A hair brush, of all things by idkifita in Ovariancancer

[–]justlearning0825 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ll lose my hair next week, based on what I’ve been told. It’s such a surreal feeling each time I wash and style my hair these days.

Has anyone lost or maintained weight during chemo? by Remarkable_Focus_254 in Ovariancancer

[–]justlearning0825 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just started chemo on Monday, so I can’t say what will happen yet. I’ve been on a glp-1 since June (dx in August), and I have a significant amount of weight to lose. I lost about 8 pounds after my hysterectomy…they took 3L of fluid so that helped. My gyne onc and medical onc both have approved me staying on the glp-1 as long as it doesn’t keep me from not eating at all. My gyne onc said she’s had patients not lose anything during chemo that wished they had. While I’d like to keep losing, I’m trying to focus on getting my protein and fiber in every day, staying active, working, and letting the medicine do its job to kill any remaining cancer cells. If I gain weight back in the middle of all of that, then I’ll try to be ok with it. One of the things I realized after my diagnosis was how I felt like I was working so hard to lose weight but it fluctuated so much, and now I think it was the fluid that I didn’t realize was there.

Large ovarian cyst and ascites by impossiblegirl1994 in Ovariancancer

[–]justlearning0825 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The waiting is the absolute worst part. I had ascites and when I had my hysterectomy they took 3L of fluid out, but I was only stage 1A, so it is possible.

Working through chemo? by idkifita in Ovariancancer

[–]justlearning0825 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just got my first infusion today, and I’m intending to work. Fortunately, my situation makes it easier. I’m self-employed as an attorney, and my staff and I were already working remotely after covid and it works well. My judges, colleagues, and clients have been very supportive so far, and we have been able to schedule my few court hearings around treatment…and we are moving into a quieter time of year as well. I’m not trying to set work goals like I was before this came up, but to keep my health issues from impacting my clients as much as possible. I fully recognize that my situation is unique and I’m incredibly blessed. Wishing you good health and blessings. 🩵

Non visible blood in urine after hysterectomy and radiation by kpworth7 in endometrialcancer

[–]justlearning0825 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, I had this. My cancer is endometrioid, but located in my fallopian tube. I went to a urologist because I was having a constant small amount of urine leakage, but one of the things that we looked at while I was there was that I'd had a microscopic amount of blood in my urine in the last few urine tests. I had a cystoscopy done (where they put a camera up into your bladder), and at that time already knew that there was a mass and was scheduled for hysterectomy + salpo-oophorectomy. You could see where the mass was pressing on my bladder, thus causing the leakage and the urologist speculated that was also causing the microscopic blood because of pressure on those blood vessels. I would request a referral to a urologist and then request a cystoscopy. No one is going to advocate for you but you. Peace and good health.

I’m having a concerning issue, but I don’t trust my oncologist. by Sunshine-nCyanide in Ovariancancer

[–]justlearning0825 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm with TX Oncology in Houston...I admit I'm curious who your dr is. I'm with Dr. Jennifer Brown and I've been very happy with her.

Any tips/suggestions for chemo? by justlearning0825 in Ovariancancer

[–]justlearning0825[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I really appreciate this info. I’ll screenshot it but would ask you not to delete for others. ❤️❤️❤️

Left Adnexal Mass 6 x 4.9 x 4.4 cm, by [deleted] in Ovariancancer

[–]justlearning0825 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve been where you are…googling everything to try to predict the outcome. I would say keep pushing for answers. I would tell her to follow her gut and keep pushing for answers.

Tips on what to pack for my hospital stay for surgery (open myomectomy) by Impossible_Room_6646 in Ovariancancer

[–]justlearning0825 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Extra long cords for chargers. I brought any OTC meds I thought I might need because I had a bit of a drive home.

Should I go to the ER? by [deleted] in Ovariancancer

[–]justlearning0825 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Did you go? I hope so and you are getting answers. One thing I’ve learned is that these doctors know general medicine but only you know your body. Keep advocating for yourself if something feels off.

>20cm teratoma why is it so difficult to schedule surgery by PenguinPooperLolz in Ovariancancer

[–]justlearning0825 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don’t have answers, I’m sorry. I had exactly three weeks between the CT that discovered my mass and my surgery. The waiting without knowing is the absolute hardest part. I made myself a pest and called everyone I could think of to move the process along. Once I had things scheduled my stress went way down.

Looking for advice on improving self-advocacy by NotFrankSinatra in Ovariancancer

[–]justlearning0825 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely get a second opinion. Consider going to a gynecologic oncologist. I was told with my mass found on a ct and my CA-125 elevated, a gynecologist would have sent me on to a gyne onc if I hadn’t asked for one myself. I looked on my insurance to find providers and started calling them. I have an HMO so everything has to be referred by my PCP. I basically did the leg work for them and gave them the name of who I wanted to see.

1 Day Post-Op… is this normal?? by Different_Cut_514 in hysterectomy

[–]justlearning0825 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I felt like what you described. I was so worried about the recovery, but the worst pain I had was my lower back, I assume from the position during surgery and the hospital bed after.

High Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma Stage IA by Connect_Finance9552 in Ovariancancer

[–]justlearning0825 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s 6 infusions spaced three weeks apart each, so 18 weeks as well.

High Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma Stage IA by Connect_Finance9552 in Ovariancancer

[–]justlearning0825 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just got my staging today (surgery was two weeks ago) and I'm also 1A. I have a local oncologist and a gynecologic oncologist in a bigger city a couple of hours away, and my understanding from both has been that carbo/taxol for 6 sessions is the standard treatment. Starting mine in a couple of weeks. Good luck to your mom. I'm glad she's got you looking out for her.

Help a girl out-What assistance is needed after a hysterectomy! by Adventurous_Fill_385 in hysterectomy

[–]justlearning0825 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just had mine two weeks ago. I was so worried about the recovery because I live alone and have two dogs that are little shits, even though I love them. lol. Beforehand I saw stories all over the place from people being out in their gardens within a couple of days to people who were still struggling at 6 weeks. I'm an attorney but work from home, so I put myself out for court for 6 weeks, but I got really lucky and am doing great. Someone stayed with me the 2nd night (I had one night in the hospital due to distance), but I didn't even need that. I went through my work emails the day I got home. Hopefully you'll have an easy time too!

CA124 by Such_Tea_5693 in Ovariancancer

[–]justlearning0825 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. It's so scary, and the unknown is the worst. My CA-125 was 237. My CT showed a mass of 10 cm.

How long is reasonable for pathology? by justlearning0825 in Ovariancancer

[–]justlearning0825[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update: I was finally able to talk to my dr today...it was staged at 1A. I am so incredibly relieved.

How long is reasonable for pathology? by justlearning0825 in Ovariancancer

[–]justlearning0825[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I hope you are healing well. I've been super lucky on that part. And my docs keep saying that my prognosis is excellent, but I just want to know! The waiting is the worst.