5th treatment done & more complications

kris43
kris43 Member Posts: 275
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi everyone. I've had a horrible week both physically and mentally and just need some positive feedback from you if you have time.

3 weeks ago my abdominal port came out of my skin so instead of having treatment that day I had surgery to repair the site. My doctor salvaged the port and put it down lower in the rib area instead of putting me through the taking it out and reimplanting a new one. It looked wonderful and felt great plus I was able to stay on my chemo schedule and get treatment the next day.

Last week on Thanksgiving day I started to have a little discomfort and that continued throughout the weekend so Monday I made the dreaded phone call and told them my thoughts. I went to see the doctor and she said it just looks like it wants to explode out of there and got started on some antibiotics. Tuesday night I had so much pain that I could not lie down anyway and ended up sitting up in the chair in the one single position that did make me want to cry. Called Wednesday and got the call that Dr. Bell decided to do surgery again and just take it out and hence, I would be done with IP treatments.

I found myself so distressed by this as I have heard and read over and over again that IV/IP treatments can add over 16 months to your survival rate and if I didn't get as many treatments as possible I would be a failure. I cried so much it was starting to scare me.

So Thursday I had my port removed and apparently it was so infected that they left my wound site open and I get to pack the thing 3 times a day until next Friday when they hope it has healed enough and looks like there is no infection then they'll stitch it up and hopefully call it good.

I did chemo today - IV with Taxotere and Carboplatin and that went fine. But it just doesn't feel like I've done everything I possibly could to beat this horrible thing called Ovarian Cancer.

I so enjoy everything that you guys have to say to one another - what an amazing bunch of women you are (and Chris the resident husband!!) I just want/need to hear that it'll be okay. You know this is my first round of treatment since being diagnosed in July and I'm so afraid of ever hearing that I've had a recurrence that I can hardly stand it.

I'm done rambling. Thanks for taking time to read my post and for any thoughts you might have. I continue to think of you guys and I actually quote you a lot during doctor visits. In fact, I am starting B6 for my newly acquired hand neuropathy to see if that works.

Hugs to you all. Kris

Comments

  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #2
    Kris:
    So sorry you have been through so much. My heart goes out to you. But believe me when I say there are many of us who can relate to these physical and emotional drains on our spirit. I know it's not easy.

    It's not uncommon for someone to have trouble with the IV/IP treatments. But that doesn't mean that the new method of treatment you are on won't work for you. Don't give up hope, or faith. We'll help you get through this as much as we can.

    B-6 and L-Glutamine definitely helped my neuropathy, as I know it helped others. So I hope you'll see results as well.

    Hope to hear from you again soon. Sending hugs and prayers,

    Monika
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    Hi Kris!!
    Im so sorry you have been having such a rough time!! You are definatly in my prayers. Dont give up hope. Try and keep positive. This could work.Like monika B-6 and L-Glutamine also helped my neuropathy, and i also know alot of other woman who have had it and it helped too!! Keep us posted. I just got done with all my treatments. tomorrow will officially be a week....and i know soon you will be saying that too! Hugs to you.((*Jenna*))
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #4
    Dear Kris, So sorry you are dealing with so much. Monika is right about it not being oncommon to have side affects and my nurse said that is why they stopped using IP a long time ago. But she also said woman who had only recieved even one did better than those of us who never had any.

    Glad you and your medical team are on top of what's going on and sending prayers for a quick recovery.

    I am still on chemo and the L-Glutamine does help with the nueropathy pain. For me the neuropathy is in my legs too and seems like that will not go away but I can feel the difference when taking the l-glutamine. I know there are other drugs now that can help also. Make sure you talk to your medical team about it.

    Sending positive energy, prayers and hugs your way. BonnieRose

    Don't let FEAR rule your life. FEAR = False expectations appearing real
  • kris43
    kris43 Member Posts: 275
    #5
    BonnieR said:

    Dear Kris, So sorry you are dealing with so much. Monika is right about it not being oncommon to have side affects and my nurse said that is why they stopped using IP a long time ago. But she also said woman who had only recieved even one did better than those of us who never had any.

    Glad you and your medical team are on top of what's going on and sending prayers for a quick recovery.

    I am still on chemo and the L-Glutamine does help with the nueropathy pain. For me the neuropathy is in my legs too and seems like that will not go away but I can feel the difference when taking the l-glutamine. I know there are other drugs now that can help also. Make sure you talk to your medical team about it.

    Sending positive energy, prayers and hugs your way. BonnieRose

    Don't let FEAR rule your life. FEAR = False expectations appearing real

    Thanks for all of your replies. It is exactly what I needed to hear. I'm feeling a bit shaky again this morning but hopefully when the steroids start to wear off I'll be feeling better and the wound site is looking good so I'm just going to continue with positive thoughts.

    My best to you all. Kris
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #6
    kris43 said:

    Thanks for all of your replies. It is exactly what I needed to hear. I'm feeling a bit shaky again this morning but hopefully when the steroids start to wear off I'll be feeling better and the wound site is looking good so I'm just going to continue with positive thoughts.

    My best to you all. Kris

    That's the way! Stay positive. I have not had an IP but just had my tenth chemo thru my shoulder port of taxol and carboplatin which really knocked out the cancer cells big time. Sorry you had this experience with the IP. Your sharing will give the rest of us pause to be alert when we have them. Thanks Saundra
  • floridajo
    floridajo Member Posts: 480
    #7
    Kris,
    I am sorry to hear about all the trouble your IP port is giving you,but like all the ladies have said don't give up. You were able to have a few of your chemo's done that way, and some is better than none!!! I hope it heals up for you soon and that the regular chemo route works just as hard at killing those cells!!! (((hugz)))..Joanne
  • SueB11
    SueB11 Member Posts: 3
    #8
    Kris,

    I just finished IP/IV treatments in July. I had to do 6 rounds. I asked my doctor "what's magic about 6" and he said that's just what they've studied. Bottom line - they really don't know how many treatments it takes. And IP is a brutal regimen. Even if you had finished there are no guarantees...

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