new member in remission

flame
flame Member Posts: 13
in Ovarian Cancer #1
I am worried now about recurrance. The studies I have read said there is a 5 year survival rate. I had stage III ovarian cancer. My treatments were intravenous and intraperitoneal Cisplatin and Paclitaxil chemo.I have 2 teenagers and want to see my grandchildren some day.Any encouragement would be great. Thanks.

Comments

  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #2
    Diet and Lifestyle
    Hi Flame,
    I am two years NED and have adopted a specific diet and lifestyle aimed at reducing my risk of recurrance. I work very closely with a naturopath, who monitors what is going on in my body. But you can get a good start with the book "Anti-cancer" by David Servan-Schreiver. You can be as proactive as you want, but I've discovered that there are a lot of things you can do to support your body and avoid a recurrance.
    P.S. Don't pay attention to those statistics. You are an individual. The five-year survival rate does not mean that you only have five years. It is just a statistical marker.
  • kikz
    kikz Member Posts: 1,345 Member
    #3
    Tethys41 said:

    Diet and Lifestyle
    Hi Flame,
    I am two years NED and have adopted a specific diet and lifestyle aimed at reducing my risk of recurrance. I work very closely with a naturopath, who monitors what is going on in my body. But you can get a good start with the book "Anti-cancer" by David Servan-Schreiver. You can be as proactive as you want, but I've discovered that there are a lot of things you can do to support your body and avoid a recurrance.
    P.S. Don't pay attention to those statistics. You are an individual. The five-year survival rate does not mean that you only have five years. It is just a statistical marker.

    I know all the statistics
    so well. I don't know how many times I asked my gyn/onc rhetorically, "It will come back?" He is a sweet man who would just smile and nod his head. But then he would tell me about patients he has been seeing for 17 years whose cancer was way worse than mine.

    They have no crystal ball any more than we do. That is why we need to know the facts but always try to move forward with hope and appreciation for the life we have. I still feel that a lot of people in the world or even in my own family have a tougher life than I do.

    I wish you well on your journey and you have come to the right place for support and information.

    Karen
  • flame
    flame Member Posts: 13
    #4
    Tethys41 said:

    Diet and Lifestyle
    Hi Flame,
    I am two years NED and have adopted a specific diet and lifestyle aimed at reducing my risk of recurrance. I work very closely with a naturopath, who monitors what is going on in my body. But you can get a good start with the book "Anti-cancer" by David Servan-Schreiver. You can be as proactive as you want, but I've discovered that there are a lot of things you can do to support your body and avoid a recurrance.
    P.S. Don't pay attention to those statistics. You are an individual. The five-year survival rate does not mean that you only have five years. It is just a statistical marker.

    Thank you for your
    Thank you for your encouragement! I guess I was looking at the statistics as facts. I had finally got brave enough to look at the long term prognosis. It really scared me. I will be in remission for 1 year within about a week! All of your posts have really encouraged me though. I do want to live healthier and not get all stressed out. Stress isn't probably too good either. I will try to find the book at the book store. Thanks again.
  • flame
    flame Member Posts: 13
    #5
    Tethys41 said:

    Diet and Lifestyle
    Hi Flame,
    I am two years NED and have adopted a specific diet and lifestyle aimed at reducing my risk of recurrance. I work very closely with a naturopath, who monitors what is going on in my body. But you can get a good start with the book "Anti-cancer" by David Servan-Schreiver. You can be as proactive as you want, but I've discovered that there are a lot of things you can do to support your body and avoid a recurrance.
    P.S. Don't pay attention to those statistics. You are an individual. The five-year survival rate does not mean that you only have five years. It is just a statistical marker.

    Thank you for your
    Thank you for your encouragement! I guess I was looking at the statistics as facts. I had finally got brave enough to look at the long term prognosis. It really scared me. I will be in remission for 1 year within about a week! All of your posts have really encouraged me though. I do want to live healthier and not get all stressed out. Stress isn't probably too good either. I will try to find the book at the book store. Thanks again.
  • lovesanimals
    lovesanimals Member Posts: 1,366 Member
    #6
    flame said:

    Thank you for your
    Thank you for your encouragement! I guess I was looking at the statistics as facts. I had finally got brave enough to look at the long term prognosis. It really scared me. I will be in remission for 1 year within about a week! All of your posts have really encouraged me though. I do want to live healthier and not get all stressed out. Stress isn't probably too good either. I will try to find the book at the book store. Thanks again.

    Hi Flame
    Congratulations on being nearly one year in remission. I too am almost one year in remission as March 24, 2011 was the day of my last chemo treatment. One of my friends is a nine-year stage 3C ovarian cancer survivor who has not let cancer keep her from enjoying life to the fullest. I myself don't pay attention to the statistics because they can't predict what my particular future holds.

    Wishing you continued good health,

    Kelly
  • mom2greatkids
    mom2greatkids Member Posts: 528
    #7
    Hi Flame,
    You will find this
    Hi Flame,

    You will find this board to be very encouraging and supportive. I understand your fears. I was diagnosed stage 3C in May '11. AFter my first treatment the CA-125 was at 14 from 106 from after surgery. My husband died suddenly from a massive heart attack in April '10. My kids are now 21 and 23. Once I was diagnosed last year I was like, My kids are too young to lose both parents!" Neither are married, but my goal is to see them both married and see our grandkids and beyond.

    I will have a CT this month, and I'm already scared, although there appears no reason to be as all seems well.

    Sorry we had to meet this way, but glad to meet you. Best wishes.

    Carla
  • flame
    flame Member Posts: 13
    #8
    lovesanimals said:

    Hi Flame
    Congratulations on being nearly one year in remission. I too am almost one year in remission as March 24, 2011 was the day of my last chemo treatment. One of my friends is a nine-year stage 3C ovarian cancer survivor who has not let cancer keep her from enjoying life to the fullest. I myself don't pay attention to the statistics because they can't predict what my particular future holds.

    Wishing you continued good health,

    Kelly

    lovesanimals,
    Thank you for
    lovesanimals,
    Thank you for your encouragement. Especially of your friend who is a nine-year stage 3c survivor. I am a 3a. It gives me hope. Thanks. Also congratulations on your remission as well.
    Blessings,
    Rachelle
  • flame
    flame Member Posts: 13
    #9
    mom2greatkids said:

    Hi Flame,
    You will find this
    Hi Flame,

    You will find this board to be very encouraging and supportive. I understand your fears. I was diagnosed stage 3C in May '11. AFter my first treatment the CA-125 was at 14 from 106 from after surgery. My husband died suddenly from a massive heart attack in April '10. My kids are now 21 and 23. Once I was diagnosed last year I was like, My kids are too young to lose both parents!" Neither are married, but my goal is to see them both married and see our grandkids and beyond.

    I will have a CT this month, and I'm already scared, although there appears no reason to be as all seems well.

    Sorry we had to meet this way, but glad to meet you. Best wishes.

    Carla

    Hi mom2greatkids,
    I am sorry
    Hi mom2greatkids,

    I am sorry to hear about your husbands death and your cancer. You are a strong woman! That strenth will carry you through.

    Thank you for your encouragement. I guess we are all in this together. I am so glad we have this support group. Nice to meet you.

    God bless you and your kids,
    Rachelle
  • carolenk
    carolenk Member Posts: 907 Member
    #10
    Tethys41 said:

    Diet and Lifestyle
    Hi Flame,
    I am two years NED and have adopted a specific diet and lifestyle aimed at reducing my risk of recurrance. I work very closely with a naturopath, who monitors what is going on in my body. But you can get a good start with the book "Anti-cancer" by David Servan-Schreiver. You can be as proactive as you want, but I've discovered that there are a lot of things you can do to support your body and avoid a recurrance.
    P.S. Don't pay attention to those statistics. You are an individual. The five-year survival rate does not mean that you only have five years. It is just a statistical marker.

    Typo in Tethys post
    The author's name is: Servan-Schreiber. And that IS a really helpful book; most of the recommendations in the book are based on research.
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #11
    flame said:

    Hi mom2greatkids,
    I am sorry
    Hi mom2greatkids,

    I am sorry to hear about your husbands death and your cancer. You are a strong woman! That strenth will carry you through.

    Thank you for your encouragement. I guess we are all in this together. I am so glad we have this support group. Nice to meet you.

    God bless you and your kids,
    Rachelle

    Congrats! I was diagnosed
    Congrats! I was diagnosed 9/17/2009 and finished first line chemo in March, 2010. I have been in remission officially for 2 years this month, probably for a few months longer.

    The statistics are scary as hell. I've been hanging out on this board ever since I was diagnosed, and have watched so many brave, wonderful women struggle witthissi disease, only to lose their battle. It breaks my heart.

    My opinion, for what it's worth, is that beating the odds is a crap-shoot. There is no scientific correlation that points to any one thing - or series of things - that will keep you from recurring. I personally know a woman who was diagnosed 13 years ago and has never recurred (stage IIIc). We had the same doctor and the same chemo. But he doesn't have a better track record, overall, than anyone else. I asked my doctor about diet and he said, "All things in moderation," and that's what I follow (as does the woman in my support group who has had such fantastic success). I drink a glass of wine a couple of times a week. I don't eat much red meat, but I don't totally abstain. I eat a healthy balance of carbs and fat, vegetables, fruit, etc. I have a fondness for chocolate. My new guilty pleasure is cranberries covered in dark chocolate. I buy them at Sam's and probably eat a pound a week.

    Life is short. Eat dessert first.

    Carlene
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #12
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Congrats! I was diagnosed
    Congrats! I was diagnosed 9/17/2009 and finished first line chemo in March, 2010. I have been in remission officially for 2 years this month, probably for a few months longer.

    The statistics are scary as hell. I've been hanging out on this board ever since I was diagnosed, and have watched so many brave, wonderful women struggle witthissi disease, only to lose their battle. It breaks my heart.

    My opinion, for what it's worth, is that beating the odds is a crap-shoot. There is no scientific correlation that points to any one thing - or series of things - that will keep you from recurring. I personally know a woman who was diagnosed 13 years ago and has never recurred (stage IIIc). We had the same doctor and the same chemo. But he doesn't have a better track record, overall, than anyone else. I asked my doctor about diet and he said, "All things in moderation," and that's what I follow (as does the woman in my support group who has had such fantastic success). I drink a glass of wine a couple of times a week. I don't eat much red meat, but I don't totally abstain. I eat a healthy balance of carbs and fat, vegetables, fruit, etc. I have a fondness for chocolate. My new guilty pleasure is cranberries covered in dark chocolate. I buy them at Sam's and probably eat a pound a week.

    Life is short. Eat dessert first.

    Carlene

    Live, Love, Laugh
    I'm with Carlene, just be happy and do the things that make you happy. I was diagnosed Stage 3C in January of 2010. Declared NED in July of 2010. One of my biggest fears was a recurrence, and it happened in April/May 2011. I've been NED since August 2011, and I'm no longer feeling that horrible fear of a recurrence. I guess it's because I found out that we do what we have to do to get well. I do take celexa, but I've been taking the same dose of celexa since before my initial diagnosis, so my attitude isn't the result of medication.

    Essentially, since my recurrence(and subsequent surgery and treatment), I've realized that living in fear is not how I want to live my life, and it's not how I need to live. The thought of the cancer returning is daunting, don't get me wrong, but I'm not going to let it affect my life.

    My garden has lain fallow for the past two springs because of my illness. We had a run of warm weather earlier in March, so I started clearing it out. I even bought a cultivator so I can churn up the soil really well. I have seedlings growing in a Burpee greenhouse. Perennials and Annuals! I'm also hoping to talk my husband into a retreat in North Carolina or even Ocean City for a weekend! I'm finishing the classes I need for my Master's equivalency so I can get my Advanced Professional Certificate. (Did I mention I teach fourth grade? My kids are graphing my hair regrowth!) So, as much as I wish there were a magic diet or exercise or something we could do, I don't really think there is and I think the key is to just live your life and deal with the bumps in the road.

    In the meantime, open a bottle of pinot noir (or a corona with lime) and raise your glass in a toast to OvCa survivors! We are definitely Tough Chicks!

    Hugs!

    Leesa
  • Mwee
    Mwee Member Posts: 1,338
    #13
    leesag said:

    Live, Love, Laugh
    I'm with Carlene, just be happy and do the things that make you happy. I was diagnosed Stage 3C in January of 2010. Declared NED in July of 2010. One of my biggest fears was a recurrence, and it happened in April/May 2011. I've been NED since August 2011, and I'm no longer feeling that horrible fear of a recurrence. I guess it's because I found out that we do what we have to do to get well. I do take celexa, but I've been taking the same dose of celexa since before my initial diagnosis, so my attitude isn't the result of medication.

    Essentially, since my recurrence(and subsequent surgery and treatment), I've realized that living in fear is not how I want to live my life, and it's not how I need to live. The thought of the cancer returning is daunting, don't get me wrong, but I'm not going to let it affect my life.

    My garden has lain fallow for the past two springs because of my illness. We had a run of warm weather earlier in March, so I started clearing it out. I even bought a cultivator so I can churn up the soil really well. I have seedlings growing in a Burpee greenhouse. Perennials and Annuals! I'm also hoping to talk my husband into a retreat in North Carolina or even Ocean City for a weekend! I'm finishing the classes I need for my Master's equivalency so I can get my Advanced Professional Certificate. (Did I mention I teach fourth grade? My kids are graphing my hair regrowth!) So, as much as I wish there were a magic diet or exercise or something we could do, I don't really think there is and I think the key is to just live your life and deal with the bumps in the road.

    In the meantime, open a bottle of pinot noir (or a corona with lime) and raise your glass in a toast to OvCa survivors! We are definitely Tough Chicks!

    Hugs!

    Leesa

    Count me in with Leesa and Carlene
    I was diagnosed 3C in 5/2006. This May will be my 6th Anniversary. I'm silly happy for every day! Statistics are not people. No magic diet or exercise plan for me either, but I do believe in working everyday to stay positive and as stress free as possible. Make mine a Blue Moom w/orange or maybe a Margarita.
    (((HUGS))) Maria
  • flame
    flame Member Posts: 13
    #14
    Mwee said:

    Count me in with Leesa and Carlene
    I was diagnosed 3C in 5/2006. This May will be my 6th Anniversary. I'm silly happy for every day! Statistics are not people. No magic diet or exercise plan for me either, but I do believe in working everyday to stay positive and as stress free as possible. Make mine a Blue Moom w/orange or maybe a Margarita.
    (((HUGS))) Maria

    Thank you for all your
    Thank you for all your encouragement. It really helps to see how you deal with the possibility of reaccurance.
    Rachelle
  • flame
    flame Member Posts: 13
    #15
    Mwee said:

    Count me in with Leesa and Carlene
    I was diagnosed 3C in 5/2006. This May will be my 6th Anniversary. I'm silly happy for every day! Statistics are not people. No magic diet or exercise plan for me either, but I do believe in working everyday to stay positive and as stress free as possible. Make mine a Blue Moom w/orange or maybe a Margarita.
    (((HUGS))) Maria

    Thank you for all your
    Thank you for all your encouragement. It really helps to see how you deal with the possibility of reaccurance.
    Rachelle
  • flame
    flame Member Posts: 13
    #16
    Mwee said:

    Count me in with Leesa and Carlene
    I was diagnosed 3C in 5/2006. This May will be my 6th Anniversary. I'm silly happy for every day! Statistics are not people. No magic diet or exercise plan for me either, but I do believe in working everyday to stay positive and as stress free as possible. Make mine a Blue Moom w/orange or maybe a Margarita.
    (((HUGS))) Maria

    Thank you for all your
    Thank you for all your encouragement. It really helps to see how you deal with the possibility of reaccurance.
    Rachelle
  • flame
    flame Member Posts: 13
    #17
    Mwee said:

    Count me in with Leesa and Carlene
    I was diagnosed 3C in 5/2006. This May will be my 6th Anniversary. I'm silly happy for every day! Statistics are not people. No magic diet or exercise plan for me either, but I do believe in working everyday to stay positive and as stress free as possible. Make mine a Blue Moom w/orange or maybe a Margarita.
    (((HUGS))) Maria

    Thank you for all your
    Thank you for all your encouragement. It really helps to see how you deal with the possibility of reaccurance.
    Rachelle
  • jbeans888
    jbeans888 Member Posts: 313
    #18
    flame said:

    Thank you for all your
    Thank you for all your encouragement. It really helps to see how you deal with the possibility of reaccurance.
    Rachelle

    Flame,
    I too am a stage 3c
    Flame,
    I too am a stage 3c survivor. It will be one year this June since my last chemo. I have a scan in May and I tend to freak out around that time, but that is normal. Since my dx I find that in life we have no control. The only thing we can really control is our spirit. I find myself not getting as stressed out anymore if it's something I can't control. This helps me alot. But I do agree with live a healthy life style. I also read the book Anti-Cancer I found it on Amazon.com used for only $7 so I recommend that. You have all the support here.
  • flame
    flame Member Posts: 13
    #19
    Tethys41 said:

    Diet and Lifestyle
    Hi Flame,
    I am two years NED and have adopted a specific diet and lifestyle aimed at reducing my risk of recurrance. I work very closely with a naturopath, who monitors what is going on in my body. But you can get a good start with the book "Anti-cancer" by David Servan-Schreiver. You can be as proactive as you want, but I've discovered that there are a lot of things you can do to support your body and avoid a recurrance.
    P.S. Don't pay attention to those statistics. You are an individual. The five-year survival rate does not mean that you only have five years. It is just a statistical marker.

    I got the book
    I got the book "Anti-Cancer". Sorry but I couldn't read it any more. The authors views were really different than mine. I am a believer in Jesus Christ and I found some things he said offensive. I am putting my hope in trust in my faith.

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