I need some encouragement.

Karen1418
Karen1418 Member Posts: 48
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi ladies,

I joined this discussion board sometime ago and have read some of your posts from time to time, but never posted before. Actually, I'm battling peritoneal cancer, but I guess it's basically the same as ovarian, just didn't start in the ovaries. I was diagnosed with cancer in both breasts and the peritonium in July of 2007. The breast cancers were caught early and appear to be under control. But I just found out my CA125 is up after 15 months in remission. Right now, it's apparently just wait-and-see, because there is no physical evidence of the disease. But this has really taken the wind out of sails; I was so hopeful it wouldn't come back! I know I need to regroup, think positive and continue the fight, but I'm having a hard time right now. Any words to help me?

Comments

  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    Stay in touch
    I just had lunch with a friend that has cancer in the peritoneum and has fought six years. After comparing our treatments, we discovered that the chemos are the same. Since a lot of our discussion envolves chemo and the side effects, you will find answers here. I am also in a wait and see mode. Having another CT scan in May and physical. My CA125 was 92 this month so the rising number is troublesome. My last three CT's were negative (I have one every three months). You have the right idea about thinking positive and continue to fight. So, we may have to do another round of chemo. So what? I'm not going to refuse at this point. I'll face it with more experience this time and know I have support from the experienced ladies on this board. The rise in my CA125 has been slow...since last September so I know that the cancer is not on a rampage at this point. Meantime I'm going to do as much living as I can, while feeling pretty good.
    (((Hugs and prayers))) Saundra
  • Karen1418
    Karen1418 Member Posts: 48
    saundra said:

    Stay in touch
    I just had lunch with a friend that has cancer in the peritoneum and has fought six years. After comparing our treatments, we discovered that the chemos are the same. Since a lot of our discussion envolves chemo and the side effects, you will find answers here. I am also in a wait and see mode. Having another CT scan in May and physical. My CA125 was 92 this month so the rising number is troublesome. My last three CT's were negative (I have one every three months). You have the right idea about thinking positive and continue to fight. So, we may have to do another round of chemo. So what? I'm not going to refuse at this point. I'll face it with more experience this time and know I have support from the experienced ladies on this board. The rise in my CA125 has been slow...since last September so I know that the cancer is not on a rampage at this point. Meantime I'm going to do as much living as I can, while feeling pretty good.
    (((Hugs and prayers))) Saundra

    Thanks Saundra,
    I appreciate

    Thanks Saundra,

    I appreciate your comments so much. I don't have anyone to talk to really, accept my family, and I don't want to burden them all the time. So, I thought this would be a good way to vent, especially since you are going through the same things I am. I've read some of your postings lately and am very impressed by you. Hopefully I'll get to know you better.
    Thanks again, Karen
  • JoanC
    JoanC Member Posts: 231
    Encouragement !
    Karen,
    Keep up the positive outlook and have faith. One of the ladies on the board here said it best when she said "When we worry we are doing God's job" I know it is hard not to worry but it really doesn't help......if it did I would be cured and all the ladies here would be too.....that's how much I worried! Post here any time and there will be someone that will lift your spirits.
    Lots of ((((HUGS and Prayers)))
    Joan
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    More Encouragement Prayers ♥ Hugs
    Dearest Karen, you have come to right place to get encouragement! An amazing group of Teal Warriors here. The wait and see phase is hard sometimes and quite an adjustment from the battle mode. Sounds like you are well on your way though .. with positive thinking and knowing you need to regroup. A lot of people even take a antidepressant when they reach this spot in the journey to help them through it.

    Just keep up the positive outlook and have faith. Sending lots of prayers ♥ hugs your way. Bonnie

    PS This has been one of my signature lines I like to use sometimes on emails..

    Don't let FEAR rule your life. FEAR = False expectations appearing real
  • Karen1418
    Karen1418 Member Posts: 48
    BonnieR said:

    More Encouragement Prayers ♥ Hugs
    Dearest Karen, you have come to right place to get encouragement! An amazing group of Teal Warriors here. The wait and see phase is hard sometimes and quite an adjustment from the battle mode. Sounds like you are well on your way though .. with positive thinking and knowing you need to regroup. A lot of people even take a antidepressant when they reach this spot in the journey to help them through it.

    Just keep up the positive outlook and have faith. Sending lots of prayers ♥ hugs your way. Bonnie

    PS This has been one of my signature lines I like to use sometimes on emails..

    Don't let FEAR rule your life. FEAR = False expectations appearing real

    Thanks!
    Hi Bonnie,

    I've also read a lot of your postings and know you to be a real source of encouragement for others. I'm glad to have heard from you. The hint about an antidepressant made me laugh. I've been on antidepressants for many years. The best part in all of this for me is that the depression is not rearing it's ugly head. I thank God everyday for that! Thanks for writing! Love, Karen
  • Karen1418
    Karen1418 Member Posts: 48
    JoanC said:

    Encouragement !
    Karen,
    Keep up the positive outlook and have faith. One of the ladies on the board here said it best when she said "When we worry we are doing God's job" I know it is hard not to worry but it really doesn't help......if it did I would be cured and all the ladies here would be too.....that's how much I worried! Post here any time and there will be someone that will lift your spirits.
    Lots of ((((HUGS and Prayers)))
    Joan

    Friend List
    Hi Joan,

    Thanks for your support. I am new here and don't know anything about being on someone's friend list or adding one to mine. What's it all about? Love, Karen
  • ladyjogger31
    ladyjogger31 Member Posts: 289
    Hi
    Hi karen,
    You will definitely find this a place to share your ups and downs, ask questions and help others. These are amazing woman here full of encouragement, enthusiam, compassion and support. I'm on a anti depressent, zoloft. I feel really good taking it. Please come here as often as you want.
    Hugs and Prayers Terry
  • JoanC
    JoanC Member Posts: 231
    Karen1418 said:

    Friend List
    Hi Joan,

    Thanks for your support. I am new here and don't know anything about being on someone's friend list or adding one to mine. What's it all about? Love, Karen

    friends list
    Karen, Just click on the persons name and you can read about their story but at the very bottom of the page is an add/remove to from friends list. Hope you doing well. Bonnie is the one who really knows it all in case I didn't explain this right.
    ((Hugs)) Joan
  • Karen1418
    Karen1418 Member Posts: 48
    JoanC said:

    friends list
    Karen, Just click on the persons name and you can read about their story but at the very bottom of the page is an add/remove to from friends list. Hope you doing well. Bonnie is the one who really knows it all in case I didn't explain this right.
    ((Hugs)) Joan

    Friend list
    Hi Joan,

    What changes when you add someone to your friend list, or they add you? Is there something different with the communication? Also, I've read about people e-mailing each other. Do you know anything about that? I am doing much better, thank you. Love, Karen
  • JoanC
    JoanC Member Posts: 231
    Karen1418 said:

    Friend List
    Hi Joan,

    Thanks for your support. I am new here and don't know anything about being on someone's friend list or adding one to mine. What's it all about? Love, Karen

    Friend List
    Karen,
    I don't think any thing changes......I don't know how people privately e-mail each other ....this might be a good ? for Bonnie.
    ((Hugs)) Joan
  • This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Karen1418
    Karen1418 Member Posts: 48
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    CA125
    Hi Nancy,
    My CA125 was under 20 last October. In January it was up to 32. My Oncologist said then that things as simple as the flu could cause it to go up and he didn't think it meant anything, since it was still in the normal range. A CT scan at that time found nothing, and I didn't worry, because I had just had a very bad case of flu. Then this month is was up to 75, and my onc said the cancer was back, no question. His advice was to see my oncologist up north when I go there at the end of May. But I've been very nervous about abdominable pains I'd not been paying attention to, so I will be having a CT scan tomorrow to make sure it's OK to wait to start chemo. In the meantime, I have calmed down quite a bit, telling myself I need to take one day at a time; I can't fight everything at once. When did you finish chemo? I really breezed through the first time and hope and pray that is a good omen for a repeat if and when I need it. Love, Karen
  • Karen1418 said:

    CA125
    Hi Nancy,
    My CA125 was under 20 last October. In January it was up to 32. My Oncologist said then that things as simple as the flu could cause it to go up and he didn't think it meant anything, since it was still in the normal range. A CT scan at that time found nothing, and I didn't worry, because I had just had a very bad case of flu. Then this month is was up to 75, and my onc said the cancer was back, no question. His advice was to see my oncologist up north when I go there at the end of May. But I've been very nervous about abdominable pains I'd not been paying attention to, so I will be having a CT scan tomorrow to make sure it's OK to wait to start chemo. In the meantime, I have calmed down quite a bit, telling myself I need to take one day at a time; I can't fight everything at once. When did you finish chemo? I really breezed through the first time and hope and pray that is a good omen for a repeat if and when I need it. Love, Karen

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • JoanC
    JoanC Member Posts: 231
    Karen1418 said:

    CA125
    Hi Nancy,
    My CA125 was under 20 last October. In January it was up to 32. My Oncologist said then that things as simple as the flu could cause it to go up and he didn't think it meant anything, since it was still in the normal range. A CT scan at that time found nothing, and I didn't worry, because I had just had a very bad case of flu. Then this month is was up to 75, and my onc said the cancer was back, no question. His advice was to see my oncologist up north when I go there at the end of May. But I've been very nervous about abdominable pains I'd not been paying attention to, so I will be having a CT scan tomorrow to make sure it's OK to wait to start chemo. In the meantime, I have calmed down quite a bit, telling myself I need to take one day at a time; I can't fight everything at once. When did you finish chemo? I really breezed through the first time and hope and pray that is a good omen for a repeat if and when I need it. Love, Karen

    CA125
    Karen,
    Good Luck with your CT scan tomorrow....let us know the results....I sent you and private E-mail....just follow Bonnie's instructions and you can read it.
    Hugs, Joan