Community Connection: Ovarian Cancer Canada is looking for volunteers! Could you help?
OVdialogue – consider joining our team in the role of Peer Support Volunteer. Over a few hours each week, you would be part of a team that helps connect people, support conversations and are thought leaders for OVdialogue. This is your opportunity to give back to those who have/continue to support you through the tough times, share your unique experiences, and help celebrate successes. For more details of what this entails, please reach out to @Mfallis (mfallis@ovariancanada.org).
OVdialogue – consider joining our team in the role of Peer Support Volunteer. Over a few hours each week, you would be part of a team that helps connect people, support conversations and are thought leaders for OVdialogue. This is your opportunity to give back to those who have/continue to support you through the tough times, share your unique experiences, and help celebrate successes. For more details of what this entails, please reach out to @Mfallis (mfallis@ovariancanada.org).
TEAL THURSDAYS - Sign in and CLICK HERE TO ENTER LIVE DAYTIME ONLINE CHAT (1pm EST)
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Sorry that I can't stay for the full chat. I will be signing off soon. Have a great week everyone.0
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@BeamBlossom I had a slight advantage coming out of treatment...that being an expert in managing change and having delivered years worth of workshops focused on building personal resilience. So when I realized the norm I would expected to come back to was never to be...I created my own new norm...and have been managing and adjusting to it the past three years. It isn't always easy but at the end of the day I really find my life far more fulfilling and fun.0
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It is helpful to hear that Tinazzie will be off another 3 months. On some level I think I’m feeling guilty. Outside of this group, most people expect that once chemo treatments are done, we should be right back to our old selves.0
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I’ll be at work starting next Monday so won’t be able to join in but will check the message chain. Good luck all0
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@BeamBlossom yes, those are expectations that are difficult to deal with and I doubt many haven't come across those friends and family members who don't have any empathy for the trauma that is this disease. It's been clearly documented medically that most of us suffer PTSD at some level or other. So don't you feel guilty at all. The only expectations you need to fulfill are yours, not anyone elses.0
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@angel27 good luck with your new job. We'll miss you on live chat but you can always comment on any parts of our discussions as you follow the chain post chat. Always welcome you're insights.1
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On another note, I'm heading into our little town a bit later to see my foot specialist...a lovely RPN who specializes in foot care and runs a local clinic every Thursday. Hmmmm, just like a pedicare but with more massage and no nail polish. I can't wait....plus it seems to help with my neuropathy for a few days.
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Thanks. Wish me luck. It will be a total new experience but maybe that’s best. Going back to law clerk didn’t work. Partly because PEI is not as up to date as Ontario0
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Well gals, looks like "we're talked out". Thanks to all for participating today. Hope to see you all next week and continuing to share your experiences and insights in the chat room. All the best to everyone...and on Sunday, even if you're not virtually walking...think of wearing something Teal to honor our sisters....0
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Yes, good luck @angel27 Not easy to make a career change in the middle of a pandemic...so you're awesome! Big hugs to everyone today
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I hope to walk on my fav north shore beach I went to as a little girl! Walk on ladies!0
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Another Thursday gals..and out where I am, a beautiful sunny fall day. I can't think of better weather to feel refreshed and renewed.
Feeling a bit out of sorts myself though..in body, not mind. I think a combination of my "surgery that never really happened" still having some tenderness in my abdomen and my body adjusting to getting back on my Olaparib, plus the usual overdoing when I drove in to the clinic on Tuesday (and shhhhh...ran a bunch of errands on the way home) all hit me at once. I do hate feeling flushed and watching my temperature start climbing towards that ugly 38C+. Fortunately it went back down and never quite met the 'run to emerg" threshold. Must practice more patience while I"n still healing and adjusting!
Enough about me though...how are all of you? Anything anyone wants to table today? Any experience to share with the group? Question for anyone who attends the Teal Tuesdays...was there an online chat the other evening? I can't usually attend but I scan the discussion the next day to see if there might be topics to bring forward into our Thursday and can't see any action.
Anyway, welcome today....looking forward to chatting with you...and if you prefer to just coast and follow discussion, by all means do that.0 -
Hello @Fearless. It's a beautiful day as well, where I am (Southwestern Ontario). I am scheduled for my 6th and final chemo treatment of this cycle on Sept. 24, if the blood work is OK. Finished another round of Grastofil last Sunday. I am sorry that you are out of sorts. I am out of sorts too, physically for sure due to accumulated s/e's from chemo, but mostly mental/emotional. I admit to feeling depressed. I spoke with the social worker at the Cancer Clinic yesterday and that helped, but....
Not sure what it is. Summer being over, chemo being over and what next? Worry about eventual return to work and can I do it anymore?
Just the uncertainty I guess, and coming out the other end of chemo and having a chance to think about things rather than being in treatment/survival mode for the past few months. I am definitely still in survival mode, but in a new phase.
That was kind of rambling, but good to get off my chest!!0 -
Hey @cbot Good to hear from you although wish you were in a better emotional place. Know just how you feel right now. Wonder if it has something to do with the season changing. I have been told depression can be higher at those points in the calendar cycle. But how great your chemo is almost done. That's a great accomplishment and one to celebrate. And don't rush 'what's next". Baby steps are good and much easier on the head space.0
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@cbot did you try to engage on Tuesday night? I"m wondering why there isn't a single comment from that chat. Even someone just saying hello.1
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Hello Ladies !
Fine day here in the centre of the Universe too!
Cbot, I felt just that way before my final two chemos, just felt like giving up, rather overwhelmed and disappointed that I was not exuberant and elated to be nearing the end of treatment. It did pass a month or so after the last one.0 -
What was Tuesday night???0
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@cbot LOL, kind of like today. It's just you and me and we're both feeling not quite up to snuff. I am glad to hear you checking in with your social work group. I do find them helpful for me. As for return to work, I don't know what you do for a living and how taxing it is but talk to your medical team about what to expect in terms of lingering side effects from your chemo. For most I've talked to they didn't even try to entertain back to work for several months and the best way is if you are able to ease in.0
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Hey @BeamBlossom I was referring to the weekly Teal Tuesday online chat that happens at 7pm CT. Very unusual to see nothing in comments.0
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Thanks for the encouraging words @BeamBlossom! @Fearless, my work group is very supportive and I believe willing for me to do a graduated return. I think it's just my own confidence level. I am pretty sure I am up to the job, but I have irrational fears about it (eg. maybe they like the person who's filling in for me better than me - silly, I know!) I will not rush the return to work process.0
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Oh, I see, I was not aware of it. Is it the same as this chat?0
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Cbot, I have the same fears! I also doubt if I will be up to the pace and the stress. I just don’t feel I’m as tough, tolerant and resilient as I was before chemo0
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@cbot if you want a boost to your confidence, just remember what you've been through and how truly awesome you are. No work output can ever match all that it takes to come out the other end of this treatment we go through. And I'm sure you've been greatly missed by everyone and they're enormously proud of you.1
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Glad to know I'm not alone @BeamBlossom!0
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There is definitely something humbling about a OVC diagnosis, it reminded me that I am not invincible.0
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@cbot @BeamBlossom you gals will be bringing things back to your workplaces that will have significant positive impacts on those you work with. There is a mental resilience to getting through all of what you've been through; people can learn from that. I will bet you will have some new found patience for others. What about empathy...being at the receiving end is a great way of truly understanding how to apply it to others. Don't worry about the technical stuff and your energy levels. Those will all come back in time. Set the bar based on something manageable and achievable and celebrate even the tiniest successes and before you know you're right where you should be. But also take the time upcoming to think about how your life was before, and what you want it to be now. The chance to step back is a gift many never get. Use it.0
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Cbot - that bravery line comes up a lot from those who witness what we go through. To me, bravery is when something is difficult but we chose to take it on, there was no choice with OVC and I’ve never felt brave, just shaking in my boots all the way through it.0
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Thanks to both of you! @BeamBlossom, you are right! I happen to work with youth in a mental health setting. I will definitely have new found patience and a better understanding of resilience and trying to stick to a daily routine to optimize mental health.1
