Second Surgey

[YvonneS]

Mother died from Ovarian cancer 2001. I was diagnosed May 2005 Stage IIIA.  Had complete hysterectomy, with removal of both ovaries.  Cancer was in omentum. Removed as much as they could find.  Had 7 treatments carboplatin & paclitaxel.  Finshed  in Oct. Normal CA 125 in Jan & Mar.  May was up to 96.  Had another test yesterday.  Will see Dr. on 28th.  He told me if the CA125 has risen we will again have chemo and-or surgery. GYN told me there is a new GYN/Oncologists in area and he would want to involve him if I need more surgery.  Had a negative CT & PET scan in the last few months.  Have terrible problem with my feet from chemo.  Don't think I can stand them to be worse.  Also the bloating, swelling from steroids.  Gained 15 pounds on chemo. Have several symptons-pressure in lower abdomen when going to bathroom.  Sex is very uncomfortable.  Also, have this butterfly feeling coming and going.  Have at least one hernia blamed on chemo beginng to early after surgery. What would the sugery consist of?  How long after surgery would chemo begin?  Can I have chemo without the steroids?  Thank you.

[kathy o]

I would guess that the surgery might be a second look this is typical in some cases My Dr told me yesterday that if my ca125 next week is doubled then we know what is going on and will begin more treatment. If my ca125 has gone back down to say 50 it was at 60 two weeks ago then we will have to have a cat scan to figure out what is going on, (her words were:something else going on). I do not believe that you can take chemo with out steroids, I too have a hard time with them, they are wicked things, how athelets can take them I don't know. I have noticed that some drs make people take them after their chemos too, I don't, only before and during infusion. The butterfly feelings I got  were from the Nuepogen (white blood cell shots) they were odd, I guess the only thing I might be able to compare them too may be an anxiety attack, I took a Vicodin every 4 to 6 hours and they seemed to go away, they are scary feeling. I also have an hernia caused by having chemo so fast after surgery and not being able to heal right. What a wicked thing to affect your Mom and now you, I am surprised that it was not caught earlier by your Drs. My Heart goes out to you and your family... all I can really say is Keep up the Fight, life does return to some normalcy after Chemo, be it how ever long that is.Good Luck and keep us posted.
kathy

[kathy o]

I also wanted to tell you , that the steroids made me eat like a lumberjack and then I decided to get all of the sugary foods out of my house and bring in fruits and veggies and this made a big difference in my chemos, easier. Oranges were my fave when on chemo, also watermelon.... Sex too was uncomfortable for me, but we figured it out and it is ok now, I guess if they don't get it as much as they use to it is much quicker now hahaha. The weight gain is natural for OVCA so don't sweat it, I use too but not now and I have lost 12 pounds by eating right and excercising when I can, I consider walking the Poodle excercise.. OK I will stop now....

[YvonneS]

Thanks.  I have a great doctor, he just doesn't communcaite unless you have specific questions.  No goosd on a lay persons level.  My husband is so paranoid about me being sick, if I even memtioned there was a problem, he wouldn't come near me.  I have stayed upbeat, but this appointment next week scares me.  Yvonne

[mariak]

I'm glad to hear someone else had strange (butterfly feelings) also. I had shots of neulasta for my white count and I felt the same way. A question, what kind of hernia is caused from the chemo and what are the symptoms?

[mariak]

I'm glad to hear someone else had strange (butterfly feelings) also. I had shots of neulasta for my white count and I felt the same way. A question, what kind of hernia is caused from the chemo and what are the symptoms?

[YvonneS]

I have a hernia low in the groin area.  When I stand up it is the size of an egg.  I think there may posssibly be one near the top of my scar.  The doctor told me it could be scar tissue, but I can only feel it when I am standing.  Of course, the fat from the steroids hides it when I sit!  Yvonne