Hi everyone,
Not posted on this forum for a long time.
I was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer 3 weeks ago. The first surgery 3 weeks ago triggered me big time. I’m having major surgery next week, and what panicking about being triggered again (that’s not even to mention the anxiety over chemo…).
It’s there anyone here who has/had cancer or surgery and what helped you to get through it?
Many thanks!
A friend went through what you are going through now 8 years ago. It was a secondary cancer too, to leukaemia, so that comes with a poor prognosis. Surgery and chemo banished the ovarian cancer and her leukaemia remains stable so is still untreated. I have the same leukaemia and was treated 3 years ago and I remain in remission.
Don't be afraid to ask questions of your treatment team to understand what you are being recommended and why. Surgery is scary, particularly when it comes to removing cancer. That said, having surgery provides you with most of your survival advantage; the chemo and perhaps radiation therapy, which can be offered, but you haven't mentioned, provides some further benefit. That may not be easy to go through, but treatment is only for a limited time, then you can resume your life. Be patient during recovery; it may take some time.
You may be offered complementary therapies to help you through the recovery process, but importantly, right now, do you have a therapist who can help you through the surgery while keeping your PTSD symptoms manageable?
It's important to distinguish complementary from alternative therapy; complementary therapies support you through your cancer treatment, alternative treatments are unproven. They sound attractive, but there's no convincing evidence for them or they'd be included in your treatment plan. When you start chemo, discuss any other drugs and supplements that you are taking. I've found hospital pharmacists to be very good for this discussion. Some drugs and supplements can worsen the side effects of chemo, some can partially cancel out the benefit of having the chemo, so this is an important discussion. I had two pages of medications when I was discharged from hospital and a pharmacist spent a long time going through the list, even though I was only taking one other prescribed medicine when I started treatment.
Having people close to you that are supportive is huge. Right now, you need people to accept you where you are and just listen to you. As I expect you've found, when you are diagnosed with cancer, you'll get lots of advice from people who are well meaning, but in general, know nothing about your particular cancer. You get the weirdest suggestions and it can be difficult to accept them gracefully so you don't offend the person making the suggestion. It's also when you find out who your true friends are - those that will stand by you and still keep in contact with you. Never forget that ovarian cancer is curable and you are on the way to being cured.
Neil
Thank you, it’s nice to hear your experience. I don’t have a therapist right now. I’ve been looking for one since 5 months, but it’s very hard to find someone where I live, and when I do find someone, there is a 5 month waiting list.
My medical team know about my ptsd, and said that they will do everything that they can to help me through the treatment. They can offer that the in-House psychologist visits me once after the surgery, but not more.
Thankfully I feel positive that the cancer will be cured, or at least not kill me; and somehow I’ll get through the treatment and be stronger at the end.
I'm so sorry to read of your recent diagnosis.
I have no experience with this but I wanted to send you my best wishes
Thinking of you
🐬
Neil has shared from his own experience and this is invaluable in a forum like this.
I too am sorry you are facing this battle and I’m thinking if you
I have no experience I can share from as far as the cancer treatment you are facing is concerned.
If hospitals are a scary place for you as they are for me, I’d pack things that ground me and remind me not only of home but also who I am as a person. For me this woukd be photos of my vast generational family and perfume as this is my most major grounding tool. Oh and also the mocha sachets I drink.
If none of this us useful then please just discard my comments.
Hello,
I haven't been on this site for awhile so sorry it has taken me awhile to respond. First of all,I am so very sorry. I am an ovarian cancer survivor of 22 years. I was only 41 years old and it was an early stage. I've found guided meditations to be very helpful for calming and caring for myself. Published scientific research shows that they do improve physical healing.
I've attached a site that has many good ones that are free to use. I hope you find one that seems right for you.
I'm sending love and healing thoughts to you.
healingworksfoundation.org/...
Thank you so much! I’m also only 40, and have a 5-year old child; so a powerful reason to live! I will check out the link.
It’s nice to hear from a survivor of oc; I’m also on the oc forum and have read some good advice there. Although I’ve heard one or two interviews of people being diagnosed with ptsd as a result of their cancer treatment, I’ve not found anyone who has ptsd before, though I’m sure there are many.
Take care!
You have been through so much in just a few weeks! So much has happened to your body while your mind is trying to play catch up processing the cancer diagnosis. Also, due to your surgery, you may be experiencing abrupt menopause as your body reacts to the loss of estrogen from your ovaries. I experienced emotional swings but not everyone does. If it happens lovingly remind yourself that it is a true physical side effect not your PTSD brain running the show. No-one explained this to me. and I just gradually figured it out. I think it would have been helpful for those near to me to understand why at times I was so emotional.
No matter what, you will have good days and difficult ones. When you experience a hard day try to keep in your mind that it is just one bad day. It doesn't take away form all the progress you've made toward healing and there is a good chance tomorrow will be better.
I thought AussieNeil had a lot of good thoughtful suggestions to consider.
Feel free to chat with me anytime you need someone who understands
Hugs
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