Hi all, today I finished treatment no 27 !! I am on a 'break' and my scan results are very good. I was supposed to have 30 treatments but my oncologist said I'm doing well enough to stop .I have been aware and living with cancer almost 2 years.
I feel like my body and mind have collapsed with relief. Im so looking forward to having my body and mind back in time and getting energy.
I was on the radio Limerick live 95 fm last week so if you want to listen just copy and paste this link:
Hi Sinead .excuse me if I sound stupid Sinead ,I cant imagine having 27 cemos in one cycle ,how often did you have them and what treatment you on.im on 3rd go of it ,but had breaks in between oc caelyx at moment ,IM in Mayo God Bless xxxx and well done girl .
hi Eily Eire, I think I could have explained better !!!
I have stage 4 ovarian cancer and had 6 big chemo and 21 maintenance of avastin every 3 weeks. ( 27 treatments in all) I have been treated for almost 2 years non stop every 3 weeks.
i was supposed to have 30 but I'm responding well so Doc said i should have a break to help body recover in case of reoccurrence down the line.
So when you say your on 3rd go of it, is reoccurrence and chemo to stop reproducing cell advancement ??
As we all have different variations of ovarian, stages, treatments , cycles, drugs, length of time in between treatments ,its a bit difficult to understand everyones individual cycle.
thanks for the post and please let me know more about your treatment.
IM still awake find it hard to sleep, I was diagnosed in2012 op + cemo 18mths free more cemo carb/gem /avastin finished that in Feb stayed on ava didn't work for me so Im away again pg better results this time I know avas is tiring and every 3wks but it better than cemo , I hope you have finished it great to get a break and you will get your energy back ,keep in touch and keep smiling xxxx
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Hi Sinead
That's fantastic news! I was diagnosed with Stage IV on June 5th and have just completed 2 chemo sessions. (Taxol/Caarboplatin) with Neulasta injection after each session. I'm finding it tough going, but take encouragement from the fact that you have stopped!!
Juliet
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Hi Juliet , I'm finished on day and I'm bit in dazed by delighted that its over for the time being. the day will come to you and its a tough road with plenty of ups and down but I notice life a bit more than I used to and its worth every moment and every day.
good luck with the next session and all the others.
take care of yourself.
sinead
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Hi Sinead
I listened to your radio interview with the radio station in Limerick - you are an inspiration! You have given me an immense amount of hope, not to mention a change in my attitude.
Thank you!
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thanks Juliet, for your kind comments , Im able to talk openly about things now but it took some time !!!
im not naturally shy so that helps !
good luck with it all and everyone you do is a boxed ticked !!!
Hi Juliet, ya that a tough session been there,but worth it ,good result yu get there ,rest,rest,rest, that's what I did and a littlt walk in between xxxxx
Juliet Im like that now,what Ive started doing is before I go to bed I write down my negative feelings on piece of paper make alist ,put it in a drawer or burn it what ever try and relax and say there goes m problems for 2day Im leaving them there and mean it .I find it does eventually work,worth tryin good luck xxxx
hi all, perhaps just to clarify I'm finished my 27th treatments of avastin - 6 sessions were the 'big chemos' and 21 treatments of just Avastin.
Im delighted with that part of the process is over.
Hi Sinead. So great you have got through it all and can look forward again. You give me hope as I have been on a downer for the past few weeks and this forum has really helped reading stories like yours. I was diagnosed with stage 3 Primary peritoneal in 2011 and was treated with carboplatin and taxol for 6 months every 3 weeks until I was told I was in remission for the moment.I have had 3 monthly check ups mostly external except with gynae who does internal exam when I am with him. I am wondering since you live in Limerick why you are going to Cork for treatment. Unfortunately I don't drive and live about 50 miles away . I am now going to try and listen to your voice on the radio . Onward and upward Sinead. Xxx
hi Molly, thanks for the mail and reading yours and everyones journey , i really see how we are all different in our diagnosis and treatments. Im delighted that you are in remission for the moment.
As for the hospital situation, I was in Limerick hospital and transferred to Cork hospital to an expert for a suspected gallbladder issue. It was soon discovered that it was not a gallbladder issue so I began my cancer treatment in Cork and went for my 6 Taxol/Caarboplatin there. When I met my oncologist in Cork I didn't want to let him go as I felt he was not only a gentleman but an expert in his field. So with negotiations from both hospitals ( not an easy process - hospitals tend to be very independent from one another) I kept my main oncologist in Cork and got my Avastin treatments (21 of them ) in Limerick. I work full time as well in Limerick so wanted it local.
Sinead. great to read your news and also the decision to stop Avastin. Our bodies can take so much and like you was on on the damn drug for 2 and 1/2 years (hell sometimes) and made the decision to stop. I feel so good now that I wonder why I didn't do it earlier. Will face the future and next round of chemo with renewed vigour when needed.
As you said to the others in this conversation, we all are different - stages, types of OvCa and age/general health.
You will pick up so fast now, and I know you lecture so the break until Sept will be good. Will listen to your interview shortly - which I know will be brilliant.
Thanks Maureen , with those kind words and giving me hope that i can live a fuller life without avastin and go back stronger when and if needed. I'm luck to be on hols mostly of july and aug. I really feel i need it as fatigue still haunts me !!
Thanks Sinead. I just listened and you were truly inspiring but I tried not to listen to your idea of retail therapy ! I also think you must be that wonderful artist who had us all busily creating an art piece at patient day in cork in Apr. Mine had the message of Hope. I am trying to complete a Christmas card for Slainte An Chlair in Kilnamona. As an artist you would probably call it naive art. Very naive. I have huge decisions to make over the next few days and I am praying very hard about them all.
Anyway Sinead your positive post along with your interview has motivated me to shake myself out of this downer and go with my brother to shop for groceries. I also need to make some phone calls which I have been putting off. Going to Dublin for the weekend. Keep on smiling
hi Molly, thanks again for your post , Art is meaningful to the artist so you should own your art and allowing it be used for public is great to for you and the lucky audience. Well done. It's brave in the first place to allow yourself to express in any medium so go for it . perhaps art use that as the way to make your decisions - you could just keep the art for yourself and it might help you make those decisions- I find sewing very therapeutic as its repetitive so sew yourself some words /symbols that have meaning to you and put them in a place just you see !! ??
Life is hard Molly and making those calls or shopping can be very daunting tasks. Do them when your ready to do them - but delight that your taking actions.
Thanks again for your encouraging words. They kept me going for the day along with my wonderful brother who keeps me going too and has been such a help. Now I am worrying about him as he told me about dizzy spells. Possibly because he works too hard but right now he is fine. I will just keep positive thoughts in my head if I can and be happy that I have gone way beyond my " sell by date " XXX
Molly. Just read your posting to Sinead and only wanted to wish you ''good luck' with the huge decisions you said you have to make over the next few days. It is surprising that we can summon up courage, strength and bravery when we do have to make hard decisions.
Thank you Maureen for your encouraging words. I will get out of this dark space please God. When I read the posts of all the wonderful women on this forum I stand in awe of them and pray that I too will be happy that I have given it my best shot and more important that I will believe the medical profession have done everything possible. Xxx
HI Sinead we have the Ovacare Coffee morning next Saturday morning at the Clarion at 11am until 1pm. in Cork. If you could make the journey, it would be great. I know now you want to relax at the moment. But maybe a few of us could meet you maybe at Charleville Hotel over the next few weeks if that is more accessible to you. So you have finished the Avastin, no harm to give the body a break. I see the Prof in August and we will see what he has in store for me probably another scan? I have been on Avastin now for about 20months. I feel okay yes I get tired and achy and sinus flare up mostly minor so far. I have retired since that Patient Day and really enjoying doing nothing. I know I will have to get my act together. For the first time in years, I dont feel guilty for not working. Take time out to look at the flowers, go for walks listen to the birds, watch what tv programmes you like and also listen to Music, it is a great healer. Let me know what you think of my idea and message me and perhaps I can organise for a few of us to meet you half way as I said
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hi Suzuki, thanks for the mail and invite to Cork coffee morning and perhaps Charleville in the future - this is truly appreciate this and will go to these when my energy returns. I'm a day after my last Avastin and i feel so tired its unbelievable. I'm sleeping most of the day and i know it a matter of time for recovery. Im in Cork tomorrow at a mir scan and working Friday so it all go here.
i with you on music, sleep walks and nature being healing.
I'm on a break from work mostly for July and most of Aug so looking forward to that space and time .
thanks again for the post and keep the spirit up
kind regards
Sinead
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I see what you mean you certainly wont be able for another journey on Saturday. Maybe in a few weeks time when you are up to it, we could arrange to meet up and Maureen too and anyone else caring to join us. Just thinking we could even get bus or train and meet you in Limerick if that appeals to you better. You rest up now and take it easy, nice short walks at first. We do get battered in one way or another from the chemo, I was fine until I started chemo, no obvious symptoms. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing and maybe we can plan a meet up when you are up to it.
Hi Maureen, I should be there on Saturday and I have suggested that if Sinead doesnt feel like travelling too far, we could take a train trip or bus trip to Limerick in a few weeks. I assume we dont need permission or the dreaded travel socks haha. Sinead keep in touch and the Cork team will arrive in Limerick at some stage soon
Hi Sinead, Its great that another Lady has come to the end of the chemo road for the moment. It is a great feeling leaving the Oncology Ward after your final treatment long may it last. Congratulations on your radio interview you are an inspiration. Kittie
Thanks kittie , I'm delighted with the end of the chemo road for the moment. I slept almost all day today - I have having chemo for almost 2 years and its akin to doing the exams part of the leaving cert and my body and mind is in relief at the reaction of stopping it all.
Im delighted with the radio interview - the presenter gave me no clues about the questions so had to think on my feet !!! but its so good to be facilitated to talk about Ovarian cancer and one persons journey.
Hi Sinead.Im only 20 mins from you in Charleville.If you ever feel like chatting to a member of the Ovacare girls club then your free to contact any one of us here.They are a fantastic support and literally a life support to some.I can't drive unfortunately ,my hubby takes me everywhere.Hes taking me to the coffee morning on a Sat.If you could make it as far as Charleville ,we would love to take you to cork for a coffee and chat with the girls.xx
Hi MollyO,I don't know where you live in Ireland but,If you ever need a one to one chat, with a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen,silence if required then let me know and I will try to get to you.We are a unique group of women, an elite force to contend with but,our support and strength that we give to each other is immense.x x
hi all, i m so delighted with this forum, its really the only place ( besides Ovacare patient days and coffee mornings ) that I feel totally understood with the ups and downs of living with ovarian cancer.
I would love meet up in Charleville or Limerick in the near future and appreciate offer of lifts and venue.
AnneH i could really drive to Charleville and go with you to the next coffee morning in Cork - thanks for the offer.
I know I'm only just finished treatment last Tuesday and i slept 1-2 hours daily but theses days I'm sleeping up to 4 or 5 hours after a busy morning mainly. Have any of you ladies experiences this after treatment , is it utter exhaustion, mental and physical form the treatments ?? any advice - when did your energy come back ?
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Invite to Visual Art Exhibition in Limerick. 