English Community

Morning ladies,

So I had my 2nd dose of chemo on Thursday.  It sent a little smoother then the first one, taking the Dex the night before.  I still had some mild symptoms like weird stomach discomfort, hands and nailbed redness,started sneezing for some reason and just arm ache during the infusion.  Other than that it was ok.  Hgb was 95 after the transfusion I had after my first dose and my ca125 down from 545 pre to 300 post.  I'll take those as a positive.  Hair is really falling out now, so going to get it shaved on Tuesday.  Little emotional lately.  Next round scheduled for May 29th, then planning for CT and MRI to see if we can remove tumor yet or not.  One day at a time.  Thanks for being here

I am glad that the second infusion felt better for you. Knowing more about what to expect also helps. (I also had to take the Dex the night before to offset the reaction I had the first time. I have done 5 infusions so far and believe that there will be some more after I heal from surgery). I remember the docs told me that they are looking for a downward trend in the CA125 and this has happened for you, so that is great. I understand and relate to the emotional part you are feeling. My tears get going after day 3 when I enter that low energy/feeling unwell chasm for a few days. I let myself cry and then usually feel better. It is all so tough, I know. 

hi@Meinvan and well done on finishing chemo #2. Glad it went smoother although it's crazy how there can so many different reactions. The hair loss can definitely be emotional. When my eyebrows disappeared I felt most vulnerable but I was also shocked how fast the grew back post chemo. Rest up and stay hydrated! You are doing great. 

Thank you ladies, I definitely feel more emotional this time, my mind wanders to all the dark places I don't want to go to.  Don't know if it's just the meds or what.  I don't want my hubby or son seeing me being a blubbering mess.  I look in the mirror and see someone that no longer looks like me.  Energy is low right now but I got out of bed everyday post chemo this round, having weird discomfort kind of like the lining of my abdomen and around my belly button, especially with moving or bending.  Don't want to take HM for pain during the day as I don't want to live in a brain fog. I try to think it's the tumor shrinking and the peritoneal deposits responding to the chemo too.  Still trying to eat and snack so that's an improvement too.  Can't afford to lose anymore weight.  Thanks for listening.

Going through chemo is tough on so many levels. The meds, the physical discomfort, the symptoms, the change in appearance and all the sudden changes in one's life brings grief and loss. Your tears are understandable and justified. They have a place in our healing process.

The chemo is working hard on the cancer cells in your body. (I could feel sparks and all kinds of sensations in my body after infusions, particularly where my tumour was located on my right ovary. It shrunk my tumour from 14 cm to less than 6 cm. All the cancer deposits on my omentum disappeared). I hope it does the same for you.

If you can get out of bed every day and go for a walk, even if it down the street & back, try because you will recover faster & feel better sooner. Daily movement, lots of water & nutritious foods are the game changers, in my experience. 

Take care,

Leslie