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).
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@Fearless - Vol Mod
i am going to try to paint today. Steroids make it challenging. I have a painting that needs fixing up so might tackle that. But off to case out toy stores for upcoming shopping with granddaughter bbd present. I take grandchild with me and they pick out their gift. Gives us both so much pleasure.Wow when I reflect my mood from this week, what a difference a week makes. Sun, family, friends and support groups. There is hope!
enjoy your day. Put your feet up and relax1 -
Good afternoon ladies. Just checking in. 11 months post chemo now. Just waiting on MRI results for a strange lump beside my navel. Waiting is such torture.
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Well gal, I can't believe it's just you and me today. The way my brain has been misfiring lately I just checked my calendar to see if this is really Thursday and the time change hasn't yet occurred. Hmmmm, did they all get invited to a party we don't know about? Oh well it only takes two to tango, eh. And I'm so glad to hear you're having a good day especially that it started pre-steroids. Let's hope that good feeling continues and becomes a streak.
On that note I guess time to sign off. Do let me know if there is anything you need in between Thursdays, where I hope you'll continue to participate. Have a great week, or at least have something every day that makes it great. Until next week......big hugs to you.
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Wow, can't believe how slow my feed is on this platform today.
Welcome @kattie666 and congratulations on your 11 months. Let hope the lump beside your navel is no more than a hernia or adhesions from surgery. Waiting is horribly stressful though so know how you must feel. I was able to determine that at my cancer center they produce a scan report same day or next...not the big long wait that was implied. So I've mastered the art of getting my scan appointments always on the Friday before my Tuesday clinic appointment. That reduces the wait but one of these days I'm going to try for a Monday to see if the turnaround can really be that quick. Do let us know when you know .....hoping we can have a reason to celebrate.
@gaylestorm yes enjoy your shopping with the grandkids. What a joy that must be. I envy you. Still ;planning the September Christmas then .....what fun and you can stil opt for a second in December if it suits you.
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Well ladies, this is really good bye for this week. Glad you were able to pop in katie666 and gaylestorm enjoy your family time.
To all, this is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. and tomorrow.........
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Hi everyone, I miss last week but have read through and it’s so helpful to me to read and feel the support from everyone to everyone. I just made plans, feeling well enough, to go to check out the new Len’s Mill Store (knitting, fabrics). Then I realized I will miss today.
The picc line was inserted last week. Had it flushed etc yesterday at the local community care clinic and was reprimanded by a nurse because another patient and I were brightly chatting about the weather. “ This is not a social area” she said, and more. I think I am still taken aback today! Haha. Someone needs a hug.
Doing the walk this Sunday with small family entourage and a few friends. Took a pre-walk selfie at a local patch of sunflowers and realized….. I need a better bra. Lol
Keep moving forward,
Laura
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WELCOME, to today's live chat. It's Thursday, September 9 and time to connect for those who'd like a like a little give and take today. For those new to this weekly chat, discussion here is open to anything you want to ask or share or celebrate, or commiserate. We're just here for each other, real-time.
I'm very much feeling fall in the air right now and it is my favorite season. But I'm not putting away the summer clothes yet. We should still get that last blast of very hot and sunny weather unless global warming has made that cycle shift as it has just about everything else this year. Is everyone also thinking turkey time like me? I just can't wait for Thanksgiving. I'm already making a list of things to express my thanks for....it's amazing that despite this awful disease we share there are so many things on my list, and even some of them because of the cancer.
Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and a few reminders,
September 12 is the virtual Walk of Hope. If you haven't registered you can still view the virtual opening ceremonies and day's events by going to the OCC Facebook page. This Walk if not just about raising money and awareness but also a celebration of the lives of those of us living with the disease and those strong and courageous women who have left us and,
Teal Teas, the zoom platform discussion forums, are back on track with a wee change. Of the three sessions one is devoted to the general survivor group, one to young survivors, and one to those survivors of 10 years+. You can view the schedule, more information on each session and register to attend at https://ovariancanada.org/Events/Find-Local-Events
It's 1pm (est) now so let's get started. Who's with us today? Say hello or wazzzz up with you......0 -
@ToughAsTeal sorry we'll miss you today but your trip to the store sounds like lots of fun. I am determined this year to take up knitting. We have amazing alpaca farms (or maybe they're called ranches) out and produce the skeins of wool for knitting. It's so soft I'd like to try a sweater or at the least some mittens and a toque.
But also glad you're having a good day. Ouch with that nurse in the community care clinic....the Grinch that stole Christmas. Perhaps someone should remind her she's an employee and there to serve you gals. But yes, probably having a bad day and missing that hug that in other times someone would have given her.
Enjoy the Walk on Sunday. We have a small group out Kingston way just informally gathering in the local park. I'll go for a quick visit I expect. Guess I won't ask you to post the pics of you in the sunflower field given your comment about the "bra". I've taken to having all pics of me taken chest (above the bra line) up.
Stay well my friend and hope to have you join us next week.
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Wow, first time I've been on my own. That's fine if everyone is just out and about enjoying the same crisp, sunny day I'm having here. But I do worry some of you may not be feeling up to joining us or have taken a turn for the not so great. If the latter is the case, do reach out if there is anything our community can do to help you.
In the meantime, this is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. Please keep up your work raising awareness. I heard from a very young survivor the other day who was not fortunate get this disease but fortunate that through our awareness efforts both she and her doctor put OVC investigation as top and not bottom priority when addressing some symptoms she'd raised. As it stands she was caught at stage 1 and has a wonderful long term prognosis for recovery.
Cheers to all for now. Hopefully see you next week. And for those who may be 'walking' on the 12th, we'd all love to hear about your Walk day and any pics would be lovely.
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@Tinazzie
@Annie1950
@Taita
@Rad
@gaylestorm
I don't usually use this discussion thread outside of the weekly live chat but it was so unusual not to have any of you with me last week and the week before just gaylestorm and me. You've kind of become regulars I look forward to hearing from each week so , like the Mother Hen I can be some days, always concerned when I don't see those I normally see fairly regularly go silent.
@Tinazzie I am assuming you're at your daughter's wedding and so enjoying that very special occasion and being with family and friends. If that's the case we will want pictures of the bride and her happy mother when you're back with us again.
@Annie1950 did you get your second opinion on the possibility of surgery for your ongoing blockage? I hope you're just busy with the season changing and enjoying this fine weather and not suffering another bout in the hospital.
@Rad have you had your September check in with your cancer care team. I pray for good news for you. How is the return to work going?
@gaylestorm painting up a storm when not out shopping for gifts with your granddaughters? How are you feeling? I'd love to see the latest work of art when you get it finished.
Now, the lower participation this past month I can write off to end of summer. But with the advent of fall, and changes in lifestyle due to Covid restrictions lessened in most areas, if other days or times for this forum are better for you please don't hesitate to let me know. Otherwise I do think of all of you, and those gals who don't participate as regularly and wish you not only all good things but that we'll see you all back on this forum soon.
In the meantime, a huge virtual hug.....
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@Fearless - Vol Mod A huge virtual hug back to you and here's hoping all is well on your end.
I'm still waiting for the second opinion, apparently it's got to be viewed by a few different specialists. Here's hoping there's an option. I crave a crisp salad and leafy greens of all manner but most of all I crave being able to travel a little.
I'm sure the lack of participation was due to everyone getting back to 'normal', closing cottages, starting school etcetera, etcetera...
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@Fearless - Vol Mod thank you for reaching out. End of summer, lots going on for sure.Quick update. In our new condo. Mid renovations right now so crazy! Celebrated our 48th wedding anniversary this week, our oldest daughters 42nd birthday and our youngest granddaughter’s 9 month and our oldest granddaughter’s 25th today! Over the past two weeks I have had a CT scan, preventative kidney stent put in (not fun), a biopsy on the tumour in my lymph node in my groin (also not fun) and a breast biopsy as a result of my regular 3 year mammogram. So to say it has been busy is an understatement!! Lol!Now for the final good news update!! If my final blood work and urine analysis are good on Monday I start my clinical trial Tuesday. 🙏🙏. Getting in the last rounds of golf before treatment starts. Hope to be back on the Dialogue next week and catch up with everyone. Can’t thank you enough for keeping us all in touch and engaged and most importantly providing the support we all need. ❤️1
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Sorry @Fearless for not logging on the past few weeks but l have returned to work and 1pm is our busy time at the restaurant ( I co-own a fast food restaurant in Toronto)I always read all the comments after and thanks so much for checking up on us,really appreciate it.I have my check up on September 22nd.1
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Hello @Fearless - Vol Mod - thanks so much for your note and for reaching out. I'm sorry that I've been missing for the last couple of weeks. And yes, you're right - I was with my family for my daughter's wedding! Hubby and me flew to Ontario and I did think of you and our other Teal Sisters there many times. But it had been 18 months since I last saw my daughter and son and I focused all my attention on trying to do what I thought I did best - being my kids' mom! The wedding was small and lovely and am so glad that I was able to make it. Hope to catch up with you all soon!
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@Fearless - Vol Mod Sorry to have missed last week but here on the west coast we celebrated christmas in september. The grandchildren loved it! My own children had a few surprises for me. As they know i'm a planner and have instruction regarding my own celebration, they prepared a slide show all about me. wonderful memories. I commented that it could have been a full feature film with such a good subject! The next night after our turkey dinner, another surprise, a full feature movie with clips sent in from all my friends. My daughter put the whole thing together and included our whole extended family and all my close friends. It was wonderful to hear forgotten stories and to hear their tribute. These are the people who have given me support all a long and I am so grateful to have them in my life.
The best news is that after deciding to try one more less concentrated chemo, i'm able to eat solids for the first time in weeks. I am going to go with, chemo is working!!! Looks like I might need to do a second christmas in december.
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@gaylestorm You go girl...Christmas in December it is!0
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@gaylestorm how exciting!0
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@gaylestorm that's great news!0
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@gaylestorm
Awesome news Gayle. And so cool to have one Christmas out of the way, Thanksgiving coming up and then another Christmas to think about. Let's think even more positive and start thinking about Easter.too, eh?
Hope everyone can join us tomorrow. Seems like lots to celebrate this week..... 1 -
WELCOME to everyone who's been able to join us today, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 16th and another live chat.
My thanks to all who responded to my Mother Hen concern last week. And so glad to hear we have lots to celebrate this week from your responses. @Tinazzie, congratulations on your daughter's wedding. Love to see you post some pictures if you're comfortable sharing that wonderful day. @gaylestorm...Merry September Christmas and we're all so excited to hear the most recent chemo session when well and you can be looking to another Christmas in December. And what an amazing family you have supporting you. @Annie1950 Awesome news from the Cleveland Clinic. Getting that bowel fixed and the end to those awful blockages will be such a relief. Just hope you can find someone here to do it and not have to go to the US and the expense. @Rad it's great that work is going so well that you can't normally join us....we miss you but happy to see you play catch up when time allows. It's a benefit of an online chat that there is the historical record of the to and fro for anyone to review at a more convenient time. @Taita...I honestly can't believe the pace you keep up between the new condo, multiple birthdays to celebrate in between scans and procedures. Hoping today we can say congratulations that you've been formally accepted and started the trial.
OCC Walk of Hope is over for another year. Wonderful to see OCC at 96% of its target and with donations that do continue to come in post the Walk, I'm sure they'll achieve full target in the next week or two. I was personally amazed at the outpouring from my friends, and family and even extended friends. This year I achieved 250% of the target I set for myself. Very sorry though that I managed to screw up and miss the virtual opening, and most of the closing. Last year I really felt value from the virtual experience and connection to so many across the country.
Keep November in mind. Looks like another Symposium is in the works. For anyone who attended last fall and again in the spring the feedback on value was enormous. Looking forward to a great agenda again this year.
Enough from me....as usual I suffer from TMI some days LOL. Welcome to anyone joining us today....recurring members and those who may be new to OVd or just these chats. It's 1PM EST so say hello....what's new with you....how can we help....or is it time to do a collective happy dance for you? We always love to hear good news.0 -
heeeeelllloooooo!!0
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Hi @ToughAsTeal Glad to have you with us. What's new you might want to share with the group?0
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I am not sure if I shared that I finally read the cat scan notes from aug (and pre chemos starting) there was no evidence that it spread to other organs yeah
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Good afternoon Ladies:)0
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@ToughAsTeal
that is great news. I continue to have recurrence, but so far (and it's been five years now) the cancer is still limited to the two tumors we've been tracking since my first recurrence. No spread beyond that either and getting that confirmation every time is such a relief for me....I'm sure for you too.
Were you able to participate in any of the online virtual Walk of Hope activities on Sunday? I'm still suffering major FOMO (fear of missing out) from not realizing I had to register to participate in the survivors morning opening sessions. Too many emails on the Walk so I stopped reading them and missed the one important one informing of the invitation.0 -
Hi @Annie1950 Great to have you join us today too. Anything else new since we heard from you last? Hopefully you're staying well while you wait to get your bowel issues dealt with.
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Hello Ladies!0
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I am slow to type on this iPad sorry if I overlap dialogues! Not enjoying the picc line… am getting a port Oct 1 happy happy0
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Hi @Tinazzie
Happy to see you online again. Are you back home now or still visiting with your family here in Ontario? If the former, I assume a great trip. The weather here has been pretty good the past few weeks. That kind of mix of summer's end and the beginning of fall. Are we going to get to see a picture of the gorgeous bride...maybe with her mom?0 -
Hi ladies, had my 4 months blood work today,getting the results next Wednesday.I feel really good so hoping that's a good sign,also had my first shingles vaccine today.0
