Best Of

This cartoon seems to help me if I am feeling down. 
Thanks to Charles M. Schulz.

Hi There - I was diagnosed about 2 1/2 years ago with Stage 2A - I know I am incredibly lucky to have my diagnosis early. I had an almost complete hysterectomy (my good doctor left me my cervix) and a bilateral oopherectomy and removal of the cancerous mass and then had 6 chemo treatments (paclitaxel and caboplatin) with follow up every 6 months with physical exams. My oncology team here in Alberta has been amazing as has been my family doctor, who was the one to take my early symptoms seriously. They all agree that I have a good prognosis but regular check ups are essential. I do live with chemo related neuropathy in my feet and lower legs which is treated with Pregabalin. Unfortunately its side effect has been weight gain which I am trying to manage. Even after 2 years post-chemo I still struggle with energy levels and have ongoing depression, which is also being treated. I have amazing support from my husband, our family and our friends for which I am very grateful. Looking forward to being part of this community.

Hi @Courtenay.  I see that you have not had many comments about peoples' experience with Lynparza. Are you still looking for information about the drug?  Lynparza is one of a new class of drugs called PARP inhibitors.  PARP inhibitors interfere with the ability of DNA in the cancer cells to replicate itself.  This can lead to cancer cell death and has been found to be more effective in BRCA positive cancer.  The benefit of Lynparza is that it has been shown to increase the length of remission - the time between the end of one round of treatment and when the disease recurs.  This is called "Progression Free Survival" or "PFS".  I can give you more information about these results if you are interested. 

At the national level, Lynparza has been approved for use in the treatment of BRCA positive recurrent ovarian cancer and pubic funding of the drug has also been recommended specifically for those with platinum-sensitive, relapsed BRCA-mutated high grade serous epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who have completed at least two previous lines of platinum-based chemotherapy.  However, even though public funding has been recommended, each province now decides whether or not Lynparza will be funded by their specific health insurance program.  This is why funding may be available in some provinces but not others.

You don't mention whether or not your doctor has recommended that you take Lynparza or whether they have discussed with how it would be paid for.  To gain access to Lynparza, the drug needs to be prescribed by your doctor. The physician or you, as the patient, would then need to contact AstraZeneca’s Patient Assistance Program for information on financial coverage, including coordination of coverage at 1-877-280-6208.  Your doctor should have all this information and know how to go about it.

Do you have any other specific questions?  What are things you are considering as you make this decision?

Hello All! 
I am a 27 year survivor - stage 3a at the age of 22. 
Although some days it may not seem possible - there is hope for recovery and renewal.    
Sending Blessings and strength to all my sista's out there!

Thanks @Flowergirl for letting everyone know that World Ovarian Cancer Day is coming up!  

The focus for Ovarian Cancer Canada this year for May 8 is to encourage people to use our voices and urge the government to invest in more research specifically for ovarian cancer.  We have been involved in government advocacy in recent months, including lobby days on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, meetings with local MPs and MPPs and letter writing campaigns. You may have heard about these activities from your Regional Director and through our newsletters.  This year, we are once again encouraging people to write to their local representatives asking for an investment of $10 million.  We have set up a page on our website to make this easy for you and have several ideas to help you spread the word.  We will also have a social media campaign that you can participate in.  Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also share your story with your elected representatives.  Be sure to click on the links below to learn more.

Other activities for World Ovarian Cancer Day vary across the country including: information tables at Cancer Centres, Walk of Hope launch parties, other local fund raising events, and illuminations of local landmarks to name a few.  These activities are led by local individuals or walk teams who want to use World Ovarian Cancer Day as a vehicle to raise awareness (and money) for ovarian cancer.  If you want to learn more about you can do, check out the links below and also talk to your Regional Director about your ideas and what may be happening in your area.

http://ovariancanada.org/stories-and-media/Stories-of-advocacy/2018/Plan-for-community-action-this-World-Ovarian-Cance

http://ovariancanada.org/Get-Involved/Advocate/Email-your-elected-reps

You can find the contact information for your Regional Director here:
http://ovariancanada.org/about-us/our-team?lang=en-ca

Hi all, I was diagonsed 2012, age 42.  I had surgery and front line chemo declare NED. recurrent nine months later, extreme fatigue was my symptom. I was back to work three hours a day and would just crash when I got home from work.  Finally called my GP after a couple of weeks and then it was back on the chemo treadmill.  I have been in treatment every year since and have never reached NED status again.  I believe, that my journey has been easier mentally, beacause I haven’t been on the recurrence roller coaster. I’m living with cancer every day.  I try my best to not let it take over my life.  I spend time making memories with my family.  I’m trying to put together a legacy box for my daughter, but it’s hard to prepare for a life without me in it. I ended up in hospital on Friday, I had a pulmonary embolism, and I realized anything can happen at anytime. My husband and I came to the decision that we are going to no longer wait, but do instead.

Hello,
I had my first recurrence in 2014, 18 months after chemo  treatment and debulking. I had to have 6 more chemo treatments. Eight months went by and my second recurrence occurred. Back for 6 more rounds of chemo. I started on olaparib in April 2016 and the cancer is currently stable. The chemo knocked me on my butt each time. 

I can see my situation in many of the comments above. I don't mind talking about my cancer. It's part of my life story and there's nothing I can do to change that. I was diagnosed, I went through treatment and I'm here today - I believe a stronger person for the experience. If I can help one person by talking about my experiences, it's worth it to be a chatterbox about ovarian cancer.  This forum will be a great place for us to "vent" and share and talk to others who actually know what we have gone through and how we feel. I'm glad to see so many people taking part in OVdialogue!

I found that yoga was the best for me, could take my own pace and start with the easier poses.

It is easy to get caught up in information overload... a reminder to review the source and look for reputable sites and programs.

Do you have your copy of By Your Side or Still By Your Side? You can order one here from the website. It is helpful when you need to review medical details in the glossary, information on Ovarian Cancer, a list of books and organizations that can help.