Hi ladies,
I have no cancer news but wanted to let you know that I've had a very ordinary day which would be nothing normally but I'm so grateful for now.
I've been swimming this morning with my daughter and 6 months old grandson and this afternoon been to a friends and had a couple of rum and cokes. Life couldn't be better. Wonder what I'll be doing this evening?
Hope everyone is feeling great. (I'm not drunk by the way)
Zena xx
Cheers! Except my tipple today is carboplatin lol
This OC lark definitely helps us appreciate life more than before
LA xx
Zena,
Even if you were,so what?,life is good.
I have been been looking after my 2 month old grandson and watching Wimbledon.
Hubbie is down on the river boat we just bought and I am going to do myself a Pimms,so..Ching,Ching to you,I have a check up tomorow,so I am afraid it's Dutch courage☹️
Carole xx
Hi Carol ,Good luck for tomorrow, Cheers Lorraine xx
Thanks Lorraine,I'm still all good👍
Hope it goes well Carole. Are you still ok for the get together on 22nd?
Jenny
Great Zena! Enjoy!!
I probably shouldn't be putting things on that aren't related to oc but there are so many things to be grateful for. xx
Not at all, it's really great to hear that we all have real lives too, away from our common bond of disease. It makes it easier to relate to each other.
Hi Zena, I disagree .. in the nicest possible way ... I think its nice to hear that life is to be enjoyed when we can. Tomorrow I hope to post a picture of my son at his graduation. Im in Canterbury for a couple of days, enjoying the weather and Ill probably shed a few tears tomorrow in the Cathedral when he graduates with his 'First'. A day I didnt think Id see but I am going to cherish every moment ! I'll be offering up a prayer tomorrow for all the lovely ladies here, especially those going through so much xx Kathy xx
Oh that is lovely kathy. I hope you have a wonderful day.
I agree. We are not a collection of cancer cells. We are strong women with full lives, who happen to have cancer.
Jenny
Oh Kathy, many congratulations to your son. What did he read? It's a fantastic day and us mums are so proud. I didn't think I'd see my daughter marry but I did and a lovely baby grandson born last December.
Have a lovely day and you're in such a beautiful place.
Best wishes, Zena x
Hi Zena. His course was 'Computer Science and Business Administration with a Year in Industry' , basically he's a whiz on computers, can build one, programme it etc.... I can turn one on :).
Hi Zena,
I think it's healthy to talk about all subjects,we are all people,it's not just about the disease.Its nice to know we can all come here for help and support,but,I love hearing about what others are getting up to and what is important in their lives.Personally,if I'm having a bad day,a nice photo or travel news or just anything uplifting cheers me up.Never feel guilty about what you choose to post😀
Carole xxx
Love hearing stories of happiness and normalcy with OC! Don't ever stop sharing your sunshine! ☀️💐
You'll all be sick of me soon xx
Me too!!!! Kim xx
HI Zenal, I think the other ladies will agree it's good to read that we can still have the good times, cancer give us such a rotten time of it that it's good to read some uplifting news keep it up. Cheers best wishes Lorraine 💙
Thank you Lorraine, I feel better for that.
Best wishes, Zena x
super to hear you're having such a good time! Chrisxxx
I'm having a glass of prosecco, so cheers to you, and everyone else on here.
After a trying couple of weeks since news of my elevated CA125, I thought, 'What the heck?!' Tomorrow is a new day.
Cheers!
Think we all live our lives more intensely so the good times are even gooderer (😊) and the less good times, well we try and mostly succeed to put on our steel knickers and kick ass as our American friends might say. Here's to us all. 🌻🌹🌺🌼🌸🌷🍷👍
Absolutely!!! We Canadians put on our steel knickers and 'kick ass' too! Kim xx
You Canadians would be good with the cold cap, Kim, you're used to snow and ice.
In saying that when I came to Canada I got blisters on the top of my feet while I stood watching the Canadian Mounties. It was so hot. Zena xx
Yes we Canadians can handle the cold. I live in Vancouver, and we have the mildest winter climate of anywhere in Canada. We don't get those intense -30C temperatures. You must have been here on a hot summer day!!! Hope you enjoyed the Mounties despite the pain! Kim xx
Hi Kim,
I watched them practice in Quebec for a show they were doing later. It was Canada Day. The temperature was nearer 40 but we were told you have to reinforce your roof tiles because of the weight of the snow in winter.
I was in Canada touring and spent time between Canada and USA. I was in Washing DC on Independence Day. It was purely coincidence. I loved Canada and would love to take the train across the Rockies. We did the usual things. It was 12 years ago and we went into Parliament in Ottawa and watched them debate gay rights. I've never been in our Parliament and that's a half hour train away. Your building looks the same as ours but I expect you already know that.
I'd love to go back one day. Once, on a trip to Florida, we had a stop off in Gander airport, Newfoundland. We didn't see anything but snow and ice. The nearest we got is that our friend has two Newfoundland dogs.
Hope all is well with you. Zena xx
Sounds like that was a great trip. There's a lot to see in Canada as it is so vast. The train across the Rockies is absolutely amazing. I highly recommend it! Are you from the U.K. or Ireland? If so, I love it there! I have Yes, I am doing okay, hope you are doing well too. I'm off to Las Vegas on Sunday, and Australia on August 8th. Can hardly wait!!! Kim xx
Hi Kim,
I'm from just outside London and live by the Thames estuary. Have you been to London?
You'll love Vegas it buzzes. I went for my 60th and had a great time. We spent a week there and visited the Grand Canyon, Hollywood, Hover Dam etc. I'm not a gambler myself but I had a little flutter. We only went to Vegas because a trip to Iceland was cancelled. It was cheaper to go to Vegas for a week than Iceland for three days.
I'd love to go to Australia but haven't managed that yet. We're cruising to USA later in the year.
Luckily all is well with me at the moment. It's been over four years now at Stage 3C so I feel very lucky.
Have a great holiday and let us know all about it when you return. Zena xx
Hi Zena Yes, I've been to London twice. July 2015 most recently. I loved it!!! I go to Vegas every year with 3 girlfriends. We have remained close for 50 years (since we were 9). It's such a fun holiday. We spend time around the pool, shop, and go to shows. We don't gamble either. We have a fabulous time.
I'd love to go to Iceland as well. This is my 4th trip to Australia. It is so beautiful. I have been on several cruises. You will love it. I went on one out of New Orleans to the Caribbean January 2017. It was wonderful.
Wow how wonderful that you have been in remission for over 4 years. What kind of OC did you have? My was high grade serous stage 3C. I will tell you about my holiday when I get back on the 28th. Kim xx
Hi Kim, you lucky thing going on so many beautiful holidays. Mind, I've been on a few myself.If you like the beach I'd recommend The Maldives or Oman.
My cancer was a large tumour on my left ovary which was caught in my bowel. The cancer spread to the bowel and fatty tissue. The tumour was removed along with the fatty tissue but I was lucky my surgeon managed to remove the cancer from my bowel without having to remove it. It is badly damaged though so I have to take laxatives every day because of it. That's a bit embarrassing but I'm used to it now. I had 18 weeks of chemo taking about seven hours a time. The cold cap made it longer because you have to wear it a while before the chemo and after. I had a couple of blood transfusions and I'd recommend them to anyone.
All in all everything's fine. I have the usually peripheral neuropathy. I also have spondylosis and burnt mouth syndrom. They thought the spondylosis was a secondary cancer at first but luckily it wasn't. I have a bit of trouble with my kidneys.
I sound like the walking dead where in fact I'm in perfect healthy with just a few niggly aches and pains. I do everything I want to do. As I say a very lucky person. I'm 65 and going on 35. There'd be a lot of people that would love to be as healthy as me.
Sorry it's my life story. Best wishes, Zena xx
Haha the last bit tickled me - how lovely! Nice to share the joy of simple but fabulous living. Here's to many more lovely days. Cheers 🍻
Sandra x
Go you. This is part of what this forum is about for me! Enjoy another day, then another, then another....
Netti xx
I recently had a scare with abnormal readings on a Liver Function Test but my onc assures me that it doesn't mean the cancer has spread, which is a great relief.
Yesterday I met 2 friends from this forum for lunch, then went to my weekly quiz where my team won and finally met another friend for coffee after that. Just a normal day socialising but really appreciated being able to do so and spending time with people whose company I enjoy.
Hope we can all enjoy doing at least one small thing today wherever we are on this OC journey.
Best wishes,
Barbara x
Congratulations on your win and glad you had such a lovely day. xx
I had a great day yesterday, saw my oncologist fully expecting to go back on chemo. However CA125 had only raised by four points to 45. She told me go away for another three months.
Not having such a good day today, I have been trying to make meringues and thrown mixture down the sink but I'm so happy I don't care. I shall. buy some ready made.
That's wonderful news Katiebairdie! Kim xx
It is wonderful to hear that you're having a fabulous, ordinary day! I love to hear about celebrations while enduring this nasty disease. Even though I had chemo today, it was still a good day because I got to spend it with my daughter for 4 1/2 hrs during my treatment. Any day with my daughter is a great day regardless of what's going on. I hope you continue having fabulous ordinary days! Kim xx
Thanks so much Kim, I'm glad you found some light in what can be a pretty dismal day. I used to spend my chemo hours on my own. This was my own choice as I felt I could do exactly what I wanted to. I'd read, sleep and answer a few texts. Sometimes it was quiet relaxing, if that's possible with all the beeping.
Best wishes for the rest of your chemo and enjoy your time with your family,
Zena x
Yes ladies we always have to remember this battle is but a part of our precious lives and it definitely does help us appreciate life so much more. I thank the Lord everyday for the life and experiences He has given me. Big Hugs to everyone and here's to normal days and laughter.
I say a thank you prayer for having experienced another day every night Sonshine 1. Feeling grateful helps me deal with all the crap. There have been many gifts out of this journey - I am closer to my friends and family, and I appreciate life more just to name a few. It's not all doom and gloom for sure! Kim xx
What a nice note. You know through this whole ordeal I always found the blessings that were there or showed up later. I actually see the experience as a blessing, know it sounds strange, but am really loving the new intensity in life, family and friends and love. You are so right........it is not all doom and gloom. Are you still in first line chemo. I finished my first line chemo last August and then stand alone Advastin that I have now completed and struggling to get through discomfort from that. I saw my Dr today and he said would probably be a 15 weeks, half way there.
Keep in touch
Sonshine 1 xx
Hi Sonshine 1 I find that having a positive attitude helps you find the blessings and feel grateful. I am in second line chemo. I finished first line in November 2016 and had a recurrence in February of this year. I am in a clinical trial receiving Caelyx and Avelumab (immunotherapy). I don't have the horrible fatigue or any nausea or hair loss with this one. I'm sorry you are struggling with discomfort right now. Glad you are half way there! Hang in there!! Kim xo
Hi Kim.......yes I agree, the positive attitude is everything. Always count the Blessings, they are always there. Through my chemo I found many that needed the hugs far more than I did. Doing well. Praying all goes well with your clinical trial with Caelyx and Avelumab. I don't know about those but will make a note and ask my GYN, Onc. just in case.
Have a blessed day
Hugs.......Sonshine1
Thanks Sonshine!!! I appreciate the prayers. Avelumab is an experimental immunotherapy drug. It is only available in a clinical trial. I would be interesting to hear if you have it where you live. Kim xx
Hi Kim I was diagnosed and treated in Ecuador.......their medical is very advances, not what people would think. I don't know if they have those here but will ask my Gyn who is also a Onc trained in the US for 14 years. He was not in charge of my chemo, had to go to a different facility. He is so knowledgeable and has guided me all the way. I'm going to move back to the states the end of the year and he said if I had a recurrance he would guide me through what I need to know if I choose treatment in the states but was so happy with treatment here in Ecuador might just come back if I had to. So nice talking, keep in touch. Sonshine1 xx
That's great that you've had such good care! Nice chatting with you too! I'm off to Las Vegas tonight, but will keep in touch. Kim xx
Hi Zena, sounds like you've had fun today. You've put me in the notion for rum and coke, only thing is I haven't dru k any caffeine in a few years as this helps me avoid those dreaded hot flushes! Glad you are doing well. Ann xx
Thanks Ann,
I've always been a rum drinker Ann but if you fancy a little tipple or a big one you could try a gin and tonic or something else. There are less calories in a spirit and diet mixer than wine.
I haven't drunk tea or coffee for years but I'm not sure how much caffeine I have during the day. I've never drunk tea but when I gave up coffee I did notice I didn't need to wee as much. They say coffee is good for you now. I don't believe what they say these days as they change their minds all the time.
Best wishes, Zena x
What a nice, uplifting post....thank you for the reminder to enjoy each moment.
Thanks Minniemay, There's always something in a day to look forward to even if it's to go to bed for a lovely early night. x
Hi zena good to hear.
Just being discharged from hops. Had my biopsy yesterday and drainage day before.
Spoke to dr they are not sure we're cancer is now ? Even tho they said peritoneal .
10 days for results now.
You'll be on tender hooks till then. It's a horrible feeling, waiting. Let's hope for good news.
Best wishes, Zena x
Conception after cancer. 
Cancer with no rise in CA 125?
Good news!
Good news. 
