Would some of you lovely ladies share you stories with me so I can show my mum she will be fine?

[lounalsc]

My mum has been diagnosed with OC, they are thinking stage 3c. If some of you could give me your stories I would be so grateful. I will show these to my Mum and hopefully it will give her hope for the future. Thank you so much.

[Hidden]

I was diagnosed with advanced high grade Ovarian cancer in 2008... I am still here to tell the tale ..best wishes to your mum xx

[TrishLey]

I was diagnosed in September 2011 with Stage 3C. I am still here writing songs and stories and feeling good. All the best to you and your mum. x Trish

[greenpink]

Hi, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 on May 14th 2012. Now two years later I am completely disease free. My CA125 in May 2012 was 3000 and now it is 9. I have had no evidence of disease for 18 months, since I completed my treatment in November 2012.

I had six months of treatment May to November 2012, comprising 4 chemos before surgery to reduce the tumour to an operable size, surgery and the 2 chemos post surgery. I have needed nothing since.

CA125 results were (at diagnosis) and still are a good indicator of ovarian cancer disease for me (although I'm aware this isn't the same for every woman. I had a good response to chemotherapy. I am very grateful to the NHS.

I had a good chat with Ruth on the Ovacome helpline when first diagnosed and this helped me when I was very anxious then. All the best to you both, Mel xx

[Hidden]

The outcome for each woman is different. I was 3c but later found I should have been staged at IV. I had a poor prognosis despite my being low grade because of the presentation of my own disease. However, it's now over 3 years since diagnosis and I'm still here writing this. I find that non specialist doctors can often be pessimistic about this illness. My advice is not to google statistics as they are often misleading and they don't apply to individual people. They are just statistics and are also, often out of date. I wish I knew about this forum at diagnosis because I was a little lost. I get through each emotion when it presents itself with the help of friends here. Love T xx

[HerThing]

Hi, My wife Angie was given a terminal diagnosis in December 2012. She completed treatment in October 2013 and returned to work this year. She is currently symptom free and loving life!

Best wishes

Andy x

[Izzystep]

I am sure the lovely ladies on this site would be happy to oblige and tell you their stories of OC.

Your mum can get through this!!!!

I had stage 3c in June/July 2012. Had three cycles of chemo on the ICON8 weekly trial. Had a massive de-bulking op, they took everything they could see, leaving me with a permanent colostomy. Then finished with another three cycles of chemo. Must admit I was very ill at the start of chemo but once I had my op it was up all the way.

Unfortunately the cancer started to grow in the lymph nodes and I have just finished second line treatment and am on Avastin three weekly.

Been told that I will never be free of the demon, but as long as the oncologists can treat me and keep the bugger at bay that will do for me - you never know there may be a cure round the corner, coming our way soon.

Love to mum, keep in touch. Irene xxxx

[kaz14]

I was diagnosed 3c high grade in Dec 2012, they said it was inoperable due to size and position of tumour, had 4 cycles of chemo, worked well, was then able to have operation, found another tumour in abdomen during op, found cells during abdominal wash, another 3 cycles of chemo later, scan, no evidence of disease, in remission 10 months after last chemo. Really didn't look good for me, but here I am and doing great !!

All the best to you and your mum.

Love Kaz xx

[JAWilson]

Hi

I was diagnosed 3C in March 2009 and although pretty much on constant treatment of one sort or another I'm still here and have welcomed two grandaughters into my life and am waiting on a third this October!! Looking forward to a lovely warm summer...hopefully?!. Good luck to you both.

Hugs

Janice

[TornacLiz]

Really great to see positive stories. Wish there were more on this site. I was 3c and have just completed surgery and chemo. Now on Avastin for a year. No visible signs of cancer and enjoying every day and living life to the full.

Very good luck to you both xxx

[HumbleD]

I was diagnosed with stage 3C in December 2010 and I am still here. Treatments that were not available in 2010 have become available since then and I have been very thankful that I have been able to access these. I have been in and out of remission but I am so very greatful for this site and all the wonderful people who are there for me sometimes within minutes of me making a post. I endeavour to help others if I have any experience of what they ask about. There are many charities that keep OC at the top of the political agenda and that is also brilliant to know. My life has changed but I have learnt to change with it.

All my love to you and your mum xx

[MargaretJ]

I do not know how old your mum is but I am 74 next month. I was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the ovaries stage 3c in Sept 2009. Have had 2 ops and 4 lots of chemo now on my 5th and (luckily) tolerating it well. I was told very few at my stage get to 5 years but I will be 5 years in Sept. I am a bolshie cow and do not give in easily. I doubt if that extends the life expectancy but I am so busy fighting to stay independent (I am divorced and my children live miles away) that I do not have time to worry! If I feel tired I lie down, if I feel sick I take an anti nausea pill. I set the alarm on my phone to make sure I take my painkillers at the right intervals and I am enjoying life! We all have to die at some time but I do not think about when, i go to the theatre, cinema and opera regularly, visit my daughter, sister and son and his boys and try to cope as best I can. If your mum is near my age and wants to talk pm me and I will let you have my phone number! She could of course be much younger and, if so there are people on here with stories she will relate to better! I still remember daughter and I clinging to one another and howling when told I was treatable but not curable! Statistics, however, are no use for individuals!

Now off to the University to talk (as part of a panel) about why I have an advance directive!

Wish your mum good cheer from me!

Margaret

[Katmal-UK]

Hi. briefly, I was diagnosed in 2007 stage 3 and am still here, no evidence of disease, my mum was also diagnosed stage 3c and lived disease free for over 18 years before unfortunately succumbing to bowel cancer. If you need further info please. message me xx

[SandyL]

Hi, I was diagnosed with stage 1V Ovarian cancer in April 1999, also had massive pulmonary embolisms and a Ca 125 of 9,800. I had 3 chemo's forst (to reduce tumour load), then surgery followed by 6 more chemo's. Ca 125 after finishing treatment was 13.2. I've been in remission since then with a Ca 125 that has ranged between 2 and 13. It's 8 at the moment. It is important that you pass along all these good stories to your Mum as she needs to know that people do survive this disease. It's been 15 years for me (so far). When I was diagnosed, I needed to know that others were surviving Ovarian cancer and I found that spirit of hope and tenacity through members of an on line support group in the US. That ACOR group (not active now) was my life-line for many years.

Maybe you can pass along to your Mum to do whatever she can (besides regular treatment) to help herself. e.g. diet, exercise and lifestyle changes. Stress on her to avoid stress and to enjoy the small pleasures that life offers.

Take care ...

Sandy.

[Marianna]

Hi there. Well thought I ought to give you a short background on my oc as it is a bit different

August 2009 I had my gall bladder out. Normal op no probs.

3/4 weeks later felt bloated and cramps my whole abdo was swelling up and loads of pain.in front area. I put up with it thinking I was constipated. Finally had enough of pain and dissention. So my daughter took me to A & E. After seeing triage nurse all hell broke loose. Was whisked off to a side room. 2 doctors appeared . next thing I had a line in and portable exray done. Never seen this lot move so fast. Gave me pain relief and when I woke I was on the ward. A surgeon came to see me next morning they were unsure what was going on so wanted to do an exploratory op.I didn't care as long as pain and bloating went away. I woke after op with a scar from ribcage all way down. The surgeon said they were waiting for histology report. After 3 days of waiting I had enough and wanted answers. The Dr took me and husband into a consulting room. He proceeded to tell me I had cancer and it was terminal. I asked prognosis and he said I could be gone by Christmas. Well I discharged myself as I wanted to be at home. Had to sort out my feelings and to tell my daughters. To be honest I didn't feel like I was dying.

So was referred to Weston Park in Sheffield. Seen a wonderful Dr -

He explained loads. I actually had cancer of the Omentum. They think I had ovarian cancer which did not have a good blood supply to survive and it infected the Omentum and died.

He said it was very widespread and not operable. He was hoping to use chemotherapy to shrink it and then operate . so started chemo - Carboplatin - 6 sessions 1 every 4 weeks.

Saw Dr on Xmas eve after 3 sessions. Amazing news. It had shrunk remarkably. So brilliant Xmas.also Ca125 was right down.

Went then in Feb went for a CT scan and bloods. Results in march were stunning. CA125 down to under 11 and they could not find the cancer. I mean it just up and went. Mr Pledge was and still is amazed. So a bit different. I am not complacent about it, I am very grateful. And I see the DR's every year for a chat and check up.

Sorry I do go on a bit. I hope you find the above informative. The OC is sneeky and in many forms. But there is always hope. Through it all i still kept a very positive out look. Xx

[chrissy88]

Hi. If you register with the American site Inspire there is a current post running where loads of survivors have posted their stories. Good luck. Xxxx

[Randoma]

Thank you all for your positive stories. Make good reading and encouraging me as I start chemo. R x

[Whippit]

What a wonderful thread you've created Loualsc. It's really uplifting to read such positive posts from women at many different stages of the disease. What strikes me is the positive outlook everyone has and how many of us say we are enjoying life to the full. Who can ask for more?

I was diagnosed in March 2013 3C with a poor prognosis. I've bucked the trends as well and I recognise not everyone can be so lucky. I've just completed my second line of chemotherapy with Avastin and will remain on the drug for as long as it is doing some good. I'm not going to find a cure but I am very happy thinking there are many more treatments I can have to keep me active and well for some time to come.

I hope your mum's treatment goes well. Each one of us is different and will have our own way of coping with this disease. I'd like to think in sharing our stories we give your mum hope and peace of mind. xx Annie

[eileen_alberti]

Hi all: I'm here to tell you that I survived all the chaos of hurricane Irma. I have stage 4 ovarian, surg Jan this year, now also stage 3 kidney failure. Had to get pack of platelets Fri Sept 8 because mine were 11. As I was leaving hospital at 3:30 they went into lockdown, employees there had to stay until storm over. I evacuated to special need shelter Sat 9/9 at 3 pm, back to hospital at 9pm for catheter [head nurse at ER in a bitch of a mood, asked ambulance people not to leave me there unprotected] back to evac school Sun 2 am, lost power at evac school Sun afternoon, had to climb down stairs with all earthly possessions Mon 9/11 dragging a night time foley around with me. Thought I was going home to house with power, wrong. Just got it back Fri 9/15. Slept in my own bed late last night, can't tell you how happy I am. It's the little things in life that mean the most. Like electric! You can do it. We are WOMEN, we can do anything we set our minds to.

Pray for the people in Texas that still do not have power, let alone a home to go to. I'm truly blessed. Eileen

[eileen_alberti]

e to tell you that I survived all the chaos of hurricane Irma. I have stage 4 ovarian, surg Jan this year, now also stage 3 kidney failure. Had to get pack of platelets Fri Sept 8 because mine were 11. As I was leaving hospital at 3:30 they went into lockdown, employees there had to stay until storm over. I evacuated to special need shelter Sat 9/9 at 3 pm, back to hospital at 9pm for catheter [head nurse at ER in a bitch of a mood, asked ambulance people not to leave me there unprotected] back to evac school Sun 2 am, lost power at evac school Sun afternoon, had to climb down stairs with all earthly possessions Mon 9/11 dragging a night time foley around with me. Thought I was going home to house with power, wrong. Just got it back Fri 9/15. Slept in my own bed late last night, can't tell you how happy I am. It's the little things in life that mean the most. Like electric! You can do it. We are WOMEN, we can do anything we set our minds to.

Pray for the people in Texas that still do not have power, let alone a home to go to. I'm truly blessed. Eileen