Ovarian Cancer Support Group

Hi,

It's scary when you are told you have a tumor. But right now there is still a lot you don't know such as what it is - is it benign or malignant, what stage and grade, what kind, how large is large? The American Cancer Society web site has questions that you can use when talking with your doctor. Go there and look under "Ovarian Cancer." It is helpful to get as much information as you can to partner in your health care.

I cannot, of course, tell you anything about your tumor but some of the women on this site had just one large cyst. Others like me have cancer that had spread throughout our abdominal cavities by the time we were diagnosed. Generally, multiple sites mean more advanced disease.

Try to relax (easy to say) until you know what you are fighting. Whatever the diagnosis, if it's benign you can rest - if it's ovarian cancer, resolve to fight. You certainly are not asking too much to live for five more years. I have fairly advanced disease that was diagnosed in November 2007 but am currently in remission. For several months I kept waiting for "the other shoe to drop" and for the cancer to come back. But you can't live that way. I had to decide to focus on living and stop obsessing about death. Also, I am fighting this cancer with everything I know to do. I really intend to live at least another five years and, hopefully, much longer. I am also hopeful that new research will improve treatment in the next few years. I think the most heartening thing that I have heard both from my doctor and from the women on this site, is that ovarian cancer is considered like a chronic disease. If it comes back, you are treated again and again.

If it is ovarian cancer, be sure your care is provided by a gynecological oncologist. Survival rates are much higher when they care for ovarian cancer patients.

Best wishes, right now you have so many unknowns but once you know better what you're facing, I think you will find things to be easier. Let us know how your tests come out.

Give your son a big hug and a hug to you, too.
Janet

Hi,

It's scary when you are told you have a tumor. But right now there is still a lot you don't know such as what it is - is it benign or malignant, what stage and grade, what kind, how large is large? The American Cancer Society web site has questions that you can use when talking with your doctor. Go there and look under "Ovarian Cancer." It is helpful to get as much information as you can to partner in your health care.

I cannot, of course, tell you anything about your tumor but some of the women on this site had just one large cyst. Others like me have cancer that had spread throughout our abdominal cavities by the time we were diagnosed. Generally, multiple sites mean more advanced disease.

Try to relax (easy to say) until you know what you are fighting. Whatever the diagnosis, if it's benign you can rest - if it's ovarian cancer, resolve to fight. You certainly are not asking too much to live for five more years. I have fairly advanced disease that was diagnosed in November 2007 but am currently in remission. For several months I kept waiting for "the other shoe to drop" and for the cancer to come back. But you can't live that way. I had to decide to focus on living and stop obsessing about death. Also, I am fighting this cancer with everything I know to do. I really intend to live at least another five years and, hopefully, much longer. I am also hopeful that new research will improve treatment in the next few years. I think the most heartening thing that I have heard both from my doctor and from the women on this site, is that ovarian cancer is considered like a chronic disease. If it comes back, you are treated again and again.

If it is ovarian cancer, be sure your care is provided by a gynecological oncologist. Survival rates are much higher when they care for ovarian cancer patients.

Best wishes, right now you have so many unknowns but once you know better what you're facing, I think you will find things to be easier. Let us know how your tests come out.

Give your son a big hug and a hug to you, too.
Janet

I am wondering if you have had any of the symtoms which are: Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort; vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea, and indigestion; frequency and / or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection; unexplained weight gain or weight loss; pelvic and / or abdominal swelling, bloating and / or f eeling of fullness; ongoing unusual fatigue; or unexplained changes in bowel habits. If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, ask you r doctor for a combination pelvic / rectal exam, CA-125 blood test, and transvaginal ultrasound.

Chances are it is not OVCA, but if it is I agree with IUPUI. You need to see a gyn/onc. I am 1 year out of chemo and cancer free. Please let us know. You are in the right place. You will find the mose loving supportive women that you have ever met in you life.

Huge hugs to you.
Anita

Thank you ladies very much for you support. I feel a little better now. I did not have any symptoms anything unusual that would stand out or raise a suspicion. I am having more tests coming Monday. We'll see.
And again thank you very much for your support it really helps to calm down.
Wishing you all unconditional recovery,
Russian27

Very scary business! I was diagnosed last year, and my worries actually went to my children too (what mother's wouldn't?). I know it sounds impossible, but try to relax until Monday--worry won't help, and I agree...you don't know what you're dealing with yet. Ovarian cysts can be fairly common, ovarian cancer not nearly as much. Take care!!

Hello and welcome to our group, though I am sure you would rather not be here, this is a great support group with lots of wondrful women to share your journey and to lend ecouragement and advice.

You will be scared out of your wits and with Christmas going on as well, this has to be an extremely emotional time for you. Please try to take comfort in the fact that Ovarian Cancer is extremely rare and that the odds are in your favour that this is something else. Your age is also in your favour. The vast majority of growths found, as yours has been, are not malignant or cancers. The only way to know for certain is to have a biopsy, which I imagine you will have done further down the line.

I was diagnosed nearly eight years ago. I had a massive tumour in one ovary and a small one in the other. None of the specialists expcted it to be a cancer as it was contained in the ovaries and was so big, without having spread to other organs. Unfortunately it was found to be a cancer following tests after surgery. I was treated with chemo and was cancer free for seven years.

I completed further chemo in July this year and keep going back for further check ups now. OC is treated more and more like a chronic disease these days.

We will all be hoping that your tumour turns out to be something benign and relatively simple to deal with. The best thing to help you cope with what you are going through just now, is to build lots of good things into each day... not so easy when you are worried out of your mind.. but it works and gets easier with practice and effort.

Try not to get ahead of yourself, there is still a way to go before you know what this really is.. and the odds are hugely in favour of something other than cancer.

My hopes and best wishes are with you and I hope you will make full use of what we ahve to offer here.. All the best to you.. Inka

Hello everyone and thank you very much for your support. Let me tell you my news. It is not ovarian cancer, it is colon cancer. After several tests I've found out that my liver and lungs are clear, tumor is huge, adenocarcinoma, 4+ lymph nodes involved. So It must be IIIC stage unless they will discover something during surgery. You know I feel a little better may be because I know more now and of course because of your support.
Hug you all,
Russian27

Hi,

Not the best news; but, at least you know your enemy. My family tree is full of colon cancer and there is a colon/ovarian link that I didn't know about until after I was diagnosed. Again, my advice is to get armed with as much information as you can especially when you see your doctors. Write down questions so you don't forget anything but don't ever hesitate to call with questions. Best wishes to you for a complete recovery.

Janet

I agree with Janet. At least now you know what you are dealing with. I know you can handle whatever they throw at you as far as treatment. Much love and hugs to you.

Anita

Guys I have another question. I know it sounds silly but Is it very painful I mean the surgery? i am having my surgery next Thursday and i am kinda scared, freaking out. I am worried about two moments. The moment of preparation (the needles in my veins etc.) and the moment when you wake up. How bad does it hurt? I am afraid of loosing control and whining in front of my husband and sister-in-law.
And again thank you very much for your support. I tried to talk to people in colon cancer community, but people are not very active there. I hope you don't mind guys if I stick around asking questions.