I have ovarian cancer

Posted by joannedb @joannedb, Jul 1, 2016

Hi I'm Joanne. New to this group and I have Ovarian Cancer. Looking to connect with others with OVC.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.

Hi @joannedb and welcome to Connect.
We have a small group of women sharing about ovarian cancer on Connect. Allow me to introduce you to @mfell @gill @jfc4 @libbysmom and @mohavegal. I'm also including @hopeful33250 in this discussion. While she doesn't have ovarian cancer, she is one of our mentors in the Cancer group and a great support.

When were you diagnosed with cancer Joanne? How are you doing today?

REPLY

Hi Colleen,
I was diagnosed February of 2014. I'm currently on Avastin for maintainence but my CA125 has been increasing over the past 3 months. I completed my 1st recurrance chemo last September. My last CT was clear except for a small amount of fluid in my lungs, which could be the culprit. My next scan is in a few weeks. I suspect I'll be back on chemo soon. Wondering about treatments and /or clinical trials that others with 2nd recurrance are I in and how they are doing. I'm NOT BRACA positive and guess I could be platinum resistant as my numbers started to increase after just 6 months. I'm feeling good. I have a good support system and a positive attitude. Enjoying life one day at a time.

Appreciate any and all input. Thanks, Joanne

REPLY

@joannedb Hi Joanne: Welcome to Mayo Connect. I connected with Mayo Connect this spring after my third diagnosis of a rare type of malignancy, neuroendocrine tumors. Even though, my experience is different from your ovarian cancer, I do understand how disconcerting reoccurrences can be. I know that you will find many on this online network who will share with you from their experiences and who will offer you encouragement and suggestions based on their experiences. I've certainly found that to be so in my case. Best wishes to you as you navigate through health care providers and seek the right plan of treatment for your cancer. Keep us informed as to how you are doing. This is a group that cares! Teresa

REPLY

Good to get to know a little more about you @joannedb. @hopeful33250 @cynthiawick and @sue_in_delaware know about enjoying life one day at a time and the importance of a good support system.

Joanne, have you seen the webinar we did last year called "What Women Need to Know about Ovarian Cancer"? You can view it here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/interactive-webinar-what-women-need-to-know-about-ovarian-cancer/
In the webinar Mayo Clinic gynecologic cancer specialists Jamie N. Bakkum-Gamez, M.D. and John Weroha, M.D., Ph.D. discuss the signs and symptoms women should be aware of for detection of ovarian cancer, understanding treatment options, and the importance of new clinical trials. Beside the webinar is a discussion between people who attended the webinar, which may also interest you. Note: The discussion thread beside the webinar is in reverse chronological order.

REPLY
@hopeful33250

@joannedb Hi Joanne: Welcome to Mayo Connect. I connected with Mayo Connect this spring after my third diagnosis of a rare type of malignancy, neuroendocrine tumors. Even though, my experience is different from your ovarian cancer, I do understand how disconcerting reoccurrences can be. I know that you will find many on this online network who will share with you from their experiences and who will offer you encouragement and suggestions based on their experiences. I've certainly found that to be so in my case. Best wishes to you as you navigate through health care providers and seek the right plan of treatment for your cancer. Keep us informed as to how you are doing. This is a group that cares! Teresa

Jump to this post

Thanks Teresa!

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Good to get to know a little more about you @joannedb. @hopeful33250 @cynthiawick and @sue_in_delaware know about enjoying life one day at a time and the importance of a good support system.

Joanne, have you seen the webinar we did last year called "What Women Need to Know about Ovarian Cancer"? You can view it here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/interactive-webinar-what-women-need-to-know-about-ovarian-cancer/
In the webinar Mayo Clinic gynecologic cancer specialists Jamie N. Bakkum-Gamez, M.D. and John Weroha, M.D., Ph.D. discuss the signs and symptoms women should be aware of for detection of ovarian cancer, understanding treatment options, and the importance of new clinical trials. Beside the webinar is a discussion between people who attended the webinar, which may also interest you. Note: The discussion thread beside the webinar is in reverse chronological order.

Jump to this post

Thanks so much, Colleen. I'll definitely watch it.

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Good to get to know a little more about you @joannedb. @hopeful33250 @cynthiawick and @sue_in_delaware know about enjoying life one day at a time and the importance of a good support system.

Joanne, have you seen the webinar we did last year called "What Women Need to Know about Ovarian Cancer"? You can view it here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/interactive-webinar-what-women-need-to-know-about-ovarian-cancer/
In the webinar Mayo Clinic gynecologic cancer specialists Jamie N. Bakkum-Gamez, M.D. and John Weroha, M.D., Ph.D. discuss the signs and symptoms women should be aware of for detection of ovarian cancer, understanding treatment options, and the importance of new clinical trials. Beside the webinar is a discussion between people who attended the webinar, which may also interest you. Note: The discussion thread beside the webinar is in reverse chronological order.

Jump to this post

@joannebd. Yes, Colleen is right about the importance of enjoying life one day at a time. It is so easy to let the challenges cloud over the joy of the "present." I like to keep a "thankfulness journal." To list who and what I'm thankful for. Even if you only list 3 things each day (and especially when you are feeling overwhelmed) it is a tremendous mood booster! Keep writing and stay connected. We all care.
Teresa

REPLY

Hi All-
I was just diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer-a rare tumor type MMMT. Had Radical Abdominal Hysterectomy, removed appendix, omentum, a few lymph nodes. It was considered optimal debulking. Now on my third round of Taxol/Carboplatin with just a few bumps in the road. Would love to share info with other Ovarian Cancer women. Cancer is not for the weak. Stay strong and positive.
Carol

REPLY

Welcome @caf132. Please meet @joannedb who also has ovarian cancer and recently joined the Connect community. I'm glad that @hopeful33250 is also here is this discussion, as she is all too familiar with rare tumors.

Caf, it sure sounds like you've been in the whirlwind of diagnosis, surgery, chemo. Despite there being trying times of waiting for reports and appointments, I'm sure it's all been very dizzying. Glad you stopped by here for a calm cup of tea đŸ™‚ Why don't you tell us a bit more about you? How did you find out you had cancer? What's helped you stay balanced, strong and positive?

REPLY
@caf132

Hi All-
I was just diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer-a rare tumor type MMMT. Had Radical Abdominal Hysterectomy, removed appendix, omentum, a few lymph nodes. It was considered optimal debulking. Now on my third round of Taxol/Carboplatin with just a few bumps in the road. Would love to share info with other Ovarian Cancer women. Cancer is not for the weak. Stay strong and positive.
Carol

Jump to this post

Hi Carole,<br>I also have OVC. I'm two and one half years out from my diagnosis and am stable. It is a diagnosis that is scary and as you said we need to be tough to deal with it, but we can live a full life. I wish you the best. If you are interested in connecting with other with OVC there is another online community I would recommend called Inspire. Joanne<br><br><br><br>

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.