Another great survivor story...

Hissy_Fitz
Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I don't remember if I posted this story or not....she was diagnosed at Stage III C in 1997, went NED, then had a recurrance. She is still going strong, 13 years after her diagnosis.



My mother, Susan, was diagnosed with stage IIIC ovarian cancer. She had surgery in July 1997 and for the first time that I can remember, I saw fear in her eyes. Five years earlier she had faced another life-threatening condition, a brain aneurysm, and she did not miss a step. She continued to work full time and life just went on. There was no question that she would be fine, but when she was diagnosed with this deadly cancer, I saw that fear and for the first time felt I might not have her in my life for much longer.

I remember asking her if she wanted me to postpone college for a year to which she promptly stated “NO, you will not put your life on hold. I am going to be fine.” I saw her fear change to determination and I truly believed she would be fine. After six cycles of chemo she was in remission.

A short 18 months later she got news that her cancer was coming back. She and her doctor talked and with her usual determination she elected not to have chemo until there were symptoms or evidence of disease on scan. For over 5 years she went on about her life checking in with the doctor every three months and watching her CA-125 climb. When the cancer was found in her chest in February of 2005, she told the doctor to take it out and let her get on with life. She has been disease free without chemo for 5 years.


I am happy to say she saw me graduate from Auburn University, become successful in my career, and in four short months will be there as I walk down the aisle.

Comments

  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #2
    Ooooh,
    I just love these
    Ooooh,

    I just love these kind of (true?) stories of survival.

    What a better way to end the day with a positive story such as this?

    Thanks Carlene for gracing my day.


    Sharon
  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #3
    msfanciful said:

    Ooooh,
    I just love these
    Ooooh,

    I just love these kind of (true?) stories of survival.

    What a better way to end the day with a positive story such as this?

    Thanks Carlene for gracing my day.


    Sharon

    Lovely
    What a heart warming story. You see you just have to have faith that your life will go on.
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #4
    msfanciful said:

    Ooooh,
    I just love these
    Ooooh,

    I just love these kind of (true?) stories of survival.

    What a better way to end the day with a positive story such as this?

    Thanks Carlene for gracing my day.


    Sharon

    Yes....they are all true stories
    Unless there is a whole group of people posting fictitious photos/stories on the Web about surviving OVCA.

    I think they inspire the rest of us, too. And give us hope. Inspiration and hope......so important.

    Carlene
  • MK_4Dani
    MK_4Dani Member Posts: 314
    #5
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Yes....they are all true stories
    Unless there is a whole group of people posting fictitious photos/stories on the Web about surviving OVCA.

    I think they inspire the rest of us, too. And give us hope. Inspiration and hope......so important.

    Carlene

    Thank you
    I do love hearing the survivor stories. Hope is so important for us, no doubt.
    MK

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