Surviving Ovarian Cancer

Hi, I was diagnosed 11/2000 with stage 3C, which means it was in a lymph node. Went through surgery and then 6 rounds of chemo with taxol and carboplatin. I've been cancer-free ever since. I do get rather anxious each time I have a CA-125 done, but they've been good since early in chemo, so I just expect the best and so far I haven't been disappointed. I do eat better now, soy and lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
I'm very glad for those of you who have good insurance because I have gone through all of this without any medical insurance. Initial treatment came to about $50,000 out of my pocket! It is something that I am bound and determined not to undergo again, either physically or financially!

Jo Etta H.
La Veta, Colorado

Hi Jan and other on the chat:

I had stage one ovarian cancer in May 2002 - surgery and chemo (short run - only 3). But some of my cancer cells were called clear cell and now they have returned. I am trying to control with good diet, exercise etc. As clear cell doesn't seem to be receptive to chemo. Anyone out there in the same situation or know anything about clear cell? I can't seem to find very much information.

Hang in there everyone - I try to just take good heart and be as healthy and happy as possible.

Joyce

Hi, I have stage 3 cancer and it returned last year after 4 years of being cancer free. I am free now, but for how long? I try not to think about it but just keep enjoying my grandkids and family and exercise and eat healthy. Good luck. I don't know if I have clear cell, I don't think so as mine has invaded the lymph nodes so that alone can have it spread, but so far so good. Keep smiling one day at a time.

Maureen

Hi Jan - Had one ovary removed in February - symptoms for two months were blood clots in my legs - professor didn't know what was causing them so sent me for a CT scan and there was this "squatter" - had it whipped out - gynecologist thought it was fine and third day - bad result - luckily for me stage 1 - now 6 months later and I am going in for surgery on Tuesday to have the other one removed - biopsy's and stomach washing to double check that there has been no spread. Sending a prayer your way to be strong and positive - because I believe that we can beat this! Take care. Anet, South Africa

Hi Survivor! Those are the people I most ove to hear about! Congrats! I am confident their have been trials and tribulations along the way and you have persisted! I was inititally diagnosed in February of 1998. Had chemo over 100 times over the course of the following 18 months and sought a couple of "second opinions." Ultimately, my CA 125 decreased to 18 and I was in "wait and see" mode. Approximately 18 months later (Feb. 2001), I wasn't feeling feeling well, went to the doctor, he put me in the hospital for tests and I awoke the next morning paralyzed from my eyelids to the tips of my toes. I was in the hospital for the next 10 months. Am now out of the wheelchair, away from the walker, and with a spiffy looking cane! Also, I am elated to have returned to the world of pseudo normalcy! Last November, again had surgery for malignant lymph nodes in the abdomincal area and high into the aortic track. Just finished Doxel chemo treatment-six rounds. Gynecoogic onc is somewhat less than positive regarding prognosis! CA 125 last month was at 89. Tell me about your cancer experience. Treatment experiences? Tryng to determine if there is something I am missing! Again, happy to hear that you are doing well!!!
Sally

Hello Jan, it is good to finally hear from someone who has actually ovarian cancer. I was in remission until May ‘03. Went for routine checkup and found that a piece of the monster had evaded the first treatment of taxol and carboplatinum. Did a second surgery and have just finished the first treatment of taxotere, which by the way is just as tough without the nausea. Some of the other side effects are just as bad. The white blood cells dropped drastically the first week and now I’m fighting a fungal virus as well. The dr. that I was going to decided that this was my fault for getting the virus and treated me like a child so seeing your message today was a real blessing for me. Thank you for your story,
Ouida

Hi, Mary Louise...this is Oby. You asked, "How does one keep the anxiety down when you know a CA 125 test is coming up?" (Don’t know if I quoted you correctly) All I can share with you is what I did when I found out that my ovarian cancer had come back. I began praying for only one thing...acceptance. Acceptance of whatever happens and whenever it happens.

About 3 months later, I was sitting at home one afternoon watching TV. All of a sudden, I felt as though a piece of very sheer fabric fell over my head and went clean down to my feet. Immediately, I felt as though God had completely embraced me, and He said to me, "Oby, there is nothing to be afraid of. I'm here with you and I'll always be with you." At that very moment I knew that I had gained the 'acceptance' that I'd been praying for, and every since that I have not been afraid.

Not even afraid, when three months after completing my chemo, my cancer came back again. With my oncologist, I had an attitude of, "All right, so what do we do now?"

That was a year ago this past month (August) and I have been taking Topotecan ever since then.

I will be celebrating my 10th AA birthday this coming December 13th. Just one of the 'lessons' that I have learned in AA is that, "God will never give us more than we can handle." I have also learned how to "Let Go and Let God," and how to "Turn it over." It took me 8 years before I was really able to do that, however, it has been a 'saving grace' to me.

Nowadays I feel that God is with me all of the time, and oh, my...what a wonderful, comforting feeling this is. In so many, many ways this whole 'cancer experience' has brought so many blessings into my life! And yes, I have also learned many valuable 'lessons' that I needed to learn...and I continue to learn more every day. After all, isn't that what life is all about? A continuing learning experience.

I have heard over and over and over again, in the support groups that I have been attending over the past 3 years, people saying, "If I didn't have God in my life I don't know how I would get through this." However, just saying that, "I have God in my life," are empty words...unless you have truly placed yourself in God's hands.

So, "Let Go and Let God" take care of the results of those CA 125 tests!

I hope you don't feel as though I've been doing a bit of preaching here. I only wanted to share with you what has been my 'saving grace.'

I love you, my sister, Oby

Hi Oby,
No, I did not think you were preaching. I sincerely appreciated your comments and know that each day my acceptance and trust in God does get stronger. If He has led me to it, He will lead me through it. I do believe that.
Thanks again. Take care. Health and hugs to you.

I am in my second chemo for Ovarian Cancer, Stage III. I'm interested in diet. My doctor took me away from Soy as it is a hormone. My cancer count went up when I was eating beef (for the first time in years), beans and lentils (that have too much acid according to what I have been told). I'm now making "big" salads and trying to eat as much raw food as possible. I take Paw Paw Reg Cell, B Vitamins and besides chemo, the doctor has me has Celebrex for cancer. It seems to be something new.
Thank you for any input you can give me.

Audrey

Thank you Oby for your wonderful testimony. When I was given my "death sentence" I asked God so spare me to take care of my very ill husband. I feel that He is doing that.

Audrey