Talking Frankly about Living with Advanced Cancer

Hi @bdpp,

I’m so happy to see that you’ve joined Connect! You’ve come to the right place to talk with members who have similar health experiences – more importantly, to get support from people who understand what you are going through.

I encourage you to go through the discussions listed below, where you’ll meet @jenmae @meg4434 @lynnkay1956 @0716 @texas7777 @twinskl, who’ve shared their experiences as well.
– Stage 4 Malignant Melanoma internal https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stage-4-malignant-melanoma-internal/
– Melanoma: genetics and recurrence https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/melanoma-1/

@bdpp, it’s great to hear about your 1st clear PET scan – looking forward to getting to know more about you.

Hello @bdpp

I would like to add my "welcome" as well. Mayo Connect is a supportive, caring community and I think you will enjoy the posts and interactions. It is wonderful that you live close to Mayo and are able to get your treatment there. Congratulations on your clear PET scan in June. I'm wishing you many more!

I have had three surgeries for neuroendocrine tumors (carcinoid type) which is a rare form of malignancy. When I found Mayo Connect in 2016 I was facing my third surgery and found others who could share with me so that I did not feel so alone. I hope you find the same source of encouragement that I did.

I look forward to getting to know you better.

Thanks Scott. Yes, I think I may have found a healthier place to socialize and voice frustrations... and help others.

Thank you for your words of encouragement. Being close to Mayo is helpful for sure, but stay tuned for the conversations around shoveling snow to get to those early morning appointments. 😉

@bdpp, I'd like to add my welcome. We talk about everything and anything in this group. Mostly we talk about living and we're not afraid to face the tough stuff head on. I look forward to getting to know more about you beyond cancer. What brings you joy?

@jenjazz I was diagnosed in december with stage 4 rare clear cell ovarian cancer that had metastised throughout abdomin, surgery, 12 chemo treatments later. Now on oxygen 24/7. good news? they say cancer is gone!!!! So why do I feel like it is not gone? I feel like it is still there waiting to take me down.

Good morning @jazzjen. Welcome to Connect. Great folks are here who will understand your “What’s next?” conundrum.

I don’t know how old you are and yet I see that aging takes it toll because we start being aware of conditions and diseases that impact our families and friends?

I tend to get out over my skis.....as my partner says. That is why mindful meditation can help you stay present in the now. We all can do whatever it takes to have a healthy lifestyle.

What recommendations have you had from your medical providers? Are you using any medications at this time?

You have come through a tough time. And so has your body. Be good to yourself now. And may you be healthy and whole. Chris

@jazzjen Welcome to MayoClinicConnect. These past few months must have been so difficult for you. Do you have family? How has all this affected them? Why do you feel that the cancer is not gone? Is there too much “down in the dumps feeling” around the house? I don’t have cancer (I have an autoimmune disease), but as a nurse, I specialized in care of cancer patients. As nurses, we became so tuned into our patients and their moods. Some were such an inspiration for all of us! Even if they did or didn’t know what their outcome would be, they looked forward and lived each day at a time. Many of them I still remember.
Have you thought about talking with a therapist? Someone who would just listen? Feeling anxious about the future is not wrong, it just is. We’re here to listen. Will you keep in touch with us? We care

Thanks for the welcome!! I just turned 60. I was very active before my cancer diagnosis and auto immune diseases diagnosis. I have a farm and horses, cleaned houses, worked out at gym, hiked,kayaked etc etc before getting sick. now i cannot work or do much at the farm. I have an amazing support group of friends and family for which i am very grateful. But I do not want to worry them with anything else. I am on anti depressants and going to pulmonary PT. The smallest of tasks like shower, cooking,laundry exhausts me. so I sleep a lot.

Thank you for the reply. I think that just talking with people on this connect will help. Are there others with this rare clear cell ovarian cancer and auto immune diseases as well? I have been soooo positive through this treatment. But I think I expected to feel good now that cancer is in remission and I don't. The lung problem keeps me down.