12 years tomorrow

[Di16]

I know some of you are really struggling with this cancer, & we have lost too many ladies to it, but I hope my milestone might encourage someone a little. Tomorrow it will be 12 years since my initial surgery - total hysterectomy, bso, & omentectomy, & diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Two years later, I had my first recurrence & my next surgery. I now have my fifth recurrence, & am taking Letrozole, which is currently keeping it pretty stable. I get tired, probably due to side effects of Letrozole, but otherwise I feel pretty well, & am glad to be alive. Next Oncology appointment is due beginning of April. My biggest frustration at the moment is that I was recently hospitalised for 8 days with cellulitis in my left foot & lower leg, nothing to do with my cancer, & am still going for dressings twice a week on an ulcer & a sore area on my foot that are being slow to heal, as I’m diabetic. I know, however, that they ARE expected to heal, while my cancer is regarded as incurable, though I am currently able to live with it. Hoping you are able to stay as well as possible for as long as possible. Di

[Hidden]

Wow! 12 years! That’s wonderfully encouraging for all of us here. Thank you for letting us know. You’re an absolute inspiration! Keep it up! 🤗

[Seasun36-uk]

That’s so good to hear Di!

Wishing you well for on all health fronts, including the legs, but especially the OC.

Linda x

[Mommoo65]

It's always wonderful to hear such encouraging news. I wish you continuing success! I know it hasn't been easy but you're doing it!! I will hit 5 years without recurrence in September. Can't wait to jump over that invisible goal post.

[mrstadpole]

Wonderful news.Great encouragement for us xxx

[Vicx1977]

Wow 12 years is amazing, long may it continue. No doubt you still have your ups and downs, but you are here with your family and friends. Thanks for the words of encouragement, take care , vickie x

[Lyndy]

Thanks for sharing Di! It’s always good to hear positive stories and yours has clearly been a bit of a roller coaster but here you are! xx

[thomas62]

Hi Di, Thanks for sharing - we're all in need of more positive news. I myself am now 6 yr survivor and am well. Am on Tamoxifen. Had 3 surgeries. Hope I do as well as you. Best wishes. Gwen x

[lewisriley1947]

Hi I am coming up to 7 and a half years with this disease and have had 4 recurences, I am currently on maintenance drug Niraparib have been for 17 months, Ca125 hovers between 16/19. and I am living a reasonably good life with few side effects thankfully. I live in Devon and am a young 73 year old. I hope anyone newly diagnosed takes some comfort from this Pam x

[Mptelesca in reply to lewisriley1947]

So happy for you. Zejula has been a great drug for me as well. 5 yrs this month since OV diagnosis. Been on Zejula for 16 months.

Stay well!!

XOX

Marisa

[lewisriley1947]

I meant to say congratulations and may it long continue Pam x

[dexta2005]

Hi Di, that is wonderful news. As a relative newbie, it is lovely to hear positive stories. Long may it continue. Best wishes, Jan.x.

[Lockygill]

This is good news. I have just started Letrozole after my first reoccurrence as my CA125 went down to normal during chemo but had risen to 71 once chemo finished. I think my oncologist is a bit baffled so she prescribed Letrozole for 3 months. Do you have many side effects? My body is aching a lot more recently.

[Di16]

I’ve been told that joint pains are a common side effect, & I have a few aches & pains, though I don’t know how much it is due to the Letrozole, & how much due to having some arthritis as well. The other thing I find is tiredness. They tell me fatigue is also a common side effect, but I find it, for me, livable with, especially when I can walk more than they’re letting me at the moment with my current foot problem (though I admit I’m probably being tempted to walk more than I ought now). Di

[bluepeterella]

Well that's given me something to aim for! Can tell it hasn't been easy but definitely worth it x

[Litchick]

Hello, I feel whatever is happening on our own journey we all celebrate your good news . It gives us hope encouragement and inspiration to dig in and keep going.

With very best wishes

Jan.

[Madmarilyn]

Great news, Di and good luck with the ulcer etc. (My mum had an elastic stocking for that recentry, which really worked! )

[Tabor]

Hello Di16, you have the best positive attitude stay that way. You are amazing!!

God Bless you!

Patsy

[January-2016-UK]

Twelve years! Wonderful. Celebrate!

[Maxjor]

Thank you for this great post! And congratulations. I did want to say that when my husband got cellulitis on his leg (I empathize with you!) he was told to wash 2X per week with the same liquid soap they ask us to use before surgery here in the U.S. Doctor said it would keep it from trying again. Hate to think you could go through that again as well as what you are dealing with due to side effects of letrazole. Still, a wonderful post and wow--12 years is amazing. Hugs, Judy

[Neona]

This is such fantastic news- hope you are celebrating! Success stories are really important to us all. Fingers crossed that the cellulitis resolves soon as I imagine it is painful. Congratulations!

[delia2]

Congratulations! And I hope the cellulitis clears up soon.

[banjoman]

awesome..... 12 years and going strong!

[Mptelesca]

So inspirational! 12 Years! Keep going!

Hope all your other issues resolve and you can get back to your life!

XOX

Marisa

[Colman]

Fantastic news 👍👍👍

[Lizchips]

Congratulations and yes thank you. April I will be 6 yrs cancer free hopefully this dreadful disease keeps away. Congratulations, keep fighting, Liz

[Cheryl4677]

Congratulations! A great achievement and one that brings hope to hear. X

Cheryl

[TNkit]

How old were you when first diagnosed

[Di16 in reply to TNkit]

I was 58 when diagnosed, now 70. Di

[TNkit in reply to Di16]

So nice to hear positive stories. I was diagnosed last April with Stage 2 PPC. Currently NED after six taxol/carbo infusions. Hope it stays that way for many years .

[cathy46]

great news Im coming up to 10 years in August am also stage 4 and have had several reoccurrences which were treated with Chemo for the first 2 and radiation for the last one Was recently tested for the bracca gene and have bracca 2 so was able to go on olaparib (lynparza) I will be 74 this year Am currently NED so going pretty good so sorry to hear about your cellulitus and hope it clears up soon

[Di16 in reply to cathy46]

Congratulations on nearly 10 years & still going strong, & being back to NED after your recurrences. I will be 71 in June. Di

[shortfriends]

That is wonderful news thank you for sharing it and keeping our hopes going. I am also on letrezole and experience tiredness and sore joints but I am happy to keep persevering, however I find it affects me emotionally and I have days when I just cry for no reason, has anyone else experienced this? xx

[Cynthia18]

12 yrs of life even with reaccurance is something for me to look forward to