Results from follow-up

[RuthP]

I'm not really posting a question.  I just thought I'd let everyone know what I found out today at my follow-up after surgery.

The stage is 1c and the grade is 3.  This was a little bit worse than what I had hoped.  But the surgeon said that there were actually two different cancers in my ovaries.  The right one had Clear Cell and the left one had Epithelial and a small amount of Clear Cell.  It would have been stage 1b except that the right ovary was stuck to the uterus with endometriosis.  When he tried to remove the ovary, it ruptured.  So I will be taking six sessions of carboplatin and taxol.  He said he believes I should be able to work (I'm an accountant), so I'm glad about that.  I'm going with my daughter to look for a wig this Friday.  I was with my mom when she lost her hair to chemo.  I know I will be emotional about this at first, but I also know that it will grow back at some point.  I was more worried about how sick I would be.  He said they have several drugs that can be used to help with this.  Can anyone tell me how effective compazine (spelling?) is with these two drugs?  I know everyone reacts differently, so I was just wondering what the general thoughts were about how well it works.  Thanks for taking the time to read my post.

Ruth

[jane65]

Hi Ruth,
What great advice the ladies gave you, I can't add much but I'll tell you what I do.
My oncologist has always given me pre meds, Benedryl and Decadron in an IV 30 minutes before I start getting my chemo drug, Topotecan, he did the same when I was on Carbo/Taxol.
That night I take a Zofran and I haven't had any problems with nausea, I do need a sleeping pill to counteract the steroids or I'd be up all night.

For constipation I take 2 Colace tablets daily and Miralax that's what the nurses recommended. I drink prune juice every morning and that combo has worked for me.

You can't fight the fatigue, you have to just go with it and let your body dictate your level of activity.

Absolutely call your doctor if you are having any problems, I did  several times when I was on my first chemo, and I'd get a call back with instructions about what to do, or what to take.

Your hair will definitely come back, mine was thicker and wavier than before I lost it.

Good luck, feel well and be sure to keep in touch with us.
Jane

[mb16]

Judy's advice is right on the money.

I only want to add that you should watch out for constipation as I had huge problems with that. I finally figured it out on my last treatment though everyone is different. I just doubled up my constipation meds (doubled the Colace stool softener and doubled the Senokot which I thought helped more as it pushes the stool through). If I was really constipated, it made my nausea worse. Oh yeah, and start the day before the chemo to loosen things up.

The first 2 days are ok, but the next 3-4 are tough so you might not feel like going in to work those days. I had chemo on Wed. so my weekends were the worst so you might schedule something like that if you can.

Good luck with the chemo, you can do it. And if you're having problems, let your doctor know right away but this site is great for advice.

Wendy

[RuthP]

They told me that Aloxi would be the drug they would be using.  And they did tell me to drink as much water or juices or whatever as I possibly could.  And also to always keep something in my stomach.  They didn't mention Emend.  I will ask about it and Zofran.  They did make it very clear that if the nausea medicine didn't work to speak up right away and they would give me something else.

Thanks for responding to my post.  I can use all of the information that anyone can provide that has been through this.  The only thing I have to go on is that my mom went through chemo 15 years ago and they didn't have the nausea medicine they do now.  She was VERY sick.  I know they have newer and better drugs and that makes me feel a little better.  But I also know that everyone reacts differently to them.  I'm hoping that I won't have a lot of problems with this.  But I want to be prepared.  My experience with just over the counter drugs is that if it says it may make you sleepy or dizzy or whatever, that's how I react.

Thanks again.

Ruth

[JC145]

Here are the list of nausea drugs you SHOULD get:

Emend...a 3 pill package taken day 1, 2, and 3 the first week of chemo.  I would not take the first pill until you are actually in the MD chair ready for chemo just in case one week your counts are low and they have to hold up the chemo.  Since it is a 3 pill pack, you would have wasted a pill (if you took it at home)  and they are $$$. Insurance usually covers them, but you can ONLY get them refilled every 21 days.  This is the way I take my pills at the instructions from my MD.

Aloxi .. given in the bag with the other chemo drugs first day.  It helps with nausea for several days post chemo.  Don't let them substitute for another drug .. Aloxi !!

At home:  have Compazine ready for the tiniest sign of nausea .. pop one of those babies!

At home:  have Zofran ready in case Compazine does not hold the nausea at bay.  I've only used one of those.  They are $$ so I would only have a few on hand at a time .. and you may not need them.

HYDRATION, HYDRATION, HYDRATION ... flush those chemicals out of your kidneys.  Mix cranberry juice with water ... cranberry is good for the kidneys.  Drink lots .. if you stay hydrated, it helps with the nausea as well.

Eat often .. anything you like .. anything ... just eat .. even if it's only a few bites.  Keeping something in your stomach helps with hausea.

You may not have a horrific time with nausea .. but if you are prepared, it's easier to handle.  I didn't have a bad time on carbo.  Other than a couple days ... like the 4th and 5th day post chemo, I think I could have worked.  I'm retired now.

Good luck and God Bless .. Judy