Mom's OVCA- chemo/recur questions

[Borgs]

Haven't posted in awhile.  They are staging my mom at either a Ic or IIc (they can't be sure because her lymph nodes weren't biopsied and they don't want to put her through another major surgery to find out).  She starts chemo through a port in her shoulder in two weeks.  What can we expect?  She is worried about losing her hair?  I know it effects everyone differently, but what "usually" happens?  Secondly, what are the recurrence rates for Ic and IIc OVCA?

Bless you all.

[Borgs]

Many thanks for your thoughts susie.  I will relay the message and she will no doubt receive comfort from your words.  Best wishes to you.

[survivor_susie]

Please tell your mom that I went through the same thing.  I endured breast cancer, without chemo, only to find ovarian cancer a year later.  I did lose my hair during chemo (not my eyelashes or brows, though).  When I told my husband that I was embarrassed at the thought of waking up next to him when I was hairless, he asked, "Would you rather wake up bald, or dead?"  I stopped worrying about baldness!
I did not get fatigued at all; I continued working full time and working out at the gym regularly.  Some of the days were not too pleasant, but overall it was not difficult. So far, so good!
Best of luck to your mother.

[Borgs]

Thanks SS for the words of encouragement.  It's just an emotional time for my mom and having endured breast cancer before, without chemo, she is bummed that she now has this to go through as well.  

[Borgs]

Many thanks for your thoughts and well wishes.  Best wishes to you.  You will once again be Costa Rican windsurfng before you know it...  

[SimplyStar]

A judge here in the states apologized to a woman because the rule of the court room was, no hats, she was doing her jury duty, and was bald from the chemo.  He stopped everything and explained to the court, that in her case, a hat was accepted, but then went on to say, you look beautiful with or without the hat.  The hair thing is only temporary, my daughters grew back , stylish and so cute.

[vegas2cr]

I retired here 2 years ago to Costa Rica and we love it.. Didin't expect a ovca diagnosis last year... things are okay though as I have some of the finest medical care I have ever ever seen down here.  I am about 4.5 hours south of Guanacaste...  I can not tell you how much that book is an upper...Anyone going through cancer needs to read it.. again best wishes and hugs to you and your Mom.. Ronni

[Borgs]

Many thanks.  I know it is clearly not about the hair, but I think hair loss it one of the first tangible signs of the sickness, or road to recovery- because up this point, other than x-ray images, abdominal bloating and weight loss, we could not actually "see" she was sick- and that is how my mom is looking at it I think.  I will look into the book tonight, great suggestion.  I notice you're from Costa Rica.  Vacationed down there a few years ago- Guanacaste region.  Loved it and hope to return soon.  Best wishes...    

[vegas2cr]

If she is taking taxol she will lose her hair.. Please go and buy your Mom the book "Its not about the hair" by Debra Jarvis.. I know how much it helped me.. and trust me its not about the hair... Hoping for good results for your mom...