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).
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!

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Comments

  • Feeling the love, support and encouragement! Thanks everyone! 🤗

  • @mcb Overall, it sounds Iike your results are positive and you’re ready to move onto maintenance. Try not to sweat the three-week wait…it will go by quickly. I always feel uneasy between treatments…chin up!

    I hope you can get the seroma discomfort resolved soon. I’ve never heard or experienced it. How long have you had it? How does it get fixed?

  • @mcb

    Did you have an opportunity to ask about trials for future?

    I suspect (hope) they will do whatever they can to keep me in the trial given the positives. It is only a six-cycle trial, so only three more to go. I am curious as to what they are going to say/do given my reaction. The carbo/taxol is really kickin’ my butt this time round or I’ve forgotten my experience since it’s been a while since my initial two lines of chemo 🤣. I am giving myself a week without demands/plans following treatment so I don’t expect too much of myself and I can give my body whatever it needs to get through this - mostly sleep 💤.

  • @GloHo I can imagine that you must be feeling pretty wiped out. This time last year I was nearly through my frontline chemo treatment and it really kicked my butt. Don’t be too hard on yourself if plans/demands can’t be met! You might need more than a week, so take it easy! Sending hugs. 🤗

  • @GloHo

    I did ask to be considered for clinical trials and my oncologist said she would keep that in mind. She takes part in weekly meetings with someone in London who manages that. I’m being seen at the Grand River Cancer Centre in Kitchener but my actual treatment takes place at a satellite hospital closer to home. I assume London would be taking part in the same studies as PMH but maybe I should make it clear that I would be willing to go to Toronto.
    The seroma likely formed after the removal of a tumour that had grown into my abdominal muscle. They are fairly common after breast and abdominal surgery and usually get reabsorbed on their own but sometimes they need to be drained or surgically removed. It’s hard to say how long it’s been there, probably since surgery. I guess I just thought it was normal to have a big belly.
    Do take all the rest you need, guilt free. A duvet day, with a few short strolls to keep you regular, are definitely in order. When the TV asks if you’re still watching, it’s probably time to move lol.

  • @HorseGirl

    Thanks for the reminder. I do get despondent around this stage and just want to get up and go! I am sitting here contemplating going to the dog park. Fortunately, hubby is coming with so I can do some walking and rest in the car when I’ve had enough.

  • @mcb I would definitely mention that you’re willing to go to Toronto. PMH has the majority of trials. My home clinic is London and I was able to do one trial there but am now in my second trial at PMH for studies not available in London. My Onc in London would consult with someone at PMH before each of my appointments to determine if a trial was available. When something popped, I was referred to PMH immediately and we got moving very quickly on registering for a trial. I am at a different stage of journey than you are and had to move quickly - keeping an eye out right now for potential trials is a good move on your part. Most trials have a pretty long window to register so you probably wouldn’t have to register immediately. Gives you time to weigh standard of treatment vs trial, in consultation with your Onc and/or PMH Onc referral for consultation, and when a trial would be best for you. Does that make sense? (Chemo brain here 😵‍💫)

    I hope your surgeon calls you back soon. Keep us posted on how the seroma will be resolved.

    I do get up and move in the hopes of keeping my bowels moving. I had two bouts of diarrhea when I had my reaction to Carbo - really cleaned me out. Plus I’m on a low fibre diet so things are just moving slowly. Although I don’t “feel” constipated, I’m going to try to stick to more fluids today and not introduce anything else to my bowels🤞.

  • Alwayslearning
    Alwayslearning Community Champion

    Hi everyone. I thought I'd check to see who may be out there and wanting to 'chat'. It's a rainy and cool day in my area (I'm on Lake Erie, an area called Long Point). The weather isn't helping with my mood. I was at PMH for my monthly bloodwork/Lynparza (Parb inhibitor) check in last Friday. My CA-125 had risen to 21 (was 13 last time) however my average since my first chemo in March/'24 is 18. Of course the 8pt rise made me very nervous but my medical team has repeatedly assured me that I'm well within "my range" and they'd be concerned if it was tripling and/or above 35. Still, any increase makes me nervous.

    Additionally I'm having some unexplained pain in my right pelvic bone. Non stop burning. I'm getting a CT scan done next week. I had to go to my GP for that request as PMH medical team said the correlation between OV cancer to bone metastasis is rare so not something they would investigate. I did have a CT scan done in August which showed my pelvic area was all fine however, as we all know a lot can happen over a few months. So my anxiety is high. I'm very fortunate that my GP is so supportive and willing to support my "crazy". I've actually got it booked in Buffalo. There's a great spot there that takes Canadian requisitions (self pay of course). Results are sent to the doctor in 24 hours (plus you get the scan on CD when you leave). So I'm hoping by Wednesday of next week I'll have some sense of what may be going on.

    So that's my world. How is everyone else doing out there???

  • Good afternoon @Alwayslearning and everyone. Nothing much happening around here this week. In my eyes that’s a good thing! @Alwayslearning I hope the CT scan provides you with some answers and peace of mind.

  • @Alwayslearning That is scary, those darn markers keep us up at night! I’m glad you are getting a CT quickly, but it is a shame you have to pay for it. Do you think the burning sensation could be neuropathy from your treatment or does it feel different? You are the expert on your body so don’t let anyone dismiss your concern.
    All the best,

  • Alwayslearning
    Alwayslearning Community Champion

    hi @mcb .. I’ve had this issue pre my cancer diagnosis however I’d have it for a day or two then nothing for months. It was investigated years ago with everything being normal. The pain has now been on-going for 3+weeks. It could be related to treatment, meds etc. There’s been so much in my system this year who knows what could be causing it. I’m just happy I’m able to get the CT done so quickly for my own mental health. Thanks for the support!