Diagnosed last Tuesday with 2b cancerous mass had debulking surgery 2 weeks ago - 51. Feeling very alone and scared about what the future holds - I go to to the chemo consultant Wednesday just need reassuring all the time 😞 don’t know much about anything currently x
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Lavender2016
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Hello and welcome! I was diagnosed four years ago with stage 4 and I have been well since my treatment. Try to take one day at a time and don’t feel you have to know everything straight away xx
I can totally understand where you are. Hopefully once you’ve seen your oncologist and you have your treatment planned things will seem clearer. I hope you have some support.
There are lots of very knowledgeable ladies here who will all absolutely understand your fears.
My Mum was diagnosed 8 weeks ago with 2b OC cancer. Had debulking surgery 4.5 weeks ago. She started chemo last wed. She reacted to taxol so that was abandoned. Thankfully she managed her carbo. She reports feeling tired and a bit "woozy" . No nausea. We were worried chemo too close to surgery but it seems dr knows best! She is widowed and lives alone and has been on her own since Fri night and happy to be so as she feels more than able to cope. She says she feels so much better than whilst waiting for surgery, both physically and also psychologically. I have been amazed by how well she is doing and the strength she is showing.
I wish you every luck and hope you have some support when attending appointments. Mum forgets lots of bits and bobs that the drs tell her re side effects and medication so we always have a notebook to hand!
Glad to hear that your mum is coping well I too hope to get through this next stage like she has but with it all being so unknown it’s scary - I’m not down for taxol I don’t think but will keep my eye open for that one thanks for sharing this with me I feel so alone and keep thinking I’m the only one going through this which of course I’m not x
Hello welcome to this community and sorry that you find yourself here. It quite natural for you to be feeling like this and I felt similar really not knowing what questions to ask. I finished my chemo in May of this year so relatively new compared to some of the ladies here. The wonderful ladies on here are so supportive and knowledgeable and will be here for you if needed, so don't be afraid to ask. Once you see your chemo consultant he/she will discuss your treatment plan going forward. Best of luck for Wednesday Lesley xx
Congratulations on getting through your surgery. Hope your recovery is going smoothly. The unknown is so scary, but chemo is definitely manageable! We are all here to support you and hope for complete success with your treatment.
Hello Lavender, I totally understand how you feel and wish to reassure you that you have just gained many friends who have gone through the same procedure as you. You are not alone and this group will always welcome you and understand your feelings as well offering good tips and advice! Several of them have been here for many years and have helped me greatly. If you have a Maggie's or similar centre near you I would recommend you visit them for support. I was very afraid and depressed when I joined this group and received lots of reassurance and support while going through my treatment. Have you been allocated to a specialist nurse who would be able to discuss your fears with you and advise you of various complicated medical terms?
Please do not hesitate to keep in touch regularly, this is the place where you can air your fears, anger or doubts, without any judgement!
Sending you lots of hugs and looking forward to hearing from you.
Hello Lavendar...we do all sympathise and understand as each one of us will have felt the same in our early days. It’s scary, it consumes you, it’s all you can think of........for now. It does change. You need this time to come to terms with it, as said once you see the oncologist and have a plan you will start to move forward. I had to get rid of the word cancer out of my mind, I term it as a chronic illness which is certainly treatable. So many many ladies on here with all stages who are years down the line. It’s not easy but try to keep busy, don’t let it take over your life, do nice things, kind to yourself. We are all in this together never feel you are being silly asking anything, I still do three years later. Much love and let us know how you get on. xx
This is a fantastic group for support, when you have a plan in place it's weirdly comforting as its being treated and you will be well looked after xxx
Hi, I remember someone asking me how I felt when I was first diagnosed and I remember thinking, despite being surrounded my my wonderful family and friends, "I feel very lonely". I think it was because everything felt so surreal and daunting and I didn't like to talk about it with the people around me because I had no idea what lay ahead treatment wise and I didn't want to scare people. Thankfully I found this group and the support and wonderful words of support and advice really helped carry me through some very difficult days. I think what I'm trying to say is "don't feel lonely, we're all here for you and we'll all help you through". It doesn't matter what you're feeling, what you want to ask, whether you feel it's TMI or whether you just need to tell us you're having a really shitty day, write it down and tell us and we will prop you up. Well done on getting through your op and I promise that once you have a treatment plan in place you will surprisingly feel more reassured. Massive hugs Kerry xx
I know, it's like being in a nightmare but the fear will ease. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other lovey and you will get through this, Kerry xx
That’s just how it feels! It’s so good to hear that I’m not alone thank you so much xx
It can be a very scary time, I remember feeling like I was living in a fog bubble too.
I was diagnosed at 49 (officially 50🤣) with high grade serous stage 3c, i’m Currently on my second recurrence but life is good.
I work two days a week lecturing and find that the distraction of students keeps me sane.
My son was 10 at diagnosis and is 14 next week.
Baby steps are self care is definitely what I would recommend, this forum is a fantastic place to start.
Oddly i’ve Found the cancer community on Instagram fantastic too, meeting lots of women from all corners of the world who are in he same boat. This is a recent thing for me but has been very positive on a day to day basis.
Wishing you all the very best with your treatment. Drop me a line any time.
Hi Lavender, I would like to add my support to that of all the other ladies who have already replied and agree with what they have said. In particular once the treatment plan is in place and you have a team looking after you things will hopefully seem less frightening as facing the unknown is always the scariest part.
I hope your appointment tomorrow goes really well and that you will get answers to your questions. Do write them down beforehand and make a note of the answers, preferably have someone else with you if possible.
I would also recommend the Ovacome Support service on 0800 008 7054 if you are ever desperate for a listening ear or puzzled about something. I have used this service several times in the past few years and always felt better afterwards.
I was diagnosed in July 2010 with Papillary Serous Fallopian Tube CA Stage 2B and still here and working full time all along.
All your feelings are normal. Don’t be shy, ask questions, speak up and tell nurses and consultants if you are having side effects because there is likely something to ease any discomfort.
I can totally empathise with the loneliness - I also felt like I’d rather be anyone else but me and just wanted someone else ( without cancer ) life . This is not how I feel post surgery, chemo etc and some days I now wake up and feel so grateful for my life ! I feel well with a few aches and pains from surgical menopause and chemo - I am a similar age to yourself . Chemo is not easy but in my experience it’s doable - the drugs that they give you manage the side effects well. You will no doubt meet so many people who have or have had cancer and that will ease the loneliness - are u in London ? There is the Maggies centre and the specialist nurses at the hospital will always call you back .
Hello Lavender, hope your appointment today went well and you got answers to any questions you had. Did you get to meet a clinical nurse specialist? I was diagnosed with Stagd 4 OC in 2012, aged 49, had chemotherapy, interval debulking surgery and was on a maintenance drug for one year. I had to have surgery again in 2017 for a recurrence but did not need any chemotherapy. In the last 7 years, I have travelled round the world, seen my son get married, decided to retire, volunteer for a number of charities and am feeling very grateful to be alive and well. The icing on the cake is that I am going to be a grandmother in a few weeks!! Life has therefore been very eventful since my diagnosis. I would definitely recommend you ring Ovacome since they will be able to tell you where you can get support in the Midlands as they recently got funding to set up a support hub in the Midlands. I can understand how frightening it must be not knowing what to expect with regards to chemotherapy and what the future holds for you. I found that taking each day at a time and dealing with the most important things helped me get through the chemotherapy. I also found calling the Ovacome support line on 0800 008 7054 and the Macmillan Helpline very useful and reassuring when I was undergoing chemotherapy and after. Even now, 7 years after my diagnosis, I often call them if I am having a bit of a blip or I have any questions. I was also referred to a psychologist when I was diagnosed and although I did not feel I needed to speak to her when I was diagnosed and started chemotherapy, I did start having sessions after my surgery which was in between 6 sessions of chemotherapy. I found those sessions very helpful so that is something you can ask about if you feel it may help. Thinking of you and sending you a big hug. Take care and all the best X X
Sorry to hear your news. The loneliness is difficult and there are so many emotions your body and mind have to go through. This group is amazingly helpful. So supportive and full of good stories. Try not to think far ahead for now, day by day healing and allow yourself to process the info, it’s a lot to take.
I’m 44 diagnosed with stage III ( or 2b...they never confirmed) because I never had a ct scan before surgery 🤔
Chemo is manageable, not easy but certainly worth the trials to beat the cancer out!
Hi. Welcome but sorry you’re here. I was diagnosed 3b a year ago and am doing well. Once you get the first chemo over with you feel better and get in a routine. I recommend bringing someone with you to appointments as a second pair of ears. Also try to find a cancer support group. I was terrified of chemo but I didn’t find it too bad even with one bad reaction to taxol. You can always seek a second opinion at a major cancer center. We all find ways to be nice to ourselves with treats and holidays. This forum is a lifesaver. You can ask anything. Xoxo
Hi welcome 2 the I don't want 2 be here club. But it is what it is and you will find out quickly you are not alone. I'm going on 4 years was diagnosed at age 55 with stage 3C ovarian Cancer. My only recommendation is don't get all caught in the numbers. Labs, CA 125, tumor size etc. If.you are having a good day rejoice! Trust the Doctors and bring your piece of the health puzzle (knowing your body best) to help figure out best treatment options for you. There are lots. Wishing you all the best fellow warrior. You are never alone in this battle 💖
Are you in the US,🇺🇸? I had a 2 lb mass removed in April 2014, I had 2 surgeries, debulking and lymph nodes 15 removed. I have clear cell ovarian cancer stage 3c. . I had Intraperatinel chemotherapy, chemo put into my abdomen. I have been cancer free 5 plus. Years. You will be ok. ❤❤Liz.
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