Psychological support

[Harp-1]

My sister diagnosed with Ovarian 3stage cancer...4 chemos and surgery went well.. reports say Ca almost resolved.. She is so focusing on reoccurrence and getting depress/sad with it. Is this normal? where to find a support?

[Katmal-UK]

Hi , what your sister is feeling was how I felt and I sought counselling by speaking with my nurse. It helps enormously to understand yr feelings and help you move forward. Might also be worth you speaking with the Ovacome team to see how they can help you to help your sister. Bug hug to you both xx Kathy xx

[Ruebacelle]

Totally normal. Psych help good idea.

[Cropcrop]

Her feelings are quite normal, it’s still fairly early days for her and she’s had an awful lot to deal with in a short time scale. The rigmarole of diagnosis, arduous treatments and the general roller coaster ride our diagnosis puts us on is a difficult one and then you suddenly get time to think and that’s when thoughts can turn to recurring and future likelihood’s. I think we’ve all been there so fully understand. I believe CBT therapy is a really useful tool, it teaches us how to look differently at situations, whether or not we can change certain aspects of those situations and then how to deal with what’s happened and move forwards. It may be good if your lovely sister seeks some kind of therapy to help her deal with what’s happened. Her medical team can help with referrals. I hope she (and you) gets the answers to help a wee bit. Love and hugs to you both ❤️Xx Jane

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Hello Harp-1

I'm sorry to hear that your sister is having a difficult time. As you've already heard from the other forum members who have replied to your post, many people have a similar experience.

We're here to support anyone affected by ovarian cancer, and you and your sister can call our Support Line on 07503 682 311 or 0800 008 7054 or email us at [e-mail] if there's anything that we can help with or if you'd like to talk anything through.

We offer a programme of online workshops and support groups and events, where you can hear from expert speakers and talk to other people who have had similar experiences. You can find more information at ovacome.org.uk/staying-conn...

You can watch the recording of a webinar by Dr Jo Ashcroft, Clinical Psychologist on managing anxiety after treatment ends and coping with the fear of recurrence at youtube.com/watch?v=synCBam...(Not working as expected?)

We also have a guide to coping with anxiety, which you can download at ovacome.org.uk/coping-with-...

If your sister would like to explore the option of counselling, she can ask her hospital team about a referral to psycho-oncology and/or speak to her GP. Counselling may also be available through a local Maggie's Centre (if there is one) or other cancer centre or hospice. Your sister can also find a private counsellor for herself, if she prefers, by searching the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy directory at bacp.co.uk/search/Therapists for a therapist in her area specialising in cancer.

I hope that your sister is able to access support soon.

Best wishes

Julia (Ovacome Support Service Officer)

[Lyndy]

Hello, it’s really hard atm because face to face support groups and things like Macmillan’s Hope course ( which I did at the end of my first line treatment) are shut down. Counselling can help as can the helplines but I was just so pleased to talk to women who had actually been through it themselves. Why not see if there’s a virtual patient support group in her area?

[fendweller]

I too like many ladies in here experienced this ,I couldn't believe how common / normal it is ,the replys I had helped me enormously , I spoke to a Macmillan nurse who was wonderful ,I cried all the time ,she was so patient and helpful, I was referred to a councilor who specializes on cancer patients ,unfortunately I wasn't able to go due to covid ,but spoke to her on the phone several times ,just knowing there's help and a light at the end if the tunnel helps .Sending love and hugs .xx

Cheryl