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mom2greatkids
mom2greatkids Member Posts: 528
in Ovarian Cancer #1
I had surgery on May 18. I will begin chemo most like the last week of this month. I am in stage 3c Clear cell. I am VERY scared and worried. I had to make myself stop reading on-line because I was feeling as though I had no hope to survive this. I am 48.

In April 2010 I lost my husband to a massive heart attack. I have been living with my sister and her family ever since. I am an emotional wreck a lot of the time.

I just need encouragement and some hope that I can beat this horrible disease.

I am the proud mom of 2 kids who are both in college. The oldest will be 23 on June 29. The youngest is 20. She will turn 21 in November. My kids keep me going. I want to fight this so I can see my grandkids some day. I, of course, also want to see 2 weddings somewhere down the road first! :)

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  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #2
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    While I am sorry that you
    While I am sorry that you have this illness, I'm very glad you found this board! The ladies here are wonderful and you will find many many upbeat and positive stories. As with all illnesses, however, there are those who have been gifted with wings. I have to say though, that the amount of grace and hope and positive thinking on this board has kept me going in many a middle of the night insomnia. You can click on my name to read my profile story. We're of an age, I'll be 47 in November, and I've just had my first recurrence. Don't let it alarm you,my recurrence is brain mets, but even my oncologist didn't think it was there. (Ovarian cancer almost NEVER goes to the brain).

    At any rate, you and I both have the same plans. My daughter will be 22 in July,and I do plan to see her wedding and watch my grandchildren growup as well. God willing. ;)

    As for being an emotional wreck. This is a matter of personal choice, some of us find better living through chemistry (citalopram and lorazapram for me), while others prefer naturopathic or homeopathic methods. Talk to your doctor. Additional stress is one thing you definitely don't need right now!

    Hugs and Prayers!

    Leesa
  • mom2greatkids
    mom2greatkids Member Posts: 528
    #3
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    leesag said:

    While I am sorry that you
    While I am sorry that you have this illness, I'm very glad you found this board! The ladies here are wonderful and you will find many many upbeat and positive stories. As with all illnesses, however, there are those who have been gifted with wings. I have to say though, that the amount of grace and hope and positive thinking on this board has kept me going in many a middle of the night insomnia. You can click on my name to read my profile story. We're of an age, I'll be 47 in November, and I've just had my first recurrence. Don't let it alarm you,my recurrence is brain mets, but even my oncologist didn't think it was there. (Ovarian cancer almost NEVER goes to the brain).

    At any rate, you and I both have the same plans. My daughter will be 22 in July,and I do plan to see her wedding and watch my grandchildren growup as well. God willing. ;)

    As for being an emotional wreck. This is a matter of personal choice, some of us find better living through chemistry (citalopram and lorazapram for me), while others prefer naturopathic or homeopathic methods. Talk to your doctor. Additional stress is one thing you definitely don't need right now!

    Hugs and Prayers!

    Leesa

    Thanks Leesa,
    I am on an
    Thanks Leesa,

    I am on an anti-depressant. (generic for Zoloft) I miss my husband SO much now that I need him for emotional support. However, I am blessed with GREAT family support. I lost my Mom to non-hodgkins lymphoma in Feb. '08. Dad has remarried since, a lady who lost her husband to cancer several yrs. ago. She has been a family friend for over 35 yrs. They are wonderful. My sister and her husband are great as well. My brother even keeps a check on me. I also have great support from friends and from my church family. Several ladies from church plan to help get me to and from appts. as needed.

    I will have a medical onc. for my chemo. I had to go 3 hrs. for my surgery as there were no gyn/onc. within my insurance's network in my area.

    I look forward to meeting many wonderful ladies on here. Unfortunately we have this terrible disease in common. However, I find it so comforting to know that others often share the same fears, experiences.
  • MK_4Dani
    MK_4Dani Member Posts: 314
    #4
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    I was stage 3C...
    It was 2 years ago. I have been NED since chemo. I was 45 when I was dx. The on-line info is very scary but every one is different. The hard part, surgery, is over...chemo is hard but you will get through it. I am living my life, happy but still take Lexapro to help with the anxiety that comes with being a survivor. You will find lots of info, support and encouragement on this board. A sad but heartfelt welcome.
    Mary
  • mom2greatkids
    mom2greatkids Member Posts: 528
    #5
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    MK_4Dani said:

    I was stage 3C...
    It was 2 years ago. I have been NED since chemo. I was 45 when I was dx. The on-line info is very scary but every one is different. The hard part, surgery, is over...chemo is hard but you will get through it. I am living my life, happy but still take Lexapro to help with the anxiety that comes with being a survivor. You will find lots of info, support and encouragement on this board. A sad but heartfelt welcome.
    Mary

    Thanks Mary. The "C" word
    Thanks Mary. The "C" word itself is very scary. I am so glad to have the surgery behind me. I have recovered greatly since my surgery. I feel better than I have felt in month. I just found this site today through a google search. I have already found it helpful.
  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    #6
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    mom2greatkids said:

    Thanks Mary. The "C" word
    Thanks Mary. The "C" word itself is very scary. I am so glad to have the surgery behind me. I have recovered greatly since my surgery. I feel better than I have felt in month. I just found this site today through a google search. I have already found it helpful.

    welcome to the board mom2
    glad you signed on. I wish you the best. Your starts soon so what chemos are you getting. Get all of the info you can and ask questions, Chemo had side effects. You can come here to vent ask? or just let us know how you are, God bless...val
  • Rookerbird
    Rookerbird Member Posts: 100
    #7
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    Hope
    We've got kids the same ages (two sons for me, 23 and 21) and I was also diagnosed with clear cell.

    I had my surgery in September, 2009. Surgery was followed by 6 rounds of carbo/taxol, radiation, Femara, a several month break, then seven months of Doxil. You just take it a day or week at a time, focus on the good things in life, and try not to dwell on the "what ifs?" or let fear take over. Guess what? Last Monday, I had the first clean CT scan I've had since my diagnosis. It took 21 months, but there is ALWAYS hope!

    Worry and stress are natural, but please don't let emotions take over. I recall having one hysterical meltdown while fighting through complications during my radiation treatments. My nurse had my oncologist call me right away. (I think he called from the operating room!) He talked me off a cliff, and told me that stress/distress would make it MUCH harder for my body to heal. So, please...ask for medication, counseling, or any other support that will help calm your emotions. For many people, a short daily walk and fresh air does wonders, even through chemo.

    I'm a single mom too, and have no family in town. But relatives come once a month to help out, and friends and church family are always ready to lend a hand, take me to appointments, etc. I'm SO glad you have supportive family and friends.

    It's okay to be prepared for "the worst" but try to live as though you expect "the best." You can do this!

    With hugs and hope,
    Kathy
  • jadav1956
    jadav1956 Member Posts: 95 Member
    #8
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    Rookerbird said:

    Hope
    We've got kids the same ages (two sons for me, 23 and 21) and I was also diagnosed with clear cell.

    I had my surgery in September, 2009. Surgery was followed by 6 rounds of carbo/taxol, radiation, Femara, a several month break, then seven months of Doxil. You just take it a day or week at a time, focus on the good things in life, and try not to dwell on the "what ifs?" or let fear take over. Guess what? Last Monday, I had the first clean CT scan I've had since my diagnosis. It took 21 months, but there is ALWAYS hope!

    Worry and stress are natural, but please don't let emotions take over. I recall having one hysterical meltdown while fighting through complications during my radiation treatments. My nurse had my oncologist call me right away. (I think he called from the operating room!) He talked me off a cliff, and told me that stress/distress would make it MUCH harder for my body to heal. So, please...ask for medication, counseling, or any other support that will help calm your emotions. For many people, a short daily walk and fresh air does wonders, even through chemo.

    I'm a single mom too, and have no family in town. But relatives come once a month to help out, and friends and church family are always ready to lend a hand, take me to appointments, etc. I'm SO glad you have supportive family and friends.

    It's okay to be prepared for "the worst" but try to live as though you expect "the best." You can do this!

    With hugs and hope,
    Kathy

    Welcome Mom2 !! I am sorry
    Welcome Mom2 !! I am sorry for your diagnosis. This is a great place to come to!! I found this board about a month ago. I had my surgery 5/9, and start chemo this coming tuesday. I also was staged 3c with epithelial cancer. I am very nervous about the chemo, but I come here often to read what these great ladies have to say about a variety of things. I always learn something. Good luck and please keep posting. Big hugs to you !!! Jackie
  • childofthestars
    childofthestars Member Posts: 251 Member
    #9
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    Hi and unfortunately welcome
    Hi and unfortunately welcome I am very glad u found this site it really is a great place for info, to vent and for some laughts too. I was dx last June 30 when I was 45 with stage 11c, I finished chemo on 8 Dec and am doing well apart from joint pain! I have 2 children a girl of 21 and a boy of 18 my daughter gave birth to a beautiful little girl on Dec 18 - 2 weeks after my final chemo it was the best medicine for me and still is. I take Prozac altho must admit i've been on and off it for many years!! I am looking forward to helping my daughter organise her wedding (whenever that may be) My advice whilst going thru chemo is to take as many (or as few) anti sickness meds as u need, keep positive, listen to your body and rest if u need to, allow others to help, get angry and vent but dont dwell and again stay positive. Good luck and keep us posted.
    Michelle x
  • childofthestars
    childofthestars Member Posts: 251 Member
    #10
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    Hi and unfortunately welcome
    Hi and unfortunately welcome I am very glad u found this site it really is a great place for info, to vent and for some laughts too. I was dx last June 30 when I was 45 with stage 11c, I finished chemo on 8 Dec and am doing well apart from joint pain! I have 2 children a girl of 21 and a boy of 18 my daughter gave birth to a beautiful little girl on Dec 18 - 2 weeks after my final chemo it was the best medicine for me and still is. I take Prozac altho must admit i've been on and off it for many years!! I am looking forward to helping my daughter organise her wedding (whenever that may be) My advice whilst going thru chemo is to take as many (or as few) anti sickness meds as u need, keep positive, listen to your body and rest if u need to, allow others to help, get angry and vent but dont dwell and again stay positive. Good luck and keep us posted.
    Michelle x
  • childofthestars
    childofthestars Member Posts: 251 Member
    #11
    Options
    Hi and unfortunately welcome
    Hi and unfortunately welcome I am very glad u found this site it really is a great place for info, to vent and for some laughts too. I was dx last June 30 when I was 45 with stage 11c, I finished chemo on 8 Dec and am doing well apart from joint pain! I have 2 children a girl of 21 and a boy of 18 my daughter gave birth to a beautiful little girl on Dec 18 - 2 weeks after my final chemo it was the best medicine for me and still is. I take Prozac altho must admit i've been on and off it for many years!! I am looking forward to helping my daughter organise her wedding (whenever that may be) My advice whilst going thru chemo is to take as many (or as few) anti sickness meds as u need, keep positive, listen to your body and rest if u need to, allow others to help, get angry and vent but dont dwell and again stay positive. Good luck and keep us posted.
    Michelle x
  • childofthestars
    childofthestars Member Posts: 251 Member
    #12
    Options
    childofthestars said:

    Hi and unfortunately welcome
    Hi and unfortunately welcome I am very glad u found this site it really is a great place for info, to vent and for some laughts too. I was dx last June 30 when I was 45 with stage 11c, I finished chemo on 8 Dec and am doing well apart from joint pain! I have 2 children a girl of 21 and a boy of 18 my daughter gave birth to a beautiful little girl on Dec 18 - 2 weeks after my final chemo it was the best medicine for me and still is. I take Prozac altho must admit i've been on and off it for many years!! I am looking forward to helping my daughter organise her wedding (whenever that may be) My advice whilst going thru chemo is to take as many (or as few) anti sickness meds as u need, keep positive, listen to your body and rest if u need to, allow others to help, get angry and vent but dont dwell and again stay positive. Good luck and keep us posted.
    Michelle x

    Oops sorry about the tripple
    Oops sorry about the tripple post - my computer was playing up lol!!

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