hints & tips
The women of Nicki's Circle support groups have all been through the experience of ovarian cancer. Their combined knowledge and wisdom is awesome! Below are a few of the hints and tips commonly shared at support groups:
- Get a second opinion if you have any doubt about care from your primary doctor or oncologist. This relationship is crucial and you can always make a change if you don't feel confident with your care.
- Many women have gone to M.D. Anderson in Texas for a second opion from their team of specialists.
- You may want to ask your doctor about doing a "tumor assay" at the time of your first surgery, to identify tumor-responsive chemotherapies.
- Neuropathy or nerve pain can be a common side-effect of ovarian cancer chemotherapy drugs. See suggestions from a 2005 edition of Conversations Newsletter about easing peripheral neuropathy. You can also ask your doctor about using neuropathy medications. See www.metanx.com.
- Subscribe to Conversations Newsletter, a monthly newsletter for ovarian cancer survivors.
- Try to continue to get exercise through chemo to help reduce side effects. See Summit Cancer Solutions.
- Seek the assistance of a professional nutritionist who has experience in working with cancer patients. See Colleen Gill, MS, RD.
- Get a subscription to CURE magazine, free to cancer patients, survivors and caregivers in the U.S.
- Join the ACOR ovarian cancer discussion list and learn from other ovca survivors throughout the U.S.
<<back