Thank you Sisters for your replies to my intro post. I does feel less lonely when we are rowing together in this boat !! Again, I feel heartened by the length of survivorship some have expressed, which helps me stop living in statistics !!
Your mind does get distressed by how you are feeling. Having not known what was happening inside me originally, every symptom now carries greater worry. Truth is that so much is " normal". I do monitor my gut, as getting constipated is uncomfortable. I did have 8" of colon removed and resected during surgery, and it took a long time to get things functioning smoothly. Restoralax is a regular daily event .
Due to my stroke, I had to fight to prove I can see well enough to drive. 6 months and expensive test later , life now feels back to (new) normal, as I can get out and about myself.
Thanks again for your notes.
Have a wonderful wintery day. Groundhog says spring will come early ! And we believe in any good signs !!
������
Linda
Original Message:
Sent: 2/4/2025 8:52:00 AM
From: LizR
Subject: RE: WELCOME!
Hi @lbarr72 and@Alwayslearning
Thank you for sharing your stories. It was great to join the Teal Tea last week and to meet so many other women. Hearing people's stories reminds of just different cult this cancer can be and how important those around us are to lift us up and support us.
I was diagnosed in 2019 and had my surgery and chemo. It was before the Parp inhibitors were available so I have not been on any of these. I am now 5 years NED (no evidence of disease) and feeling hopeful. However recurrence, though tamed, still sneaks in during the dark hours of the night.
During the call I mentioned a session I did with Wellspring on recurrence and how it helped. By chance I had a call from Wellspring on something else and mentioned the importance of that experience for me. I learned that a group of donors who select a topic each year to invest in have chosen Recurrence this year! Apparently a six part series will be available later this year.
I am looking forward to our next Teal Tea. I will be joining from the Via Train going across Canada. I hope it works.
Kind regards@LizR
Original Message:
Sent: 02-03-2025 19:35
From: Alwayslearning
Subject: WELCOME!
Hi @lbarr72. You are right, this is definitely not a club you expected to belong to however I feel very fortunate to have found these lovely Teal Sisters. I'm so glad to hear that you have great care in London. I live in Long Point (I figured you might know where that is if you are from the London area) however my treatment/care is at PMH in Toronto.
You have definitely had a journey and I'm sending positive energy your way that the Lynparza will work out for you. I had my surgery (13 tumours removed) last February, followed by six rounds of chemo that ended last July. I started Lynparza in August ('24), and so far so good. I had a lot of abdominal pain for a few months but that has subsided. My next CT scan (haven't had one in six months) is in a few weeks so I have scanxiety creeping in. I completely understand the recurrence fear. Every time I have strange pains, I assume it's cancer. It's a tough mindset to get through.
I'm terribly sorry to hear about your step daughter. No one should have to endure cancer, of any kind. It's such a terrible disease.
I hope you continue to do well on the Lynparza. I know there are a few Teal Sisters in this forum who are taking it. We can definitely share our stories along the way.
Stay strong. Talk soon,
Alwayslearning
Original Message:
Sent: 01-31-2025 09:46
From: lbarr72
Subject: WELCOME!
Not sure I am in the right spot, but introducing myself ! I love the concept of " Teal Sisters". It's not a club we planned to be part of but it's nice to share the journey with those who know the experience well. Thankful for our supporters, but I fear wearing out those not actively involved, if that makes sense. I wonder that they get sick of hearing about cancer, even if they care. I am 1 and a half years into my journey. Diagnosed late June of 2023, debulking surgery August 27th. I had some serious side effects as I had a small stroke affecting my sight during surgery. I was 2 weeks in hospital, home one week, and back for a week when I started throwing blood clots. One killed half of my left kidney and others found in my lungs, all from a deep vein thrombosis in my leg. Blood thinners have controlled that situation without further issues. When a young doctor told me I also had a hole in my heart I asked to see my DNR again. I asked not to have CPR if I crashed as I was so discouraged. I had listened to a code blue before leaving hospital, and decided it wasn't for me.
I had my 6 chemos , both in my arm and via abdominal port, so long days.
Side effects weren't too severe, mainly fatigue, hair loss and neuropathy in my feet. I finished in Feb 2024 and then started on Olaparib ( Lynparza) in April. The dose had to be reduced after I developed anemia, and in Nov 2024 I was told to stop again as they were concerned about the readings from my kidneys. I have had lots of appts again for bloodwork, and seeing a kidney specialist as well as my London oncologist. He encouraged me to take the meds again, as he said " the Cancer is too dangerous". I am on olaparib again, and being monitored. All of my medical team, and clinic staff have been amazing, caring and supportive. Love them !
In the sequence of fears this brings, I am working through fear of reoccurrence and of death. At 72, I am fortunate to be past work days, and child bearing. Have a wonderful joint family and lots of grandkids, so I am grateful for seeing many milestones. Sadly, Nov 8th, 2024, my beautiful step daughter, Mera died after her very tough battle with cancer. ( colo-rectal then lung). It was very hard to witness the end stage, sad, painful and sobering for me. It was an education in palliative care.
Thank you for creating this meeting place. Hugs to you all ! ��
#Introductions