Hi Carol. I had a radical hysterectomy following diagnosis of ovarian cancer a year ago (aged 47 years) I was bracing myself for the onset of menopause but guess what...it never happened!!. It doesn't always follow that you will experience any symptoms. My twin sister had to have a preventative ovary removal and she didn't experience much - a hot flush or too but nothing too drastic!. So, you never can tell which way it will go. I really hope that your op goes well and that if you do experience any menopausal symptoms, that they will be minor. Remember there is always help available. Take care and good luck!. Love, Caroline ... View more

Hi again Junas, Sounds like you are making progress which is good. Waiting for an outcome is a bit like living on a knife edge but small steps at a time is the key. Once you get back into more of a normal routine things will begin to settle down and although you can't "forget" what is going on, some distraction from your current situation will give you some relief. Take care. Thinking of you. ... View more

Hi Junas. You are not alone in how you are feeling!!. I found that when I was receiving treatment, somehow I was able to focus on something being "done" and took things in my stride. However, since treatment has finished I find myself battling with thinking positively and wondering when it will come back again. For me I have found talking about how I feel has helped - but of course I choose who to talk too - those that I think are not going to get emotionally upset by it. Being in contact with people on this website is really helpful. Maybe think about joining one of the group forums on this site?. I guess as well, what has helped is, as Gaylene said, doing things that I always used to do before I became ill. It gives me a sense of normality and a sense of control over what I choose to do with my precious life. I hope your journey gets easier for you. ... View more

Hi Lars, I know what it is like to face a serious illness far away from your family. I emigrated here 5 years ago from the UK with my husband and son and last year was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer - which was not part of the dream life down under!!. I am now in remission but really understand how vulnerable you feel when your close family seem so far away. From my experience regular phone and Skype contact is a great help - and at the end of the day Europe is "closer" than it has ever been with the range of flight options available. It sounds like you have built a support network with the people around you which is also really important. Good luck with your treatment journey. I know it is scary and daunting to start with, but you will be surprised with your inner strength and the generosity and caring support of your friends and colleagues. Thinking of you. ... View more

Hi i-fight, Good to hear from you.I'm Caroline by the way. Sounds like I am further down the road than you!. Hope your de-bulking operation went ok - you are probably still sore from it 10 days on. After 2 ops and 6 rounds of chemo I went back to work 4 days a week and so far things have been fine, just a little tiredness and sore / stiff hands from the chemo. I travel a little bit in my job, but most of it is office based. I know what you mean about your children. Even though my son is nearly 18, I still feel the same!. I don't want to miss his big milestones so plan to be around as long as possible and enjoy the little things with him!!. Not easy when a teenager is stressing out about TCEs!!. Which State are you in?. We are in northern Tassie. Since I finished chemo I have tried to keep to my normal routine ( so important for my son but also my hubby!!). I have been able to go back to the gym and do my regular classes (combat, attack and Pump). People there have been very supportive and have seen me go from a bald head to a tufty mop!. We joke that I will soon be able to put it up in bunches (not!!). Well, I hope your Doctors set out the next stage of your care plan soon so you can focus your energies on meeting the next challenge. I come on to the site as much as I can and always happy to have a chat. Speak again soon. Love, Caroline x ... View more

Hi tfox64 Now that is what I call a rough time!. Lots of positive thoughts to you for your journey ahead. A spinning bow tie sounds awesome!!.If I can come up with any alternatives will let you know. You sound like a real fighter - go for it tiger!. Cheers, Caroline ... View more

Hi Maddie, I am so sorry that things are as bad as they are. As Emily says, there are loads of us on this forum who send our love & suport - albeit electronically!. When I lost a family member years ago, I came across this poem below which I found comforting. In fact I read it at the funeral as I thought it pretty much summed up how she approached life & death. I hope you might find some of these words a comfort. Death is Nothing at All Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away to the next room. I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, That, we still are. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effect. Without the trace of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same that it ever was. There is absolute unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you. For an interval. Somewhere. Very near. Just around the corner. All is well. Henry Scott Holland Take care of yourself. Caroline xx ... View more

Hi Jan, I am so so sorry for your loss. I wish I had some words of comfort for you. It must be so excrutiatingly hard to face life without him. If you can hang on to the wonderful and happy memories of the life you shared with him before cancer took hold,you can draw some strength to face each day. I hope the following days, weeks and months get easier for you and your family. Thinking of you. Love, Caroline x ... View more

Hi Suzie, Great to hear from you. Thanks so much for your wishes. I came out of hospital this week having been there for 8 days. In fact things seem to have gone quite well. The operation was only for 4 hours in the end and the surgeons managed to remove all visible cancer - an amazing feat in its own right!!. So now it is back to the next round of chemo which starts today, 2 days after leaving hospital!. Ah well, at least the hospital sandwiches are palatable!. I love beagles Suzie - two of them how lovely. Our dog Taj keeps looking at me with loving eyes dying for me to take him walkies!. Sadly at this stage I can't so other family members are having to take him. Not quite the same but he will have to make do!. Well, better be off for round 4. Take care. Bye for now. Caroline ... View more

Dear luvmymum, Your message really touched me - your log on name says it all and you clearly care very deeply for her. My heart goes out to you at what must be a very difficult time for you and your family especially as your Mum has lost her voice at the momemt. But remember a hug or touch is better than a thousand words!!. Your Mum knows that you love her and are there to support her. Being scared is completely normal and I wouldn't be surprised if you are also feeling as mad as hell too!. But yes, things are not going to be normal again and you and your family will be adapting to a new different "reality" than you had before you Mum's diagnosis. Once the shock of the initial diagnosis has receded a little, you will find that the treatments your Mum will have will give you all some structure to your lives, which will effect everyone. I think my hubby and son and my family overseas all found it very useful to have this as it really helps to have small milestones to work towards. Since our cancer journey started 4 months ago we have had 2 operations and 3 rounds of chemo with the 4th starting today. It is amazing how you get used to things. I don't know how old you are, but with my 17 yr old son (who dosen't say much at the best of times!!)we found that just being together walking the dog helped us to connect somehow. Sometimes we talk and sometimes we don't but just the togetherness gives us both comfort and is the most important thing. He has his TCE exams now and has found talking to his closest friends at school invalauble. One thing you can be sure of though, is that your Mum will want you to have your own space and not to feel guilty for wanting to have time out with your friends or just to be on your own if that helps. Your Mum will also be able to communicate with you what her needs are so take cues from Mum as to what she wants and how you can best support her - don't be afraid to ask her - she's your Mum and she loves you. My best wishes to your family and hugs to you as you start your journey. If you just need someone to vent to, please just vent away!!. I normally try to look at my emails daily subject to whether my PC wants to work or not and effects of chemo cycles!!. Take care. I have added you as a friend. Caroline x ... View more