looking for new friends

Hi Shontell, my name is Rose. I am a 28 month survivor of ovarian cancer. I was diagnosed in Nov of 2000. I went in for surgery thinking I had a fibriod tumour in my uterus, Turns out it was a 4 pound tumour on my left ovary. It was a shock although I was very stupid. I knew the was something inside of me that didn't belong. But I put off going to the doctor. I guess I was in denial. I was 47 years old at the time and figured I was beginning to go through menopause. Boy was I wrong. I went through 5 months of chemotherapy. I finally graduated to 6 month cheskups. My CA125 was 9 this past time. I wish you luck on your next cancer test. I know how stressful it is. I'd like to know your story. I am very new at the computer so I don't know how to operate it very good.

Shontell, I have yahoo but not sure how to use it. This is my daughters computer and I have only been using it for a couple of weeks. But I'll try to get on it. Wish me luck. Rose

Hi Sassy, I just finished chemo Dec. 31st. and levels look good so far. I've had a cough for a week and just don't feel right but nothing i can put my finger on. Scared to death the cancer has moved to another area. Went back to work but keep getting dizzy spells. How long does it take to start feeing right again?

mirtle said:

Hi Shontell. I am a nine year survivor of ovarian cancer. However, last year they found three small lesions and I have been undergoing chemotherapy treatments ever since. They started treating me with Doxil and when that became ineffective, they gave me Taxol/Carbo. My CA125 has gone down but not far enough yet. I guess they will treat me until they see nothing in the CT scans. I would love to correspond with you and trade stories. Write soon.

Hi Mirtle. I saw your reply to Shontell, and when I read your story I had to respond to you. First I am new to the csn so please bear with me. I also am a survivor of ovarian cancer for 10 years. I would like to tell you more if its okay. Please let me know I can write you again. Thanks.
Junebaby

Hi Shantell, I am a 10 year survivor!!! So rare that both of us are here. Glad to be here. Never took treatment. I was given 50% choice if treatment would help or not at my early stage although I had two grapefruit size tumors on my ovaries. I opted to take no treatment having seen the results of my own mother's chemo at a late stage of her own pancreatic cancer. Somehow was only stage one in my own. Initially, at my Doctor's suggestion I went to counseling with other women in later stages of ovarian cancer at the time, (I was 32 years old then, now 41.) Still this cancer and the changes it made to my body have altered relationships with men and friends. I have not spoken much to folks about it, including my "close" family. It seems like they don't want to believe it was or is a worry, like it will hurt them, still. They don't want to worry. They were worried when i was in the post surgery stage but then wanted it to disappear as a worry. So it is lucky I lived through it, then they don't have to have sorrow of me dying.

I used to worry about all my Doctor appointments and checkups. I would get anxious and nervous everytime and had no one to talk to. Now I do not go so often. As time goes on I am distancing myself, though not entirely relieved. I wish you all the very best in your many aspects of recovery. After ten years, I just realized that I really do need ro find friends to share their stories in light of my own history with this understudied cancer, and in order to establish a better network for women in all stages of it.

Hope to hear from you.

Hi Sassy,I'm Paddy. I am new to this so please bear with me. I've been playing with csn for a week or so just getting up the nerve to talk to someone. I am going to be going thru my 3rd chemo and I hear it gets worse as you go is that true? I have Ovarian Cancer stage IIIC/IV. My doctor says theres such a fine line that it really doesn't matter.I can use all the friends and support I can get so please if anyone wants to e-mail me please feel free. PLYNN73137@aol.com. I have so many questions. God Bless- Paddy

mopar said:

Dear Paddy:
Hope you are doing well by now. My name is Monika, and I am a cancer survivor for 3 years now, God willing, for a lifetime. Yes, the chemo treatments take a real toll on your body. I still have some residual affects (neuropathy, weight gain, never regained my stamina), but my hard work is finally starting to take hold. I gained approximately 40 pounds due to chemo. My neuropathy has lessened somewhat. Having always been a firm believer in good nutrition and exercise, I have intensified my approach with certain things. Now, the weight gain issue is not really a vanity problem. Yes, we all would like to look and feel good, but my goal is overall HEALTH. All the things I am doing are condusive to good health - low carbs, high protein, lots of water and fresh vegetables. I also do resistive training to help boost my testosterone which is KEY for female cancer prevention. Now mind you, I am not a doctor, but it is a proven fact that estrogen is a real boon to cancer, especially gynecological. That is why ovarian cancer patients must NEVER take hormone replacement therapy. There are many other ways to inhibit estrogen production. Sorry I am rambling on, if you would like I could keep in contact with you. Not selling anything, just offering my support in any way I can. I will live with the concern of cancer the rest of my life. But I try to live one day at a time for my three children and husband AND myself. Do take care. Anything I can do to help you or anyone else, please write me. Regards, and prayers, Monika

Hi Monika,
Thanks for writing I just had my 3rd chemo and it was not as bad as I really thought it would be. I was fatigued for a few more days than usual but I got thru it. I haven't gained any weight from this so far but I did loose 40lbs from the surgery alone.I now am speed walking for 2 1/2 miles a day on the treadmill and I quit smoking 2 weeks before I found out I even had cancer so I'm doing my best to eat right and exercise as much as possible. I finally got the ok to go back on my vitamines by my dr. so that is helping also. I hope and pray that some day I will also be a 3yr and beyond survivor like a lot of you. This web site has helped me out so much and you wonderful sisters are just a God Send to people like me. Thank you and God Bless, Always Paddy