Ovarian Cancer Support Group
Ovarian cancer is a malignant ovarian neoplasm (an abnormal growth located on the ovaries). It is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women and the exact cause is unknown. Join this community to get support if you or someone you know is affected by ovarian cancer. Share your story and learn from the experiences of others.
Now that I've finished my six rounds of chemo, I guess it's time to shift my focus back to living my life. But I can't return to my job until Sept (I'm a preschool teacher and the director feels it'll be less disruptive if I stay on leave without pay than return for the final two months of school.) I feel kind of lost not working and have lots of projects I can do at home, but don't know where to start. Would love to hear from others how they handled the transition from treatment to survivorship.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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I gave my 2 week notice last Friday 13th. Now to join you fine people in a life of leisure and nothing else to do but to look out for myself....is it just me or does that sound pretty boring? My goal was to live to retire and I guess having to take early retirement because of health reasons wasn't exactly the way I had planned things. I just can't stay in that building that is reeking mildew...
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
I was not one of them. Being done was the greatest day of my life; I walked away and never looked back. I couldn't wait to not feel sick anymore and go back to my old self.
But I began to realize my old self was gone. Cancer changes you in so many ways. I would say that the transition involves getting to know the "new you." The new you is typically a person with a higher appreciation and awareness of life and how lucky you are to wake up to a new day. That's a good thing.
But the new you also must learn to deal with the cancer cloud. It hangs over your head at all times. Sometimes it's wispy cirrus clouds--not all that noticeable and not enough to block the sun. But other times the cloud is dark and fierce, heavy with precipitation which, at any given moment, will burst in full fury over you and knock you for a loop. It's your fear, and it will try to grab the happiness you feel. It will drag you down into your memories of the nightmare you have recently been through. It will remind you that if it chooses to, it will ship you right back to where you were at diagnosis time.
So my advice to you would be to embrace life with every fiber of your being. You are well again!!! Embrace life, let go of negative things that drain your energy, and make sure that when that black cloud shows itself, you are equipped with a strong umbrella, a cup of hot tea, and your favorite, cozy place to be (and try to have a significant other share that space with you), until the storm passes.
Good luck!
Hugs,
MaryAnn