Community Connection: Ovarian Cancer Canada is looking for volunteers! Could you help?
OVdialogue – consider joining our team in the role of Community Champion. 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 Community Champion. 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).
Ovarian Cancer Canada is thrilled to share that we have some exciting updates on the way for OVdialogue. These enhancements are designed to strengthen our community and make your experience even better.
Stay tuned for more details, and feel free to share your thoughts below. Let’s make this community even stronger!
Stay tuned for more details, and feel free to share your thoughts below. Let’s make this community even stronger!
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@albertan @Bluebird @CountryLiving Look forward to seeing you all tomorrow. Feel free to connect via personal messages to get to know each other..or @albertan, post a bit about yourself in the Discussion stream Let's Get Started - Come And Introduce Yourself. I'm sure there are other gals who'd like to get to know you but don't engage in our weekly live chat.1
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@albertan..that's good..the Teal sisters here are so supportive and full of experience and information..you can chat as much as you want. I think calgary has a wellspring centre...its a centre for adults and caregivers that have or have had cancer...our here is wonderful..its a non clinical setting..art and music therapy..ours is closed now because COVID but they are running some virtual stuff..and it's free...you should check it out. I hope your doing well with the 2nd treatment...and side effects are manageable..0
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WELCOME EVERYONE:
Thursday October 22nd, and a day and half away from the Symposium. I was excited to see the line up; something there for everyone I expect. The portal is interesting; a bit overwhelming for me at first but I've been "messing" around with it and getting used to its functionality slowly. I should be good to go for the Friday night opener. But, do suggest, if you haven't already, do some testing of the portal before the Symposium starts on Friday. If you have any issues you can get help in advance.
We're expecting a few new members today. Hopefully they'll be able to join us. Our group does seem to be growing, which is exciting to see. So a special welcome to anyone new....glad to have you with us.
Of course, what would Thursday be without a gentle reminder to complete the Every Woman Survey if you haven't already. To those who have, a big thank you from OCC for your participation. For those who haven't here's the link again: http://ovariancanada.org/everywoman?_ga=2.19274808.1676115683.1602695712-81262107.1582745669
Time to get going as each of you log on....what's on your mind today?.....newbies, tell us a wee bit about yourself if you're comfortable sharing.....
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HI @Fearless - Vol Modand welcome @albertan.I am new this group as well,this is my 3rd session, and you are right this is a very supportive and experienced group of ladies.I had a total hysterectomy in September and was diagnosed with1A high grade Ovarian carcinoma with mixed endometriod and serous Features l0
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@Fearless - Vol ModI have done the survey and even though it took some time it was worth it and I have also enrolled in the symposium. @albertan I also want to let you know that I am starting my 2and round of chemo next week
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Hi everyone!Thank you for those who welcomed me in the last couple of days.Let me introduce myself.I'm 46 and was diagnosed at the end of July.I had surgery in August and am now going through chemotherapy treatment (had the second one last week).I have already found lots of useful info in the chat , and have some questions...which I will post today.1
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@Fearless - Vol Modyes I have bounced back really well from my first chemo , hope the next 5 is just as easy.0
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Hi @Bluebird Yes,I've heard from a few people about Wellspring in Calgary.I am going to register with them for sure.Right now I am doing an online exercise program (ACE) through U of C .It is great and is going to end in Dec., am planning to register for some other programs starting in Jan.As for the treatment, it is going well so far.When did you have yours?0
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@rad Awesome news. We all respond differently. I have to say my chemo was pretty smooth too, especially once I learned what to expect. Some fatigue but nothing unmanageable. No hair loss. Queasiness on occasion but no real nausea. Some tingling in my lower legs and feet but no pain. Towards the end, just one big drop in white cells that delayed me one week while I took Nuperon to build up, and a drop at the very end in my red cells which required a transfusion. But overall it wasn't nearly what I'd been led to believe (too much TV and movies) it would be.1
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@Fearless - Vol Mod - thanks for the heads-up about the portal for the symposium. I'll check it out in advance.
How are you feeling, @cbot? Is your strength returning?0 -
Hey @Tinazzie. Welcome back. @cbot, we'll all be keeping our fingers crossed you scan results are great, as they should be. Sometimes the waiting between test and result is the worst of all. Thanks for completing the survey...I think most of our community here have participated. The symposium should be interesting. I've already noted which sessions are a must for me...
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@Fearless - Vol ModThanks for the insight, I am sure it will help me as I continue.0
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@cbot I agree the chemo is cumulative. While I didn't have anything major, any side effects became more and more pronounced as the process moved along. After all, you're pumping toxic chemicals into your body so you can't expect otherwise. The same applies to recovery. Many just think they'll bounce back in a couple of weeks but you have to be patient. Things like continuing fatigue are your body's way of recovering as it purges itself of the toxicity. I just decided to give in to whatever my body was telling me. If I was hungry I ate, If I was tired I slept. If I felt like skipping a meal I did.0
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Going through the treatment , just like everyone, I am sure, I have some questions about expectations( the preconceptions about the healthcare/treatment etc. vs reality)There is also the added 'layer' of Covid now.I just don't know if what I am experiencing is due to unrealistic expectations or the pandemic.My question is about healthcare/access to your oncologist.During my 1 month post-op check up I didn't see my doc., only the RN. because the doc was on vacay.I thought OK, surely I'm going to see her next time.I did see her, but I think it was only for trial screening.Since I was told I couldn't continue with the trial , due to some test results, I haven't seen my doctor.At the next visit , after first chemo, a resident walked into the room.Honestly, I was shocked and it made me anxious.In the next post, I'll explain what has happened since but for now, from your experience, is this 'normal' or due to the new situation this year?0
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@Fearless - Vol Mod I have done the survey and also enrolled in the symposium0
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@rad. Awesome. We can all compare notes next week. @albertan I can understand your disappointment. It could be a combination of staffing and Covid. If I recall, you're in Calgary. You might want to start a new Discussion asking for other's experiences in the Calgary cancer center. We don't get into critiquing specific doctors here but you may find a commonality which could indicate they're understaffed for the number of patients right now...in which case their time is allocated to the more serious (in their terms) cases and those where they see it as more routine are left to support staff.0
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Oh, and @albertan and @Rad too. Use the "search" feature to pull up earlier discussion threads on topics of interest. Just plug in a couple of key words to describe what your interest is and it should give you access to discussions on the topic. If you can't find the answers or information you're looking for, then open a new Discussion for sure. Lots of gals in this community with lots of experience to share. But I can't stress enough, that for chemo, the key to the easiest time is communication with your chemo staff. Make sure you let them know how you're feeling at all times. They are not just there to administer the chemo but to also try to make the process as comfortable as is possible for you. So don't feel you need to put up a brave front if something is bothering you.0
