Any words of encouragement from older OC survivors after a relapse?

ek4078
ek4078 Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
My mother who is in her early 70’s had her operation for OC 2 years ago and began chemo soon after. She was doing very well and her CA125 went down to normal after a few months. She was getting stronger and even started playing tennis again. Then a year ago it came back and she started another chemo drug. Since the last 6 months she has been feeling lousy, very weak, too dizzy to stand or walk far from the pain killers, nausea, weight loss because she can't eat, etc. She started a new chemo med, Topotecan a month ago and the CA125 numbers are starting to go down. Dr. also prescribed some steroids and reduced one of the pain killers (oxy) so now she is eating more in one day then she did in a whole week before, and is up and doing household chores like cooking again. But regardless of that, she now wants to give up. (Mainly when she gets a pain flare-up) She thinks there is no use to continue it, and any treatment is just prolonging the inevitable. Is there anyone here that has come back from a relapse from OC that can offer encouragement.

Comments

  • arbor3
    arbor3 Member Posts: 103
    #2
    ENCOURAGEMENT
    HI

    There is always hope. I was dx in 2006 and will be starting my 5th chemo next month. I had two short remissions of 6 mo each then had to start chemo again. This Cancer is an up and down ride but we never give up. I have gone through chemo CA125 has gone down for awhile, then it goes up and I start all over again. But life is precious. Hang in there like we all do. This is a wonderful site all the ladies are so good.

    My thoughts and prayers are with you


    HUGS Dinora
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #3
    encouragement
    Dear ek, some of the older veterans are much more qualified to answer your questions, but I will throw in my thoughts.

    I am a 2 year survivor and also had a lot of ups and downs, emotionally. I am on 3rd line chemo and maybe in a similar situation to your mom. I think being discouraged and wanting to give up sometimes goes with the territory.

    There are many people who live a good life and continue on chemo for many years. What she may be still having a hard time with is sorting out the idea of accepting that she is not going to be "cured" and have to live with this. That is a huge hurdle, but once you can clear that one, as long as you have good QOL (quality of life) it can be manageble and not that bad!

    In my case, connecting with other survivors, getting info etc helped push me forward to accept my circumstance and deal with it. I have a lot of reasons to fight and live for as long as I can and plan on doing that, but honestly, it isn't always easy to keep that fighting spirit going.

    For me the first step was working through the grieving process to acceptance and then doing what I needed to get the support I needed. There is a new study out that shows that those with good support (family, friends, spiritual, moral etc) have a much longer survivor record. It sounds like she has that with you, and maybe if she is willing to join this group or even a local support group, see a counselor etc that would help her too. I read, journal and meditate daily along with excercise. I strongly believe that God has a purpose for my life regardless. That gives me hope.

    We are all in the same boat here and routing for you. Come back anytime, you will find a bunch of teal warriors that are pretty cool gals!!

    I will pray for you and your mom today.

    Warm hugs,
    kathleen:)
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #4
    Kathleen say it so beautifully....
    I'm with kathleen. I am in my 70's and started my second round of chemo 5 weeks ago...Had my 2nd dose this afternoon. I came to terms with my immortality within two months of diagnosis because I was Stage IV. Some choose to fight and some choose to give up. I think it is a personal choice. My oncologist advises to hold the cancer back with the lowest dose possible to improve the "quality of life" and I have agreed to this. He also believes in being pain free. I journal, meditate(pray), and generally take care of myself day by day. Maybe a counselor would be of help to your mother. Saundra

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