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Members of 1% Minority

I am curious; how many of us here have ovca, are dealing with or have dealt with chemo, or are in remission?
What stage were you diagnosed with, when, chemo or not, if yes what chemo, and how did you deal with the ordeal.
I am certain there are questions and answers, and little tricks that helped, suggestions, fears to address, etc.....So much could be shared.
I was diagnosed April 25, 2005,via us and tvus by my gyno; two days later I had a laparotomy removing everything. Diagnosis came back stage 1C....how lucky for me. I went to an ob/gyn/onc surgeon in omaha. Chemo started five weeks later and finished in October. My six month check is comming shortly.
The closer it gets, the more anxious I seem to be getting; that is silly, I know, because I feel well. I still tire easier than before but so what!
I just turned 56 on February 28; I live on an acreage in NW Iowa (actually live on a gravel road) with my husband of 28 years and week-end son (who comes home for laundry and home cooked meals on the week-end; he is in college). The other kids are grown and on their own...I have two grand daughters; age 8 and 6; that live with their mom, my daughter, six miles from here. I can't wait to get into the garden, the Robins returned yesterday and life is wonderful!
Along with a few bumps, I do have Peace in my life.
Let's get to know eachother....I'd love to hear from you guys!
Peace to each of you.
dian
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Avatar universal
I am 57 years old and postmenopausal.  At my last PAP exam I was told I had an enlarged uterus.  Since then I have had an ultrasound, a surgical consultation, and today a CT scan.
   The Dr. who read the ultrasound said I had multiple fibroids along with a mass on my right ovary.  He referred to the mass as a possible dermoid cyst.  I have been trying to research dermoid cysts on the net and came across this site this evening.  In my research it appears all that most ovarian dermoids are found in women much younger than me--under 40.  I also found one site that indicated concern for postmenopausal women with ovarian massses and cancer.
   I don't see my gyn. for another week and a half. I wondering if anyone has suggestions on types of questions to ask. (I feel certain he will suggest surgery due to the size or the mass.)
   I'm a retired teacher with two grown daughters.  My daughter who has blessed me with 2 grandchildren lives in Germany.  I was planning to visit them in May.  I was wondering also if anyone has thoughts about airtravel after surgery (providing all's benign!)?
   I've bookmarked this site as I believe it will be helpful to me in the weeks to come!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello!  I was diagnosed with ovca stage 1C on June 27, 2003.  I had chemo 4 weeks later of Taxol and Carboplatin.  I only had 4 rounds instead of the usual 6 because of extremely low blood counts.  Chemo ended in October of 2003.  I have been in remission since.  I just turned 50 this year.  In January, I had my 6 month check and everything was great!  Hope your 6 month check brings you good news, too.

I also have a daughter who comes home weekends from college for laundry and food.  It is good to see them!

Let us know how your appointment goes next month.

From another Diane
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Avatar universal
Hey there kiddo;
I would never have guessed your age by your posts....you are wise beyond your years....that means you have experienced things you probably should not have.......now I know that to be true.I am proud to have you as a friend....I have a daughter your age...I wish I could wrap my arms around you and tell you I will always be at your side and beconned call..I care deeply for you and your husband (who must be a wonderful partner, from what you said).
I am not familiar with the joint swelling and soreness...I reacted negatively to Neulasta...it was given to help build my white count. My problem with chemo was nausea and exhaustion.
Crohn's disease is tough....a very dear person in my life had it and it was tough.....however, it can be dealt with. You are going through some tough stuff right now....but, it sounds like you have a pretty good support system between your loving husband and work colleagues....lucky you.
My experience with people who had not seen me since my diagnosis and chemo was strange too....seems the men didn't have half the problem the women did....the men would at least recognize and acknowledge me....the women tried, and did, pretend I was not even there....they would acknowledge my husband right next to me but not me....oh well....humans are strange animals.
Let's stay in touch....now return to the party and have fun.
Peace to you and your husband, kiddo.
dian
Helpful - 0
107366 tn?1305680375
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hello!  I had noticed in some of your previous posts that you were from East TN.  Funny you mention Bristol and NASCAR...I am sitting here watching the race in Las Vagas as we speak...errr....type!  Your part of the world will be getting crowded in about two weeks.  I go to Knoxville several times a year for work, and try to get to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge around Christmas.  Didn't quite work out this past year, though, since I was right in the middle of chemo treatments.  Looking forward to it this year, though.  Not exactly sure where Bagdad is, but I think it's close to Louisville.  Say hello to my fellow Kentuckians for me!  Have a great evening!

Gail :)
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107366 tn?1305680375
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yes, isn't it amazing how some of us get pushed through the system so quickly, while others are left to watch, wait, and worry.  Of course I don't want to jinx myself, but given my age, it's probable I will face recurrance at some point in my life.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed, though, that that's not the case.  My doc told me the second-line treatment wasn't s harsh as far as side effects as the first-line treatment, so that's some good info to keep in the back of my mind should this happen again.  

I don't post on here as much as some of the other ladies do, but let me be one of the first to say welcome, glad to have you here!  What grade do you teach?
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107366 tn?1305680375
COMMUNITY LEADER
Wow...thanks for your kind words.  I live in a small town, and have honestly never even met anyone else in person that has ovca, as far as I know.  So this forum has given me so much knowledge, hope, and yes...laughter too.  I am so grateful for it, and for people like you who are willing to share their stories.  I'm like a lot of others here.  I don't post all that much, but I feel like I know you all just from reading about you from day to day.  I appreciate your friendship so much!  

I was just the opposite from you.  I had Neupogen quite often during chemo, but it never bothered me too much.  I was afraid it would since chemo made me so sore.  But, my doc insisted I take Tylenol every four hours for three or four days after each shot to help with soreness, so maybe it that was why...I don't know.  My red count is still low, but I'm pretty sure I was already anemic before I started with this whole thing.  I lost quite a bit of blood during surgery because this thing in me (that I named Gertie) was attached to everything, and had to be cut away.  Had three pints of blood during surgery, so I imagine that was a big reason.  But, I am feeling better every day...my hair is growing back (eyebrows too, if you remember my post from last week!), and things are looking up!

Would love to keep in touch with you, as well.  Thanks again, my new found friend!

Gail :)
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Avatar universal
Hi Dian,
I was diagnosed with OC stage 3C last Feb.Operated on in March.Carboplatin and Taxol from April to August.Cancer had recurred by Christmas.Started on Caelyx(I'm in England-you call it Doxil) in January,had two cycles of the stuff,got my third one on Thursday.Mines usually delayed by a week,because my white blood count and neutrophils are low,but over here they don't give you Neupogen (Neulasta) unless its a 'last resort'.I'm 46,also diabetic,have two children,16 and 12,love my hubby to bits,Pete and I'm not leaving this planet for a VERY long time!!!! Sue x
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Your story sounds amazingly like mine in how quick things went after diagnosis.  I went into a 14month remission after the chemo you are talking about.  I just reoccured and am now on
Carboplatin & Gemzar.  Not as much pain or symptoms with this chemo.  I am a school teacher and had to go to school without hair & no eyebrows or eyelashes.  The kids handled it well though.
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Avatar universal
Hey, I was just noticing that your from a small town in KY.
I'm from a small town in Northeast TN close to Bristol Motor Speedway (assuming you watch NASCAR)
Anyway my neighbors/good friends moved here 3yrs ago from Bagdad,KY...They graduated from U of L. Just thought I'd make a connection with ya'!
((((Raynbow
Helpful - 0
114870 tn?1210298346
Hi dian and to everyone else.  I post on here for my Mom who is in a process with chemo.  She was diagnosed Dec 05 after TAH with OVCA IIIC.  She is completing her 3rd treatment in two days and 3 more to go.  She is taking taxotere and Carbo.  Doing ok with that.  Nuelesta is  making her very ache but her last treatment she didnt need the nuelesta shot because her counts were perfect.  Her CA-125 now is under 35 I believe so were hopping it gets in the singe digits and stays there for good.  She is 46 very healthy besides this.  Very strong positive BEAUTIFUL person.  Her motivation is her one and only grandchild, my son who just turned 1.  He keeps us all very positive and happy, makes life very simple and joyfull.  We live in New Jersey with very good Gyn/oncologist network. Her doctor is very positive and optimistic so thats pleasant to have with these type of circumstances.  I pray for her everyday because she deserves to have a full healthy and happy life.   She works like a horse her entire life along with my father, they have a restaurant business, never have vacations or other enjoying things.  Their grandson is their happiness.  They almost live their life through my husband and I.  Giving us everything they can so that we're happy and have everything we need.  My MOM along with my Dad are the greatest most beautiful and precious people to me.  

Im sorry Im rambling on forever here.  Anyway thats my Moms story.  I wish the best for all women who are dealing with this and most successful recovery and results.
Helpful - 0
107366 tn?1305680375
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi dian,

I got the big "C" diagnosis in August '05.  I went to the Dr. initially because I had a hernia.  I knew something was up, but didn't want to admit it.  I'm 35 years old...way too young for ovarian cancer, right??  My GP ordered a CT because something obviously wasn't right...everything in my abdomen seemed to pushed up, causing the hernia.  He thought I might have liver problems.  Two days later, I got the CT.  It took me forever to convince the tech I wasn't actually pregnant because I looked like I was due any day.  The Radiologist read my scan on the spot, and sent me back to my GP to get the results.  I had a mass so large, they couldn't tell which ovary it was coming from. It was mostly solid, but had a few cystic areas.  He called my GYN, and got me an appointment that same day.  GYN looked at me, and told me he was suspicious that it could be cancer, and wanted me to go to a hospital that deals with that sort of thing every day.  So he referred me to the GYN/ONC department at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN (I live in Western KY).  That's a busy place, but I was lucky enough to get an appt. quickly. My GYN/ONC examined me, and put me on the fast-track.  I had surgery 5 days later.  It was August 29, the same day Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, and I will never forget sitting in pre-op watching it on CNN.

My GYN/ONC ended up doing a TAH, removing 12 inches of large intestine, and the omentum, as well as repairing the hernia.  Pathology during surgery proved it was cancer.  The mass was 44 cm at it's largest point, and weighed nearly 40 lbs. (instant weight loss, but I don't recommend my diet plan!)  I was staged as IIIC.  

I decided to get chemo at my local Cancer Center rather than make the two hour trip to Nashville and back.  I didn't seen any harm in it since I was getting the standard treatment of Taxol and Carboplatin no matter if I was in Nashville or at home.  I started chemo Septemeber 22, and finished January 4.  My biggest complaint about it was soreness.  Two days after each treatment, my feet, ankles, knees, and wrists were terribly sore.  So I did the Glutamine thing, both powder and pills.  It helped a little, but Lortab helped even more :). I never got too sick to my stomach, luckily.  I lost 20 more lbs in fluid through the process (ascides).  So I am 60 lbs lighter, bald as a cue ball, and no one recognizes me anymore!  Ha!  I don't mind, though.  It's funny to see the looks on people's faces when I tell them it's me.  I had some low moments during all this, but I do have to say that I never panicked.  I always had a sense of peace about it, and knew there were lots of prayers going up on my behalf.  I know that peace was from God.      

I had my follow-up CT about 6 weeks ago, and there are no signs of cancer.  My CA-125 has held steady at 19 for the past two months, down from 3053 before surgery.  Turns out the CT did reveal a thickening in my small intestine, though, and through subsequent tests, found out two days ago I have Crohn's disease.  It could be worse, however.  It isn't cancer.  

I have a DH, but no kids.  Never did get pregnant, and during this process, found out my whole situation was probably due to PCOS.  I had other classic symptoms.  My DH is from Australia, and we have a happy life, otherwise.  I work at a power plant at a dam, and am the only female in the place.  I love it!  They all take care of me, and have given me so much support.  

Anyway, I think I'm probably rambling now.  You are the one who always ends your posts by wishing peace, and that's exactly what I wish for you.  I'm really praying your 6 month follow-up is great news!
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Avatar universal
Sure, I know Webster City, Gowrie, and EAgle Grove....Small world!
You guys in jArizona got rain today....Yeahh!!!!
I have a 25 year old son living in Mesa right now.
Do you ever visit Iowa! Any family still here?
When we visit our son, Jim, maybe we can meet face to face...that would be nice!
Get back to that party, kiddo!
Peace.
dian
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Avatar universal
Dian-
I am a three year thyroid cancer survivor - just had my first clean bill of health a few weeks ago - and then all the ovary stuff started!  I have been anxious as every scan and blood level approached so what you are feeling seems to me to be perfectly normal.  I mean, of course you are anxious.  Who wants to be reminded of the battle?  You want to live your life - which by the way sounds very full and peaceful.  Have you done any meditation?  That helps me a lot when I am anxious.  
Deb
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Avatar universal
Hi Dian!
You know I'm only in the waiting game right now, so I don't have any chemo stories or anything to share. BUT, I couldn't help but read that you're from Northwest Iowa and I had to comment on it! I have lived in Arizona for over twenty years (except for a short stint in Missouri), but I grew up in Northwest Iowa! That must be why we relate so well - ha! Is your background Swedish? Mine is, and German too. I grew up in little towns, too and on farms. Ever heard of Dows or Eagle Grove, Webster City or Gowrie? Just had to ask you!
Robin
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