Ovarian Cancer Stage 1 borderline progressed to high grade Stage 4

Posted by Laurie Ann @laurieann789, Aug 3, 2017

Hello!
My name is Laurie and I was diagnosed with Borderline Ovarian Cancer 1-2016. I was monitored with CA 125 and abd/pelvic CAT scans. In March I was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic disease to the lungs. I have no evidence of the cancer in my abdomen or pelvis. I was hospitalized with "pneumonia" but it was the lymphangetic mets. My CA125 went from 37 in December to 948 in March. Is there anyone out there who has the same disease process? Thank you

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.

Hello @laurieann789, and welcome to Connect.

I would like to invite @joannedb, @mfell @gill @jfc4 @libbysmom, @rena42, @katethegreat and @mohavegal to this discussion as they have all discussed ovarian cancer in the past.

Laurie, are you currently undergoing any treatments for you cancer or diagnoses? How are you feeling?

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@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @laurieann789, and welcome to Connect.

I would like to invite @joannedb, @mfell @gill @jfc4 @libbysmom, @rena42, @katethegreat and @mohavegal to this discussion as they have all discussed ovarian cancer in the past.

Laurie, are you currently undergoing any treatments for you cancer or diagnoses? How are you feeling?

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Hello Justin!
I am doing well.  I am on oxygen 24/7. I started dose dense Carboplatin and Taxol in March.  We added Avastin with the 3rd cycle.  I am starting my 8th cycle Wednesday.  My CA 125 is now down to 140.  I am on Eliquis for treatment of PE.  Inhalers and nebulizers.  I have had thoracentesis 3 times on the left, the last one on July 18th and once on the right.   I am looking at clinical trials. 
Thank you,
Laurie Ann

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I have been diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer and completed my first cycle (of six) of Carboplatin and Taxol. I'm 75 and just had a hysterectomy which confirmed the cancer was in 3 other places, the cells were removed. I felt fairly good until the third treatment and now feel very tired since this is an off week, I hope I can recover some of my energy. I was very active prior to the surgery.

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@pat417

I have been diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer and completed my first cycle (of six) of Carboplatin and Taxol. I'm 75 and just had a hysterectomy which confirmed the cancer was in 3 other places, the cells were removed. I felt fairly good until the third treatment and now feel very tired since this is an off week, I hope I can recover some of my energy. I was very active prior to the surgery.

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Welcome to Connect, @pat417. It looks like @laurieann789 is just slightly ahead of you with a similar chemo regimen. I'm hoping she'll return to this conversation and share her experience with fatigue and managing side effects.

Pat, if you were active before surgery, this will definitely help your recovery. Be patient with yourself. It takes a while. And it is a fatigue like no other, isn't it? Do you have someone helping you out with daily tasks and household chores?

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@pat417

I have been diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer and completed my first cycle (of six) of Carboplatin and Taxol. I'm 75 and just had a hysterectomy which confirmed the cancer was in 3 other places, the cells were removed. I felt fairly good until the third treatment and now feel very tired since this is an off week, I hope I can recover some of my energy. I was very active prior to the surgery.

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Good afternoon@pat417! I hope today is turning into a better day for you. You have the double whammy Pat. Recovery from surgery AND chemotherapy. Your cycles are a bit different from mine as I was on Carbo and Taxol the first week then on Taxol for the next 2 weeks as my cycle. I did complete 7 cycles of Carbo and Taxol. Now I am on Taxol weekly at a higher dose and Avastin. As Colleen shared be patient with yourself. Ask for help. As an active person myself before all this, taking a friend up on their offer to help with a meal or shop or run something to the library is not a sign of weakness. As was explained to me......Laurie, remember when you did such and such? Yes. Did it make you feel good to help/do something for her? Yes. Well, let me have my joy and let me cook you dinner. God is good! Pat, we will have our good days and we will have our tired/sleepy days. We are never alone. On the tired days, I read, make lists, listen to music, and most important pray. Allow your family and friends the joy of helping you. Listen to your body. If it says today is a good day to walk 10 laps in the driveway...do it (or 5!). If your body says sit....sit, but sit outside or near a window to watch the birds and squirrels! It sounds like you are a tough cookie! It will get better. One down 5 to go! Hugs, Laurie

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@pat417

I have been diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer and completed my first cycle (of six) of Carboplatin and Taxol. I'm 75 and just had a hysterectomy which confirmed the cancer was in 3 other places, the cells were removed. I felt fairly good until the third treatment and now feel very tired since this is an off week, I hope I can recover some of my energy. I was very active prior to the surgery.

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Yes, my dear husband has been cooking the evening meal, we each prepare our own breakfast and lunch. He's retired so, so far he has enjoyed preparing the meal, be it from scratch or frozen. My daughters also help as they can. It is hard to be patient when you're so used to getting things done your self. Went to a "look good class" at our local hospital yesterday, that was my first outing after my daughter clipped all my hair off. What an emotional experience.

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@pat417

I have been diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer and completed my first cycle (of six) of Carboplatin and Taxol. I'm 75 and just had a hysterectomy which confirmed the cancer was in 3 other places, the cells were removed. I felt fairly good until the third treatment and now feel very tired since this is an off week, I hope I can recover some of my energy. I was very active prior to the surgery.

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Thanks, Laurie, I'm really trying to come to grips with being patient with myself. My neighbor has become my prayer partner, which has helped ever so much. Pat

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Pat and Laurie, I'm so glad you've connected. I also invite you to join/read this conversation on Connect where you'll meet additional members.

I have ovarian cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-to-group-have-ovarian-cancer/

Pat, how was the Look Good, Feel Better class? Would you recommend it?

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Good morning Pat! The emotion of the hair loss is overwhelming to say the least. Until it occurs you can mentally prepare, but the reality when it does rocks your world.....yet once again. How was the Look Good, Feel Better class? I have been blessed by family and friends who have slapped the black turban on my head and wrapped a wildly colorful scarf (that I would not ever have thought of picking out), so that this bohemian gypsy is looking me back in the mirror. Out comes the dangling colorful earrings....again , my choice of earrings were/are so conservative they squeaked. But, I think friends and family are happy to push us out of our comfort zones as they see fit. I love to read and when I look at myself in the mirror...I am this wild gypsy character out of a book....and I love it! My boys, 10 and 14 will still be seen with me in public! Laugh a lot Pat. Put me on your prayer list. You are on mine. I like to think of my prayer partners as prayer warriors. My chemo day is Wednesday. Warrior Wednesday. Eat well. One of the products I like, if you don't mind me sharing, is the Boost Simply. Has 10 grams of protein, tastes good and no artificial junk. If you have a Publix nearby...best price. Hugs and prayers.

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I had to log in as sean's father as my husband and I share an email account. However I have a different disease, ovarian cancer. I read all the posts and wonder if there are any current connect users for 2018. Really would like to share as it has been over 3 years since I finished chemo and almost a year since I completed a clinical trial at Mayo Clinic Rochester.

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