I want to hear some good news

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cancer survivor x 4
cancer survivor x 4 Member Posts: 177
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hello Everyone,
The board has been very active lately. I am sitting here reading it and my heart is breaking. I am scared to death. People are having re-occurances. The chemo's are not working and some people are not doing well at all. The only good post I saw this week was Hissy-Fitts. Then I saw the picture of LisaQ's mom and I just lost it. I am currently in remission, but for how long? I was a 2B, but none of us are safe. I want to hear some good news. What are people doing to live their life to the fullest with the time we have or don't have left. I will tell you what I am doing. I tell everyone I know how much I love them. I enrolled in nursing school, so I can help people who are in the same situation I have been in. I thanked my OB/GYN oncologist for saving my life. I thank god everyday and every night. I thank god that I can walk and sit on my front porch and drink a cup of coffee in the morning. I thank god for this wonderful husband that has stood by me and took care of me when I was sick and gave me a bath and cooked my meals for me. I thank god that I can go shopping and eat in resturant's. If I can stay in remission, I am even planning to go on a cruise in April. I am just so thankful for every little thing, because it could be alot worse. Sorry, I am going on and on. I just want to hear about the good things that are going on in your life also. Thank-You, Paula

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  • Lisa13Q
    Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
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    I'm sorry
    I just deleted the photo. I did not mean to upset anyone. Brittany asked recently where I was and how my mom was. That was my most recent picture I took of her when we were in the hospital dealing with her cisplatin disaster. I love her no matter how she looks, I guess I've gotten used to it. Now I know why everyone stares at us when we go out. Again, I apologize. I will post a picture from next time I see her when she's looking like HIssyFitz and Kayandok :). Because I think she will look like that again. I believe she will. I am so happy for you that you are dancing with NED and I wish you a fantastic cruise!!! I thank God too everyday for my wonderful lucky life and my wonderful fabulous mother, and my friends on this board and their courage. I want to meet all of you on the board and write an article for the cancer paper and make an impact on Ovarian cancer.
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
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    Paula,
    thank you for starting this thread!!! I am 2 1/2 years out from a 3C dx of OvCa and so happy to be alive. My chemo (Doxil) is tolerable, keeping things at bay, is only once a month, and in between I have mostly good days.

    Yesterday, we went to a memorial for the 15 year mark since the Great Hanshin Earthaquake. My 12-year-old son had the privilege of singing in a choir at the occasion. The Crown Prince and Princess were in attendance along with the Prime Minister of Japan. It was a big deal. I was full of emotion, not only proud of Jay, but remembering that day 15 years ago when I thought it was the end of the world!!

    Last week, the next day after my infusion, I went to the doctor with my friend. She was freaking out because she found out she had a nerve tumor in her spine. I took detailed notes at the appointment, and asked a lot of questions. Surgery is a must, and it looks to be benign. She said she could draw strength from my presence and was no longer afraid. I don't think of myself as being strong, but felt blessed that I could help her.

    Life is good, I am so grateful to God, my family, friends, and for being born with a stinkin' stubborn personality that won't take NO for an answer.

    Kathleen

    PS So inspiring to hear that you are going to nursing school!
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
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    Lisa13Q said:

    I'm sorry
    I just deleted the photo. I did not mean to upset anyone. Brittany asked recently where I was and how my mom was. That was my most recent picture I took of her when we were in the hospital dealing with her cisplatin disaster. I love her no matter how she looks, I guess I've gotten used to it. Now I know why everyone stares at us when we go out. Again, I apologize. I will post a picture from next time I see her when she's looking like HIssyFitz and Kayandok :). Because I think she will look like that again. I believe she will. I am so happy for you that you are dancing with NED and I wish you a fantastic cruise!!! I thank God too everyday for my wonderful lucky life and my wonderful fabulous mother, and my friends on this board and their courage. I want to meet all of you on the board and write an article for the cancer paper and make an impact on Ovarian cancer.

    Hugs Lisa
    Dearest Lisa, please put the photo back .. I thought it was a wonderful photo and shows how important LOVE and HOPE are. Love ♥ Hugs ♥ Prayers Bonnie
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
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    good news
    Dearest Paula, Good News is you were diagnosed at stage2 ~ Good news I can say I am a survivor of seven years.

    In each of the posts I read the Hope and Encouragement that comes from all, those that have never recurred and those that are Victorous even though they have not recieved a remission. May I suggest you visit the chatroom, I go there every morning with my cup of coffee and most of the people in there are in remission.

    Living life to the fullest and glad to be beating the odds.. BonnieR .. and yes this is Great News and a wonderful Blessing
  • Barbara53
    Barbara53 Member Posts: 652
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    Lisa13Q said:

    I'm sorry
    I just deleted the photo. I did not mean to upset anyone. Brittany asked recently where I was and how my mom was. That was my most recent picture I took of her when we were in the hospital dealing with her cisplatin disaster. I love her no matter how she looks, I guess I've gotten used to it. Now I know why everyone stares at us when we go out. Again, I apologize. I will post a picture from next time I see her when she's looking like HIssyFitz and Kayandok :). Because I think she will look like that again. I believe she will. I am so happy for you that you are dancing with NED and I wish you a fantastic cruise!!! I thank God too everyday for my wonderful lucky life and my wonderful fabulous mother, and my friends on this board and their courage. I want to meet all of you on the board and write an article for the cancer paper and make an impact on Ovarian cancer.

    hidden beauty
    Bonnie's right. Though the photo showed your mother's exhaustion, a fiery intelligence showed through, even in profile. To me, the caption could have been: resilience.

    Sometimes the littlest bird sings the prettiest song.
  • cancer survivor x 4
    cancer survivor x 4 Member Posts: 177
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    Lisa13Q said:

    I'm sorry
    I just deleted the photo. I did not mean to upset anyone. Brittany asked recently where I was and how my mom was. That was my most recent picture I took of her when we were in the hospital dealing with her cisplatin disaster. I love her no matter how she looks, I guess I've gotten used to it. Now I know why everyone stares at us when we go out. Again, I apologize. I will post a picture from next time I see her when she's looking like HIssyFitz and Kayandok :). Because I think she will look like that again. I believe she will. I am so happy for you that you are dancing with NED and I wish you a fantastic cruise!!! I thank God too everyday for my wonderful lucky life and my wonderful fabulous mother, and my friends on this board and their courage. I want to meet all of you on the board and write an article for the cancer paper and make an impact on Ovarian cancer.

    Lisa13Q
    Lisa,
    I don't want you to take your mom's picture away. I hope I did not hurt your feelings. I just wanted to hear some of the productive things people are doing with their life while fighting this disease or in remission. Your mom is beautiful anyway she make look. Please if you write your article this summer on Ovarian Cancer, come and visit me. I am a 3 time breast cancer survivor, also. I live in historic Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. It is a very beautiful place and full of history. You can stay at my house. I have an extra bedroom that I re-decorated and I will feed you alot of good food. We would be happy to have you. Love You, Paula
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
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    Good News!
    Paula,

    I am glad to be here! I too wake up every morning Praising God that I am still here and go to bed at night thanking Him for the wonderful day I just had!

    We are commanded to "give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God". I am thankful for all my husband and family and friends have done and are doing for me. I am thankful for this cancer survivor support group where no matter what we say, we have someone who has been there (nothing new under the sun).

    I too can shop, cook, eat, clean, etc. etc. And you are so right, it could be worse!! I still have my hair this time (so much thinner) and am not allowed to color it, so now I look like Jerry's mother instead of wife! LOL - just kidding (I hope)! He is one of those men who do not gray early.

    I remember that His eye is on the sparrow, ♫ so I know He watches me...........I sing because I'm happy ☺ ♫, I sing because I'm free ♫ ......................

    Sometimes in our church when there are prayer requests someone will say for every prayer request, please give a praise!

    Paula, I am so ready for another cruise. We have been on two. We are going fishing in Alabama in March and then to the beach with all our children (4) and their families in June! So looking forward to going.

    Living for Eternity,

    LOVE LIBBY
  • carol2dogs
    carol2dogs Member Posts: 132
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    More good news
    Hi, Paula,
    Sorry I haven't been on the boards much lately. I have been really busy reading emails on "how to shop for free" as well as working at my more-than-fulltime job teaching. I am stage 3c, and I am on a "chemo break" (staff does not like to use the word "remission") since 12/10/09. I am a 4 year survivor, with 2 recurrences under my belt. Like the others posting here, I am thankful every day to be alive (well, at least most days, anyway) and thankful to God for all He has done for me. I have been extremely fortunate to be able to continue working, with some very long hours, at a job I love - teaching special-needs children. Chemo side effects for me have been mild and very manageable, so far. I too have an extra appreciation of the simple things in life, like hugging my dogs and watching the sunset. Thanks for the opportunity to state the positives.
    Love and hugs, Carol
  • cancer survivor x 4
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    LPack said:

    Good News!
    Paula,

    I am glad to be here! I too wake up every morning Praising God that I am still here and go to bed at night thanking Him for the wonderful day I just had!

    We are commanded to "give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God". I am thankful for all my husband and family and friends have done and are doing for me. I am thankful for this cancer survivor support group where no matter what we say, we have someone who has been there (nothing new under the sun).

    I too can shop, cook, eat, clean, etc. etc. And you are so right, it could be worse!! I still have my hair this time (so much thinner) and am not allowed to color it, so now I look like Jerry's mother instead of wife! LOL - just kidding (I hope)! He is one of those men who do not gray early.

    I remember that His eye is on the sparrow, ♫ so I know He watches me...........I sing because I'm happy ☺ ♫, I sing because I'm free ♫ ......................

    Sometimes in our church when there are prayer requests someone will say for every prayer request, please give a praise!

    Paula, I am so ready for another cruise. We have been on two. We are going fishing in Alabama in March and then to the beach with all our children (4) and their families in June! So looking forward to going.

    Living for Eternity,

    LOVE LIBBY

    Good Things
    Hi Libby,
    That's what I wanted to hear. That people are still living their life and having a good time. I don't think life should stop just because we have to deal with all of this ovarian cancer crap. I know it stinks, but I am going to live my life to the fullest from now on, so just in case god decides to take me to heaven early, I can say I had a wonderful life before I went. Love You, Bye, Paula
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
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    More good news
    Hi, Paula,
    Sorry I haven't been on the boards much lately. I have been really busy reading emails on "how to shop for free" as well as working at my more-than-fulltime job teaching. I am stage 3c, and I am on a "chemo break" (staff does not like to use the word "remission") since 12/10/09. I am a 4 year survivor, with 2 recurrences under my belt. Like the others posting here, I am thankful every day to be alive (well, at least most days, anyway) and thankful to God for all He has done for me. I have been extremely fortunate to be able to continue working, with some very long hours, at a job I love - teaching special-needs children. Chemo side effects for me have been mild and very manageable, so far. I too have an extra appreciation of the simple things in life, like hugging my dogs and watching the sunset. Thanks for the opportunity to state the positives.
    Love and hugs, Carol

    These ladies all have the right idea.......
    Your cup is way more than half-full, Paula. Stage 2 is great news.

    I had a couple of weeks to digest my diagnosis (and read up on OVC) before my surgery. I prayed for Stage 2. Instead, I got Stage 3c. Some of the ladies here started at Stage 4, but they haven't given up - not by a long shot.

    My doctor talks about "studies show" that this or that doesn't necessarily increase "survival rates". I told him today, "I know what the statistics are. I know that at stage 3, it's almost a sure thing that it's going to come back. I don't care what the studies show. If you can keep me alive long enough, someone will find a drug, or a combination of drugs, that works, long-term. Let's concentrate on that, okay?"

    Make a plan, if it will make you feel more in control. I have a plan. Even though my doctor is a GYN/Oncologist that is highly regarded in the area where I live, once things stop looking up, I plan to take my butt to MD Anderson in Houston. Now, I realize that MDA does not cure every single patient that comes to them, but they are the premiere cancer center in Texas - maybe the entire Southwest USA. It's not fool-proof by any means, but it's a plan and it makes me feel like there is hope, no matter what.

    Carlene
  • This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
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    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    great news
    Congrats Nancy on your successful 2 years!
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
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    More good news
    Hi, Paula,
    Sorry I haven't been on the boards much lately. I have been really busy reading emails on "how to shop for free" as well as working at my more-than-fulltime job teaching. I am stage 3c, and I am on a "chemo break" (staff does not like to use the word "remission") since 12/10/09. I am a 4 year survivor, with 2 recurrences under my belt. Like the others posting here, I am thankful every day to be alive (well, at least most days, anyway) and thankful to God for all He has done for me. I have been extremely fortunate to be able to continue working, with some very long hours, at a job I love - teaching special-needs children. Chemo side effects for me have been mild and very manageable, so far. I too have an extra appreciation of the simple things in life, like hugging my dogs and watching the sunset. Thanks for the opportunity to state the positives.
    Love and hugs, Carol

    The question I was afraid to ask
    Carol,

    Oddly enough, I think you just gave me the answer to the one question I was afraid to ask. I, too, am a teacher. I love teaching, it's more than a job for me, it's who I am. I've just been diagnosed and I think I've asked every question except this one: "Will I be able to teach again?" The next hurdle for me is to somehow find the words to tell my kids that they may not see much of me for the next few months. Any words of advice/encouragement or even hard truths are most welcome!

    Leesa
  • kathryn1
    kathryn1 Member Posts: 88 Member
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    leesag said:

    The question I was afraid to ask
    Carol,

    Oddly enough, I think you just gave me the answer to the one question I was afraid to ask. I, too, am a teacher. I love teaching, it's more than a job for me, it's who I am. I've just been diagnosed and I think I've asked every question except this one: "Will I be able to teach again?" The next hurdle for me is to somehow find the words to tell my kids that they may not see much of me for the next few months. Any words of advice/encouragement or even hard truths are most welcome!

    Leesa

    Hi
    I'm sure you'll be back teaching after treatment. Maybe not right away. Chemo affects everyone differently. Some continue working right thru it.
    I wish you the best!
    Kathryn
  • dorion
    dorion Member Posts: 183
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    nancy591 said:

    great news
    Congrats Nancy on your successful 2 years!

    doing a good job
    Hi Paula
    Sounds to me you are doing all the right things in keeping it together, it is a very difficult road for sure, but stage 2 is great. Better than 3 or 4 I'd say. Sounds like you have a very good chance of licking this thing. I too every day thank God that I still can walk and talk and I have to remind myself of this when I'm feeling like I don't want to get out of bed, I feel like I'm wasting what I have in front of me. So today I start over again. Pull myself up and dust myself off and go at it again. We are all here for you and for each other, always remember that. This is my saving grace this beautiful place with these awesome ladies. Saved my skin too many times to count. You are going to be just fine. Breath and take one day at a time. We are all going to slip every once in a while after all we are only human, right. Love to all of you, always

    Linda
  • Lisa13Q
    Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
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    Lisa13Q
    Lisa,
    I don't want you to take your mom's picture away. I hope I did not hurt your feelings. I just wanted to hear some of the productive things people are doing with their life while fighting this disease or in remission. Your mom is beautiful anyway she make look. Please if you write your article this summer on Ovarian Cancer, come and visit me. I am a 3 time breast cancer survivor, also. I live in historic Harper's Ferry, West Virginia. It is a very beautiful place and full of history. You can stay at my house. I have an extra bedroom that I re-decorated and I will feed you alot of good food. We would be happy to have you. Love You, Paula

    HI PAULA..NO WORRIES
    hello,

    You did not hurt my feelings. I was horrified initially that I had upset you......you bet I'll visit this summer!! Hopefully tomorrow will be a good day and I can deliver good news!!
  • JoanC
    JoanC Member Posts: 231
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    Good News
    Hi Paula,
    I was DX in April 2008 OVCA Stage 3c.... had surgery and chemo....NO Chemo and dancing with NED since Oct 2008...so it has been almost 16 months YEA! Now that is good news. I tell everyone how much I love them everyday and am SOOOO very thankful to be alive.I am thankful for everything you said because I had a husband that did that and I get to go places and do things...we are going to Maui in March for 2 weeks. My girl friend and I are going on a road trip to SF, CA in Feb. My gyn/onc was voted one of the top doctors in Portland, Or....I am thankful he is so good and so caring.When I wake up each morning I know it will be a good day because I woke up LOL
    I like you have been SOOO SAD to see so many recurrances....have doubled up everyone on my prayer list. SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO HEAR ABOUT THE BAD THINGS SO WE CAN REALLY APPRECIATE THE GOOD... I know I need this place to vent sometimes when I am going through a rough patch. But it nice to here the good also.
    With love and hugs, Joan