When I was diagnosed in October 2016 with stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. I was totally devastated and traumatised [edited by moderator] .
Well here I am exactly 5 years later. I’ve had one very small recurrence but remain well and currently back in remission. I feel incredibly blessed [edited by moderator]. It’s never going away for good, but having gone through such a huge amount in these 5 years I stay determined and full of faith that I will deal with it whenever it makes its next appearance.
From the day of diagnosis I have been on a journey of hope and despair, strength and weakness , darkness and light, to name just a few. I have lost many ovarian cancer friends in the past 5 years and each time it’s broken my heart ❤️ not a million pieces.
But from day one I have absolutely refused to allow cancer to define me (Sod that)!! I am NOT a victim, I am a survivor, a thriver. I am a wife, mother, grandmother, aunty, friend, colleague and a nurse (a nurse who now understands her patients even more than she did before).
I might have cancer, but cancer does not have me..and NEVER will.
I guess what I am saying is, is that there is always hope, we have strength that we never knew we possessed. We have friends and family that we never knew could be so amazing and strangers who come into our lives who bring utter joy. We also have people who we expect to walk with us who choose to walk the other way.. but that’s ok, it’s their choice and I wish them well.
I have shared very little of the last 5 years on here as it’s not my thing, but I believe that this anniversary was worth sharing because it shows that love, faith, strength and hope can conquer all. So does an advanced sense of humour I might add.
Life is for living. Live in the moment and wring the most out of life, and when life throws a curveball, chuck it straight back with bells on. Love to all the amazing women on her, Marian xxx
Hi Marian, thanks for sharing and I hope you get to celebrate. I’m coming up to 5 years in December, it’s quite a milestone and one we’re lucky to reach 💖
Hi Marian, thank you very much for sharing your story. It gives us hope too. Was it high grade serous or another kind? When did u have first occurrce? Were u taking any maintenence dose? Did u take any herbal stuff too? I will appreciate your response.
Hi, I hope that it does give hope.I have high grade serous.
I as in first remission for just over 3 years. In that time I took the COC protocol drugs. When it recurred it was a couple of lymph nodes and Carboplatin & Caelyx sorted it.
I also took quite a few supplements that I researched (if interested pm me). I can’t of course say if they made any difference.
I’ve been on Olaparib (Lynparza) for 14 months and so far so good.
Well done on all counts, inspiring story, Thankyou. I too am fighting the good fight, stage 3 , I started & 3 years on after all the Chemo, 2 major ops & now Letrozole am still here!!! However for the last 18months, I am on Protocol & am interested to know if you are continuing with it? I have had great support from all at NHS & indebted to them. Having probs., with Magnesium now but apart from extra drugs enjoy a normal life with a supportive family & friends. Long may it last PG. cheers Iside X
Thanks for sharing this Marian ❤️ I have been supporting my partner through her OC journey and she maybe having a recurrence. Your post gives me hope though.
Xo
Steph
Hi StephJust remember if it is recurrence there will be a plan, wishing your partner all the best, she can absolutely do it xx
Congratulations Marian on reaching such an important anniversary. I am so pleased you’ve hit this milestone and here’s to the next one lovely 🥂, it certainly doesn’t seem like 5 years since you joined us but here we are and we’re all the better for your presence with us.
I think that our disease is such a complex one with some scary statistics but, as we know only too well, one size most certainly does not fit all and some of us fare better than others but our medics are constantly trying to improve treatments and care for us, I thank them all and your lovely self for the continued care given to those of us who need it . It’s so very true that we find out who is willing and/or able to walk with us along this diversion from our original route and we’re grateful for them and all our friends here too.
I too have lost friends and acquaintances to this disease, some I knew personally and some here at Ovacome, and I miss them all deeply but there are still many of us still plodding along together and if we fortunate ones can offer support and occasional advice to others that are struggling then that can only be a good thing in my book.
Be as well as you possibly can be, keep your humour going it’s one of the things that helps us deal with life’s turmoils (together with a great inner strength and sheer bloody mindedness) and keep on keeping on lovely lady. Big virtual hugs across the ether and lots of love ❤️Xx Jane
Oh Jane 💗💗!! I love hearing from you. You are one of the inspiring ones who helped me so much in the beginning. This is a very special group.You are so right, there is so much work going on to help us. I think that Parps are probably changing the statistics, that’s why mr google is not good for those newly diagnosed.
Well done you! I am just over 9 years since diagnosis stage 3b. I have had 2 recurrences in 2015 and 2017 but been in remission since then and living the best life of holidays and fun plus work unfortunately 😉
I don’t know what the future holds for me but I’m well right now (never really been ill touch wood 🪵 )
I try not to think about the future too much if I can help it and live my life every day as much as possible!
Attached is a pic of me and my hubby in Cyprus last month.
I’m hardly ever on here but want to send strength to everyone as it’s a bitch of a disease! Lots of love 💗 xxx
PS. Been on letrozole since op in 2017 and think that must working xx
Hi Marian, what a lovely positive post, you are a breath of fresh air. Congrats on your 5yr milestone & hopefully you will have many more. I am on first recurrence after been diagnosed in 2019 & on chemo but a recent scan has showed its working so that's all positive. I too have learned who my true friends are since my diagnosis & I treasure them dearly. You are such a strong woman. I hope I can stay as strong too especially for my family. Thanks for brightening my day Hugs Xx Mag
Hi MarianCongratulations a huge milestone to pass on this journey we did not choose to make and great encouragement to those of us who are not so far along. Thank you for sharing great news for everyone to see that there is still life out there to strive for. Well don here's to the next 5 years.😀
That’s such good positive news and definitely something to shout about - 5 years well done. You have expressed so well the emotions and thoughts that many of us have on this rollercoaster of a ride, where none of us want to be yet, sadly, we have found ourselves. 5 years since diagnosis and such an amazing attitude and, as others have said, here’s to the next 5 years.
It’s so great to see some positive posts and I would encourage everyone to post good news when they have it to give others strength. I know, I have been in some pretty dark places, and reading stories like yours gave me so much hope. Keep posting everyone x x
Hi MarianCongrats to you on your 5 year milestone! So inspiring for us all.
I was also stage 3b and been 2 years in remission until now facing a recurrence. I’m in that quite can’t believe it stage atm, knew it was likely to happen but also didn’t actually believe it would?! I’ve been getting very low and panicky about what’s up ahead again but your post has given me hope and encouragement. Thank you so much and very best wishes to you for another 5 happy years in remission
Thank you Marian for posting such an inspiring story of your journey.Congratulations on getting to 5 years!!🎉. I live in hope that I will be able to have a good quality of life when I get sorted with this Niraparib!.
Hi Marian thank you for giving those of us who fight as you have, hope and positive vibes. I am going in for my 5th session of a second reoccurrence in less than one year and hope abounds for me from your journey thus far. I was diagnosed stage 3c Dec 2019 and am happy I am still here and still enjoying life. Thank you for giving all of us a boost!!!! Hugs from California USA,
Congratulations and thank you for sharing your good news. The positives of this site far outweigh the negative. . I’ve participated in the Ovacome forum for about a year and a half and it is upsetting when someone passes on, especially when it is someone I feel attached to, even though we have never met. Each time someone shares good news, it helps to assuage the sadness I feel when when a teal sister gains her wings. May you continue to do well and post more good news in the future. It uplifts us all. Best wishes from Louisiana,
Congratulations and long may it continue xxx i was 3b diagnosed jan 2014 and one relapse, i totally agree with the things you say, one we are lucky and two positive attitude and a sense of humour are really important tools for us xx so pleased for you xxx
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❤️ I have been supporting my partner through her OC journey and she maybe having a recurrence. Your post gives me hope though.
10 Years
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