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Teal Sisters, please join me in welcoming some of the most recent new members to OVdialogue. How everyone chooses to interact with the site is a personal choice. Some like to be silent observers of discussions while some like to search the site for information relative to their experience. Others like to engage in discussions or start one right away.  There is no right or wrong approach. OVdialogue is here for all Teal Sisters as a resource in the capacity that works best for each of us. 

As new members, if you haven't already done so, and you are comfortable, please feel free to introduce yourselves. Sharing your story can sometimes help make a connection to others. If you have a specific question to ask others, please let us know. You can start a NEW POST using the black button at the top right of your screen. In the "Discussion Topic" you can either post the item you are interested in e.g., Steroids during chemo OR if you are introducing yourself, just type Introduction as the subject. Regardless of how you engage, please know that we are here for each other.

As well, you can capture your personal cancer journey/story in the BIO section of your Profile. It is a personal choice on whether you want to provide this information. It is not a requirement. If you want to modify your BIO, just click on your little "circle" near the top right of this page. Go to the "Profile" section and then click on the "pen" symbol to the right of BIO. Also a tip, if you are using an iPad, turn your iPad horizontally as sometimes the full screen doesn't show correctly in vertical mode.

Regardless of how you choose to interact with OVdialogue, please know that you have a force of strong, courageous, knowledgeable and resilient Teal Warriors behind you! As the site moderator, I too am an Ovarian Cancer Warrior. Along with @LeslieA our Community Champion, we are here to help you as best as we can as you navigate and lend your voice to this site🩵. 

@jessica @Trish @KrazyKat @SMG60 @CarolynnC @Loredana @Karengroenchic @Vonnie_613 @oodless133 @Soleil @CATHY @josieleigh @KarenMK

#Introductions

Thank you for the welcome. Had my diagnosis just before Christmas. Had to cancel A trip🙃but PMH moved fast.  Had exploratory surgery end of Jan and had to have chemotherapy 5 times  before removing anything. Major Surgery very successful. Now there is recovery!!! Managed to walk Wednesday Thursday and today with good results. In ICU because I had full hysterectomy,debulking, then hot chemo. 
so far so good. My emotions have been all over the place however I've gotten a lot of unconditional support which I swear has lifted me up tremendously. Wishing everyone a lovely June weekend!

Sara G

@SMG60 welcome again and thank you for sharing your story. If you are comfortable sharing, what was your diagnosis? For me it was High Grade Serous, Stage IIIC and I'm BRCA2+ (all very new terms to me over 2 years ago)! My full story is in my BIO.  

I completely understand having to cancel a trip. I had to do that as well upon my diagnosis 😕 I'm so sorry that happened however am so thrilled PMH moved fast. I am a fellow PMH patient and have been very impressed with the level of care. I've also learned a lot over the past 2.5 years of treatments there so feel free to ask questions. I know there are other PMH patients in this forum too. 

As well, if you are comfortable, would you share information on the 'hot chemo' you received (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) for those who may not be familiar with it). I was surprised to read that as I have only known of one other Teal Sister in this forum who had that as part of their treatment and it was done in Ottawa. I was not aware PMH oncologists were now doing this. It makes me happy to know it is expanding to more hospitals in Ontario as I know it requires a specialized medical team to administer it. I have heard it is pretty 'aggressive' in terms of the treatment itself and so thrilled you managed well through it. 

No doubt your emotions will be up and down. This is a journey not a sprint. We are glad to have your voice in the forum. I hope with the nice weather you continue to feel well enough to get in those walks. You will hear it over and over that exercise is so important to our recovery so well done!  Enjoy the weekend.

#Introductions #Treatmentandsideeffects #Healthandwellness

Hello and thank you for your welcome, @Alwayslearning.  I have been a silent observer for the past 18 months - a bit overwhelmed.  Have been looking at advice and feeling the vibes of compassion from everyone.  Along with discouraging bodily discomfort, fighting this battle is an enormous mind game and a roller coaster of emotions for us all. 

Thankful for what I have learned, e.g.:

• The hope of diet and repurposed drugs thanks to a posting by @BellaDonna1959.  (I bought Jane McClelland's book How to Starve Cancer);
• The existence of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC);
• The existence of visceral massage therapy to help relieve the pain of adhesions;
• Learned the word ikigai from @LeslieA.  So important to keep that in mind.

I am now 78, diagnosed with stage 4 HGSOC in November 2024.  After 6 chemotherapy treatments of Taxol/carboplatin and major debulking surgery in May 2025, the cancer returned. I have just had my 4th treatment of Caelyx/carboplatin. 

Being careful not to get too anxiety-ridden and depressed is really a balancing act.  I feel lucky to have energy so far, because I have to soldier on with all my responsibilities and chores caring for a family member.  I live with mild peripheral neuropathy in my feet as well as the chronic pain of a pinching compression belt around my lower ribcage (the cancer went to my lungs), and the extra pinch where the PleurX drain used to live.  Loving summer.  No snow to shovel!

Every night at midnight (I'm a night owl) I read your postings.  Then I turn out the light and cross my fingers for everyone of you.  For us all.

Soleil, similar to you, I read all the posts before bed and think about every one of us in this situation, hoping for the best. The support, advice & comaraderie has been very comforting to me, and it seems for you too. There is a lot of collective wisdom here. We are not alone after all, when in the beginning (after diagnosis) that is how I initially felt. I am glad you have enough energy to do the things you need to do. And I very much hope that the current treatment you are undergoing keeps everything in check.

I attended an ovarian cancer conference in May and met several women who had gone through recurrences more than once (or twice) and were still enjoying some quality of life. It was very inspirational. 

Caring thoughts,

LeslieA 

LeslieA, the fact that you have met up with several women who have gone through recurrences more than once is very encouraging.  Facing a recurrence really shifted me into battle mode (no more denial) with moments of manic hope, and periods in a deep funk.  I'm glad I finally "came out", hoping that sharing any of my personal "guinea-pig attempts" might be helpful, rather than just sitting back and browsing postings, desperately seeking that glimmer of hope.  I have learned much from the Teal Sisters and really appreciate the existence of this forum of collective wisdom.  Above all, there is a lot of caring!  Have a wonderful day!  Love to all!

Hello @Soleil ... apologies for my delayed response. I was out and about the last few days at appointments the last few days (including my 3rd visceral manipulation session). I am sorry to hear that your cancer returned and hopeful that your latest round of chemo will yield positive outcomes for you. It is extremely hard not to be anxiety-ridden. I believe that everyone on this forum has experienced that dreaded emotion on multiple occasions. If we can provide any solace for you, then I am thankful. 

I appreciate you sharing your list of 'learnings'. It's so helpful to know that the information posted and the stories shared do have impact. 

Did they tell you how many rounds of chemo you will experience? I'm sorry you live with PN and hopeful the chemo won't negatively impact that. I kept bags of ice on my hands and feet during my infusions. My oncologist said that "icing" didn't have any medical merit to it however I had PN at my first infusion and by my third it was gone. So I'll go with the power of the mind on that one.

As well, I wanted to mention that Ovarian Cancer Canada (OCC) has monthly Teal Tea calls if you are interested and haven't had an opportunity to participate in those. You can find the information under the EVENTS tab above. As well, OCC does offer Peer-to-Peer support. See the link below if that is something you are interested in exploring. It may be helpful to share some of that anxiety with another Teal Sister in a more intimate setting.

https://ovariancanada.org/support-education/request-peer-support

Please keep us posted on your journey and thank you again for sharing your story. Sending Teal hugs your way 🤗💙

Thank you @Alwayslearning for your words of welcome and encouragement.  We all need the "E" word (Encouragement) so much!   I just finished chemo 4 (Caelyx/carboplatin), so 2 more to go.  I plan to try fasting again, but I'll see how I feel.

I have heard of using ice during treatments to avoid PN.  Your experience is quite impressive.   I might cart in some ice in a cooler for my last 2 treatments.   However, my PN started with my first round of chemo, so it might not be reversible.

Speaking of PN, I ran across an article from Nature about red-light therapy for peripheral neuropathy and mucositis.  I will post it in a separate thread.

I have attended 2 Teal Tea sessions.  They are really helpful and I will try to continue.  Thank you for the link to Peer-to-Peer support.  I have made a note of the link.

Thank you so much for your support.  ❤️

@Soleil ... wishing you luck with your final two treatments!!