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Kristi and Brian: Living
I just read the blog about one woman's struggle with OVCA. Jan posted it and I truly appreciate her effort to inform us of other avenues to explore. I have a question that perhaps some of you can answer: Kristi is so young, yet she's had every side effect, low blood counts, etc..in the book. Why does it seem that younger women's battle is so much more riddled with complications? I didn't realize how I obviously breezed right through chemo, not missing one because of a problem. Was it easy? No! It was the toughest thing I've ever been through in my life. Yet I had no problems compared to what I read here. I also was not in great condition before I started. I am aware of the problems the different stages of this disease cause. Yet it seems the actual chemo and how rough the road DURING the chemo is should be a non-issue. I also noticed that she did have the energy to travel, etc..and I did not during the entire process. I have a limited number of people to compare concerning this, but I do read a lot of material and about different people's experiences every chance I get. So, is there a reason for this or is it just luck? Could it be some people have better care, better ONC's that would cause the treatments to be easier? Just wondering if any of you can help me understand. Thanks, Teresa
Interesting thoughts going on here! Teresa, I, too, did not really have as many problems with chemo that others have had. Only major problem I had were these HORRIFIC headaches! Nothing would touch them! I tried accupuncture the day after chemo and that was the only thing that ever gave me relief. I am 53, and being from Texas originally has my family telling me I'm just a tough ol' bird! The hair thing is a new one for me though. My last chemo was on March 25th and the hair on my head looks pretty much like an ostrich head. My friends said that if I sprayed it with a green hairspray I would look like a chia pet! I was looking forward to nice thick DARK curls since my hair was very straight and FAR from being dark if I didn't make regular dye appointments! Leg hair is about the only thing that has come back...and very sparse. However, my eyebrows are growing hair only where I normally plucked them! Oh well, as Gilda said, "It's always something." Rhonda
Yes! I had forgotten to mention that the worse place is hair on my face. I've NEVER had hair there. It's down the sides of my face. Thank goodness it is blond. But it is still bothersome to me. I thought that the hair there might be a result of almost starving to death after my initial surgery. I lost 40 lbs. I had heard that anexoria causes facial hair growth. But, when my whole body started producing it, that theory was down the drain.
On my head, my hair has come back a little curly, but very thick and coarse. It was thick and coarse before chemo.
Teresa
On my head, my hair has come back a little curly, but very thick and coarse. It was thick and coarse before chemo.
Teresa
After the carbo/taxol my ability to grow hair has not returned. I have splotches of hair here and there on my legs and as Teresa said "elsewhere" it has not grown back. Chemo nurse asked me if I was getting Brazillians. LOL Nope it only grew back there in one tiny spot so I just shave it off. My underarms have only grown 2 hairs in a year and a half. I quit shaving underarms a long time ago, but do have to check it occasionally cause I did not see 1 hair that had gotten about 2 inches long (YUCK) until Cory pointed it out. On the upside I have only used 3 razor blades in the last two years. My head has grown back well, except it has a tendency to grow thick in the front leaving me looking like I have a mullet. It is curly as all get out and I only have a couple of gray hairs so that is nice. I have always gotten about 3 hairs on the right side of my chin and those have grown back, but they are easy enough to pluck.
As for the nair type products, I would be afraid to use those also as they can produce a nasty rash if you have been out in the sun prior to using, if you go out in the sun too soon after or if you have other product on your skin at the time. I would definitely avoid those.
As for the nair type products, I would be afraid to use those also as they can produce a nasty rash if you have been out in the sun prior to using, if you go out in the sun too soon after or if you have other product on your skin at the time. I would definitely avoid those.
The cell theroy is interesting............sound possible. I've tried an electric razor on my legs. Does not work well. If I have to go through chemo again, I will have no choice. I though about using Nair, but was positive I would have an allergic reaction. I seem to be allergic to everything when on chemo.
My biggest hair problem was my face when I finished chemo! Along my jaw line up to my ears! Black hair too. It was disgusting. I did a lot of trimming and bleaching. Anybody else?
My biggest hair problem was my face when I finished chemo! Along my jaw line up to my ears! Black hair too. It was disgusting. I did a lot of trimming and bleaching. Anybody else?
Try this. it did not have a 'happy' ending. But....it is so inspiring. The struggles of the lady gave meaning to the term 'fight till the end with dignity'.
http://www.wearewonderwomen.com/
http://www.wearewonderwomen.com/
You should be able to access it at joycelharper.us
I was able to and the first hit you get will be, Welocome to the Cyber Home of.....
just click that one.
Chris
I was able to and the first hit you get will be, Welocome to the Cyber Home of.....
just click that one.
Chris
To shave, you should use an electric razor. But, speaking of shaving....I seem to be able to produce TOO MUCH HAIR now. I am shaving these big legs every day. I won't describe other places... I told my ONC about it my last visit and he laughed. He finally said he might send me to a Endocrinologist if I still have the trouble in September. September is going to be a long time coming. I did not think, nor did anyone tell me my ability to grow hair would be enhanced, big time, by chemo.
Teresa
Teresa
Is there any way you can give us more of the website address? (Chris)
Onniebay: I've always considered myself physically weak. Before I got dx with OVCA, I watched my husband go through chemo and then a stem cell transplant. I kept saying, "I could NEVER withstand chemo." Guess what, I had another think coming, didn't I? I was so afraid when I first began. My first treatment I sat there and cried. I just knew in a few days I would be so sick I would need to be taken by LifeFlight to the hospital. I made it through all of those stinkers. The last two were the worst as far as long term recovery.
I am wondering if some people in the age bracket area of 50-65 or so, that our cells multiply more slowly..healthy and the bad ones. Anyone have a thought on this?
Teresa
Onniebay: I've always considered myself physically weak. Before I got dx with OVCA, I watched my husband go through chemo and then a stem cell transplant. I kept saying, "I could NEVER withstand chemo." Guess what, I had another think coming, didn't I? I was so afraid when I first began. My first treatment I sat there and cried. I just knew in a few days I would be so sick I would need to be taken by LifeFlight to the hospital. I made it through all of those stinkers. The last two were the worst as far as long term recovery.
I am wondering if some people in the age bracket area of 50-65 or so, that our cells multiply more slowly..healthy and the bad ones. Anyone have a thought on this?
Teresa
Paula,
Thanks for putting that blog on for us. In reading it, I realized that I had read part of it some time ago. (like a year or so) I will go back and read it again and catch up with what is going on.
Here is another site I ran across not to awfully long ago. I did not think to post about it as I did not know how others would react. But before I tell you the post, I will give you all just a little warning, I cried through a lot of it. Yes at times it is very sad, but the woman was a true warrior. The site is joycelharper.us
I realize some of you may not want to read this, but I want to be able to face all aspects of this disease that come my way and I know that there are others like me. It is a fairly long site that you have to go back a way to read the whole thing. But it is in journal form like the one above.
Chris
Thanks for putting that blog on for us. In reading it, I realized that I had read part of it some time ago. (like a year or so) I will go back and read it again and catch up with what is going on.
Here is another site I ran across not to awfully long ago. I did not think to post about it as I did not know how others would react. But before I tell you the post, I will give you all just a little warning, I cried through a lot of it. Yes at times it is very sad, but the woman was a true warrior. The site is joycelharper.us
I realize some of you may not want to read this, but I want to be able to face all aspects of this disease that come my way and I know that there are others like me. It is a fairly long site that you have to go back a way to read the whole thing. But it is in journal form like the one above.
Chris
I was 37 when they found mine. Actually within days of Kristi finding out about hers. I only had low blood counts after the 5th and 6th chemos. I had one booster shot after the 5th because I was sleeping 18 hours a day.
After the 6th one I was not as tired because they had lowered my dosage. My platelets were horrible. I was bruised all over. I had to shave my legs because I was off the taxol and on gemzar instead. I guess everytime I shave I must knick myself a little and not know it. My legs were bleeding like crazy and would not stop. My nurse told me no more shaving my legs until my platelets went up. Ugh I have very pale skin and dark hair.
It is interesting you said that younger patients seem to have a harder time. My oncologist said the same. I think you more mature ladies are just very tough.
After the 6th one I was not as tired because they had lowered my dosage. My platelets were horrible. I was bruised all over. I had to shave my legs because I was off the taxol and on gemzar instead. I guess everytime I shave I must knick myself a little and not know it. My legs were bleeding like crazy and would not stop. My nurse told me no more shaving my legs until my platelets went up. Ugh I have very pale skin and dark hair.
It is interesting you said that younger patients seem to have a harder time. My oncologist said the same. I think you more mature ladies are just very tough.
You are still sharp. It takes a bit of a brain to communicate. You do just fine communicating with us. I wish I had more motivation to get my "stuff" straightened out.
You garden, I let mine go this year because I was not motivated. Every few weeks I do spray weed killer. Weeds are taking over the pool area that I spent days and days redoing last year. (before OVCA) I have boxes and boxes of dolls on my bedroom floor. They've been there two months. See....don't get down on yourself. All of us have our problems with this battle. No one is unscathed by the monster. Teresa
You garden, I let mine go this year because I was not motivated. Every few weeks I do spray weed killer. Weeds are taking over the pool area that I spent days and days redoing last year. (before OVCA) I have boxes and boxes of dolls on my bedroom floor. They've been there two months. See....don't get down on yourself. All of us have our problems with this battle. No one is unscathed by the monster. Teresa
I am just going to have to keep a daily log of EVERYTHING I do. I know I started that HealthPage, although it says someone else did, but I think someone else might have put that blog in there in which case that is good that people are adding to it. I have not read that story or maybe I have; who knows. Honestly Teresa, I used to be sharp as a tack, but now I am as dull witted as a butter knife. I can't even get my sayings right. I actually had to look up how to spell apocalyptic and inundate today. I am appalled at the complete and total betrayal of my brain. Chemo brain doesn't exist my a&&. I am completely disgusted with myself. Sorry
Yes, I meant you. I found it on the "Other Ovarian Cancer Sites" that you edited today. http://briankristi.blogspot.com/ It took me over an hour to read all the posts from Kristi. If you have not gone there to read it, do so. It is a very interesting site. You might have just copied and pasted it to that area on this forum. Teresa
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