Mom just diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, I'm her son.

For You
Rick my heart goes out to you and your family. Three years ago I lost my Mom to ovarian. It was stage 4 at the time of diagnosis. She had major surgery but was too weak for chemo. She was told..I was told.... to expect her to live no more than 2 weeks to 4 months. Well, she lived another 18 months. A lot depends on her attitude. A lot depends on God. This is not an easy path to walk. But sometimes the love and the bond between people defy any kind of timeframe. You have come to a good place, lots of support here. There are ladies here who have battled this disease for many years, one of them, Bonnie, has battled for 7 years. Don't ever accept that this is the end of things. Ask questions, pray and come here for support. Let us know how things are going for your family. Hugs, Cindy

PRAYERS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Dear Rick:

I'm so sorry to hear that your mother and all of you have received such horrible news. We're never prepared for something like this, and only faith and time will enable us a way to deal with it all. I'm so glad to hear you have a strong faith, as it has seen me through much, as well as many of us here on this board. Please don't lose site of the fact that, as the other ladies said, much is in God's hands.

Your mother sounds like a strong lady. Once the tubes are out, she is home, and she can absorb all the information, I'm sure she'll make the decision that is right for her. This is never easy, but with a concerned and loving son such as you, it will help her a great deal.

Continue to find encouragement and hope here. And when you're able, keep in touch. In the meantime, I will be praying for hope, help, wisdom and healing for your Mom.

Monika

Dear Rick,
We are so pleased that you found our discussion group. I am Stage 4 also, and have been treating this monster since 3/2/2007. I would not pay much attention to any doctor's time line. Keep your faith and we will add you to our daily prayers. The chemo I was on first shrunk my tumors by more than half, so I know that the chemo works on the tumors. (((HUGS))) Saundra

Barbara53 said:

each day is precious
Hi Rick,
I've been caring for my mother for almost a year, and she is still having mostly happy days. That's what this journey is about, and there is much joy to be found amidst the sorrow. My best advice is to be ready to sit and talk. Make time just for that. Your mother looks like a beautiful lady. Keep telling her that she's beautiful, too, because this disease takes its toll on a woman's soul.

You are welcome to visit the caregivers and emotional support forums along with this one -- a rare assemblage of truly wise women and the people who love them.

Prayers for your mom
Rick, thank you for sharing the news about your mother. As the other ladies said, many prayers will be said for her, and even though the doctor said three months, she may live much, much longer. It's wonderful she has a son like you to help her out. I will remember her in my prayers. What's her first name if you don't mind sharing?

Marty

AnitaW54 said:

Dear Rick
I too am new to this site. Just signed up a few minutes ago. I am so very sorry to hear about your mom. I will keep her in my prayers. I was diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer Oct. 2, 2002 and have been through numerous rounds of different chemo regimens. The best way that I know of to deal with this ordeal is to stay strong in your faith, stay positive no matter what the outcome. Take a deep breath, exhale and let God be in charge. My mother has always told me to give my problems and worries to God. Once you do that you can never take it back. It now belongs to Him and He is in charge. We may not always understand why but always know that He will be there for you, your mom and the entire family. This is my prayer for you: May God's presence and His eternal love give you the peace and strength to conquer the battles that lie ahead. Amen.

Dear Rick
Please remember Dr's aren't gods and they don't have all the answers.GOD is in charge of everything in this universe. Your mom could live for years with stage 4 cancer. The saying on this site is no one has an expiration date stamped on them. I don't know where your mother lives or where she is being treated but it never hurts to get a second opinion. I pray that you and your family will put this in God's hands and have peace in knowing that he Loves you and will never fail you. One thing you learn quickly after cancer diagnosis is that you are not in charge. You have to be strong and support your mother, help her make decisions that she will have to make.I pray that God will give you the strength and peace to endure.

Collins414 said:

Hi Anita.
Its so encouraging to hear that you have been winning the fight against cancer! I too will pray for continued peace, power,joy and long life for you. Thank you for your kind words of advice and hope. And what you say is so true "LET GO AND LET GOD"! I'm sure you will gain many new friends,prayers and encouragement on this site. Ive only been apart of this group for a few days now, and the people on here have helped me tremendously! Again thank you and God bless. Oh, by the way, my mom starts her first treatment of chemo tomorrow. I pray her body responds well to the treatment, but God is in control. Love yall!

Rick

My first chemo was the hardest....
I had a reaction and they had to stop the infusion for 45 minutes, then start it back at a much slower rate. I left the building in a wheelchair and felt like road kill for the next two days. Tell your mom not to be discouraged if this happens. My number 2-4 sessions were much, much easier.

My "cancer team" of doctor, nurses, techs, etc has been wonderful (save one). They really, really care about their patients and I'm sure your mom will get wonderful care, too. I went to a "Look Good, Feel Better" thing at the hospital yesterday and stopped to see my nurses from Sept/Oct. Two of them friended me on Face Book and we "talk" often, but there is nothing like a good face-to-fac hug. I ran into my Oncologist at the nurse's station and said, "Have you seen my lab report......my CA125 is NINETEEN"!!! He hugged me, too. And this morning, when his nurse called to schedule my CBC for tomorrow morning (to determine if I can finally have my root canal), she said, "Your tumor marker is down to NINETEEN"!!! They want the best possible outcome for me, almost as much as I do.

Hello Rick,
I just read your
Hello Rick,

I just read your concerns and they are valid. Your mom's story sounds so much like mine and many others; I too was told upon my initial diagnosis that I would be lucky to survive 3 months with my stage 4 ovarian cancer.

Guess what? Next month will make me a 3yr cancer survivor!

First remember this; keeping positive with faith and prayer makes all the difference for your mother and you, so be sure to continue to surround her with that positive energy!

One thing I have learned on this journey of ups and downs is that with each day there is always hope; with each day is a possibility of newer medicines/treatments becoming available. I tell you I even participated in a research study that further extended my life.

I cried so many, many times and my daughter was with me with more strength than I could ever imagine and her strength helped me through a dark hour.

I don't want to ramble, so my point to you is this...what the doctors say is never written in stone (they usually just give a worst case scenario so in the event the worst happens). My doctor is still amazed that I am here :-). We have that kind of relationship. :-)

I'm keeping your mom, you and your family in my prayers.

Please keep in touch with how she is faring.

Sharon