Ovarian Cancer in remission: Any advice on staying healthy?

Hi Starko,
I am new to this site, but have been searching for people who have survived Ovarian cancer. I was diagnosed with the same in 2006, just two years after retiring. I had a total surgical removal of ovaries, fallopian tubes, etc. I had previously had a partial hysterectomy many years earlier, but they had left my ovaries in place. I did not have chemo or radiation after my surgery as the Dr. was confident the tumor had not spread and that he had gotten all of it. Well, fast forward to present day and I was recently diagnosed with metastatic ovarian cancer, after they found a couple nodules on my lung. After more testing they discovered more metastasis in other places. I have not been in pain or had anything more unusual than the usual occasional aches and pains that I figured are sure to come with age. (I'm 76)! I am so sorry you are going through this, but it sounds to me like you are definitely doing every right!

My doctor has prescribed hormone blocking medication as my cancer is apparently the slow growing, estrogen receptive type. The medication is Retrozole. I have been considering going off of it however because of side effects that it is causing that I had not experienced at all prior to starting the medication. I have an appointment coming up, so will further discuss the matter.

I am wising you all the very best with your battle and so happy that you are in remission. I can state for a true fact that I've been in remission for 18 years, so I'm sending prayers your way and hope to hear that you are doing great as time passes. I'm a firm believer in the power of prayer and God's leading in all these situations.

I don’t know that you want to know my story. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, stage 3c, in August 2010. I had a radical hysterectomy, but other organs were untouched. The cancer had spread to lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity. After chemotherapy I was in remission until 2014 when the cancer returned. More chemotherapy. It was now recurrent ovarian cancer for which there is no cure.
To cut a long story short, I’ve had chemotherapy then as well as 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024/5. I had my 50th cycle today! I usually have done 6 cycles each time, but this time I will be doing at least 9, maybe more. The PET scan showed the cancer was still there after 6 cycles.
In 2021 the same thing happened, except the cancer had grown while I was given chemotherapy. The doctors recommended surgery. The cancer’s could not all be removed first time, and due to complications had to have a Whipples procedure to remove a growth from the outside of the pancreas that was growing through the wall of my duodenum.
What keeps me alive and persevering …
1. My faith in the One True Living God, and my love for Jesus Christ. Whatever I suffer, I know He understands, and His grace is sufficient in any circumstance.
2. I have a large faith family that support and pray for me, and that encourage me daily.
3. The blessings that God sends my way that are too many to count.
4. The best medical team in a Christian hospital in Australia, where I live, who listen to me and have given the best advice.
5. I have been able to keep working in the Christian School that I have taught at since 1986. The staff all come from my church, and so have been very supportive. The students that I teach all know what I’m going through, and have always been appreciative of the time and effort I make for them. I teach students who are in the final years of their secondary education, so they are old enough to understand.
6. I have deliberately worked on not looking sick. You would not know my condition by looking at me. I often wonder if people believe me when I say I’ve had cancer for 15 years!
I don’t want people to feel sorry for me. Teaching is the most inspirational vocation, and I love my students. I am educating the leaders of tomorrow. I will always help them any way I can. I have a reason to get out of bed every day. I used to exercise every day, but I have found that the current drugs, Caelyx and carboplatin, have made that not possible. Teaching is the exercise I get these days.
If the cancer returns, it doesn’t mean that life is hopeless. I tell my students that I have had the privilege of being able to plan my funeral for 15 years. The longer I live, the longer my funeral will be! Life is difficult, but I am never alone. I have learned alot about myself through this journey, and I’m a better person and teacher because of it.

@jenelleseaman What an inspiration you are for all of us. Thank you for sharing with us and for posting the lovely photo. You are truly the best example of how a person lives with cancer.

I’m in my third year of recurring ovarian cancer, 3c. Your response sounds like my experience. I have hope in my future, whatever it might be. I have faith in the God that has always been my companion and I am loved by family, friends and former students…I taught high school world religions for 50 years.
I try to choose joy each day. There are some days that challenge this joy and I let myself have a cleansing cry.
We did not choose cancer but I must admit that it has forced me to see my life and the lives of others in new light. For this I am grateful. The picture I am sharing is me in the blue stripe dress and one of my five sisters (with the hat) who has breast cancer.