Confirmed recurrence

lindachris
lindachris Member Posts: 173
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
The gynecological oncologist did surgery on my wife Linda this morning and found a recurrence of ovarian cancer. His description of the cancer is that it is "plaqued" on the lower abdominal wall but is not manifested anywhere in the upper abdominal or chest cavity, nor on the organs. So like all cancer news, both bad and good. I'm in the hospital now, connected to WiFi and have not been up to share the news with my wife. We got here at 6:15 and it's 2:30 now. Seems like most of fighting cancer is waiting, don't you think? It's so hard. I know she'll be disappointed, obviously, but I hope she will want to fight this round with the recommended chemo. Sounds like many of you have and are in the same battle. You've been encouraging and a source of strength and admiration from my perspective.

Comments

  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #2
    Bless your heart for writing to us during this difficult time. Please be hopeful and encouraged that it has not spread to other organs. That is wonderful! I'm sure her doctor will discuss the approach that he suggests she take, once she has healed and is stronger. And there are lots of options. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. And again, thank you so much for keeping us informed. There is much to be positive about! Take care.
    (((HUGS)))
    Monika
  • kris43
    kris43 Member Posts: 275
    #3
    I am so sorry to hear that news. Be sure to get your list of questions together so that when the doctor makes rounds tomorrow you can get specifics. I've been praying for you, Linda and your family since your last posting.

    I am only going on my 3rd treatment from the initial diagnosis and my doctor has told me they treat ovarian cancer as a chronic disease. That is very hard for any person to hear and my family does not like to believe it. I too, find all of the women on this site a source of inspiration.

    My best to you and Linda. I am hoping to hear soon that she has started her new treatments and is feeling better.
    Kris
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #4
    Praying for a speedy recovery from the surgery. I hope that your wife puts on her armor and fights like the dickens. Chemo has gotten easier for me as I go along because I have such good support from this site and suggestions. I try to focus on the positive and your wife can surely focus on the lack of spread in the upper abdomin and chest. You are such a support to her and us in keeping us posted. Sometimes the Lord calms the storm and sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child. ((Hugs)) and prayers coming to you both.
  • lindachris
    lindachris Member Posts: 173
    #5
    To Kris and all: Your honesty and insight has been a godsend to both Linda and myself. And your shared observation that ovarian is a chronic disease and should be treated as such by doctors is a valid and important perspective. In the year we lasted without recurrence we let our guard down. I can't speak for the doctor but our appointments were moved from 6 to 8 week cycles and I'm not sure that's a good idea in the first year, two years or five years! The only lesson about ovarian cancer I can discern is that everyone must be vigilant and respect the known signs. Sometimes the signs might lie, and that's scary. But not knowing is even scarier. Now we know, and Linda is disappointed. We thought we were through. But our nurse here says she remembers us from last surgery (2005) and it certainly seems like yesterday we were here. Thank you also for the advice to make a list of questions for tomorrow with the doctor. Such good directives. We welcome any other suggestions on how to look ahead.
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #6
    Thank you for taking the time to share. I pray you both can feel all the positive energy and prayers from everyone here.

    The fact that your wife went a year before a recurrence is good news also. That usually means the cancer responded well to original chemo and she will get good results again. It is still a hard blow but once the news of it sinks it, the fight mode kicks in and we learn to live in spite of it.

    Sending lots of prayers n hugs your way. Bonnie
  • floridajo
    floridajo Member Posts: 480
    #7
    lindachris,
    Sorry about this news, but there really are so many of us that are learning to live with disease, and having a decent quality of life. Usually the chemo's for recurrences are not as harsh as the carbo/taxol or at least that has been my exp. Sending prayers for a speedy recovery for your wife. Please keep us posted...Joanne
  • lindachris
    lindachris Member Posts: 173
    #8
    floridajo said:

    lindachris,
    Sorry about this news, but there really are so many of us that are learning to live with disease, and having a decent quality of life. Usually the chemo's for recurrences are not as harsh as the carbo/taxol or at least that has been my exp. Sending prayers for a speedy recovery for your wife. Please keep us posted...Joanne

    Thank you Floridajo.
  • betsy123
    betsy123 Member Posts: 1
    #9
    lindachris said:

    Thank you Floridajo.

    So, sorry to hear this. I will pray for you both,and your family. I also have ovarian cancer for two years. Only in remission for four months. Still fighting, now off chemo,but go back to doctor October 10,2007. Will know then what the doctor plan to do. It is a scary situation. Hugs to you both.
  • lindachris
    lindachris Member Posts: 173
    #10
    betsy123 said:

    So, sorry to hear this. I will pray for you both,and your family. I also have ovarian cancer for two years. Only in remission for four months. Still fighting, now off chemo,but go back to doctor October 10,2007. Will know then what the doctor plan to do. It is a scary situation. Hugs to you both.

    Betsy: I will say a prayer for your continued remission. My one observation was that we got a little complacent letting the doctor roll us out to 8 weeks between appointments. And when my wife noticed a fullness in her upper body she credited it to middle age, etc. and so did the doc. In hindsight we now know it was an early sign of abdominal swelling due to cancer recurrence in her lower abdomen. Perhaps I should have pushed for more information last June, but the CA125s did not show anything until August, when we got the shock. I do remember chasing her to the gynecologist originally (she did not have one due to a switch in insurance to an HMO) when her periods were so intense, and I'm glad I did that. Even if the two were unrelated, the resulting exam detected a growth on her ovary when the gynecologist ordered an ultrasound scan "just in case." So that's a long way of saying "be diligent" because it's better knowing and keeping an eye out for signs. As we all know, early detection is important. God Bless and I hope the signs remain "all good" with you.

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