I'm new to this place!

Bethy:
I was diagnosed in November 2000 during emergency surgery to remove my ovary. I did find out that it was a germ cell. My Dr. is not saying this but I think this germ cell is connected to the fact that I took Chlomid to conceive my last child. I also think birth control pills have something to do with this type of cancer. My last treatment is 3/23. Were you given carbo/tax? I don't know if you believe in prayer but God will help you even after it is all over. Try Him. God bless

bethy said:

Lorna,
Thanks for responding. CONGRATULATIONS on your last day of treatment!! I know it is such a wonderful feeling to be done! My last treatment was November 13, 2000. I will remember it always. My tumor was called an "immature teratoma". They only removed my left ovary and fallopian tube. It was considered a Grade 1 with some "grey areas" that could possibly be grade 2. So they treated me with 9 weeks of Bleomycin, Etoposide and Platinum. How long were your treatments? How did you find out you needed surgery which found the cancer? I had a lot of pain for a couple weeks and went to the doctor (thinking I had a simple small ovarian cyst). Unfortunately they found a tumor the size of a cantelope. I am very thankful that I have three beautiful children before all this occured. How many children do you have? I have been very fortunate with my life and recovery. However, this has changed my life forever. I am now so aware of the word "cancer". It seems to affect a lot of people I know. My prayers go out to all who are dealing with this disease whether it's themselves or a family/friend. I definately believe in God and prayer. He is the only way I made it through this challenge in my life. I pray you recover quickly from your treatments and regain your strength. Good luck and lets keep in touch!! I love connecting with people who have had a similar experience. It makes it much easier to understand and deal with "the real world". Fondly, Beth

Dear Beth:
It was good to hear from you. I am so glad you are a child of God. Can you imagine the people who have been diagnosed with cancer and do not have a clue of who they should turn too. Maybe that's why so many people give up because they feel hopeless. I too felt that pain you talked about. My husband and I went to a marriage enrichment retreat and I keep feeling this pain in my side. It felt like I was running a marathon and I got a runners cramp. When I got back home, I immediately went to my GYN. She found a cyst the size of a small orange. She put me on birth control pills to try to shrink the cyst. Well guess what? It grew to the size of a grapefruit. I woke up on November 6, in massive pain. I thought the cyst had ruptured. It did not. My fallopian tube twisted around my ovary. That's how I ended up with emergency surgery. One week later, the pathology report came back with the unthinkable. Unfortunely,my GYN proformed laproscopic surgery on a 9cm cyst. While she was taking it out, she ruptured it. That is why I was going through 4 regiments of chemo for preventive therapy. She contaminated my whole body. We do have some dates sort of in common. When you finished your chemo. I was having a total hyster on that date. Beth, I thank God that we were blessed with the two children he gave us. A boy and a girl. Cancer is a wicked word. It can strike anybody at anytime. It has no age nor color barrier. Everybody knows someone who has had it. Why? It has to come from something everybody is in contact with. The Air? Water? Food? It has definately changed my life too. Lorna

guthrieruth said:

Hi. Funny thing...I just e-mailed you. I am a 3 year survivor of a stromal sex cord tumor. I still have my days when an ache or pain sends me into a panic.

Hello Guthrieruth:
Wow!! It was great to hear from you. I have been looking for someonw with a stromal cell. It is also great to know you are into your third year. How did you find your cancer? Let's keep in touch.

Lorna