info? I am SO ready to get back to my life!!!! Thank you!!!!

Sandy

Comments

  • newhopechurchli
    newhopechurchli Member Posts: 126
    #2
    Hi Sandy
    It took me quite a while to feel better. Realistically.... probably around 2 years to be completely back to normal. I still had such pain in my body... especially my legs. Sometimes they hurt so bad I would cry. The IV and IP chemo takes a toll on your body. Did you know that a large percent of woman can't even finish the IP chemo because their bodies can't handle it. But the good news little by little you will feel better. Just do what you can and then rest. Hope this helps you :)
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #3
    IP chemo
    Sandy,
    Welcome. I had IP chemo in Feb '09 and I still have digestive issues. I also had two bowel resections and an illeostomy that was reversed. I dont' think my bowels will ever be back to normal! I am currently on chemo so I do feel tired. Last summer when I was in remission I did fatigue easily but then again I do have two young boys at home to take care of. Be easy on yourself and good luck!!
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #4
    Hi Sandy,
    and welcome to the board! Surgery plus chemo can take a toll on your body. And I have also heard that the IP is the roughtest kind of chemo to have. Give yourself a break, take some time to play, and take it a day at a time. You will feel better. But, at the same time, you may need to accept a "new normal" for yourself. I am currently on 4th line chemo, have energy, feel good, and have a good QOL, but I don't expect my body to do the same things I did prior to my dx 3 years ago.

    Hugs,
    kathleen❥
  • Sandy10
    Sandy10 Member Posts: 80
    #5
    Thank you guys so much!!! I
    Thank you guys so much!!! I appreciate the info. i feel better now knowing that I'm not crazy!!! I guess I'm just being inpatient. I went through the treatment,did all the chemo and now i just want to get back to my life. I'm an emergency room nurse in a very busy trauma center. I love what i do but it looks like i will have to transfer to another floor because we work 12 hour shifts and usually are on our feet for the whole time and there is no way i can do that right now. I really miss working and feeling "normal." I guess I will just have to calm down and take it easy and let my body get over the war it was just in. thank you so much for the info!!! I pray every night for everyone with OC. God Bless you all!!!!!

    Sandy
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #6
    Sandy10 said:

    Thank you guys so much!!! I
    Thank you guys so much!!! I appreciate the info. i feel better now knowing that I'm not crazy!!! I guess I'm just being inpatient. I went through the treatment,did all the chemo and now i just want to get back to my life. I'm an emergency room nurse in a very busy trauma center. I love what i do but it looks like i will have to transfer to another floor because we work 12 hour shifts and usually are on our feet for the whole time and there is no way i can do that right now. I really miss working and feeling "normal." I guess I will just have to calm down and take it easy and let my body get over the war it was just in. thank you so much for the info!!! I pray every night for everyone with OC. God Bless you all!!!!!

    Sandy

    RN
    Hey Sandy I am an RN as well. My job was a lot less stressful. I worked in short term rehab. I did resign after being diagnosed. Mostly because I have two young boys at home who were and 5 and the time of my diagnosis. Just so you know, you will almost certainly be approved for SSI with your diagnosis if you need some extra time off.

    I am curious to know, being a nurse, did you ignore your symptoms or were you misdiagnosed? In January of '08 I had my annual gyn exam which included an internal sono, all was clear. In April of that year I started having bad constipation and bowel pain. I went to see gastro and my symptoms were totally dismissed. In Sept of that same year, 8 months from my annual, I have stage 4 ovca. It wasnt' until I brought myself to the ER did they do some diagnostic testing which lead to my diagnosis.

    GOOD LUCK!
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #7
    Welcome Sandy
    I was diagnosed 3C in May 06, and I had the similar surgeries and chemo. Your good news is GREAT news. My advice is to rest when you're tired and be a little easier on yourself. I still have digestive issues and it just may be my "new" normal. I have always been an energizer bunny type person and it's so very hard for me to balance. I can totally relate to your frustration. You know what the best thing is? We're able to be frustrated that we're not at the strength level that we might like AND you found a place where everyone will understand exactly how you feel!
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • Sandy10
    Sandy10 Member Posts: 80
    #8
    nancy591 said:

    RN
    Hey Sandy I am an RN as well. My job was a lot less stressful. I worked in short term rehab. I did resign after being diagnosed. Mostly because I have two young boys at home who were and 5 and the time of my diagnosis. Just so you know, you will almost certainly be approved for SSI with your diagnosis if you need some extra time off.

    I am curious to know, being a nurse, did you ignore your symptoms or were you misdiagnosed? In January of '08 I had my annual gyn exam which included an internal sono, all was clear. In April of that year I started having bad constipation and bowel pain. I went to see gastro and my symptoms were totally dismissed. In Sept of that same year, 8 months from my annual, I have stage 4 ovca. It wasnt' until I brought myself to the ER did they do some diagnostic testing which lead to my diagnosis.

    GOOD LUCK!

    symptoms
    Nancy,

    Hello!! Thanks for the info on SSI. I am currently recieving disability from my insurance and can collect that for 2 years. although it is not as much as i was recieving from my paycheck, it pays the bills. :)

    As far as my symptoms, i think i was ignoring them. I only had urinary frequency and was thinking it was from having kids and getting older. I never had pain or bowel problems until AFTER my surgery. :) I had a completer physical in Jan. of this year and got a clean bill of health. 2 weeks later I felt a little "pulling" in my groin and dismissed it as a pulled muscle because we had just bought a house and had been moving furniture. later that week I was laying on my bed and starting to palpate the area of the "pulling" and found a mass there. I immediately called my doctor who set up an ultra sound. The U/S showed a mass filling my entire pelvic cavity. Next was the cat scan. I had the cat scan dine at my hospital by the techs in the ER. One of our ER docs is married to one of our surgeons. He took a look at the films and was the one to drop the bomb. He called in a favor for me and got me in with the best GYN/ONC in our area. I was in surgery 3 days later. Spent a week in ICU, 2 of those days were on a vent. Next week in the surgical unit. Had an ileus that lasted 12 days. Recieved TPN and LIPIDS through a picc line. During Chemo i was hospitalized for dehydration, abdominal pain, intractable vomiting and a DVT in my messentaric vein. Now that chemo is over, i do feel a little better but i guess i will have to accept that I may never be like i was before. I want to return to my ER. I loved my job!!! it really upsets me that I may not be able to return to it.

    I am glad that you are doing well. When i see stories like yours it gives me hope. I have a new grand daughter and I want to see her grow up!!! I am SO not ready to kick the bucket!!! there is way too much stuff i want to do!!! :)

    Thanks again,
    Sandy
  • Sandy10
    Sandy10 Member Posts: 80
    #9
    Mwee said:

    Welcome Sandy
    I was diagnosed 3C in May 06, and I had the similar surgeries and chemo. Your good news is GREAT news. My advice is to rest when you're tired and be a little easier on yourself. I still have digestive issues and it just may be my "new" normal. I have always been an energizer bunny type person and it's so very hard for me to balance. I can totally relate to your frustration. You know what the best thing is? We're able to be frustrated that we're not at the strength level that we might like AND you found a place where everyone will understand exactly how you feel!
    (((HUGS))) Maria

    Thank you so much Maria!!!
    I
    Thank you so much Maria!!!

    I was also the energizer bunny. I will give myself some more time and rest when i need it. I guess i have to be patient with myself. It is definately difficult to do.

    Thanks so much for the info and advice. it is greatly appreciated!!

    Sandy
  • vj1
    vj1 Member Posts: 150
    #10
    Sandy10 said:

    Thank you so much Maria!!!
    I
    Thank you so much Maria!!!

    I was also the energizer bunny. I will give myself some more time and rest when i need it. I guess i have to be patient with myself. It is definately difficult to do.

    Thanks so much for the info and advice. it is greatly appreciated!!

    Sandy

    Sandy
    I too will say welcome Sandy---I was dx May/09; went thru surgery, chemo and never had a bad day, in fact after my 2nd chemo I painted 2 rooms that week. I am sure I was propelled by the shock of it all but do feel blessed that I got thru my treatments with no problem.
    You had a lot done and you went thru a lot after surgery---just pace yourself. Remember we have to listen to our bodies! May only the best be out there for you.

Discussion Boards