What happens after Ovarian Cancer surgery?

I am recovering well from my ovarian cancer surgery nearly two months ago. I am able to go for a couple of walks each day, alternating walking a few yards with riding while my husband pushes me in the wheelchair. I can dust mop a little at a time, make my bed, unload the dishwasher once a day, wash a few loads of laundry each week, and heat up food for myself in the microwave. I can do things on the computer till 6 p.m, and I can finally eat a regular meal without feeling nauseous.  Best of all, I'm only feeling really tired instead of that overwhelming sense of exhaustion with shakiness, brain fog, nausea, depression, and anxiety which I've experienced these last couple of months. 

I'm grateful that my four chemo treatments have destroyed most of the cancer, and all visible cancer was removed during the surgery. I really would love to say "I'm cured" and that my struggle with cancer is over, but that isn't true. As happened to me, often ovarian cancer isn't discovered until near the end stage. Though it hadn't penetrated any of my organs, the cancer had spread throughout my entire abdomen by the time we knew it was there and began treatments for my stage 3C ovarian cancer. It is therefore likely that, at some point, the cancer will return somewhere in my body. Combined with the fact that I have the BRCA gene mutation which means that I am unable to suppress tumor growth, I have a much higher chance of having more cancer in the future.

Knowing this, my cancer doctor wants me to take the anti-cancer medication, Olaparib, generally known as Lynparza. It is a PARP Inhibitor which means that it stops cancer cells with damaged DNA from replicating. It is said to keep ovarian cancer from returning 30% to 70% of the time. This medication is given to people with ovarian or breast cancer who have the BRCA gene mutation and who have had at least three chemo treatments. After ovarian cancer returns, it is often incurable, therefore it is best to begin Lynparza shortly after chemo treatments and cancer surgery, so it can help prevent the cancer from growing again.

Right now, we are waiting for my health insurance to approve paying $1,200 per month for the Lynparza medication. Tomorrow, I will get my covid booster shot, before I start the Lynparza medication probably next week. Usually, this medication is taken twice a day for up to two years. Since it can cause a return of all the things I'm finally recovering from (fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and heartburn, and suppressed immune system), I'm dreading having to take it. It has been so wonderful to feel better and be able to eat without feeling ill, but I accept that it is necessary to prolong my life.

When I begin taking the Lynparza medication, I will need to have blood tests each week to see if it is destroying my red and white blood cells and my platelets which help blood to clot. If it is damaging my blood cells, then we will need to either adjust the dose, or try another of the two similar types of medication. If this works out well, then my cancer doctor would like me to also take Avastin IV med which is given every 2-3 weeks, but since it impairs wound healing and blood clotting, we will wait to determine if I should take it. This medication would make the Lynparza more effective and therefore might give me a longer life.

How do I feel about all this? I'd love to just continue healing and enjoy this time of being able to feel better, think clearly, eat well, and rebuild my strength, but I accept that as I would expect of my children, my Heavenly Father expects me to do everything I can to live longer before He will help me, even taking a medication which may make me feel ill. I am hoping that I will not have to choose between short term quality of life and long term length of my life.

I know that Heavenly Father will bless me and my family with the experiences we need to enable us to learn and progress. He can help me tolerate this maintenance medication, or make it so that I never get cancer again, or, if the cancer returns, He can strengthen and comfort us and help us to grow closer to each other and to Him. I know that the Lord has always been with me, and will help me through this challenge also. He can give me peace and help me to feel joy no matter what happens. Now, I am appreciating each moment and all that I have and am trusting that all will work out in the best way for me and my family. Having had several experiences which have brought me close to the other side, I know that my life and family relationships can continue and that, though we may be parted for a short while on this earth, we can be together again, forever.

photo taken in our backyard Nov 30, 2021

Another small blessing - today when I went in to get my Covid-19 booster shot, I felt that I should tell the nurse about my cancer. She said that since I am immunocompromised that she could give me a full dose shot. She stated that I certainly qualify for it and that I needed all the help I could get. I agree since next week I will need to start the cancer maintenance medication which will suppress my immune system.