Aa
Questions about my results
I had my surgery on January 22nd. My gyno/oncol did not think my very large mass was going to be cancer, but unfortuntualty when he removed it during surgery and took it to the lab they said yes it was cancerous and he then went ahead and did a total hysterectomy. The mass was totally encapsolated inside of the right ovary. It was removed fully intact. The doctor could not see or feel any thing that looked like the cancer had spread to any other organs or limp nodes. Today I got my staples out and went over the pathology report. Everything he removed and biopsied came back as "no evidence of malignancy". Yea! He said I had a Grade 2 "moderately differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma with squamous differentiation". it was Stage IA or accodoring to the Pathology Staging: pT1aNXMn/a. The Tumor was limited to one ovary; capsule intact, no tumor on ovarian surface, no malignant cells in ascites or peritoneal washings. I am still trying to learn what exactly all of this staging and grades mean. My doctor reccommended I have 6 rounds of chemo because of the large size of my mass and also because it had adheared to the side wall of my abnomen. I will start chemo on Feb. 27th. Even though it did turn out to be cancer, I am gratful that it seems I got it out in the early stages, however I still am cautious and do not want to be too over confident. I ask the doctor a million questions and it seems like I have a milion more as soon as I leave. I try to learn as much as I can on the internet, but as I'm sure you all already know it is hard to sift through everything that is out there. I appreciate and value all of your experiences and knowledge. I would welcome any thoughts or infomration you have about any of this.
Well I am sorry to hear your tumor was cancerous. I too was orginally a Stage 1A, my cell type was clear cell. I would ask your gyn/oncologist for a copy of your surgerical notes and pathology reports. It's very good to have. I too had 6 cycles of carbo/taxotere. It's no walk in the park, but I wanted to make sure I left nothing hiding. My original tumor was 26 cm, it was huge, but my mass to was like yours, came completely out, the cancer was completely encapsulated inside this mass, and the mass came out intact (did not burst), my pelvic washing and lymph nodes and all surrounding organs and etc were all negative.
Remain positive. All will be fine. I unfortunately was one of the few where my cancer did return, but it was 4 1/2 years later, and it's been over 3 years since my reoccurrence. I am still here after 8+ years. There are alot of wonderful women on this site if you have questions.
Best wishes to you.
Be Well.
Jane
Remain positive. All will be fine. I unfortunately was one of the few where my cancer did return, but it was 4 1/2 years later, and it's been over 3 years since my reoccurrence. I am still here after 8+ years. There are alot of wonderful women on this site if you have questions.
Best wishes to you.
Be Well.
Jane
I am not a doctor but Stage1A means the Cancer is only in the ovary. The Chemo can be rough but if they can stop the Cancer that is really good. Did they take your Omentum or not? They probably did not need to.
The main thing is to keep eating during chemo. I like the dark chocolate ensure. I lost too much weight during chemo. The trick is to eat whether you want to or not. I did not want to and my first doctor said it was okay if I did not eat. This landed me in the hospital with a different doctor and a nutritionist. I had to learn to eat six small meals.
I shaved my head before chemo I thought it was better than watching my hair fall out and it can be painful to some people when the hair comes out. My husband shaved his head at the same time. I like scarves so I went to REI and bought some. Performance Bike shop also has head sweats. They are for bicyclist to wear under their helmets. They are comfortable and you do not have to tie them. I liked them because I could throw them on before answering the door.
I know you are probably scared and a little overwhelmed. I was not told it was Cancer and when I woke up they told me I was full of Cancer I cried a lot. The hystercetomy is also sad. Even though I was in menopause it still made me sad. My husband and I had to get used to each other all over again.
Ovarian Cancer is not as bad as it used to be. I am very advanced but I still lead a good life. I get out and walk. I try to ride horses when I can. I can't afford a horse. A nice lady lets me ride hers.
When I first read about Ovarian Cancer on the internet I was very scared. The statistics are old and misleading. People are not statistics. They have all kinds of new treatments. Even women like me can look forward to many years.
You might have No Evidence of Disease N.E.D. for many years after your chemo. I have known women who were caught early who lived 30 or more years. It is considered a chronic illness like diabetes. In my case I will be in treatment most of my life. The other chemos are not as bad as the first. If you can keep your weight on it is not so bad. I was 40 pounds under weight.
I will be glad to answer any question you have. I am almost two years out from my diagnosis.
Anyway you get through is the right way. Some people go on super diets and exercise while on chemo some people stay in bed and eat what they can. Mild exercise keeps you from getting too weak. It helps anemia because you need red blood cells to exercise.
I found a support group in my area which I like. I also did Yoga with other Cancer Patients. I set up a website called Lots of helping hands and my friends sign up for meals, visits, taking shopping, and to chemo. It helps to have a support system. I now have treatment every week and have different friends taking me.
I have an ipod with music I like this helps with stressful times at the hospital. At my Cancer Hospital you have a lot of waiting.
If you ever have pain I suggest getting a good pain clinic. I have one and they help.
I also have MS and the BRCA1 mutation which puts me at a higher risk for breast cancer so I have a breast specialist as well.
Alex
The main thing is to keep eating during chemo. I like the dark chocolate ensure. I lost too much weight during chemo. The trick is to eat whether you want to or not. I did not want to and my first doctor said it was okay if I did not eat. This landed me in the hospital with a different doctor and a nutritionist. I had to learn to eat six small meals.
I shaved my head before chemo I thought it was better than watching my hair fall out and it can be painful to some people when the hair comes out. My husband shaved his head at the same time. I like scarves so I went to REI and bought some. Performance Bike shop also has head sweats. They are for bicyclist to wear under their helmets. They are comfortable and you do not have to tie them. I liked them because I could throw them on before answering the door.
I know you are probably scared and a little overwhelmed. I was not told it was Cancer and when I woke up they told me I was full of Cancer I cried a lot. The hystercetomy is also sad. Even though I was in menopause it still made me sad. My husband and I had to get used to each other all over again.
Ovarian Cancer is not as bad as it used to be. I am very advanced but I still lead a good life. I get out and walk. I try to ride horses when I can. I can't afford a horse. A nice lady lets me ride hers.
When I first read about Ovarian Cancer on the internet I was very scared. The statistics are old and misleading. People are not statistics. They have all kinds of new treatments. Even women like me can look forward to many years.
You might have No Evidence of Disease N.E.D. for many years after your chemo. I have known women who were caught early who lived 30 or more years. It is considered a chronic illness like diabetes. In my case I will be in treatment most of my life. The other chemos are not as bad as the first. If you can keep your weight on it is not so bad. I was 40 pounds under weight.
I will be glad to answer any question you have. I am almost two years out from my diagnosis.
Anyway you get through is the right way. Some people go on super diets and exercise while on chemo some people stay in bed and eat what they can. Mild exercise keeps you from getting too weak. It helps anemia because you need red blood cells to exercise.
I found a support group in my area which I like. I also did Yoga with other Cancer Patients. I set up a website called Lots of helping hands and my friends sign up for meals, visits, taking shopping, and to chemo. It helps to have a support system. I now have treatment every week and have different friends taking me.
I have an ipod with music I like this helps with stressful times at the hospital. At my Cancer Hospital you have a lot of waiting.
If you ever have pain I suggest getting a good pain clinic. I have one and they help.
I also have MS and the BRCA1 mutation which puts me at a higher risk for breast cancer so I have a breast specialist as well.
Alex
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