I met someone yesterday with 9 years and NO RECURRANCE

Lisa13Q
Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I was picking up my dog from the vet yesterday and a tech asked me my favorite color. I replied, "teal because of Ovarian cancer". Her eyes lit up and she said, "i had ovarian cancer 9 years ago", as if it was no big deal. I was astonished. She told me her story matter of factly. She said she didn't read anything on it because she did not want to know stats. She had 2 huge tumors and other issues. She has never had a recurrence and isn't expecting one either. I can't explain her attitude and I don't know if it was denial, but she just believes she's cancer free. She gets checked now every 6 months and that's the way it is...thought I'd share something positive...

Barbara 53: hope your mother is doing ok...thinking of you and your cat! :)

Comments

  • minky1225
    minky1225 Member Posts: 70
    #2
    This is wonderful!!!
    Overall, i think we spend alot of our time hearing negative feedback about OVCA, This is exactly what I needed! Keep em coming!
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #3
    ignoring stats
    Dear Lisa, Thanks for sharing this story, it just goes to show a person ... Do Not Focus On Stats. Hugs Bonnie
  • Kathy T
    Kathy T Member Posts: 22
    #4
    Great to hear that this is
    Great to hear that this is even a possibility. Sometimes you just get all mixed up in the the stories about the bad things that can happen--really nice to hear something good. Thanks for the post.

    Kathy
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #5
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Lisa13Q
    Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
    #6
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Hi Nancy
    I asked her stage and she said she didn't remember...I was like "come on"...she said nope she just didn't care about those things. She had 2 tumors one 7.2 inches and another, I can't remember the size..no bowel involvement...Next time I see her, I am going to ask her to come on the board. It was her attitude that blew me away...she just could not have cared less about the stats or specifics. She did have cisplatin... she said that was rough...other than that, she was completely un-daunted by it all...blew me away...I put her on the phone with my mother......Basically she said, "you just have to get through it but you can". I don't think she knew the stats because if she did, I don't think she would have been so casual about it...I think there's an argument there for not paying attention to the numbers. Look at my mother: she was told in December that there was no chance of remission and right now her CA-125 is within normal limits (not great but normal) and she feels very good.
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #7
    Lisa13Q said:

    Hi Nancy
    I asked her stage and she said she didn't remember...I was like "come on"...she said nope she just didn't care about those things. She had 2 tumors one 7.2 inches and another, I can't remember the size..no bowel involvement...Next time I see her, I am going to ask her to come on the board. It was her attitude that blew me away...she just could not have cared less about the stats or specifics. She did have cisplatin... she said that was rough...other than that, she was completely un-daunted by it all...blew me away...I put her on the phone with my mother......Basically she said, "you just have to get through it but you can". I don't think she knew the stats because if she did, I don't think she would have been so casual about it...I think there's an argument there for not paying attention to the numbers. Look at my mother: she was told in December that there was no chance of remission and right now her CA-125 is within normal limits (not great but normal) and she feels very good.

    Just the News I Needed To Hear
    Hi,

    That really is wonderful and unbelievable news!

    I'm with Nancy, I wonder what stage she was. This gives me hope just finding out my numbers are going up (49 to 62 currently).

    Nevertheless; get her to sign up if you can. I sure we all want to bombard her with soooo many questions.

    Thanks for the positive news!

    Sharon
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #8
    20 years
    When someone tells me they are a long term cancer survivor or they know someone who is always ask what type of cancer, what stage and did they every have a reoccurence.

    When I was initially diagnosed I spoke with a woman who is 20 years with no reoccurence from stage 3 ovarian cancer!!! She was diagnosed in her 20s and had a 2yr old baby at the time. Sorry I didn't share this news sooner. I hope it gives hope to all.
  • marleyboo2
    marleyboo2 Member Posts: 59
    #9
    nancy591 said:

    20 years
    When someone tells me they are a long term cancer survivor or they know someone who is always ask what type of cancer, what stage and did they every have a reoccurence.

    When I was initially diagnosed I spoke with a woman who is 20 years with no reoccurence from stage 3 ovarian cancer!!! She was diagnosed in her 20s and had a 2yr old baby at the time. Sorry I didn't share this news sooner. I hope it gives hope to all.

    51/2 years
    Yes, I have met people who have lived long lives since their OVCA. You can too!!!!! The mind and the body are 2/3 of this equation. If you want a story read Lance Armstrong's "It's not about the bike". Try not to live by your stats! Stats scare you and make your immune system shut down. I know it is hard not to worry but when you realize what Lance went thru and lived it totally possible for anyone with cancer to live. Get all the help you can get all the advice you can and take care of your precious body!!!!!! Love to all of you...5 1/2 yr. survivor.
  • Terri Harvey50
    Terri Harvey50 Member Posts: 5
    #10
    marleyboo2 said:

    51/2 years
    Yes, I have met people who have lived long lives since their OVCA. You can too!!!!! The mind and the body are 2/3 of this equation. If you want a story read Lance Armstrong's "It's not about the bike". Try not to live by your stats! Stats scare you and make your immune system shut down. I know it is hard not to worry but when you realize what Lance went thru and lived it totally possible for anyone with cancer to live. Get all the help you can get all the advice you can and take care of your precious body!!!!!! Love to all of you...5 1/2 yr. survivor.

    Surviving...
    It is always good to hear about long-term survivors. I have stage IIIc ovc. In November 2008, I had 2 tumors removed - one from each ovary. One was 13 cms and the other was 7 cms. I had my omentum removed, my bladder and ureters were involved - required a lot of work to get the pellets removed, and also my colon was involved. Thank the Lord It is with much joy that I can say that since my last chemo on April 15, 2009, my CA 125 is low, between 4 and 5 - every 3 months. I have not had any problems, with the exeception of neuropathy in my feet. I had a maintenace appointment with my internist because of my hypertension. She is the one that found the tumors initially. She told me that I was a miracle. I told her I loved miracles! The Lord is good! He is with us throughout our trials. Believe me, I know it is still early and I don't take my health for granted by any means. I still have times that I cry when I think about what I've been through. But because of a very supportive family, my husband is a saint, my friends, and my faith in God, I am making it!
  • Terri Harvey50
    Terri Harvey50 Member Posts: 5
    #11
    marleyboo2 said:

    51/2 years
    Yes, I have met people who have lived long lives since their OVCA. You can too!!!!! The mind and the body are 2/3 of this equation. If you want a story read Lance Armstrong's "It's not about the bike". Try not to live by your stats! Stats scare you and make your immune system shut down. I know it is hard not to worry but when you realize what Lance went thru and lived it totally possible for anyone with cancer to live. Get all the help you can get all the advice you can and take care of your precious body!!!!!! Love to all of you...5 1/2 yr. survivor.

    Surviving...
    It is always good to hear about long-term survivors. I have stage IIIc ovc. In November 2008, I had 2 tumors removed - one from each ovary. One was 13 cms and the other was 7 cms. I had my omentum removed, my bladder and ureters were involved - required a lot of work to get the pellets removed, and also my colon was involved. Thank the Lord It is with much joy that I can say that since my last chemo on April 15, 2009, my CA 125 is low, between 4 and 5 - every 3 months. I have not had any problems, with the exeception of neuropathy in my feet. I had a maintenace appointment with my internist because of my hypertension. She is the one that found the tumors initially. She told me that I was a miracle. I told her I loved miracles! The Lord is good! He is with us throughout our trials. Believe me, I know it is still early and I don't take my health for granted by any means. I still have times that I cry when I think about what I've been through. But because of a very supportive family, my husband is a saint, my friends, and my faith in God, I am making it!

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