I am not being offered alternatives, compassionate access, nothing. I have to stay well for as long as i can. To be on nothing is not an option for me. I am not BRCA1 OR 2 yet i cannot access anything for maintenance that is wirhin reach. Surely there are more choices or options than this?????? How is this fair or reasonable? I feel more stressed and scared than when i was first diagnosed and i feel i am being spat out of the system.

Thanks Sue ❤️

Your ovarian cancer nurse will be able to relay information to your medical team and gain guidance for you about the best way to support and treat you. 

To join the Teal Support Program or for further information, please contact an ovarian cancer nurse on 1300 660 334 or email care@ovariancancer.net.au.

Thank you

I am part of a team of cancer researchers and psychologists at Monash University (Melbourne, Australia) running free online mental health programs for those who have finished their primary cancer treatment (i.e., surgery, chemo, radiotherapy). Our programs focus on developing skills to cope more effectively with difficult emotions - which we know don't simply stop when treatment comes to an end!

We understand that it isn't always easy to reach out for mental health support (especially in the context of COVID-19), which is why our programs can be completed online and from your own home.

Our current 2-week online program ("Flexible Thinking") tackles thoughts around worry, rumination, and catastrophising. You can follow this link to take part: https://is.gd/cancope_flexible_thinking.

Our next 2-week program ("Doing Things Differently") will be running within the next month. 

Here is our Facebook page, where we post regular updates: https://www.facebook.com/cancope.page/

Please reach out if you have any questions about our programs! (e.g., over Email: psych.cancope@monash.edu or you can message me privately. If you live outside of Australia we can also call you on WhatsApp!) 

Thank you everyone :)

Conny

—

THE CANCOPE STUDY

Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health | Monash University, Clayton, VIC

Ph: +61 404 353 956

I am five years cancer free today!

I am so grateful to my medical team and the support of OCA. Here's to the next five.

Best wishes

Rachel

I am hoping that under this  thread Expressive Writing that you can post any poetry or expressions that you felt at the time of your diagnosis and afterwards. This will be a great chance for you to voice how you felt.

This is one I wrote when I was first diagnosed:

LET YOUR TEARS FALL

Don't let anyone ever tell you, do not cry

For they have never felt the pain and devastation of being diagnosed with a Cancer or disease that can take their life

Let Your Tears Fall

We all have triggers that bring the tears

The fears to the surface

We all fear what the future hold

Let Your Tears Fall

They give us the release we need

The solace we seek

Never be afraid to,

Let Your Tear Fall

I'm new to the board. Diagnosed Stage 3C High Grade Serous Epitheleal Ovarian/Peritoneal 5 months ago. Inoperable, Platinum resistant so now on Caelyx palliatively. I feel well at the moment but have had one bowel obstruction already.

I have lots of complications and issues that the doctors seem to have no clue how long I have to live. To be honest, I haven't asked him yet and I intend to on Wednesday but I'm not sure he really knows. The consensus seems to be that I might have two week, two months, two years, two decades, not a clue.

My question to you lovely ladies is this: how do you live and plan with the unknown? Do you plan for twenty years in optimism? Do you live each day like it could be your last? I find it difficult because if this really was my last day there is no way I would do the dishes. But if I have two years, well then the dishes probably need to get done. Does this make sense?

Naturally I would love some certainty (or maybe I wouldn't) but that isn't going to happen with most of us so I guess some hints on living with the uncertainty would be wonderful.

Thanks and keep on living life!

Robyn

Every dietician I ask seems to have vastly different answers (sometimes scarily so) so I'll ask here.

Does anyone who is on a low fibre diet have any tips and tricks for maintaining their nutrition while on a low fibre diet? And their sanity with such a restricted range of foods? grin

Thanks!

Robyn

Ovarian Cancer Australia, Counterpart and Mercy Health are excited to announce a free “Living with cancer and wellbeing” day for women with, or following, a gynaecological cancer diagnosis. The event will be held on the 3rd of March at Mercy Hospital, Heidelberg VIC where you will have the opportunity to:

- Learn from psychologists about ways that may help improve how you feel

- Connect with other women who have experienced a gynaecological cancer

- Try wellbeing activities with experienced practitioners including yoga and art therapy.

To register, please follow the link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/a-free-living-with-cancer-and-wellbeing-day-tickets-88598138417

Or call 1300 660 334

Dear Cancer,

I write to you in disbelief and a level of denial that my life has crossed paths with you. Like most people who have met you, your presence was never welcome nor enjoyed but the life-changing lessons you left behind were amazing. It is for this reason I want to say thank you for teaching me....

The true meaning of life;

That my children are my life's most rewarding blessing;

That my husband and I are true soulmates and how blessed we are to be together

That no matter what family is the biggest gift we are all given

That our achievements are own but the impact they have on others are our true legacy

How to immerse myself in each moment, giving it my full attention and care;

To be resilient in the toughest of times no matter how weak I feel

That I possess an inner strength ready to fight any challenge

Fear is a waste of precious energy and time and giving me new perspective and ability to not sweat the small stuff;<

To celebrate the smallest of wins and graciously take ownership for them because I deserve to;

To find pleasure in the simplest of beauties in life and to bask in the most glorious of them all

To re-connect with me and live my own truth

I am enough just as I am;

I have survived your ferocity and pray that others who meet you are as fortunate I In the meantime passing forward my lessons, I hope will show, that you have nothing on the human spirit and matter how hard you try that spirit will overcome you!  Sirin

Putting my learnings in words directed to that very challenge was a very empowering experience. Prior to writing this letter, I had trouble using the words 'I' and 'Cancer in the same sentence, now 10 months into remission I call my safe a Cancer Survivor and do so with great pride and gratefully. I invite your comments or even better your own letter to Cancer so that we can pay forward our learnings with others in similar circumstances.

You feel like your body has turned on you.  Suddenly you're going through menopause and have more in common with women twice your age.  When people find out what you have been through they are shocked and horrified because you are so young.  Prepare yourself for sympathetic looks and comments from strangers.

Even though you feel like you are going through a never ending hell, there are positives.  People will realise you are one of the toughest people they will ever meet.  Not much will upset you, life's small things take on a different perspective and you learn to make the most of life while you can.

Keep wearing bikinis, your scars are impressive.

If it makes you happy, do it.

If you want those shoes, buy them.

Nikki

I lost our thread.

I will not have chemo or blood work till June 15, 16.

Longest I have been without treatment since 10/13/2016.

No blood stick this Friday either - thrilled about this.

Going on a church retreat this weekend.

Very unhappy at work - my contract was not renewed and I suspect these people are the tackiest on the Earth when it comes to managing foreign teachers.

Day at a time with this roller coaster.

Enjoy your short trip.

Sandra

My name is Cherie and I was wondering if anyone has had success getting travel insurance??

My scan last Saturday, which my doc read at home that night, shows the cancer has spread again to lymph nodes near the renal artery.   Dang it all.  I had my first shot of avastin Sunday morning with topotecan and carboplatin which apparently are not doing the job very well.  The refractory platinum diagnosis is HELL.  Received a lot of info from MD ANDERSON in Houston I will have to go through - my contract is up July 31, 2018.  Getting to Anderson will allow me financial aid for the drugs I need with a refractory diagnosis.  And a LONGER life.  It will mean certification in Texas if I want to continue teaching which is a HUGE headache.  So much to handle.  Saturday here.  Feels so good to NOT be in the hospital - able to sleep in.  There are a couple of toy stores I hope to check out and tomorrow is a birthday party!  Wheeeee.  xoxoxo Sandra

I'm Margaret, retired nurse and midwife, diagnosed with Stage 4 , or so I'm told, Sept 2014. I thought my life had ended, but it's now 2018, and I'm still alive and kicking and keeping very busy

Please find our channel here; https://www.youtube.com/user/OCAustralia

3rd April 2017 2:00pm – 3:30pm AEDT

Where: Online – join via your computer!

Your Host: Annemarie Ferguson

Your Presenters: Jennifer Daddow, Sarah and Jackie Tidey

Cost: Complimentary

About the Webinar:

During this webinar Carer’s Victoria will provide an information session on the caring role and self-care tips for carers as well as information about their organisation and the services they offer including carer counselling. We will also hear from Sarah Tidey, a woman living with ovarian cancer and Sarah’s mum Jackie, who will talk about her experience caring for and supporting Sarah. 

Please see website below to register

http://omnovia.redbackconferencing.com.au/landers/page/5645a5

I just wanted to introduce myself and tell and little bit of my story.

I was diagnosed in 2007 with stage 3 ovarian cancer and had a 15cm tumor removed with my ovary and tube. I was 22 was i was diagnosed. Within 12months i had 2 cycles of chemo and than the other overy removed. Which meant i was 23 going through menopause. Unfortunately for me it jas spread to my lymph nodes. I have had several cycles of chemo including one that I have a severe allergic reaction too.

Today I am on debrafnib and have been for nearly 3yrs all up. I was the first ovarian patient to be put on a trail for the melanoma cancer trail..It has kept it at bay.

I have always worked throughout all of this and will continue too. As i wont let cancer stop me from living my life.

I'm in central Victoria

Hopefully all will be well from here on.

Iam 54. When I was 45 I had the fright of my life diagnosed with pre cancerous cells on one of my ovaries. I had the ovary removed asap. I did not need any further Treatment. My other ovary had shrivelled up and was not functioning, so they left that one. I went through the grief Of why was I okay and the other woman were not okay.

Lovely to meet you!  If you are on this forum, then you, like me, have been touched by ovarian cancer in some way.

I am 48 years young and was diagnosed with oc back in September 2014.  After surgery to remove my 11cm x 10cm tumour (clear cell carcinoma) and a total hysterectomy, I had six months of chemotherapy (Carboplatin and Taxol).  I was very fortunate that I was diagnosed at an early stage and to this day, I am cancer free.

I have been down the genetic testing road and have been diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome. Lynch syndrome is an inherited genetic mutation which gives people an increased chance of developing certain cancers (including ovarian) across their lifetime, often at a younger age than the general population (i.e. before 50 years of age).

I am extremely passionate about raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, because I do not want anyone to have to endure what I and my family and friends did. I am also passionate about helping others who have been touched by this disease. Ovarian Cancer Australia were an invaluable resource to me following my diagnosis and I am thrilled that this forum has been established, so that they can increase their reach and help those in need of support, during a very difficult time.

So, that's me in a nutshell!  If you have any questions at all, please ask. =o)