Stacy F.

Stage 4B – finished chemo 🙌

Finished my last round of weekly chemo, and my scans showed no visible signs of cancer. 🤯🎉

I’m moving on to Olaparib and would like to know if anyone has any advice. Also, do you have any thoughts on hair regrowth or skin improvements?

When I started this journey, I read several older threads that I found very useful. Posting a few thoughts here in case someone else stumbles upon them in future years.

My experience: Going into chemo, I prepared for the worst, but it didn’t get difficult until the last couple of weeks. I could eat most foods, but for some reason mostly craved Indian food. Also, I saw several others in another cancer thread say the same thing. I used the ice gloves on my hands and feet. I never experienced neuropathy or numbness.

My hair didn’t fall out until about week 10; however, I shaved my head immediately. My hair didn’t completely fall out but got super sparse. I kept my eyelashes until week 18. Also, I got a port but wished I hadn’t. I think a port is good for most people; however, with me, it was terrible. I’m somewhat thin, so the port has a constant pain from not having body fat to cushion it. The port wound never healed and is still a wound that I have to manage. It sucks. There were several times the nurses didn’t want to use my port because of the wound and the bruising.

Don’t let the diagnosis steal your joy

Q&A

Question

Horrible pain and exhaustion

Hi, I’d like to preface this by saying I made an appointment with my OBGYN today over these symptoms, and I haven’t been confirmed if I have ovarian cancer. My mom, a few nights ago, told me she had ovarian cancer in the past and survived. And was concerned about my health recently and advised me to make this appointment.

I’ve been having HORRIBLE pain from my periods for years now, to the point where it’s hard for me to function; meditation doesn’t work anymore. It’s just severe pain. On top of that, I have recently been extremely exhausted from minor tasks, I feel like I’m starving, but I have no appetite; im losing weight rapidly, I don’t know what to do, I’m scared.

Answer:

Since ovarian cancer isn’t detected on paps, make sure they check your ca-125 and do a CT scan. I’m sorry you’re in so much pain.

It’s completely natural to feel scared when facing such intense symptoms, especially given your mother’s history. Your decision to see an OBGYN is a vital step. While only a medical professional can give you answers, your symptoms — severe period pain, exhaustion, appetite changes, and weight loss — are signals that your body needs extra attention. Remember, many things can cause similar symptoms, and not all are as severe as cancer.

In the meantime, try to focus on small, manageable steps: get rest, drink fluids, and eat what you can, even if it’s just a little. If pain and anxiety get overwhelming, consider reaching out to a friend or family member to stay close by.

Lucy

Question

Diagnosed with 3.5 cm ovarian endo, CEA and CA125 normal. Should I get a laparoscopy or watch and wait?

I have a 3-month follow-up U/S in 3 days since I opted for the watch-and-wait scenario rather than surgery since the OBGYN I dealt with told me she thinks the chance of cancer is low. Also, I told her my aunt died of OC, but that didn’t change her mind. I asked a couple of times to get the CA125 test but was told they wouldn’t do it because it doesn’t tell them anything, even when I asked to get it so I could know more when going in for my U/S and even just for my peace of mind.

So, I took matters into my own hands and bought a test through Ulta Labs. I went and got my blood drawn yesterday and got the results today. I got the CA125, CEA, and CBC, and everything was in the normal range. The CA125 was 18, so that makes me feel better.

So what would you do if you were in my shoes and the U/S shows no change in the endo? Keep monitoring it, or go in and have the lap done? I know the CA125 has shown up normal in people who ended up having cancer. I have no pain, and I wouldn’t even have known if this hadn’t been found as an incidental.

Answer

Sylvia

Highly recommend having the laparoscopy. Some Ovarian cancers do not secrete CA 125. Mine didn’t. I was diagnosed with stage 3c. OC can go from stage 1 to 3 in a year. Don’t sit on it.

Lucy

What were your symptoms?

Sylvia

Initially, I had post-menopausal spotting, which triggered a gyne referral, endometrial biopsies and transvaginal ultrasound. Everything came back negative. Then, a year later had bloating and was very gassy. Checked for colon cancer with a colonoscopy, which was negative. I also felt a lump in my abdomen. CT was done and showed a large tumour. A biopsy was done, and a diagnosis of ovarian cancer stage 3c was made.

Lucy

Oh, I am also gassy and had spotting for a month straight. The OB had me get an ultrasound, and she found polyps, which I am getting removed at the end of this month. I also Have pain on the right side of my stomach, pelvis and hip area. It gets extremely painful a couple of days before my period. Did you also have pain? How are you doing now?

I mean pain on my Left side only.

Sylvia

I didn’t have pain. Just before I started chemo, my abdomen was so swollen and hard it was super uncomfortable, but I wouldn’t call it pain. I’ve had chemo, surgery then finished chemo. Started on a PARP inhibitor for the last 4 months. I had a CT with contrast 2 weeks ago, and I will find out if it works tomorrow. It’s been a couple of anxiety-producing weeks.