Seven years and counting...

[Meryl1]

When the calendar read 18 April, I thought omg 7 years ago at just 45 I was told I had Stage 3c OC, with spread to lymph nodes. 4 chemo cycles later (Carboplatin is the drug), with total remissions in between, and I'm tucking into an Easter Egg from one of my lovely godchildren, and feeling great, and cancer free.

I'm heartened by all the publicity recently about treatment based on genetics, though as ever it seems, ovarian barely gets a mention (I'm probably just feeling selfish).

Hope everyone has had the best Easter they possibly could,

Love Merylxx

[Hidden]

Hi Meryl .. I'm really pleased for you. Xx

[wendydee]

Hi Meryl

It's great that you're still well, tucking into that Easter egg. Long may it remain so!

Most of us could try to do something to rIse awareness, in whichever way we can. If you want to drop off leaflets or BEAT cards at your local surgery, hairdresser or library, to raise awareness of symptoms, you can get them free at www ovacome.org.uk. As someone says - every little helps!

Stay well....and become part of the band of women who are trying to help raise awareness of OC.

Love Wendy xx

[Hidden]

Dear Meryl,

I don't think you are being selfish I can't help but agree with you.... It does sound as if you are doing well long may it continue ... Love x G x

[Hilsuk]

Lovely to hear, long may it continue !

[Barbara123 in reply to Hilsuk]

Hi Hillary, hope your doing ok, Bx

[HerThing]

Hi Meryl, What a wonderfully encouraging post. As Angie was just a little older than you were at diagnosis and at the same stage/grade your experience shows there is always hope. Thank you for sharing and I hope you had a blessed easter and wish you many more to come.

Andy x

[Hidden]

Great news - long may it last!xx

[goinggaga]

Great to hear your story Meryl. Glad you had a nice Easter and hope there are nmany many more to come! Xxxx

[ScardyCat40]

No recurrences at all? That is amazing - do you know what grade you were?

[Hidden in reply to ScardyCat40]

Dear Lorraine,

I think you may have misunderstood, Meryl has had recurrences and four lines of chemo but this page explains her diagnosis and treatment I thought you might be interested in because it's encouraging ( as is this post) love x G x

healthunlocked.com/ovacome/...

[ScardyCat40 in reply to Hidden]

Doh I totally missed that the first time I read it I am a bit tired today

[Hidden in reply to ScardyCat40]

Lorraine, teehee ...

I think you thought it was 4 cycles of chemo ( which is what's written) I thought one was classed as a cycle too (i.e. 4 out of 6..not 4 lines) there is often confusion with other patients at the hospital saying they have had five when they mean they are on number six of first line.. Haha now I've probably confused you more LOL I shall stop xx

[Whippit]

What a great post Meryl. Brilliant results from carbo-platin. Glad you enjoyed your Easter eggs. May you come to enjoy many more! xxx love Annie

[Hidden]

Thank you Meryl, for the encouraging post! I was diagnosed 3C with lymph spread in June 2012 so i'm behind you ... but so good to hear, i will remember it when I'm feeling gloomy!

love

sue xxx

[Izzystep]

Such heartening news for ladies in the same situation. Long may you eat Easter eggs and continue to be clear.

Love Irene xxxxx

[citrine]

Thanks for posting this Meryl, it is so encouraging. Glad you enjoyed your Easter egg too.

Love Mary xx

[rgrinbla]

Hello,

I have a question, my mom was diagnosed thus February with the same thing you had 7 years ago. Did you ever had surgery or just chemo?

[Meryl1 in reply to rgrinbla]

Hi. Yes I had a radical hysterectomy post first diagnosis, and prior to my last recurrence I had a laparoscopy to remove a particularly painful node in my peritoneum prior to chemo. Hope that helps and all best wishes to your mum for a full recovery. Hugs Meryl xx

[Seachell]

Dear Meryl, your quick note has given me hope! I am on the last round of Carboplatin on my second time around with ovarian cancer! This surely has not been a walk in the park but whenever I find hope I cling to it! I am 45 and still have a 9 year old to raise! Thank you so very much for the encouragement whether you meant it for that or not! Much love sent your way! Michelle in Utah in North America!

[Jan76]

Hi there Meryl ,

Thrilled for you ..... and your post gives such hope to many others ... thank you for sharing your news and keep on chomping the choc !!!

Love Jan xx

[Meryl1]

Hi. Thanks everyone for your warm responses. And yes lines and cycles seem to change in meaning depending which medical practitioner you are talking to! Gwyn nailed it tho, I should send you a prize Choccy egg! Love Meryl xx

[Hidden in reply to Meryl1]

Haha Meryl,

I have only just read this...so I missed out on my choccy egg

Perhaps it's just as well I went to my GP last friday with a pain (I still have the pain a week later) but she did ask if I had eaten too much chocolate.. huh! I don't think so! I haven't got a tummy ache (but a pain) why is it they often put things down to what we might have eaten? Doh!

But your comment made me grin

Love x G x

[ruudi1]

Hi Meryl its good to hear you are doing so well and also very encouraging for me to read, I was diagnosed last July at the age of 42 I have 2 very young children but reading your story has given me some of the hope I have been longing to read thank you for posting this and I hope you continue to keep well regards Ruudi 1

[zuzana]

Hi meryl, this is so lovely to read and your post giving me hope. I was diagnosed june 2011 and just restarted second line of chemo 3 weeks ago. Im hoping this will work and will give me quiet time for least another 3 years or even more.... I will be 34 in few weeks with young child and reading your post is very encouraging. Keep doing great job and wishing u cancer free another 7 years and more

Love zuzi