Ovarian Cancer Support Group

Hello, I see that you are only 25. This is quite a heavy load for someone so young. What stage is your cancer and have you had surgery? Are they giving you any options for chemotherapy? Even though a diagnosis of ovarian cancer can be difficult, the word "terminal" is generally not used until later in the disease process. Most of us are "living" with ovarian cancer - not cured but not dying either.

I am not sure what you mean by "high dose chemo." Commonly, the first line chemotherapy consists of two drugs, carboplatin and taxol. Taxol, especially, can have cardiac effects. However, one can be given carboplatin alone. I had carbo-only with good results. Have the doctors said you couldn't have either drug? Best wishes, Janet

I always fell very sad if a young person gets this disease ,its not fare is it? I think you should get lots of opinions about treatments. Don't think terminal, there is a multitude of options out there and the young ones seem to do well with treatments. Like Janet I'd like to know if you have had surgery. I wasn't given a good prognosis because I'm stage 4, and I was very down in the dumps, and thanks to friends on this site I learned to look at my fate from a different angle, this is the site for you if you want support. Just get a second opinion and tell us what happens. My thoughts are with you in this very difficult time. Carol

I think you need many "second" opinons. I was 30 years old when diagnosed with Stage 2B OVCA and had BEP (Bleomycin, Etoposide, Cisplatin) treatment. I didn't have any underlying health issues, so I was able to go through the full cycle, but it was brutal, so I understand any cautions doctors might have of putting you through a treatment that may have cardiac side effects if you have an underlying cardiac issue (you don't say if you have a cardiac condition, but I assume you do?).

Depending on your specific diagnosis and your staging, I am surprised that your doctor isn't offering some kind of treatment. What stage are you? Have you had surgery? Please don't take one (or two, or three) doctor's opinions as the final word.

Carol

Hello. I too was very young when diagnosed. I was 24, now 25 diagnosed with Stage 3C. Although I wasn't given your diagnosis, I can definitely speak to the fact that all of my doctors told me there was an upside to getting cancer young. Your body is still strong and can often fight harder than someone who is both elderly and ill. Keep your head up. The mind plays a powerful part in this, as we all know, and I agree with Carol, get several opinions. Somewhere is a doctor that will probably be willing to treat you, despite risks, especially because of your age. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

I have had 3 different surgeries and this is the 3rd time my cancer has recurred. I do have an underlying heart problem and i have done alot of treatments over the past 3.5 years. I am going to look for a second opinion.