Need a little pep talk

Lisa13Q said:

HI MINKY
Hello Minky,

My mother was diagnosed with Ovarian 3C on July 25 2009. I remember the day and the time. I went home petrified, I couldn't sleep and had never felt so alone even though my mpther was in the next room. I found this site and sent out a plea for help. I heard from a Saundra, and then a Bonnie and many others. I remember what they said and their words of hope but did not believe them. I only knew that I would never move emotionally from my fear and panic..I was so wrong. First, let me start by saying how sorry I am. Those words are amazing how they change you. But you WILL get through it. Tomorrow morning you will wake up and read the board and there will be many who will respond and you will first realize you are not alone, and then you will begin to absorb the information and do the next right thing. That's it. One minute at a time to start. Just the next right thing...Maybe that's just appearing at work. Maybe it's not making breakfast and stopping at mcD's rather than cook. In other words take care of yourself. Your equilibrium will come back and you will get perspective. But it takes a little time. Go spend time with your Mom if you can..trust what she says....YES IT WILL GET MORE TOLERABLE....I am amazed you can keep it together at work...Come here often....We will all say prayers for your mother tonight...

Thank you Lisa13Q
Thank you so very much for your words. I am like a sponge right now-just trying to take it all in. You have helped me tremendously this evening...I really do appreciate it.

msfanciful said:

Yes It's Possible.
Hello,

Yes Minky, it's very much possible.

The human spirit is very resilient during times of adversity.

I am a stage 4 ovarian cancer survivor of 3 years next month.

I was admitted via emergency with pneumonia, it was at this time with various tests, that
my lymph-nodes and masses were discovered as well.

My count at that time was 1400 and with my first regimen of carbo and taxol my counts de
creased significantly by 50%.

My current count is 37. But the Ca-125 is not totally an absolute science, so tell your mom
not to get caught up in the numbers, it can drive you mad.

I am living proof that this disease can be treated as a chronic illness through ones life
rather than a death sentence, do don't even think in that vein.

I have since been sky-diving, got my first tattoo (and I'm really not a tattoo person), and I am mastering my second lanquage very well. Yo ahora habla espanol muy bien.

My heart goes out to you and your mother, but you know what really made a difference for
me? Truly?

My beautiful daughter who was and is always there to say "Mom I really don't see this
cancer taking you away"

Now call it wishful thinking (my daughter is very insightful), so it always encourages me
to believe her words ring true. They have so far! Leave in up to the initial doctors who
examined me... they were already trying to prepare me and my family for my death in a matter of 3-4 months? The gall! So don't get totally caught up in their opinions, just
get the facts and focus on helping your mother to heal through this scary time.

I have a feeling that you are a great daughter (as is mine), and it is going to do
wonders for your mother to here and see your positive spirit and strength as it also did
for me.

I will keep you in my prayers for peace to come to you.

Love,

Sharon

Thank you all so much!
I thought I knew exactly what role models were...up until I joined this site! I just got very emotional reading all of your posts and it really puts life into perspective for me. Thank you for listening, thank you for responding, and thanks for all of your bravery-I can feel it!

I cannot wait to share this advice/website with my siblings. I am the youngest out of 4 children, not quite a baby at the ripe old age of 28, but my older siblings still characterize me that way and like to handle me "with kid gloves". It fascinates me on how differently the 4 of us are dealing with this. My sister is in a weird stage of anger where she wants to blame someone or something for my mother's ailment. I haven't gotten to that stage yet.(Hopefully, I never will.)

To complicate things with Mom, she almost lost her life 2 years ago from a rare blood disease called TTP. She was treated several times a day using a process called plasmapherisis so the doctors have to be careful to monitor this as well. This woman has beat the odds over and over again. Side bar, she also had a brain aneurism about 5 years ago and a massive heart attack 13 years ago. This is not the first time that the doctors have put an expiration date on her...and she always manages to pull through without quitting her smile!

Mom is a remarkable woman. For a living, she works for a non-profit organization that gives pregnant teens a place to live, supplies food and clothing, and even lets the teens stay for up to a year after having the baby. My Mom is the House Mother there and teaches these girls how to properly care for their babies as well as themselves. She also lives there full time!

My only issue with her having this job now is that she does not have medical benefits and makes an extremely low salary. I hope that she will not be financially burdened if "the tab" is not picked up by medicare as a charity case. I know she is worried about this. I also am worried that the doctors are not going to treat her the same as they would if she did have insurance-although I have not seen this.

I spoke to Mom on the phone today and she sounded wonderful! They had removed one drain from the left lung,the right lung still has fluid. She went through grueling PT today-she has not walked since Jan. 11. She was exhausted but still in great spirits! For her birthday on Saturday, I am going to get her a huge steak with all the 'fixins from Outback and bring it to her. She has no diet restriction and she is getting her appetite back-all she wants is a steak!!!!!!

I think they might start Chemo as early as tomorrow but I'm not too sure. I am never there when the docs are there and I hear everything from my siblings or Mom.

Again, thank you to all of you wonderful people and I will keep in touch! You are strong and courageous and I want to be just like you... You all are my role models!