Newly Diagnosed: Hi I'm new to this site. I am... - My Ovacome

My Ovacome

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Newly Diagnosed

Sophieswindon profile image
12 Replies

Hi

I'm new to this site. I am 41 years old and recently diagnosed. I have had a hysterectomy and surgery for a blocked bowel. I start chemo on the 6th November. I'm so scared. Scared of the chemo and scared for the future. I want to live. Live without the fear of it coming back. I suppose most of you reading this re nodding your heads because we all want to live.

I just find everything on the net so negative.

Anyway hello all, I joined this site because everyone seems so nice and positive.

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Sophieswindon profile image
Sophieswindon
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12 Replies

Hi Sophie,

Welcome to the club that no one wants to join ....you have come to the right place you will get a lot of support on here and a lot of good news stories...we are here for each other love

x G x

Hello and "welcome".

This is a nice site - the other one I use (American) can be a bit in your face.

I was diagnosed in 2006 and was terrified. Life BC (before cancer) seems very far away now. The cancer is unavoidably part of who I am, I can't ignore it, but I am not terrified like I once was.

Take your time getting used to it all and feel what you need to feel.

And come on here whenever there are things that you need to talk about but can't talk about with people in your life.

doreenharwood profile image
doreenharwood

Hi Sophie,

We all feel like you when we first get the news. Nobody is ever prepared for those work " You have Cancer". Regarding chemo I wont say its a walk in the park but I remember going for my first one, I was expecting all sorts of things to happen to me. The worst thing that happened was I got constipated. I went to my doctor and got Movical and that did the trick. It does get slightly worse the more you have but I carried on working during four chemos. I am off at the moment as I had my operation three week ago. I have another chemo booked in next Thursday that will be number five.

There are a lot of negative things on the net especially from American sites. The best one to get in touch with is Macmillan they are full of great advise and always on the end of the phone if you need them.

Also the Ovacome site is great you can always post questions and someone will always have the answer as we have all been there some for longer than others. Be positive I know its hard but I have always thought I will beat this, I have a lot to live for and I'm not going to give up with out a fight. You don`t say what hospital you are under but which everyone it is will help you during chemo anything you are unsure of always ask.

Keep in touch

Love Babs x x

Jan76 profile image
Jan76

Hello there Sophie ,

Yes Sophie you are right that everyone is so nice and friendly and positive too , so welcome to our family group and our Gwyn is so right its one that really no one wants to join but the support on here is just amazing .

This time last year I was just starting my journey as I knew things were not right in as much as I needed to wee every 10 mins at least .It will be a year next week when I first went to the doctor ... Even now its rather a hard time for me thinking about it all ..

It is with out a doubt a very scary time just the thought of starting chemo is very hard to cope with but its not so bad ....I know that we are all different and will have different side efects with it .Do you know yet which type of chemo you are having ??

Its a good idea to keep a little note of how you feel each day while you are going through the chemo .I used to look back at mine and see if my aches and pains or hot and cold sessions were any worse or less each time I had had a treatment .

Its a good idea to drink plenty of water every day it will flush your system through .

You may go off food or even fancy allsorts of things ..just go with your tastes buds !!

Babs was talking about constipation and that too was really bad for me as well , but be prepared and have something to help you with that if needed ..Prunes and other soft dried fruit are very good at keeping you going ....

I was not sick with my chemo I had the carbo /taxol it made my tum off at times and I took the antisickness tablets even if I had a bit of indigestion as they were very good .

There is a wonderful support net work here both from the ladies and from the Ovacome team .

Take each day as it comes and try to stay positive .

Love Jan xx

Lily-Anne profile image
Lily-Anne

I remember that day, 5th October 2012. It's such a shock, it took me a long time to digest and despite my surgery on 17th I'm not sure I really have my head around what it really means. I start chemo on November 28th and I just wonder if I have the energy for it, so know exactly how you feel.

Everyone on here has been brill, especially when I'm having a panic, get it all written down even if you repeat yourself, it gives you a chance to read back and find the bits that you are really worried by. Then you know the real questions to be answered.

Best of luck, take each day as it comes.

LA xx

Whippit profile image
Whippit

Dear Sophie Swindon

Hello and welcome. I don't know how you're feeling right at the moment - it all seemed to happen so quickly for me that I sort of went through the process in a dream. It's really good you've found us as we're here to help and you'll find good company on the site.

Each one of us is different and reacts in our own unique way. I was in slow motion - my response to shock/denial - going into the cancer day unit the first time where they administer the chemotherapy but they were very friendly and put me at ease. When you actually go through it, it really isn't any big deal. I was lucky and had no side effects. I hope you have that bonus too.

You're young to be coping with all this. Perhaps someone might suggest having genetic testing to see if there is a hereditary link for you. This can be a bonus from the point of view of the way it can be treated.

I can only say take little steps. It's a lot to take in. I'm sending my love. Whatever else don't forget you're not a statistic so so don't take too much notice of them.

Big hugs xxxxx Annie

daisycandoit profile image
daisycandoit

Hi Sophie,

You have done well to come on here, so you have a bit of acceptance, a good sign. My acceptance comes and goes and I get very angry with the disease.

I make the most of each moment each day and run a check during the day and if I am feeling good I explore that feeling and try not to let the 'truth' overshadow my positivity.

Amazing things do happen, many on here have had long remission and lead very full lives.

We can be with you every step of the way for real, loads of good advice and understanding so welcome I will be thinking of you , love Diane xxx

MaggyH profile image
MaggyH

Hi Sophie, yes I am nodding my head, I was diagnosed last month aged 49 and I know exactly what you are going through. I had my first chemo session last tuesday and the only problems I have had so far are an odd taste in my mouth and feeling very tired.

I try and stay positive and visualise myself years ahead living a happy healthy life, I try and treat each stage of my treatment as a step towards achieving this.

Sophieswindon profile image
Sophieswindon

Thank you for a lovely welcome. It does help to read them all xx

charlie12 profile image
charlie12

Hi Sophie

Welcome and glad that you found us , but sorry that you needed to. I can only begin to imagine how you must be feeling and dealing with all of this when you are so young must be really difficult.

The other girls have, as always, given you brilliant advice. They are the experts on chemo.

I had a big borderline (pre-invasive) tumour removed in 2010 when I was 48. I didn't need chemotherapy, so was extremely fortunate in that respect. Three year on ( nearly) I am mostly fine and doing most of the things I could do beforehand. The whole episode has brought me so much closer to my husband, friends, family and work colleagues.I need 6 monthly checks which I accept and have got used to as necessary for peace of mind. You will too believe me.

I'm not sure what stage or grade your cancer is but treatments are improving all the time. You have youth on your side regardless of the stage or grade. The statistics you hear bandied about are probably way out of date and many include much older ladies i.e. 80s and 90s.

I do hope the chemo goes well and at least the operation is over and done with.

Let us know how it goes.

Love

Charlie xxx

wendydee profile image
wendydee

Hi Sophie!

Welcome to the club! You will cope, you will find hidden strengths, there will be times when you feel too tired to do much, there will be times when you experience moments of pure joy, just at something quite small or seemingly inconsequential. Just because you can......

I too have been very lucky with borderline tumours, were removed in 2002. Nearly ten years, I have been so lucky. Like others, it has brought me closer to friends and family. However, I never take it for granted. I always think it may come back. I don't live in a continuous state of fear, just awareness of any possible signs. I don't think we ever lose that fear. Do use this site to express whatever you are feeling. We have heard it all, and understand. Let us know how it's all going.

All the best,

Love Wendy xx

Shazican profile image
Shazican

Hi Sofie ,

I, like u was diagnosed last Nov aged 42 and like u didn't know where to turn , so was so glad to find this site , u will find loads of positivity here and fantastic people with very similar stories to ur own ... i finished my chemo in April and was told i was in remission but unfortunately i started experiencing pain again so a scan confirmed that it hadn't gone and that i now have cancer in my Lymph nodes at the base of my spine so i'm now classed as incurable ... i was told before all my treatment started that the type of cancer i have ( Clear Cell ) didn't always respond to chemo so here i am again awaiting more treatment but i haven't gave up work this time ( I work as a cabaret singer in the clubs ) and after watching the programme on Stand Up To Cancer .. sing for ur lives , i can confirm that it has certainly helped me to stay positive and keep me social , i know how scared u must be but all i can say is keep positive and keep life as normal as possible , u will find u have so much inner strength that u didn't know u possessed .. Take care and gd luck with ur fight and remember everyone on here is experiencing the same as u and will always be around for advice ,

Sharon x

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