I have had 18 double rounds of chemo and I'm waiting for the next round.
I started a cancer support group in my area, since there were none. There are all different types of people attending, but my purpose is to give them a place to vent every month. Women with ovarian cancer don't have many options, since it is usually detected at late stages. Please read up on the symptoms and pass them on to someone you love.
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I am not sure if this is still a valid post? But we think that my mom is possible sick with ovarian cancer, she just told me today. She has known that there was a cyst on her ovary about five years ago, she kept up with it, until she could not afford health insurance any longer. She has all the common symptoms and actually has a dr appt, May 12....I guess my question is, how do you deal with something like this? I am only 26 my mom is 52, and frankly she is my best friend....I cant wrap my fingers around any of it, how do you deal with someone whom you love so much and watch them suffer? We are not sure if that is what she has, but I feel it in my heart...
April 14, 2010 - 7:35pmThis Comment
Hi Anon - Yes, you've come to the right place. I'm sure this is a tough time for both you and your mom, and we're happy that you've found us. What I'm going to do though is to take your comment and start a new post with it because that will give your question more visibility on the site and should get your more responses. Please go to this link: https://www.empowher.com/community/ask/member-asks-how-do-you-help-someone-who-may-have-cancer#comment-57234
I understand that gut feeling we get as women, and am glad you're there for your mom. Pat
April 15, 2010 - 6:08pmThis Comment
Sounds like a wonderful, sensitive doctor.
Come back occasionally and tell us about the people in your support group (without names, of course). I know that people would be very interested in their journeys, thoughts and experiences. And you, take care.
June 12, 2009 - 9:17amThis Comment
Nora,
Nine people in your support group! What a wonderful thing you have started, both for yourself and for them!
I have a question for you; with the mass on your colon and omentum, why is it a wait-and-see situation? Instead of, for instance, a surgery to remove it?
You are inspiring, even when you may not feel like it. Keep that in mind, and visit this thread often. Clearly, people are interested. Thanks so much for coming back.
June 11, 2009 - 9:25amThis Comment
Thanks so much. My doctor is more concerned with quality of life. Why spend the rest of my days on chemo because it is never going to go away completely. We are just waiting until it is big enough to really make a difference in my health and then it's back to chemo. I am so proud of my support group and hope to keep the momentum going and growing. Keep in touch. Thanks
June 11, 2009 - 1:50pmIn Hope
Nora
This Comment
Wow:
June 10, 2009 - 7:58pmI cannot believe how many of you have left such wonderful comments. Thanks so much for the encouragement. Don't be fooled, I am not always this positive, I have my down times just like everyone else, but I do have good times as well. Like last night. My support group had nine people show up. I started it in February and each month only had 2 or so people. We even lost a member 2 weeks ago and this month 9 showed up. I was so pleased and I let everyone know. My story is not really that much different from anyone else on the journey. Many of the people in my group actually believe that got cancer because they needed a wake up call. I don't think I needed a wake up call or think I needed to get cancer for any reason whatsoever. I did all the right things, ate right, breast fed, veggie for 10 years, drank tea, and still got hit by the cancer bus. I don't know what the future holds. Right now I have been off of chemo for 18 months. I have a mass on my colon and omentum but they are smalll enough not to be blocking anything so for now it's a wait and see situation. I pray for everyone pained by this disease every night and wish you all good health again. Whether we join or not, life is going on without us, so we might as well stay in the game as long as we can. Take care. Love andhope, Nora
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Hello I was reading your post and seen that you was dx in 5-06. My mom passed on mothers say 06. She was dx in 01-01. She was a tough cookie and never gave up. Even when they told her there was nothing else they could do. I stayed with her the whole time and there in nothing I would change. I miss her dearly and love her so much.
Tiffnay
June 10, 2009 - 6:24amThis Comment
Nora,
I am a loving husband and caregiver. I also would like to hear about your challenges and successes. My wife is in a very similar situation, but she is only on her 5th round of chemo. She just recently joined a local support group. She is finding it very rewarding.
We benefit from other stories tremendously. Please continue to share....Mark & Susan from LA.
April 10, 2009 - 3:39pmThis Comment
Hi Nora,
Your journey is incredibly compelling. So many of us, when faced with such a diagnosis, would turn inward. Yet you turned outward, focusing not just on your own treatments and prognosis, but on helping other women who are in the same situation you are.
How long has it been since you started the group? How many women participate? Have you found that it has taken on a life of its own now, helping women that otherwise you would never even have met?
And I would like to echo Alison's request for more of your personal story. How did you find out about your cancer?
For others who would like to take Nora's advice and read up on symptoms of this disease, please visit Empowher's Health Encyclopedia:
https://www.empowher.com/media/reference/ovarian-cancer
Take care, Nora, and please let us hear more from you.
March 17, 2009 - 9:07amThis Comment
Hi noralachance,
What a wonderful way to help others, through starting a support group in your area! I would love to hear more about this: how many people attend, what they feel they need from the group, what are their primary worries and concerns, hopes and dreams?
I would also love to hear more about your story..the title was cut off. How are you feeling after your treatment? It sounds like you have a lot of wisdom to share, and I hope to hear from you again soon.
Take care,
March 15, 2009 - 7:13pmAlison
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