What happens after all the cemo is over,and your in remission

blue802
blue802 Member Posts: 17
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
My name is Mary,I am 53,I am in remission,i have pram any pertinal cancer.Augest7,2007,had chemo therapy till Feb.2008. 2009 colon cancer,chemo therapy end of 2009.Now what?I just don't know what i feel. I'm not the person,wife,mother,daughter or sister,I was told that after 56 months,I have a 20% chance i could live longer,i am a stage 3 in both cancers,I am scared all the time that it will return.I am always thinking,How do i go back to the person i once was?Maybe some one has been like this that can help?Thank You All,Mary

Comments

  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #2
    Dear Mary,
    I am in
    Dear Mary,

    I am in remission, too, though not for nearly as long as you. I was diagnosed in Sept of 09 and finished my initial chemo in Feb of 2010. My CT scan and blood work (tumor marker test) showed NED (no evidence of disease). Yea, me! But the first thing that went thru my mind was, "for how long?".

    I met a woman in my local support group who is 11 years out from her diagnosis. She had the same surgery I had, the same doctor, and the same treatment. She has never had a recurrence. But she has had a CT scan and CA125 test done every six months. Recently, our doctor told her she just needed to come in once a year. She said she almost cried. She begged him to keep monitoring her twice a year. Even that, she said, was hard. After ten years, it's still in the back of her mind.

    Maybe some Cancer survivors are able to pick up the pieces and get back in the same groove as before, but I'm not one of them. I found a great bargain on a pair of summer shoes a couple of weeks ago and almost didn't buy them because, what if I'm not around next summer to wear them?

    Lots of things change your life forever. Cancer is just one of them. I have found that the best talking to I can give myself is this: I might die from Cancer, but then, I might not. I could get run down by a drunk driver tomorrow, but that doesn't stop me from leaving the house, and I'm not going to let Cancer stop me from doing whatever it is I want to do. I might die from Cancer someday, but not today. Today I am alive and I will not waste it.

    Carlene
  • kikiz
    kikiz Member Posts: 94
    #3
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Dear Mary,
    I am in
    Dear Mary,

    I am in remission, too, though not for nearly as long as you. I was diagnosed in Sept of 09 and finished my initial chemo in Feb of 2010. My CT scan and blood work (tumor marker test) showed NED (no evidence of disease). Yea, me! But the first thing that went thru my mind was, "for how long?".

    I met a woman in my local support group who is 11 years out from her diagnosis. She had the same surgery I had, the same doctor, and the same treatment. She has never had a recurrence. But she has had a CT scan and CA125 test done every six months. Recently, our doctor told her she just needed to come in once a year. She said she almost cried. She begged him to keep monitoring her twice a year. Even that, she said, was hard. After ten years, it's still in the back of her mind.

    Maybe some Cancer survivors are able to pick up the pieces and get back in the same groove as before, but I'm not one of them. I found a great bargain on a pair of summer shoes a couple of weeks ago and almost didn't buy them because, what if I'm not around next summer to wear them?

    Lots of things change your life forever. Cancer is just one of them. I have found that the best talking to I can give myself is this: I might die from Cancer, but then, I might not. I could get run down by a drunk driver tomorrow, but that doesn't stop me from leaving the house, and I'm not going to let Cancer stop me from doing whatever it is I want to do. I might die from Cancer someday, but not today. Today I am alive and I will not waste it.

    Carlene

    Dear Mary,
    I have been NED
    Dear Mary,
    I have been NED for a little over a year. The thoughts you have go through my mind all the time. I now make 2 lists. One for tomorrow and one for the future. I know like Carlene that other things can happen besides Cancer so I am learning to get done what I need to for the day I am now living in but to plan for the future I hope to have.

    Carlene, I would buy the shoes, again planning for the future but knowing if I am not here that they could be donated or used by someone else. I don't think you ever get back in the "Groove" that you were in before. We have faced our own mortality, realizing that life is so precious. I am working on finding a "New Groove."

    Good luck and God Bless both of you. I know they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger but I don't know that I ever really wanted to put it to the test.

    Lori
  • vj1
    vj1 Member Posts: 150
    #4
    kikiz said:

    Dear Mary,
    I have been NED
    Dear Mary,
    I have been NED for a little over a year. The thoughts you have go through my mind all the time. I now make 2 lists. One for tomorrow and one for the future. I know like Carlene that other things can happen besides Cancer so I am learning to get done what I need to for the day I am now living in but to plan for the future I hope to have.

    Carlene, I would buy the shoes, again planning for the future but knowing if I am not here that they could be donated or used by someone else. I don't think you ever get back in the "Groove" that you were in before. We have faced our own mortality, realizing that life is so precious. I am working on finding a "New Groove."

    Good luck and God Bless both of you. I know they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger but I don't know that I ever really wanted to put it to the test.

    Lori

    Mary:
    I agree with
    Mary:
    I agree with Carlene. I just finished editing my profile and it brought back thoughts I had then and still have. I always believed to live your life today. I will not allow myself to think of the what ifs with Cancer and I truly know. I have lost 3 members of my family over the years to Cancer. There are days that I say; I feel so good; how can I have this disease--wasn't MY ct scan that showed that mass! To me it is a precious waste of energy to ponder what the future may hold. I agree with Carlene--worry about our disease and get hit by a wayward vehicle! Keep in touch with the wonderful people on this sight and anywhere else in your life---it will see you thru!
  • azgrandma
    azgrandma Member Posts: 609 Member
    #5
    vj1 said:

    Mary:
    I agree with
    Mary:
    I agree with Carlene. I just finished editing my profile and it brought back thoughts I had then and still have. I always believed to live your life today. I will not allow myself to think of the what ifs with Cancer and I truly know. I have lost 3 members of my family over the years to Cancer. There are days that I say; I feel so good; how can I have this disease--wasn't MY ct scan that showed that mass! To me it is a precious waste of energy to ponder what the future may hold. I agree with Carlene--worry about our disease and get hit by a wayward vehicle! Keep in touch with the wonderful people on this sight and anywhere else in your life---it will see you thru!

    Never the same
    I think none of us are ever the same as before we were diagnosed. It has been 6 months since my last chemo and I still have problems with my blood counts and muscle spasms, weakness etc. but with God's hlep we will all make it.
    Keep your chin up and God will help you
  • MK_4Dani
    MK_4Dani Member Posts: 314
    #6
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Dear Mary,
    I am in
    Dear Mary,

    I am in remission, too, though not for nearly as long as you. I was diagnosed in Sept of 09 and finished my initial chemo in Feb of 2010. My CT scan and blood work (tumor marker test) showed NED (no evidence of disease). Yea, me! But the first thing that went thru my mind was, "for how long?".

    I met a woman in my local support group who is 11 years out from her diagnosis. She had the same surgery I had, the same doctor, and the same treatment. She has never had a recurrence. But she has had a CT scan and CA125 test done every six months. Recently, our doctor told her she just needed to come in once a year. She said she almost cried. She begged him to keep monitoring her twice a year. Even that, she said, was hard. After ten years, it's still in the back of her mind.

    Maybe some Cancer survivors are able to pick up the pieces and get back in the same groove as before, but I'm not one of them. I found a great bargain on a pair of summer shoes a couple of weeks ago and almost didn't buy them because, what if I'm not around next summer to wear them?

    Lots of things change your life forever. Cancer is just one of them. I have found that the best talking to I can give myself is this: I might die from Cancer, but then, I might not. I could get run down by a drunk driver tomorrow, but that doesn't stop me from leaving the house, and I'm not going to let Cancer stop me from doing whatever it is I want to do. I might die from Cancer someday, but not today. Today I am alive and I will not waste it.

    Carlene

    AMEN CARLENE!
  • MK_4Dani
    MK_4Dani Member Posts: 314
    #7
    You are a strong woman...you
    You are a strong woman...you are brave...you are a hero. A hero is someone, despite their fear does something extraordinary. You are facing fear every day and still fighting...that is extrordinary!
    Don't give up!
    MK
  • blue802
    blue802 Member Posts: 17
    #8
    Hissy_Fitz said:

    Dear Mary,
    I am in
    Dear Mary,

    I am in remission, too, though not for nearly as long as you. I was diagnosed in Sept of 09 and finished my initial chemo in Feb of 2010. My CT scan and blood work (tumor marker test) showed NED (no evidence of disease). Yea, me! But the first thing that went thru my mind was, "for how long?".

    I met a woman in my local support group who is 11 years out from her diagnosis. She had the same surgery I had, the same doctor, and the same treatment. She has never had a recurrence. But she has had a CT scan and CA125 test done every six months. Recently, our doctor told her she just needed to come in once a year. She said she almost cried. She begged him to keep monitoring her twice a year. Even that, she said, was hard. After ten years, it's still in the back of her mind.

    Maybe some Cancer survivors are able to pick up the pieces and get back in the same groove as before, but I'm not one of them. I found a great bargain on a pair of summer shoes a couple of weeks ago and almost didn't buy them because, what if I'm not around next summer to wear them?

    Lots of things change your life forever. Cancer is just one of them. I have found that the best talking to I can give myself is this: I might die from Cancer, but then, I might not. I could get run down by a drunk driver tomorrow, but that doesn't stop me from leaving the house, and I'm not going to let Cancer stop me from doing whatever it is I want to do. I might die from Cancer someday, but not today. Today I am alive and I will not waste it.

    Carlene

    Thank You All SO Much.
    Dear Cariene,Thanks for all your help,Its so good that you and all that responded to me feel the same.I really feel that i need people like you and all that responded to me in my life today,unless you had cancer family friends mothers daughters husbands just don't understand what we go though.They try I no that but its just not the same.Please i would like to keep in touch with every one if that's o.k.I am so happy that you are in remission,God bless you all,I no what you all have been though and i know that someday i again will learn how to live one day at a time.You will all be in my prays.Mary
  • msfanciful
    msfanciful Member Posts: 559
    #9
    Hello Mary,
    Although I am a
    Hello Mary,

    Although I am a bit late in replying, I must agree with the majority of everyone, in that life after cancer will never be the same. Cancer in itself is a life-altering experience.

    For me whose longest period of remission has only been 1yr and 1mo to date, I truly had to come to terms with my mortality. I also had to come to terms with the reality that I have more fortunate than many in that I have a means to keep fighting, thus to keep living; so I literally live each and every moment to the fullest.

    It's kind of like "okay I have cancer, I can either live with it while I'm here or just sit in a corner and let rob me of my spirit, my life." NOT! LOL! I think I'll continue to chose the former. :-)

    Somewhere inside, Mary you have to reach in real deep and find your reason(s) to continue living.

    I wish you luck,

    Sharon
  • blue802
    blue802 Member Posts: 17
    #10
    msfanciful said:

    Hello Mary,
    Although I am a
    Hello Mary,

    Although I am a bit late in replying, I must agree with the majority of everyone, in that life after cancer will never be the same. Cancer in itself is a life-altering experience.

    For me whose longest period of remission has only been 1yr and 1mo to date, I truly had to come to terms with my mortality. I also had to come to terms with the reality that I have more fortunate than many in that I have a means to keep fighting, thus to keep living; so I literally live each and every moment to the fullest.

    It's kind of like "okay I have cancer, I can either live with it while I'm here or just sit in a corner and let rob me of my spirit, my life." NOT! LOL! I think I'll continue to chose the former. :-)

    Somewhere inside, Mary you have to reach in real deep and find your reason(s) to continue living.

    I wish you luck,

    Sharon

    Friendship,careing,love,support and God
    Dear Sharon and all who responded,Thanks for all your support,all your love, all your friendships.I sit here and i read all the beautiful things that every one wrote and I thank you all for being so helpful to me.I want you all to know that I am very great full that i am in remission,I thank God all the time.I Guss I just get scared because I don't want to die,nobody wants to and maybe I don't seem great full and please don't take it like that,Its just not knowing if it will return that scares me.But I know that i can not do this alone,I do feel much better knowing that i am not alone and so many of you feel the same as myself,I am so great full that i found this sight.Thanks once again for all you support,Love Mary PPC stage111,Collen cancer stage 111

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