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Just to chat with others

Joanne30
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Hi, I am 65 and have been 'dancing' with stage 4 Ovarian cancer since June 2015. I have had treatment involving surgery, chemo and trial drugs for 14 months so far and am due to finish Nov 2016. Both my daughter (40) have been confirmed with the BRACA1 gene and are waiting to speak again with the generic clinic.  I use the expression 'dancing with cancer'  because I have days when I could jive or jig about and other's when a waltz would leave me pooped! I have a incredibly supportive family and friends but is it normal to some times feel so alone? I try to use my good days to walk to the library, meet friends and live the fullest life I can, during the 'not so good' days I try to do chores in the morning and rest, read or knit during the afternoon. Can anyone tell me how long after treatment I will feel normal again? I feel selfish asking as I am apparently coping well. I don't know if anyone will read this but just saying these things out loud can almost put them into perspective.

Shazram

 

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    Hi Shazram,

    I think a lot of people feel like this, even when like in your case you have supportive family. I think it's partly because, unless you have had cancer your self, you really cant appreciate the huge range of emotions that cancer causes. Thats why it's often said, it's much easier to talk on here to a complete stranger because they have often experiance the same feelings.

    Please dont feel selfish for asking. In answeer to your question, it does take time to get back to some semblance of normality and sometimes we may never completly get back to "full" normal for understandably cancer changes us in many differnt ways. In my own case, I belive it has made me a better peron who is now more understanding and also more appreciative of the little things in life we all take so much for granted.

    I wish you all the best for a full recovery and thanks for joining this great forum, Brian.

  • Offline in reply to woodworm

    Hi Woodworm

    thank you so much for your reply, it was just lovely to hear from someone who understands! I was a funeral director for 27 years before I contracted cancer and subsequently retired so I have dealt with death and grieving at close quarters but that doesn't prepare you for your own. I try to be so positive but it seems like one step forward and two back. Tiredness and chemo brain are my worst enemies, it is really a joy to hear you had replied, thank you from my heart

    shazram 

  • Offline in reply to Joanne30

    Hi Shazram,

    We all like to try and keep some semblance of normality in our lives otherwise it feels like cancer has completly taken over so you are doing all the right things. Tireness is one of the big problems facing most people with cancer. The drugs/ treatment make this far worse. When I was having my radiotherapy, I used to leave home at about 9.30 and not get back untill 1.15 so the best of the day was gone. Travelling is tiring in itself.  It seems also when we start treatment, life seems to go into overdrive as we face appiontments and treatments ect.

    But it sounds like you have a good mindset and I hope like me you make a good recovery. Sending kind thoughts your way, Brian.

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    My wife is also 65 and has just had the same diagnosis as you today and feeling down. You mentioned the trial drugs. Are you able to say what these are please?
  • Offline in reply to mmuk1

    Hi, I am so sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis. I have had treatment today and spoke to my Trial consultant about passing on the details, she was more than happy for me to do so. The trial is called ICON 8B, it does mean treatment for at least 18 months and the side effects are quite tiring. The details of the trial are available on the Internet so you can have some knowledge if you choose to ask if your wife would be suitable for the trial. My very best to you both, please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any other things you want to know, is your wife going to be having surgery and chemo? The worst bit is all the waiting for results and feeling that everyone is talking about you but not to you. 

    Sharon

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