Just to recap: I was diagnosed with PPC in October of 2008. Followed 8 treatments of Carbo/Taxol and two surgeries. My last chemo treatment was the end of April 2008. I had a 6 week CT in which they found some ascites fluid still in my lower pelvic area. Upon physical examination with my Oncologist my lower right side was definitely more "tender" than my left but no severe pain, although I have never had any severe pain through this entire "situation". My doctor tells me now to watch for either pain and/or bloating or anything else "abnormal" that may indicate a reaccurance prior to my scheduled 3 month visits and CT scans. I told her that although i am feeling very well in general and have not felt this well for over a year I don't know what is "normal" anymore and her response is that I will discover my own NEW normal. It has been almost 2 months since my last chemo treatment and as I said above I am feeling much better than I have over this past year. Recently over the past week I have started to experience what I would describe as a very mild "cramping" -- much like I would normally associate with the onset of a menstrual cycle (I have had a complete hysterectomy) -- is this a new normal. I can't seem to get comformtable sleeping anymore -- again these seems to be more prevalent over the past week --- I am constantly tossing to find comfort and feel like I could be sleeping on rocks -- is this as a result of a bad back (that I have dealt with alot over the past 10 years) or is this something to worry about. I would love to hear from others about their "new normal" -- I don't want to worry unnecessarily and perhaps I should give my body more time to find this normalcy. If I was to listen to my body as I have l always known it I would be concerned upon this new onset of feelings as I was feeling well after chemo and only recently started to notice other changes --- but I don't know my body anymore it seems -- or perhaps I do and am just afraid.
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what is your new "normal"
Explore topics in this discussion:
Cancer Surgery Hysterectomy Pregnancy Ectopic pregnancy Ovarian cancer Pain Stress
4 replies
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- Newest first
- By hope4seka
- Posted July 14, 2009 at 11:43 pm
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Dear Ver,
My daughter was too diagnosed with IIIC ovarian cancer November 5,2008…many hospital stays , two major surgeries and 3 smaller surgeries just last week , chemo therapy and is getting ready to start with the new one…she have been trough hell and back and we still don’t know what is outcome going to be. This is our favorite prayer please us it if you wish..
The Miracle Prayer
Lord Jesus, l come before You, just as I am. I am sorry for my sins, I repent of my sins, please forgive me In Your name, I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works. l give You my entire self. Lord Jesus, now and forever, I invite You into my life Jesus, I accept You as my Lord, God and Saviour. Heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul and spirit.
Come Lord Jesus cover me with Your precious blood, and fill me with Your Holy Spirit, I love You Lord Jesus. I praise You Jesus. I thank You Jesus. I shall follow You every day of my life. Amen.
Mary my mother, Queen of Peace, St. Peregrine, the cancer saint, all you angels and Saints please help me. Amen.
Keep the faith!!!
Seka,s Mom, Rada
- By Nanamom
- Posted June 26, 2009 at 9:12 am
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I was diagnosed with IIIC ovarian cancer - probable primary peritoneal - in November 2007. I had extensive debulking and then additional surgery the next day for internal bleeding. I've had all kinds of pains that pop up. My doctor's nurse said that whenever you are worried don't be afraid to call, we would much rather order a test that shows normal results than to miss something that's there. I have had a couple of extra normal CA125s and one normal CT scan. Most of my pains are due to scarring and the strange thing is that the pain comes and goes in different areas. So I definitely have a hard time deciding what is normal and what is not. I feel great but can't go by that since I felt great until about two weeks before I was diagnosed.
That cramping feeling you are describing sounds similar to discomfort that I have had. In my case it was from scar tissue. One other thing - my issues are always what I term "discomfort" rarely would I call them pains or rank them more than a 1 on a pain scale of 1 to 10. In any case, take comfort in knowing that there are no absolutes and that our docs are familiar with us calling when we are concernec. Best wishes, Janet
- By smac5
- Posted June 24, 2009 at 12:19 pm
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Dear VER--my heart goes out to you. I am also grateful as you are the first person on the list who has PPC, which I just got a diagnosis of last week. But I never had a tumor, so I have been treated without surgery and just finish the 6 treatments of Taxol/Carbo/Avastin, now will be on Carbo/Avastin for a while longer, as there is no way to say when it's really gone.
This is to say I am not disregarding your concern about recurrence--I can't imagine what anxieties await me. But one thing you might ask about post-op adhesions. After surgery for an ectopic pregnancy many years ago I spent several years trying to find out why I had so much pain until I finally found a wise gastroenterologist who figured out what was going on. Is the pain more or less in the area of the surgery? Your symptoms sound a lot like mine. One thing I noticed was sense of pulling or tearing when I moved that area.
I wouldn't wish adhesions on anyone, but it would be a relief that it's not a recurrence. If it is adhesions, get an appt with a physical therapist--a lot of doctors don't know there are exercises that really help.
Good luck.
- By melf
- Posted June 24, 2009 at 11:19 am
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I think that my "new normal" is forever changing. Today, the new normal is dealing with pain all the time.
However, the fear is a horrible thing. I was diagnosed in October 07. That next March just before my first scheduled quarterly visit I was feeling bloated, crampy amongst other things and I stressed over it. Should I call, shouldnt I... Should I wait for the visit... am I just being overly cautious, a hypochondriac? I ended up calling and was reassured by the staff when I called that I should always call with questions, feelings and symnptoms. They scheduled a CT for me so it would be done prior to the visit and a mass was found in the place where the tumor had been removed. Naturally I was relieved that I was not crazy but also concerned. It turned out to be a lymphocele/seroma that has given me trouble ever since.
Whether something is found or not you should call just for reassurance. No one made fun nor treated me like I was a nuisance. My suggestion is to wait a few days to see what happens with the "symptom" and then if its still there, call. At least if there is something wrong, you wont be blaming yourself later nor stressing unnecessarily.
Through this entire "affair" I have come to believe that the stress and the treatment is far worse than the disease itself.
Good luck!
Melissa
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