Awareness; young ladies with ovarian cancer.

[Jasmine_Rose]

Hi, i was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on the 25th of march 2011. I am 17. 18 in may but from what the doctors are saying its a really rare case in my age, im trying to think really positive about this in making other young girls like me AWARE of this as it really wasnt of thee expected and i think as i am young i could have some advantage in trying my best to raise awareness and just doing something like fundraising money for this perticular ovarian cancer. I am now waiting to go into having a full hysteroctomy 2 weeks friday, which means i have to have both my ovaries and womb taken out, as the tumour has covered about all of it and moved slighty onto my liver, they are going to be taking a bit of my abdimon wall to prevent anything moving, i am known that my mum is a brca1 carrier as her mum, so the doctor has told me its probly to do with the hereditry,gene. im thinking really positive about all this and think raising money in awareness for young girls is the best way for me to deal with it as i dont mind speaking out as i think other girls would listen, ive already got in contact with a lady from a ovarian cancer support group who is sending me 20 teal coloured material ribbons which i hadnt even seen before only the pink for breast, but im going to sell them for a pound each and that will already be abit of help towards my help of awareness, then going to get more and hopefully it will make a difference. after my op there going to decide whether im going to need chemo, but still im going to make more awareness i think it will change my life in a big way, but i think im ready, and to be a voice, i shall be heard xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Hidden]

Good for you, Jasmine!

The only way to go with things like this that life throws at us, is to take the positives from the negative situation. Your resolution to help others will make sense of this for you. Good luck with the operation. You will recover quickly with youth on your side, and a positive attitude will get you through most things. Do research other things to protect and sustain your health too - diet and lifestyle are important to keep you well - and the world needs you to be well to help and encourage others.

Very best wishes,

Isadora.

[optimiste]

Hi Jasmine - firstly, good luck with the surgery! Remember to take lots of peppermint tea for afterward. Trapped wind is most uncomfortable

I am really impressed that you already started zooming around trying to raise awareness. I have been fundraising for ovarian [I had stage 3B in Feb 2008], breast and cervical cancers for the last year.

So far I've raised lots of awareness and over £3500 - I intend to raise more. Funding for research is very important - but get over the surgery first. I have found Facebook to be an excellent method of advertising my events and you can link a justgiving account to most other pages on the And send the link to everyone asking for a fiver. You'll be amazed at the response. See my blogs [the 'pages' bit] for fund raising ideas.

And a positive attitude is the best thing - when were you dx? 25th of march 2011 isn't here yet? well, I hope not or I am in trouble

If you email / write to ALL the fabulous ovarian cancer groups like Ovacome, they will all help you with fundraising by sending you badges, posters and their newsletters.

Oh, by the way, I know another young woman who was dx and treated when she was around your age. She had her 5 years CLEAR a few weeks ago

Good luck in all things.

big hug

sandhy

sandhysown.blogspot.com/

justgiving.com/sandhy-cycle...

[linda4]

Hi Jasmine

You are obviously a positive, determined lady to have decided to raise awareness in spite of all that is going on for you at the moment. Good luck with that.

All the best with your treatment too. That determination and positive attitude will help you through!

All the very best

Linda

[Guinevere]

Take it easy and slow down a bit ... recovery will take longer than you think, both physically and psychologically ...

I wish you all the best with your treatment and hope you can avoid the chemo. Also wish you all the best with the fundraising, but don't forget you have the rest of your life for that! I did a big fundraise for the Eve Appeal, but not till I had been in remission for five years ....

[julieholliday]

jasmine im so proud of the dignity you have shown over the past 2 weeks,you have so much love and support i got through it and my daughter so will you and will become a better person from having this journey love u lots xx

[wendydee]

You sound like a really brave and positive young lady. I wish you all the very best with your op and treatment. Ovacome is a great organisation (and also The Eve Appeal) I trained as a ROCC after I had been in the clear for 6 years and after I retired from full time teaching. It's really interesting voluntary work and I get to meet some inspirational women. I hope, that when you are over your op and treatment, you will be able to come along to one of the member's days. You will get so much support and many good ideas for awareness raising. However, that's all in the future, do give yourself time and treat yourself gently for as long as it takes. (I endorse the comment about peppermint tea!)

Good luck with your op and I'll look forward to hearing how well things have gone

Love, Wendy x

[ScardyCat40]

I'd forgotten about peppermint tea

[SillyYak]

Jasmine

Best of luck. My mum had Ovarian Cancer and a full hysterectomy in her 40s when I was doing my A-Levels. It's awful for anyone and I am sure even harder at a younger age. I just wanted to say that my mum has never had it come back (touch wood) and thinking positively as you are doing is bound to help. Do ensure that they discuss before the op hormone / HRT support. They didn't for my mum and she was very up and down after as they'd forgot. Removing all your female bits in one hit sends you into a menopausal state. Also check if they leave the vagina as they did with her - which will mean you'll need regular smears. Have they discussed any opportunities to try and save any of your eggs for future ? Sorry to be so practical but I know a lot wasn't discussed when my mum was rushed into hospital.

I love social media so if you need any tips on blogs / facebook pages just shout. As someone else said facebook and justgiving are great. Another good friend of mine did a blog when she was dx with cancer and she found it very helpful to share her feelings and keep friends updated. She used posterous blogging as you can make it private. Tumblr is dead simple and easy for public blogging.

Best wishes and keep positive x

[PinkEmily]

Good for u Jasmine!!

I'm 27 and had to have a full hysteractomy last year. Like u I hadnt even really heard of ovarian cancer and what I did know I assumed only happened to older women, I didnt even know they had their own teal ribbions!! So I think that what u are doing is extremly positive as it will help highlight ovarian cancer. I too am doing some fundraising not just for ovarian cancer but especially for young women diagnosed with it as I think the mental symptoms are just as bad as the physical and this needs to be highlighted to young women as well as older women. Good luck with everything I hope all goes well!

Love Emily xx