recurrence
JaneWest
Legacy
I know this is a difficult topic, and a scary one as well. Would anyone care to share their experience with recurrence: how did you find out, timeline, how you are dealing or have dealt with it, what treatment and/or surgery was prescribed for you, any advice you would share, etc.
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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.
Familiar with ascites as I had that pre surgery and post chemo - 2 times had paracentesis (fluid drain).
Need to put trust in your oncology team, write down all your questions in between appointments and monitor all the physical symptoms.
In the meantime I walk daily, have taken my retirement (I'm 51), go for acupuncture, massages, eat well, see a psychologist, etc and living today. I have a 14 year old son and I will do anything or try any trials out there in order to stay alive as long as I can.
Gail xo
I was diagnosed at stage 4. Has anyone had a occurrence that has been similar? I get treatment at Credit Valley hospital and see Dr. Butler at PMH as well. Dr. Butler has already told me that I have a 95% chance of relapsing again this time within 5 months.
I was diagnosed in June 2014 had chemo, surgery and more chemo and was in remission as of April 2015. I had a recurrence in November 2016, so I had chemo for 6 months which didn’t work so started Paclitaxil and Cisplatin for 3 treatments. This has kept the tumours from growing but has not shrunk them. This regime has been so hard on me I am taking a break for a little while. I will be monitored every 6 weeks. My CA-125 has gone down but is not less than 35. The CA-125 is accurate only to a certain point because other conditions can cause it to be high. So Dr’s cannot use this as the only indication of a recurrence which is why they also order CT’s, etc. Good thing they’re so smart!
I try not to worry about recurrences although that is easier said than done! I have a strong Christian faith which really helps me. That doesn’t mean I don’t get upset or stressed but it does help a lot. I was very angry when I found out the last chemo didn’t get rid of the tumours and I’m still working through that!
I try to do a lot of reading and research about my Cancer & I try to keep up with all the newest research coming out. I was a Health Records tech prior to retirement so I’m fairly well informed and comfortable with my Dr’s and other health care professionals.
The Living with Recurrence webinar has 2 women sharing their stories of how they have coped with multiple recurrences. Ovarian cancer is sometime referred to as a chronic illness because women can have different periods of remission, recurrence, more treatment and then remission again. These 2 women talk about how they have managed this process over several years.
Here is the link to the recordings our website:
http://ovariancanada.org/events-support/go-online-for-support/webinar-series
And as you say, and @irishsurvivor, try to live each day to the fullest when you can and reach out to others if/when you need a boost or can give someone else some encouragement...