Hi there,
Earlier this year I was diagnosed with stage 4 carcinoma ovarian cancer, a type B aorta dissection and a blood clot in my lung.
I don’t even know where to begin as I’m just learning about this website and how to navigate it.
Hope to have further conversations in the near future
Comments
Ovarian Cancer Canada has published a booklet called By Your Side. It's a very helpful tool to guide you through your journey from diagnosis to completion of first-line treatment. The booklet is free and you can order it in either hard copy or soft copy. Most of us have both. Just click on this link to order: https://ovariancanada.org/living-with-ovarian-cancer/newly-diagnosed/by-your-side
The Ovarian Cancer Canada website is also very useful for support and encouragement through out your journey. There you can find many stories of our members, events upcoming, information in video form and updates on new treatments and trials.
The OVdialogue site is available to you 24/7 with roughly 900 members, all OVC survivors like yourself, from across the country. We value the opportunity to exchange information, share suggestions and most of all vent, scream, rant and rage within a safe non-judgemental community, Of course it's even more fun sharing successes, even the wee ones as we fight this disease.
Every Thursday at 1pm ET we hold a live online chat. That means several of us...sometimes as many as a dozen or more...get together to share information and stories in a real-time environment. Just go to OVdialogue, sign in and click on the topic TEAL THURSDAY . Love to have you join us.
@grandma, a diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer is always received with some level of fear and trepidation. Especially for those diagnosed at advanced stages like you and me. But over the past few years there have been many new treatments, many new trials, and members have become far more aware of their bodies that allows for an easier journey. I too am late stage, as are the majority of us here. When diagnosed in 2017 I was given a prognosis of 3 years, give or take. Well, I've taken. While my cancer can not be cured, I am now in my 6th year of treatment and have learned how to live well even with this disease.
I wish you success with your treatment and look forward to hearing updates from you on your progress. And please use us for what help you need anytime. Just a reminder that you aren't alone.
Welcome to the site and glad to see you have overcome the issue were having in getting started here.
As you have stated "I don't even know where to begin..." Is there something specific you are looking to find out more about, connect with others or have specific questions? Feel free to expand when you are ready, it is a safe space to do so.
Diagnosis, surgeries and treatments are all difficult and takes a toll on our bodies. I am happy you found the site but sorry to hear of your diagnosis. As high grade is more common, is that the type you have?
To find something specific on this site, go up to the "Search" bar, type in what you are looking for and then click the magnifying glass. It should bring up past conversations that you can look at.
To respond to someone specific, type "@" then their name they go by and it will be sent to them specifically.
Looking forward to your posts.
Due to my unusual condition which includes an type B aorta dissection and a blood clot in my lung I am fortunate to have a great team of doctors that are doing a balancing act while treating this cancer.
I will be on your site more often so I can learn more about this disease, treatments and support
Thank you for your update. You have been through a lot. How has your recovery been with both the aorta dissection and blood clot?
How did you manage with the chemo?
How are you feeling overall now?
Many ladies on this site have used Zejula before and I am sure if you type it in the Search bar, you will see several threads with it in it. Have a look and see if it helps you any.
Are you able to join the chat today at 1pm? If so, one tip, you have to hit the "refresh" button at the top in order to see any new threads/comments that are added.
This is also prior to knowing that the tumours will not be removed.
Thank you for the information
Good luck with the rest of your treatments. Do rely on your oncology team for your questions and advice. They're the experts and committed to making this journey as effective and as easy as is possible.