Hi I am a newbie

[Rhonnie555]

Hi everyone, new here, just recently diagnosed with a Granulosa Cell Tumor, a fairly rare form of ovarian cancer. After having an on-going niggling pain from having my gall bladder removed, by GP ordered a CT scan that showed I had thickening of the uterine lining and an ovarian cyst. From there I went to Melbourne to a specialist - I am in Gippsland, about 2 hours from Melbourne. After having a hysteroscopy and D & C, that came with complex endometrial hyperplasia with atypia and a TAH/BSO was suggested. I had the surgery three weeks ago, so still a bit sore and sorry for myself and just feeling quite overwhelmed by it all. The cancer was Stage 1a and I should not need any further treatment. I realise that I am extremely fortunate that is was discovered, but so many questions. All the what "ifs" about if it did come back, dealing with having a hysterectomy etc etc. I have done the whole "Dr Google thing", there is not a lot of readily available info on this type of cancer, other than if it is not caught early, it can be problematic to treat. Fingers crossed that I never have to go there,and that it never comes back, but how to deal with that thought?? As this all happened so quickly, I have really struggled to tell people, apart from immediate family and friends, who I am not really sure why, but I made them promise not to tell anyone. Two days before the surgery, I still had not told my husbands family. I did not want my husband to, as he had gone through supporting his Mum, while she had bowel cancer, eventually dying from it.Now three weeks post surgery a few people are asking what I have been up to?? I just find it so difficult to talk about. Have actually just responded "Oh not much" to a few people on the phone.Part of me just thinks put it up on your fb profile, just to get it over with, but that's not really me either, just dont know. As I work for myself, with my own art/craft business, I dont have an employer that I have to explain things to, but just had to cancel lots of workshops etc. Still just trying to head my head around it all. Anyway, that's me. Would be interested in how people have gone about telling friends/extended family. Is there anyone else here with Granulosa Cell Tumor? Regards

[Jules2]

Hi Rhonnie Sounds like you are on a whirlwind trip right now. 🙂 I don't have ovarian cancer so can't really help in that are. I was however, a country patient as you are and had to travel for treatment. How are you going with that at the moment? You will know when you are ready to share with others. It is a difficult thing to come to terms with without having to help everyone else deal. Be careful of Dr Google it can give you some not so up to date info and sometimes can scare people unnecessarily. Take some time out and be nice to yourself! We often are much nicer to others than we are to ourselves. 🙂 Take care Julie

[kayemc]

Hi Rhonnie, I had stage 3 ovarian cancer and had a radical hysterectomy and debulking in May 2011. Its been a challenging time to say the least but the good news is that I am now 15 months free of cancer. I can understand that it is hard to tell family members you have cancer when your MIL died of bowel cancer. You sound like a very private person. We told everyone by email. They knew that I was very ill, in hospital and sedated due to extreme pain and was not well enough for visitors. It took 2 weeks to get the diagnosis and by that stage everyone knew that it was something serious. After that my husband sent everyone updates every couple of weeks as to my progress and asking for prayer support. Of course he did speak with close family on the phone but at least he did not have a large number of phone calls to return and be constantly talking about it. One of the hardest things that I have found about telling others is that most people see ovarian cancer as a death sentence. The statistics are not good but there are lots of people out there who are OC survivors and are well and happy. I spoke with my oncologist a few months ago about survival rates and her reponse was that everyone is an individual and that it is important to focus on the progress that I have made and how well I am. She said that every clear blood test is a step closer to a long life. She has one patient who is more than 10 years free of OC. Look after yourself Rhonnie. Take each day or hour as it comes and do the things that give you pleasure. Housework and non-essentials have to wait at the moment. If you want to talk, please send me a Private Message and I'll give you a call. I live in Frankston, not so far from you. Wishing you all the best, Kaye