Fallopian Tube Cancer

I was dx with fallopian Tube Cancer April 29, 2005 after requesting CA125 blood test. I was told I didn't need it as I had a healthy exam.
It came back highly elevated. I was sent by my GYN 5 hr north to an Oncologist GYN. On May 11, 2005, I had a radical hysterectomy. Everything that could be removed was, including 2 lymph nodes. For one of the letter I read, the Oncologist GYN said that 40 out of a hundred make it past 5 years.

I am on Taxol and Paraplatin. I have 6 treatments, 3 weeks apart. I have had two treatments so far.

Two weeks after my first treatment I developed
a very painful pins and needles in my hands. It felt like a hundred bee stings. It lasted about 45 min before it calmed down. I was told
it was neuropathy. Since then I am experiencing it all over my body continually.
At times it will also attack a certain part of my body and be very intense for a period of time, sometimes several hours.
I am going in for my 3rd chemo next Thursday, July 21st and am very concerned as this does not sound like neuropathy to me. Since my first attack I seldom have it in my feet and hand other then an occasional pricks. I'm wondering if I am allergic to one of the chemo’s.

Has any one else experience this?

Shirley,
My mom has fallopian tube cancer. She was diagnosed September 2, 2005. How are you doing now? Mom is having her second chemo on October 27, 2005. Has the pins and needles stopped?

Anna

Hi Anna,
I’m sorry to hear about your mom. Yes, my pins and needles have stopped, only it felt more like bee stings. I had to go into the Cancer Center to drop off a note for my doctor, my hands were hurting so bad I couldn’t talk to the receptionist with out crying. She got me in to see a doctor’s assistant right away and she put me on steroids. What a relief!

I had my 6th and last chemo September 23. Next Wednesday, the 26th, I drive 5 hours north for my Oct 27th Oncologist GYN visit. We don’t have one in this area. I’m hoping my port will also be removed.

I am so thankful that I haven’t been sick through any of this. What I experienced was fatigue and after the first 3 or 4 chemos, body aches and of course, the bee stings.

I found the fatigue was the worst after the 5th and 6th chemos. The 6th the worst of the two. I have just started to get up and around the past three days after the chemo I had September 23rd. But other than that, I’m feeling great.
Shirley

Shirley,
Great to hear from you. I am glad you are done with your last chemo. How awful to have to drive 5 hours. My mom is lucky to have everything within minutes of her house. I guess we have to be greatful for anything that makes this time easier. Mom has experienced some of the pins and needles in her feet. She doesn't seem to bothered by it at this point. Her brother has been with her for the last week and will stay until I fly in on next Wednesday (Oct 26). I will be with her for her second chemo and the following week and then have to fly back home for work. She has chemo every 21 days. She is 71 years old and one of my concerns is infection. Did you have any issues with this? I have put antibacterial soap by the sinks and the pump gels all over the house. I'm making sure everyone who comes near her gets a flu shot. She has an open wound from clots that had to be removed from her surgery site and has a yeast infection on the inside of her thighs. She is very tired and not into eating at all. She also seems really bored with it all right now.

Anyway, thank you for listening,
Anna

Dear Anna,

As far as infections are concerned, I didn’t have any until after my 6th chemo.
Then I picked up a sinus infection and was put on heavy duty antibiotics. I recently
had the flu shot. I imagine your Mother will be given one also.

I didn’t have the problems your mom is having after her surgery. I healed up very well. So she may have more problems than I have had.

I know how your Mom feels. I do have the problem of not being hungry. It feels like such a long time to be so tired. After the
first couple chemo’s, I read a lot, then Katrina took place so after my 3rd chemo
I laid on the couch and watched Katrina for several week, 27/7, as I couldn’t sleep
at night very well. After my 4th chemo, I have been crocheting pot holders for Christmas
presents. I have crocheted over a 100 so far. So people are going to get them for Christmas whether they like it or not. HA!!!

I did forget to tell you that after my 4th chemo, the soles of my feet, my toes and the tips of my fingers went numb and still are. The doctor said it would take a while for that to clear up. He also had to give me a hemoglobin shot on my last visit as my fatigue is still almost a 9 on a scale of 1-10, 10 the worst.. I still can hardly get around.

Hope your trip and your visit with your mom goes well. Tell her not to give up.

It has been over 2 years since I wrote to you.  My mom went though major depression and 6 rounds of chemo that ended in January 2006.  She was cancer free for a year and it came back in January 2007.  She did 5 rounds of chemo.  Now it seems to be back again (March 2008).  Her feet have been numb for over 2 years.  She walks very carefully but gets around ok.  She is always in a fantastic mood.  She is happy to be here.  I gave birth to her first and only grandchild on August 11, 2006 and that has been a lot of fun for her as well as the rest of us. 

How are you doing?  What is going on in your life.  Are you ok?  Write back when you can.

Anna