6 weeks after surgery-no chemo yet

VictoriaSF
VictoriaSF Member Posts: 165
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
hi,
i had my surgery on nov 15th, 2010 - stage 3c ovarian cancer,
doctors wanted me to have 6 weeks for recovery and yesterday i had my onco appt.
i have healed well and off my pain meds by now,
but i do have annoying pain on my right side, below ribs.
it is not sharp, but constantly there.. and more painful when i sneeze or cough.
have to say i did have that pain before surgery too.
I thought the icites put pressure - as dr's removed 14 leters during surgery.
or maybe something is hiding behind pancreas or liver?
Doctor asked for ct scan be done before she will start chemo.
so my follow up will be next week, by than i should have ct done,
looks like i will be starting in 2 weeks - which will bring me to 8 weeks past surgery.
is it unusual? is it dangerous? i am worry because of the pain i am having.
please share your thoughts.
i am new and every bit of info helps.
thank you
victoria

Comments

  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #2
    My surgery was 9/29/09 and I
    My surgery was 9/29/09 and I did not start chemo until Oct 26, so almost a month. I think that 4-8 weeks between surgery and the start of chemo is pretty standard. I too had to have a CT scan before they would start treatment.

    I had abdominal pain for a very long time after surgery. I think it's normal. It is, after all, a HUGE surgery.

    Keep us posted. I know you are anxious to "do something". I certianly was (still am, in fact). I'm sure your doctor would not put you at risk by putting your chemo off for longer than is necessary. They need the CT scan pre-treatment so they have something to compare your post-chemo scan to.

    Carlene
  • pattysoo
    pattysoo Member Posts: 170
    #3
    Starting chemo
    My chemo began 4 weeks after surgery - I told the doctor I was ready and he agreed. I know others need more time to get strong. The important thing is to get your body in as good a shape as possible. I walked everyday, even if just for a few minutes. And I stocked up on healthy quick foods (made soups and froze them in serving sizes, etc.) My health facility had a chemo class that I was required to attend. It was really helpful, telling us about diet, side effect management, community resources. When I was impatient about waiting for treatment, an oncology nurse was very helpful as she kindly pointed out that the cancer won't grow THAT fast. I had time and the outcome would be the same whether I waited 6 weeks or 8. I suppose from your post that the oncologist did not perform your surgery?
    Be sure to have someone attend the appointments with you and take notes. Good luck.
  • srwruns
    srwruns Member Posts: 343
    #4
    My chemo started five weeks
    My chemo started five weeks after my surgery. I felt ok about it as just healing from that huge surgery I'm not sure I could have started much earlier. I really needed to get some strength back before starting chemo.
  • VictoriaSF
    VictoriaSF Member Posts: 165
    #5
    srwruns said:

    My chemo started five weeks
    My chemo started five weeks after my surgery. I felt ok about it as just healing from that huge surgery I'm not sure I could have started much earlier. I really needed to get some strength back before starting chemo.

    thank you ladies!
    thank you Ladies for your replies and for sharing your experience.
    i appreciate all the tips and info i can get now
    as i feel like little girl lost:))

    hugs
    victoria
  • malarkyinc
    malarkyinc Member Posts: 5
    #6
    VictoriaSF said:

    thank you ladies!
    thank you Ladies for your replies and for sharing your experience.
    i appreciate all the tips and info i can get now
    as i feel like little girl lost:))

    hugs
    victoria

    8 weeks
    My surgery was nov 12 and I have healed very well. I'm getting antsy to start chemo...weird to say. But after 8 weeks, I'm getting ready to move on although very very nervous and sad. I also had pain in my right side under my ribs...turned out to be muscular from mvoing in weird ways I guess. pain went away on its own.
    thanks for being here to talk to.
  • VictoriaSF
    VictoriaSF Member Posts: 165
    #7
    malarkyinc said:

    8 weeks
    My surgery was nov 12 and I have healed very well. I'm getting antsy to start chemo...weird to say. But after 8 weeks, I'm getting ready to move on although very very nervous and sad. I also had pain in my right side under my ribs...turned out to be muscular from mvoing in weird ways I guess. pain went away on its own.
    thanks for being here to talk to.

    same timing
    thanks for your reply
    looks like we will be pretty much on the same schedule
    i am also nervous and sad and i guess scared of the unknown, but same time want to start asap.

    best of luck
    victoria
  • VictoriaSF
    VictoriaSF Member Posts: 165
    #8
    malarkyinc said:

    8 weeks
    My surgery was nov 12 and I have healed very well. I'm getting antsy to start chemo...weird to say. But after 8 weeks, I'm getting ready to move on although very very nervous and sad. I also had pain in my right side under my ribs...turned out to be muscular from mvoing in weird ways I guess. pain went away on its own.
    thanks for being here to talk to.

    same timing
    thanks for your reply
    looks like we will be pretty much on the same schedule
    i am also nervous and sad and i guess scared of the unknown, but same time want to start asap.

    best of luck
    victoria
  • antcat
    antcat Member Posts: 270
    #9
    My surgery was 6/17/108 & didn't have chemo for 3 month
    Hi, I ran into a problem with my surgery, I had a wound opening from the surgery and the onc/gyn wouldn't authorize me to have surgery until the wound healed and closed. I was concerned about this, but he told me not to worry. The medical / oncologist I used to see kept pushing me to start chemo, but my gyn/onc told me repeatedly I couldn't have it until it healed or I would have a permanent opening. Anyway, I waited 3 months.
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #10
    antcat said:

    My surgery was 6/17/108 & didn't have chemo for 3 month
    Hi, I ran into a problem with my surgery, I had a wound opening from the surgery and the onc/gyn wouldn't authorize me to have surgery until the wound healed and closed. I was concerned about this, but he told me not to worry. The medical / oncologist I used to see kept pushing me to start chemo, but my gyn/onc told me repeatedly I couldn't have it until it healed or I would have a permanent opening. Anyway, I waited 3 months.

    I had pain on my left
    side for a long time after surgery. That is where the largest tumor was removed. I began chemo about five weeks after surgery.

    Karen
  • VictoriaSF
    VictoriaSF Member Posts: 165
    #11
    antcat said:

    My surgery was 6/17/108 & didn't have chemo for 3 month
    Hi, I ran into a problem with my surgery, I had a wound opening from the surgery and the onc/gyn wouldn't authorize me to have surgery until the wound healed and closed. I was concerned about this, but he told me not to worry. The medical / oncologist I used to see kept pushing me to start chemo, but my gyn/onc told me repeatedly I couldn't have it until it healed or I would have a permanent opening. Anyway, I waited 3 months.

    thank you / started chemo
    thank you ladies!
    i have started chemo last week
    so 1 down , 5 to go so far...
    hugs
    v
  • VictoriaSF
    VictoriaSF Member Posts: 165
    #12
    antcat said:

    My surgery was 6/17/108 & didn't have chemo for 3 month
    Hi, I ran into a problem with my surgery, I had a wound opening from the surgery and the onc/gyn wouldn't authorize me to have surgery until the wound healed and closed. I was concerned about this, but he told me not to worry. The medical / oncologist I used to see kept pushing me to start chemo, but my gyn/onc told me repeatedly I couldn't have it until it healed or I would have a permanent opening. Anyway, I waited 3 months.

    thank you / started chemo
    thank you ladies!
    i have started chemo last week
    so 1 down , 5 to go so far...
    hugs
    v

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