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Connect with cher:

Handle:	cher
Status:	Cancer Survivor
Cancer Type:	Ovarian Low Malignant Potential Tumor
Sub-Type:	muconous tumor
Gender:	Female
Age:	48
Country:	CANADA
Last On:	Dec 19, 2008

Officially Diagnosed with Cancer by a Doctor: April 2008

Stage of Cancer at Diagnosis: IC

Date I Began/Begin Treatment: May 2008

My Cancer Story:

I know now that the symPtoms I assumed were irrital bowel syndrome were actually Ovarian Cancer. I first went to the doctor because I felt a swelling in the lower abdomine. She thought that maybe I had a fyroid. I was sent for ultrasound which TOOK 4 weeks and in that time the tumor grew to be the size of a 3 months pregnancy. I was told by the radiologist that he thought it was a possible malignant tumor and he would contact my doctor. She told me on Feb. 1 that I would need to be seen by a gynecologist as soon as possible. An appointment was set up for Feb. 15. My husband took me to the hospital in the hopes of recieving treatment sooner, but after they spoak to the gynecologist they sent me home. I was not seen at the cancer clinic until Feb.22. Surgery was set for Mar. 7. The wait of two weeks for pathology to come back was excrutiating. But the diagnosis was that the tumor was boarderline and though it had leaked there was no further treatment. But due to the diligence of a pathologist that kept at it a month later I was told that the tumor was malignant. A small amount of cells had been found in the nucleous of the tumor. The fluid had been found to be boarderline.
I was in a state of shock for most of that day. Then the anger set in. At who, is unclear. But I was angry.
My first treatment was on May 5 2008. It went well with few side affects. I was given a cocktail of carbolatin and paxatoxil. In preperation for losing my hair I cut it very short. Then after the 3rd treatment when it started to fall out my son shaved my head.
I wish I could say that my sons and their dad were my support system, but they were not. My greatest inspiration and support was my mother. She weathered the rantings and the crying jags with the true understanding of a mother. With the pain of wishing she could take it all away. She listened to the talk of not having a future and of death. The worst side effect I experienced was the loss of privacy and bone jarring pain and exhaustion. Everyone knew that I had cancer and all questions big and small were thrown my way. Nothing was too private to ask. The pain in the joints and the mind numbing exhaustion, there was no relief. I learned that there is relief of the stress by writing in a journel and talking to my mom. Now in November I have been deamed in remission. Treatment is over and I feel almost normal. My hair is coming back nothing like it was before. But that almost seems poetic because I am nothing like I was before. I am gentler, more empathetic. I live day to day for the first time in my life. I am not planning things ten years down the road. I take time to pay attention to the things that matter today. I value my time and family.
I have learned that I do not know how to heal. I don't know what comes next and I don't know what I am supposed to do as a survivor. I think there should be some great awakening but I don't feel any, and yet I feel completely different.
For those of you in treatment or just getting diagnosed, trust that you have the strength to get through this. Trust there is an end. Be positive. Find whatever it is that makes it worth it for you to survive and survive. Live to be cancer free.