Overachiever?: So I had written awhile... - SHARE Metastatic ...

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Overachiever?

Stage4Gir profile image
27 Replies

So I had written awhile ago that my tumor markers went up and I had a cat scan showing a large pelvic mass. I’m 2 weeks out from surgery today as it turned out to be ovarian cancer. totally unrelated to my MBC. It was a bit of a gut shot and I’m still coming to terms with it and trying to make sense of it. Guess I’m an overachiever? Haha I am trying to be positive but scared to death (hopefully not literally yet) that my body is just one cancer cell away from taking over. I’m

not really looking for advice but felt like I just had to vent a little. Getting tired of this. I go back to work on Monday and I am not looking forward to it but I can’t live on SSDI so wondering how others do it? Also I need the health insurance it provides. WTF? I just want to live the rest of my life out doing what I want and having some energy to have fun and dare I say a little joy in my days? Okay rant over for now. Thanks for listening;)

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Stage4Gir profile image
Stage4Gir
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27 Replies
MyMiracle13 profile image
MyMiracle13

As if one cancer wasn’t enough! No words, just hugs❤️

Stage4Gir profile image
Stage4Gir in reply to MyMiracle13

Thank you!

4thTimesTheCharm profile image
4thTimesTheCharm

wow...ugh. I’m so sad for this turn of events. Hugs and prayers for you,especially as you return to work

Stage4Gir profile image
Stage4Gir in reply to 4thTimesTheCharm

Thank you!

nstonerocks profile image
nstonerocks

This truly sucks and I’m amazed you are coherent and able to be so articulate so soon after this diagnosis. I was facing a possible second cancer diagnosis and was devastated. Luckily, it is not the case for me and so back to one cancer to deal with. Have you gotten your treatment plan? Here’s just something to hold on to. My sisters friend has ovarian cancer. She is doing well 15 years later. She has had 3 cancers total including breast and something on her back, assuming it was melanoma. I don’t know how she isn’t crushed, but she does keep going and looks good. So while I don’t want to minimize your situation or offer you false hope, I want to give you something positive to keep in mind in this time of such stress. This is tough, but there is a lot of room for hope 💕

I'm so sorry. It's really hard just trying to process one type of cancer. I can't even imagine how you're feeling. Hugs!

Thank you for sharing! Praying for better days ahead!

BangorBelle56 profile image
BangorBelle56

So sorry to hear this and you have to work. Much admiration and lots if hugs 💕💕

Mindysooty profile image
Mindysooty

So sorry to hear this. What a blow it is for you, so much to deal with. Wouldnt it be nice if we didnt have to worry about money on top of everything else. Im in UK so different here so cant advise but can send you love and hugs xx

Zebra2018 profile image
Zebra2018

Wow! I am sending you my love and support. Strong lady. I really admire you

🌹🥰😍

This so sucks! :(

Sending you positive thoughts and lots of hugs❤️

Rhwright12 profile image
Rhwright12

Sending prayer for your body to kill all cancer cells! 🙏🏻💕

Hope that you get stronger and better. I second that your body is able to kill all cancer cells!

Francesca10 profile image
Francesca10

Ugh! I feel you. So sorry as if one not enough! jeez.

Like you I just want to go forward and enjoy what I can. I turn 66 in January-4th year in with mbc all over bones. I can’t live on ssd Either so still working. My plan is to retire mid 2020 and work Pt. No pension no retirement savings etc.

Truth is at anytime it can go south. Going in for port tomorrow then starting Herceptin/perjeta.

Ibrance n xeloda didn’t do well with me.

So yes vent rant rave whatever it takes.

In the meantime work helps sanity for me. And I need to be around those I Love. I used to be such a hermit. No more.

♥️♥️♥️♥️Frances

Stage4Gir profile image
Stage4Gir in reply to Francesca10

We sound similar Francesca. I too would like to retire and enjoy life a bit especially now but finances prevent it. Turns out my ovarian cancer is a very rare one. Lucky me huh? Thanks for your reply. Hugs to all on here.

Francesca10 profile image
Francesca10 in reply to Stage4Gir

What options of treatment have they given you? I am sure you are still absorbing the gut punch. You are so amazing just to post here coherently. Don’t think I could.

We are here for you. Sending you hugs ♥️♥️♥️♥️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💪💪💪

Stage4Gir profile image
Stage4Gir in reply to Francesca10

The Gyno Onc surgeon said chemo would be recommended but he is sending me back to my breast oncologist as he said that's still the major concern but that he spoke to her and she will want to do chemo too. ugh. Turns out I have a very rare ovarian cancer, Carcinosarcoma, which was high grade (fast growing) that is unrelated to the breast cancer. I've had chemo twice in the past and am afraid I won't bounce back if I do it again. Good luck with your port tomorrow, let us know how it goes. xo

Francesca10 profile image
Francesca10 in reply to Stage4Gir

Port is in- sore now. Glad that part is done.

I feel you about chemo and you have done it already. Did they get any clean margins? When will you know next step for sure? I am holding you up in

Love prayers hugs light- please keep me posted.

♥️♥️

Stage4Gir profile image
Stage4Gir in reply to Francesca10

Have an appointment with Onc next Thursday for next steps. Did it hurt to get the port in? Glad that’s over for you. Thanks for the ❤️

Francesca10 profile image
Francesca10 in reply to Stage4Gir

They gave me propophol- I was out!!! Probably best sleep in weeks😳no it’s just sore. I did research before I went in- there were 4 places and I didn’t like the preps and the procedure insertion set up- followed my gut and it went really well♥️

Lovemylakie profile image
Lovemylakie

Sending you hugs fron Indiana. 🌹💖

You rant all you want and need! You’ve had a rough road and this is where we get to shout that this stinks. Good luck!

Stage4Gir profile image
Stage4Gir in reply to

Thank you! I’m really trying to be positive but having a hard time right now. Still processing it all. Physically I’m not too bad but the mental part takes a toll for sure.

Hi,

I don't understand the medical side of things when there are two unrelated cancers to deal with, but hopefully the two oncologists will be able to put their heads together and come up with a plan to deal with the ovarian cancer too without making treatment of the breast cancer harder. Is surgery an option, and if so will that be an effective way of containing that particular cancer? You mentioned chemotherapy, so I really hope that goes well for you. As far as your finances go, are you able to take an extended period of sick leave? Or can you go part-time, flexi-time, work from home at times or give up work altogether if you have a husband who can support you? I agree that you should be able to enjoy life, not have to work when you would rather not.

I hope that you are able to rest more and concentrate on dealing with what is coming up rather than having to worry about your finances and how you will get by. If you have not already told friends and family it might be a good idea to make a list of practical ways that others can help such as preparing you some meals you can just pop in your freezer, doing some housework or shopping for you.

Please keep us posted on how you are getting along,

Sophie x

Stage4Gir profile image
Stage4Gir in reply to

Thanks for your reply Sophie. I’ve already had surgery and now going back to breast Onc this week to discuss treatment options. I’m starting to get my head wrapped around it all (again). I only work 9-4 now instead of 9-6, and my boss has been great about appointments etc so can’t push for much more time out and still keep my salary ;) I also have good support with friends and family so didn’t mean to sound like I was having a pity party but I do come here to vent when it gets overwhelming. Sometimes I just need to get it out so I don’t kill everyone in my path haha. Then I can get on with it again. Thanks to you and all the ladies on this site. xo

in reply to Stage4Gir

You're welcome. I hope everything goes well as you go back to see the breast oncologist this week. You have a right to vent, so don't feel like you are in the wrong for expressing how you feel! We are all dealing with a very difficult diagnosis, and you are now dealing with two different cancers. So it is completely understandable that you might be feeling overwhelmed at this time.

Take care,

Sophie x

Lordmandy profile image
Lordmandy

You are eligible to draw Medicare disability based on your work record. It is not SSI.

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