Newly diagnosed (stage 1A)

Padawan60
Padawan60 Member Posts: 13
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I found this discussion forum yesterday and thought I'd join up and say hello to everyone. I'm 44 years old, engaged, and live in Michigan. At this point, I've had surgery to remove a very large tumor, two lymph nodes, the omentum, plus a full hysterectomy. At this point, my doctors say I don't need any further treatment, but I have a post-op visit next month where I will be able to discuss my case with them further. In any event, the news has come as quite shock (as I'm sure it does to everyone), so I thought I'd seek out some support and also offer the same as best I can. Good to "meet" all of you, even if it's not under the happiest of circumstances.

Comments

  • groundeffect
    groundeffect Member Posts: 639 Member
    #2
    Welcome to the board! As I'm sure you've been told, you've had a stroke of luck with your ovarian cancer being diagnosed as 1A - it doesn't get much better than that!

    Although I'm sure you're doubtful about the luck (with the surgery and all), as you learn more about OVCA, you'll appreciate it all the more.

    Was the large tumor a fibroid? I had a large one and some smaller ones removed when I was 42.
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #3
    How refreshing to hear such a positive story! I'm so glad you are over your surgery and can now move forward in your life. I had stage 1C, which did require surgery and chemo, but I will hit the five-year mark of my diagnosis date on March 27, 2005! May I ask where in Michigan you are located? I'm in Michigan also and have an absolutely wonderful oncologist.

    Please keep in touch. You are now in my prayers for continued health and blessings!

    Monika
  • Padawan60
    Padawan60 Member Posts: 13
    #4
    groundeffect said:

    Welcome to the board! As I'm sure you've been told, you've had a stroke of luck with your ovarian cancer being diagnosed as 1A - it doesn't get much better than that!

    Although I'm sure you're doubtful about the luck (with the surgery and all), as you learn more about OVCA, you'll appreciate it all the more.

    Was the large tumor a fibroid? I had a large one and some smaller ones removed when I was 42.

    Yes, I am slowly beginning to realize just how lucky I am in being a stage 1A. From what little I've read so far, this stage can sometimes be essentially "cured" through surgery such that the cancer doesn't come back. I certainly hope that turns out to be the case.

    As for my tumor, it was called a "sex cord-stromal tumor." It took them a few weeks to accurately diagnose it, though; at first they thought it was benign, but once the pathology report was finished, they found cancer in certain parts of it. It was an extremely fast-growing tumor, too, which concerned them (uh, and me, too!), although I'm not sure at this point whether that has any bearing whatsoever on my future prognosis. Probably not, since they are not recommending any further treatment for me beyond the surgery that (fortunately) I'm already done with.

    Thanks for the welcome and the reply!
  • Padawan60
    Padawan60 Member Posts: 13
    #5
    mopar said:

    How refreshing to hear such a positive story! I'm so glad you are over your surgery and can now move forward in your life. I had stage 1C, which did require surgery and chemo, but I will hit the five-year mark of my diagnosis date on March 27, 2005! May I ask where in Michigan you are located? I'm in Michigan also and have an absolutely wonderful oncologist.

    Please keep in touch. You are now in my prayers for continued health and blessings!

    Monika

    Hello, fellow Michigander. :) I live in Ann Arbor and am being treated by the gynecological-oncology team at the University of Michigan hospital. How about you?

    Also, congratulations on hitting the five-year mark. I read somewhere (and hopefully it's true) that once a person reaches that point, the risk of recurrence is basically the same as the risk of getting cancer if she'd never had it at all, so...woo-hoo!
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #6
    Padawan60 said:

    Hello, fellow Michigander. :) I live in Ann Arbor and am being treated by the gynecological-oncology team at the University of Michigan hospital. How about you?

    Also, congratulations on hitting the five-year mark. I read somewhere (and hopefully it's true) that once a person reaches that point, the risk of recurrence is basically the same as the risk of getting cancer if she'd never had it at all, so...woo-hoo!

    Sounds like you have a wonderful team working for you. U of M is outstanding! I am in Clinton Township, which is about 30 miles north of Detroit. My doctor is out of Providence Hospital and is very well known. It is quite a drive for me but it is well worth it.

    Yes, I hope the five year mark is UNeventful. We will always live with this sitting on our shoulder, but I am grateful for every moment that I have. I try not to live each day worrying about recurrance, because then I wouldn't be living! So, here's to longevity, life and health! God bless you!
    Monika
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #7
    Welcome and what wonderful news you were diagnosed at such an early stage. YOu will find the people on this board be very knowledgable and supportive. Take care and God Bless
  • Mary303
    Mary303 Member Posts: 15
    #8
    Welcome. Glad they found your's so early. Thats great!!! Being diagnosed at Stage 1A. Had a big debulking surgery. My tumor was the size of a basketball and had wraped around so much stuff. It was stage3c but I'm still here. that was 2ys ago feb3rd2003. Thanks for sharing with us. You'll be in my paryers.
    Mary
  • Padawan60
    Padawan60 Member Posts: 13
    #9
    BonnieR said:

    Welcome and what wonderful news you were diagnosed at such an early stage. YOu will find the people on this board be very knowledgable and supportive. Take care and God Bless

    Thanks, Bonnie. I think a support group goes a long way towards helping people deal with whatever troubles might be going on in their lives. If nothing else, it helps them know they're not all alone out there. Glad I found this place.... :)
  • Padawan60
    Padawan60 Member Posts: 13
    #10
    Mary303 said:

    Welcome. Glad they found your's so early. Thats great!!! Being diagnosed at Stage 1A. Had a big debulking surgery. My tumor was the size of a basketball and had wraped around so much stuff. It was stage3c but I'm still here. that was 2ys ago feb3rd2003. Thanks for sharing with us. You'll be in my paryers.
    Mary

    A basketball...? Wow, and I thought mine was big (it was about the size of a cantaloupe). I read something recently about "debulking" -- is that when they reduce the size of a tumor, but can't remove it entirely? In any case, it's great to know you're still alive and kicking after two years -- I wish you all the best. :)
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #11
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

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