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Stage II Ovarian Cancer

dmiller
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I would like to hear from anyone with stage II Ovarian Cancer.

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Cancer Surgery Diabetes Morphine Ovarian cancer Pain Palliative care

14 replies

OldieLocks

Hi dmiller, Have you just recently been diagonised? I had stage III ovarian cancer in 2005. I had surgery, removing two large masses then six rounds of chemo, and am doing exceptionally well since then. If I can be of any help to you, please let me know. It has been two years this month since I had the last chemo and my CA125 count is always below 10. I go back to the oncologist every four months.

I did lose my hair after the first round of chemo, but it grows back rather quickly. I got lots of comments about how pretty it was when it did grow back. It was white and curly, but it was white before chemo. LOL The American Cancer Society gave me a pretty wig. Two friends went with me to choose it before my hair came out. We had a fun day out that day. There are lot of memories about my journey. Stay positive. There is life after cancer.

God bless,
Rachel

dmiller

Rachel. Nice to hear from you. I was originally diagnosed in July 2003 at the age of 38. Had surgery and chemo. This past year I has a recurrence. Had another round of chemo.
Just had my CA125 tested this week. It is 5. I see the doctor every other month and lab every month.
I got a wig from the Cancer society the first time. This time my insurance helped pay for one.
My hair grew back fast the first time. It is just now starting to come in. I finished this round of chemo on November 15.
Have you changed anything about your lifestyle such as diet, exercise, etc.?

OldieLocks

Hi D, Yes, I do try to eat healthier than I ever have. My husband is diabetic so this helps me eat better. He controls his diabetes with his diet so we eat lots of green vegetables, fish and chicken. We have a YMCA close by and try to walk there several times a week. Our membership at the Y is paid by our insurance so that is a great benefit for us. I gained about ten pounds after chemo, etc. and I find that strange. A nurse told me that the men usually lose weight and the women gain.

Did you have the same kind of chemo the second time? My oncologist tells me that mine probably will come back and when it does we will attack it again. The only problem is, that kind of chemo made me have neuropathy really bad in my feet and two years later I still have it. My feet feel numb. I took Neurotin for a while for my feet. It is in the back of my mind all the time, about it coming back. I try to not focus on that, but it is there a lot. LOL

Nice talking to you.
Rachel

dmiller

Rachel,

My oncologist recommended L-Glutamine Powder for the neuropathy and it does help me.
I bought it at GNC for $19.99 for an 8 oz bottle. You can mix it with juice. If you are interested in trying this, please check with your doctor first.

Thank you for sharing with me. Hope you hear from you soon.

D

OldieLocks

D,


I did try the L-Glutamine Powder when I first started noticing my feet and fingers feeling strange. I mentioned it to the nurses who were giving the chemo. They are the ones who told me to get the powder. Then, when I saw the oncologist, I told him about it and that is when he gave me the Neurotin. I could not tell that the powder helped me. I got the L-Glutamine Powder at a health food store.

Talk later.
Your friend,
Rachel

gloriahouse

Hi there dmiller.I have a blog as well as comments posted to other fellow members ,You can read my history and etc there for more details.The short version is I was daignosed in Aug 2004 with stage three did 4 rounds of cheemo surgery and 6 more cheem.Things were great for 7 months then cancer was back. I started with a clinical trial this time and was very glad I did.My cancer this time stayed away for 11 months.So as of today I just had my second treatment. I again sighned up for a clinical trial because the doctors always think they are the best way for reocurrences to be treated .So look into this if things aren;t going well okat. I jusy enyoed reading youe comments from rachel and the sharing you guys are doing.I would like to hear from you both as I feel a need for support. Looking forward to hearing from you both.

dmiller

Hello gloriahouse and thank you for your comments. I read your blog. I hope things go well for you. I have an appointment with my oncologist on Wednesday the 13th for a checkup and bloodwork. It is always scary for me when I have my CA125 done. It was 5 last month.
I am interested in knowing what type of drugs you are taking in your clinical trial and what are the side effects?

gloriahouse

Hi there dmiller.Good to hear from you and I wish you all the best on 13th.I was on Yondellas for my first clinical trial.I never experienced any real side effects other than fatique and my neropathy increased somewhat.However I did have low blood counts a few times which got me me delayed so it took longer than expected to get through.Most patients get 6 treatments and have to stop due to low counts i got to 9 which was impressive in the drs books.I did have to stop as drug would begin doing more harm than good.My tumor by then was so minuite they couldn;t find it.This lasted for 11 months and in Oct they told me it was growing again so hence my new clinical trial which we just started on Jan 28.This one is called AMG386.It fights cancer a liitle different because it affects the blood supply to cancer cells rather than fight cells directly.Great results with it so far and my dr thought it would be the best way for me to fight this time.Two treatments so far and I am doing just great no side effects to report yet.I have totally accepted the fact that I will be yoyoing with this for the rest of my life so I do not plan on giving up on life I just go with each day to the fullest and give it all I can.Yes I have some sad days but my good days are more. Keep me posted on your reults and know I will hold you up in prayer daily as I believe God is the one in control of it all.God Bless

OldieLocks

Hi d and gloria, I don't have much to add to the conversation, but am anxious to hear about d's checkup on the 13th. My next bloodwork is on March 14, then I see the oncologist a week later to hear results. Someone mentioned wearing pink, did you know the color for ovarian cancer is turquoise? A friend ordered me the cancer ribbon (from the internet) in turquoise. My primary care doctor didn't know. She thought that was neat.

I think of you all a lot and hope the best for all of us.

Rachel

gloriahouse

I am also anxious to know how your tests were d. I have now had three treatments so far and doing pretty good.No major side effects yeah.

dmiller

Just wanted to let you know my checkup on the 13th went great! My CA125 is 4. It dropped from 5 last month. I will have CT Scans in March. Thank you to everyone for your concern.

gloriahouse

Hey LAdies how are you both doing since i last emailed.I am half way through and doing fine.My cat scan showed that the tomors are shrinking.Yeah.So I guess we continue 10 down 10 to go.

dmiller

Hello gloriahouse. So glad to hear from you. Great to hear that the tumors are shrinking.
My CT scans were clear last month and CA125 was 5. It was 4 the previous month. I will go see the oncologist on April 17th for regular checkup and port flush & another CA125. Please stay in touch

Crickie

Hi DMiller,

I was diagnosed stage 2B ovc in Jan 2004. In Nov 2005 had a recurrence that has lasted until now ... I had several different chemos (taxol/carbo,gemzar,topotecan,doxil,etc) along with radiation but the cancer became resistant and grew to within my pelvic walls. I was told in Nov 2007 that there was nothing more to be done ...only palliative care.

Needless to say, we (my hubby and I) persisted and after 4 surgeons refused to operate, I went elsewhere and in Feb 2008 had a pelvic exenteration,colostomy and rectum /vaginal reconstruction. Today i can't use my bladder to urinate and am on a Foley catheter.

Next month I see the surgeon to see what can be done for my bladder and if my colostomy can be reversed or has to be made permanent.

I'm lucky to be alive and have gone (and still am going) through a rough ride. Surgeon gave me an 80% chance that I will have another recurrence. i am on morphine due to lots of pain but I than God I'm here.

We need to hang in there and sites like this one help us to share our experiences and give each of us strength to go on. Encouragement to keep fighting, keep on with the treatments. etc...

take care and God bless.

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