Ovarian Cancer journey since Aug 2025

[Milo01]

Hi All,

 I am finding these forums to be a good way to express myself. So here goes…..

In August unexpectedly I was told a mass was found near my ovary,in a scan that was non related at all.

Then a rush of tests, referral to a Gynae Oncologist and surgery by mid October. 6 weeks post surgery recovery and then started chemotherapy in December. I was told it was cancer 2 weeks after the surgery. The surgery was open and quite massive for me as I have never had any operation of this scale like that before. And to top it off, the wound got infected and I was on antibiotics for three weeks straight. I never had one week since August, where I didn’t have to do anything for this mass,surgery or chemo in terms of a scan, blood test or appointment. It has taken over my life.

The doctors keep telling me I am young and healthy, and I can do all the stuff I need to, to battle and put the cancer into remission. But I don’t feel like it. With the surgery out of the way, chemotherapy is all that is left. By late February is when it will all end. Hopefully. But I did preservative surgery because without a definitive diagnosis, which could only be done by the mass removal and biopsy once it was out of my body through surgery, it was only medically necessary and I kept being told my age, I should keep the other ovary for various biological processes, so I still have my other ovary and that plays on my mind. But no surgery option was the golden ticket. Everyone had pros and cons. It could have also have come back benign. So I did the best with the information I had.

But every step as it comes. And right now, chemotherapy is that step. I will think about the others when they get here.

Also much love and strength to anyone else going through this experience. No matter what it is.

Thank you for your time,

Milo01

[Cindi54]

Hi @Milo01 ,

I only just saw your post and am so sorry for you.

What's been happening with you? are you on chemo now?

I know it's hard as I've also been through chemo, but for a different cancer ( bladder cancer) but you can get through it, I so hope you're winning the battle, never give up.

Sending you hugs,

Cindi xx

[Milo01]

Dear Cindi54,

Thank you for reaching out.

I did finish chemotherapy nearly three weeks ago. But I honestly don’t feel that much better. I know it is still very early, however the mentally of it all can really crush you. My days being Groundhog Day is the hardest.

 I also am not interested in food yet. So some days I wake up feeling defeated before I have even started as I have to keep to a schedule and the day gets away from me, because everything takes so long to complete.

However hearing you have gone through your own experience and cheering me on has been a real booster.

So thank you for this today.

Milo01

[Cindi54]

Hi @Milo01 ,

I'm so sorry you're feeling so low. it does take a while to recover from Chemo I found, but I also found that trying to do a bit of exercise can really help. Even if it's just getting out and walking a bit, it'll help your body recover, & after a while you'll feel so much better.

I'm so glad though that you've finished the chemo as that's the hardest thing, now it's recovery time and you need to try to nourish your battle weary body, I think you may need to seek out some help? maybe the cancer nurses could help? I'm no doctor, but I found anti depressants helped me , it's so easy to fall into a depression as your body is exhausted.

I found myself going to a gym helped me. I'd just do my own thing slowly getting into a routine of gentle exercises, it's amazing what it can do for your body & mind. Or just walking can help....just get out of the house, hopefully it'll help with your appetite.

I've had breast cancer and bladder cancer in the last few years but survived both and now feel healthy as ever, you'll get there, just takes time, but please, you need to get some nutrients into your body, try just very small amounts often, it really will help .

Where about's are you? I live in Sydney.

Thinking of you,

Cindi x

[Milo01]

Dear Cindi54,

Thank you for your response and suggestions.

I am on nutritional medical drinks by a dietitian, to not become malnourished. It is just hard to have these drinks that make your stomach full AND then eat real meals and drink water at the same time and daily too.My stomach isn’t big enough to do it all during the one day. I have to force myself to eat most food. And day after day that takes it’s toll on your mental health. I try to eat foods I like or enjoyed before my diagnosis, but I still haven’t tucked into a meal with gusto.

I am on antidepressants, but I live in such a toxic and unhealthy environment. So it is hard to juggle so many things mentally and physically still be so low too. Mentally I am getting to the point where I just want to stop and give up. I am in a house full of capable people,but have had to look after myself on my own throughout my whole chemotherapy and now in my recovery. I am sick of struggling and sick of being treated like I am a nuisance for having being diagnosed and treated for cancer. Like I am ruining their days by asking for help and unwelcome. I have asked for help with many services and got “Sorry, can’t help you.” So it is frustrating to keep hitting that wall.

 I try to get outside for even a walk up and down my street when the weather is stable enough. But in my state, heatwave weather has been accuring and I am stuck inside to protect me from overheating and fainting. I would just love my strength to get better so I can go further. It will happen with time and effort.

I thank you very much for your support. I have had a particularly hard day emotionally,so I apologise if this response is a bit negative.

My oncologist looked over my blood tests I did on Monday and said they look like they should for where I am at. So there is at least a positive there. And I did go for a walk today, so positive there too. I have also done a lot of mental tasks, which always take the longest, so another positive too.

I am not in Sydney, but in another state. And would prefer not to say, if that is okay. 
But really appreciate your thoughts,kindness and compassion.

Plus can see your resilience and strength in what you have shared with me, about your experiences. It is hopeful to know.

Might have a nap now.

Milo01

[Cindi54]

Hi @Milo01 ,

Of course it's OK to rant and rave as much as you want, it helps to get it out.

We all need that, especially with what you're going through.

I'm so sorry for your situation, living in a toxic environment and getting no help, that sux.

I don't really understand, are you living with relatives or flatmates? wish you were near me, I'd support you. It's so unfair that your being treated like that.

Also sorry about your appetite being bad, but it will improve, I remember not liking much food and things tasting like cardboard. It's not easy.

Perhaps cut down on the amount you drink, just sip on the medical drinks, slowly..  after a while you'll start to get your appetite back. I've always been thin too so I get what you mean.

I hope you have a good nap , try not to sink into too much gloom as there are people who care, especially the cancer nurses (I found) and also come on here because there are people who care here, I was always posting and found it helped.

Sending you a BIG hug,

Cindi xx

[Milo01]

Hi Cindi54,

I have had a few rough days physically.And mentally and emotionally feel like I am failing because of them. So a big thank you for your repeated support and reassurance. It has actually been invaluable.

 I am unfortunately living with my relatives and they are emotionally unavailable. They have no emotional empathy for me and my situation. They actually never ask me how I am actually feeling on a day to day basis and try to do things to support me and get better. Sometimes they never even say good morning and if I  don’t go to them to talk, they won’t come near me all day. I could be incredibly sick and they would never know, cause they don’t check on me even once. If I express I don’t feel good or well, they just tell me that I need to try. They tell me all the things to do, without suggesting that we could try some of them together. They also don’t acknowledge that from the time I wake up, to the time I go to sleep all I do is try and push myself. My family aren’t affectionate and supportive. They don’t want to help if it puts them out. Even for 5 minutes. I am legitimately dependent on my phone to call 000 or get a taxi or Uber in an emergency.Not them. That is why it is a toxic environment. When I was hospitalised during my chemotherapy the first thing my relative said was “Good, I will get a day off.” They weren’t being lighthearted or joking. I also don’t have any friends, as over the years, they have just dwindled out and I haven’t made new ones who have stuck. So I don’t even have someone to call and just talk. This has been and still is a very isolating experience. I rely on alot of apps to get myself what I need, when someone at my house could easily help me. Through the chemo fog I have to try and organise everything before it happens and it incredibly hard and frustrating, as I am sure you would have experienced. Thank you for offering to look after me if we were close by. It is nice to be reminded that there are good people out there.

 I know I am not the only person to live in these environments and still have to deal with cancer and treatment. Some people may even have worse than this to deal with. And they may never be able to express themselves out of fear to anyone. I at least know my family will never come to use these forums. It can be very unfair for a lot of people. I hope your cancer experiences twice, weren’t like that.

 I will contact the dietitian to ask about my current food situation. I think you made some very good points.

 I am also trying to find some positives in everyday that I achieved. To show myself that I am doing things to change my current life. Each of them helps me move forward. Even if I can’t see it that day. Accumulatively, I know they will be helping me recover.

You are right, there are good people out there. People who care. Sometimes it just takes a while to find them. Or in this case, someone to find you🙂.

 I hope your weekend is going well. Thank you for allowing me to vent. I am less alone today.

Milo01

P.S. If you ever need to express anything yourself, please feel free to talk about it too.

[Rose2023]

Hi Milo01

I also have Ovarian Cancer. I've never posted to a chat forum before, and very infrequently go in to read posts but for some reason have looked today.

I feel for your situation and saw too with admiration your posts with questions/ experiences of hair loss.

You might already know of it, and I appreciate forums offer a different kind of support, but as I have benefited from the teal nurses advice / ear, and the oca ppsychologist ear to be able to download to at various moments over the last few years,  just wanted to post the Ovarian Cancer Australia details in case you don't know of their supports available

Wishing you all the very best and hope you find each day what you need to get you through whatever that days challenges are.

Free support nationwide at

https://www.ovariancancer.net.au/find-support/teal-support-nurse-program

[Cindi54]

Hi @Milo01 ,

How are you going? sorry I haven't posted for a while but have had family problems here.

How are things?

I'm so sorry for you, it's not fair that you have relatives around you who sound a bit heartless, you just need to plod on and try to reach out here or get together with others going through the same as you.

Also your cancer nurses should be able to put you in touch with groups who get together (who have the same cancer) and you can all support each other....you'll find caring people there.

Thinking of you,

Cindi xx

[Milo01]

Dear Rose2023,

Thank you very much for your reply.

 I have been receiving support from OCA since my diagnosis. But thank you very much for the advice and link, as others may not know of them. The Teal Support Nurses program has been very helpful since my diagnosis. And I am grateful that a organisation like this exists.

 I wish you the best too.

Milo01