5 years of chemotherapy

[burrowes]

i was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2002, since then i have had 5 lots of chemo 6 lines of carboplatin and taxol together that lasted 8 months then i had a chemo called topotecan that lasted 4 months then i had a chemo called carboplatin i had this on its own this time that lasted 7 months i then had a chemo called caylex with carboplatin that lasted 10 months i then had carboplatin and taxol again that lasted 2 months the doctors were very worried about me having  this combo again they did not think i could handle it because of all the chemo i have had, i did find it very hard for the first 3 cycles but my daughter was by my side day and night comforting me we did it. in the mean time i was being tested for any genetic mutalities, it turns out i have the BRACA2 mutation, they have now put me on a phase 1 trial drug designed to react againsted the BRACA2 gene.
ihave been on this drug for 8 months with fansastic results the tumors have reduced in size and some have gone completely , what i would like to ask any body is, the doctors are saying to me that because i am getting better i should be feeling better in my self, but i still have trouble walking small distances i get a lot of pain in my muscles and in my top of the shoulders in between my shoulder blades also i get pain in my back and in my groin and i genuanly feel very unfit.
has any body out there that has had a lot of chemo are you getting the same symptons, i just want to know if it is normal.

best wishes to all
julie

[crecco]

I have been on chemo now for a little over 2 years. Nowhere near as long as you or Helen. But I do find that I am not able to do a lot of the things that I used to be able to do. And I know that it is from the chemo. But like Helen I have to say to to just be here, feeling decent most of the time and with a good appitite, I do not guess I can complain. Just one go round with chemo will take its toll on a person, but to have it continuously for such long periods of time, how can it not?
I still try to do things that I used to but just get so tired. Then I get aggrivated because I can't. So natually I will try again,even though I know better. I guess the problem is that since I feel good I think that I should be able to do what I want. But my body tells me otherwise. Oh well, I will just do what I can.  So I would say that what you describe must be "normal"  (There is that word again) What ever normal is, I don't think most of us remember. To me anymore, "normal is just a setting on the washing machine"
Take care and I wish you well.
         Love, Chris

[Helmar]

Thanks Marie... will let you know how it goes. Be careful on that ice...you can really hurt yourself on that stuff. Daughter fell on ice in Norway once, and only for her backpack, the Docs, think she could have broken her spine. Can be lucky.....at times.
Hope you are feeling fine and able to stay warm....hugs...Helen...

[marie3B]

Wishing you the best on your Wednesday Appointments. Weather here is neither sunny, nor fit for garden walks! I just slid on a sheet of ice going out for my morning news paper. Marie

[Helmar]

Hi Julie... yes, we get lots of news from England and the U.S.. I have a Scottish background... and follow Chelsea in the Premier League. :-) My garden is quite small...mostly roses and daisies, but nice to get out into. We are currently in mid Summer here, so we've had some lovely weather. I'm going to the cricket tomorrow to see Aust.vs.India. You are so lucky already having a little grand-daughter. Neither of my kids are married yet... daughter is a traveller, and son busy with his career...but I'm hanging in too... hoping to see grandchildren sometime. :-)
I hope you enjoyed your walk, and are feeling well. Good luck with your checkup on Wednesday. I too, see my Oncol. on Wednesday after blood tests...to see how those numbers are going....hugs...Helen....

[burrowes]

its a beautiful sunny day here and it makes me feel good i am going for a short stroll  you are lucky you have a garden to walk around  i have to go to the park.
yes you are right about being mentally strong i am only 52 and i have a lot of things i have not acheeved yet and my son is getting married in august so i am damed sure i am going to be here for that also i have a beautifull grandaughter who is four in march , she keeps me on my feet .
i am going for my monthly check up on wednesday , the hospital i go to is The Royal Marsden in sutton surrey england, i dont know if you recieve British news over in the big Auss  but  the marsden has a mother hospital in fulham london these two hospitals are only for cancer patients and people come from all over europe to go to them, last month
the fulham hospital had a terrible fire , it has put all the opperating theatres out of action and caused a massive strain on the hospital in sutton. its a massive disaster i know a few people who were due to have opps and they are having to wait another three weeks .
are your hospitals good .
going for my walk now, before i miss the best part of the day after all its not that often we see sun in england.
keep your chin up
luv
julie

[Helmar]

Thanks girls for your comments... and I hope you are both feeling fine too. I've always felt that if one can stay mentally strong throughout all of this, then that goes a long way to being able to stay on top of the situation. Wishing you both all the best...hugs..Helen..

[Helmar]

Hi Julie... I'm from Australia.  They breed them tough down here. *laugh*.....  I find some of the drugs make my appetite sharper too, although I've always been a food lover. :-) I hope we can both continue for many more years. Hugs...Helen...

[burrowes]

hi thank you for your post i am sorry you have had to go along the same path as me it is very hard having to have chemo after chemo, yes my appeite is very good  in actual fact i have put on 5 stone since i fell ill what with all the steroids and not being able to exercice as i should also this new drug makes me very hungry all the time.
helen may i ask what country you are from.
keep your chin up
best wishes
julie

[marie3B]

I have only had 1 round of chemo. I had 6 cycles of cisplatin and taxol I/V & I/P. 18 treatments in all. That is NOTHING compared to your experince. You are a miracle. I have all kinds of pain. If the docs are saying how you should be feeling I'd want to ask those docs,"How did you feel after so much chemo?" They may know how to give us treatments, but they cannot possibly know how we feel. Love, Marie

[dian07]

In my heart and mind you two women are giant heroines.....I am just amazed and star struck when I hear your conversations......women such as yourselves ....your courage....you are truely heroes to me.  I honor and respect you more than I am able to express.  I will always carry you in my heart and hold you up as an example for living and loving life.
Peace.
dian

[Helmar]

Hi Julie. I've been doing the same types of chemo you've been on, for 4 years and I must agree.. I'm not as fit as I once was either, although I still walk and work in my garden. My back gets extremely sore between the shoulder blades too, and yes... a feeling of being unfit. I think these drugs must take their toll on our bodies, particularly if one is taking them constantly over a long period of time, as you and I are doing. I suppose to still be here reasonably fit, we just have to do the 'hard yards'. Is your appetite good? Mine is, so I think that probably helps. I still lead an active life, and do what I want to do, although a little slower.:-) I hope you continue to do well. hugs...Helen...