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I’m walking a fine line between jubilation and anxiety. As a two-time ovarian cancer survivor, I’m nearing the anniversary of my recurrence. Although I feel fine, this type of cancer isn’t the most accommodating.
My nerves always manage to creep up on my dates with the ‘gists – in my case, the oncologist and gynecologist, which alternate every three to six months. Following the tests, as I wait for the results, my mind never fails to think of family and friends… several who are also battling cancer now and a few who lost their fight.
My most recent visit this month was no different. I feel good physically but my mind was racing. My aunt who is battling a recurrence from lymphoma; my college friend Julie contending with pancreatic cancer; and Mary, a mom of three who is fighting to win the battle with breast cancer her sister lost. I also thought of a dear friend, Kelly, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 2010.
I wiped the tears from my eyes as I listened to the doctor review the results and then dictate a note into my chart. He said: “She presents back to the office today for routine cancer surveillance. It should be noted… years since her recurrence and remains clinically NED.” (NED is the acronym for “no evidence of disease.” It’s the clinical term for saying I’m fine.)
I left the office realizing how lucky I am. I can’t change the past but I do have a team of amazing physicians who are a part of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center working daily to change the future of medicine. They are doing research and advancing treatments every day. And I – as a survivor – am a great example of their work.
Five years is a major milestone in the cancer world. It’s a date most cancer patients wonder if they’ll make. It’s a precious gift. Of time. Of comfort. Of hope. Although the doctors are looking at my official five year marker as next year (commemorating the end of my active treatment ), I’m going to celebrate now. A massage, a pedicure and a glass of champagne. L’chaim!
So happy for you and your family prayers for your friends. Mayo at jaxville has saved my sister who while the healthiest of us five kids has heart disease. I thank God for mayo clinic. Enjoy your day!
Jai HO MAYo Clinic. You have finally got a patient that you not only care about but who will also show you all glimpses of gods ingeniousness and his patience. Best of luck Mayo and the subjectS whose name i couldn’t find.
Near the top of the article it says (in admittedly small print) Posted on August 13, 2012 by Cynthia Nelson Weiss
I can very much relate to what you feel and going through.
My cancer is different. I have Melanoma that I fought back in 2004. Said never worry again, got all the cancer.
Last December went in for routine check up, found bad place on my back. Now I am fighting Advanced Melanoma..
May God give you his healing hand and strength to get you through your journey.
Just keep smiling, never let anything bring you down. I will add you in my prayers
God Bless
S.
RE: Thank God for Mayo!
I loved this success story so much. I have great faith in the resilience of women affected by cancer. My mother had breast cancer and survived. I have heart failure which I won’t survive but I have tremendous hope and admiration for those with cancer. The Mayo Clinic is loved nationally and internationally. Include this facility in your prayers as I do. Thank you Mary Glynn Selmack and whoopeee you made it!!
Just read your message. Thanks so much for honestly and eloquently sharing your feelings and progress. It offers hope and solace. Wishing you continued healing and peace.
I am very happy for your successful Ovarian Cancer treatment and five year results. I fully realuze all the pain, treatments, anxiety, you have lived with. You deserve the positive results of all the years of research, Enjoy every day you have, the massages, pedicures, champangne and a peace within you. I lost my Mother and a friend with two small children to Ovarian Cancer.
WELL I AM RELY NEVER BE IN YOUR POSITIONS, THEM I DO NOT KNOWS HOW DO YOU FIELD, AND THAT IS SOMETHING RELY UNIQUE, CAUSE I AM CAPABLE OF BEEN ON MANY OTHER POSITIONS IN LIFE AN MANAGE THOSE SITUATIONS, MY FIRST LANGUAGE IS NOT ENGLISH BUT I CAN FEEL YOUR PAIN, I WANT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING, MAYBE CAN HELP, MANY OF US ARE LIVING LIFE WITHOUT THINKING ON TOMORROW, WE DO NOT KNOW IF WE ARE SICK OR IF WE GOING TO DIED TOMORROW, LIFE IS TODAY, AND EVERY DAY COME WITH A NEW THEME, IF YOU CAN MAKE A TODAY THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY OF YOUR LIFE, AND PASS THIS TO THE PEOPLE THAT YOU KNOWS, YOU GOING TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE BUT MANY OTHERS, FIRST BELIEVE ON GAD, TRUST HIM WITH YOUR LIFE, YOUR HEART AND YOUR MIND, AND HE NEVER DOES THINGS WITHOUT MEANING… THEM LIFE TODAY, DO NOT WORRIED BEFORE, AND DO NOT WORRIED LATER… ENJOY EVERY MINUTE CAUSE THIS IS TE MOST IMPORTANT MINUTE OF YOUR LIFE, AND DO NOT FEAR, NOT CANCER NOT PROBLEMS, NOT NOTHING, CAUSE GAD IS WITH YOU, SOME TIME HE TAKE FIRST THE BEST, MAYBE IS EASY IN MY POSITION, BUT TRUST ME, SOMETIME PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE CANCER AND HAD OTHER DEMONS, WORSE DEMONS THAN CANCER, AND NEVER CAN GO TO SEE GAD, LOOK FOR THE POSITIVE OF EVERY SITUATION, LOOK WHAT YOU HAD ALREADY AND I GOING TO TELL YOU, YOU HAD MORE THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE ON THE WORD, i AM GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE FREE, THAT YOU HAD A SECOND, 3RD TIME IN LIFE, THEM MAKE A DIFFERENCE, FOR GOD, FOR YOU, FOR YOUR FAMILY AND FOR ME TOO, THAT I NEED IT, WE NEED LO CHANGE THE WORD, CHANGE PEOPLE, CHANGE THEIRS MINDS, THEIRS LIFE’S…. HELP ME TO DO A BETTER WORLD FOR TOMORROW, FOR OUR CHILLS, AND FOR THEIR CHILD’S… YOU HAD THE POWER, DO NOT FEAR, TAKE AWAY THE FEAR FROM YOUR HEART. BELIEVE IN GOD, HE KNOWS BETTER, AND LIVE TODAY LIKE TODAY IS YOUR LAST, ENJOY EVERY DAY AND GAD BLESS YOU….
To all of us who are fighting cancer. My first cancer showed up in 2000. Melenoma on my ankle. Then a year later a Melenoma found on my thigh. Both were removed and all went well until 2005. I was diagnosed with kidney cancer (renel cell carcinoma). My left kidney was removed, all margins were clear and no treatment necessary. Went 4 1/2 years (2010) cancer free before renel cell attacked my left lung. Again melenoma was removed, margins clear and no treatment needed. This past July I was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma on the right upper lobe of my lung. Dr.’s removed the upper right lobe. Margins around the area were clear and again no treatment needed. I am explaining all of this because before I was ever diagnosed with cancer the word only meant death to me. You never think it would happen to you. When diagnosed with my first cancer I went to pieces. Then quickly thought I have no control over this. Fell to my knees and asked GOD to handle this for me. Each time there after I have let HIM handle it along with my wonderful doctors at the Mayo Clinic. With love, prayer and obedience, I have come through these ordeals. I believe a positive attitude is needed to fight this disease.
Thank you to all the dedicated dr.’s and staff at the Mayo Clinic and most importantly thank you GOD.
I pray everday for those who are fighting cancer and for those who did not survive, and ask our GOD to bless them as HE blessed me. They will be in my prayers daily. KEEP THE FAITH!
It is the best medicine we could have.
Thank you for sharing your story with us. My father was seen at the Mayo Clinic and was dx’d with Prostate Cancer, he had that removed and no problems. A year later, was dx’d with bladder cancer and colon cancer. The Mayo had a treatment plan and it worked. He has been cancer free for years.
My youngest brother was dx’d with Non-Hodgkins Cancer, the mass was removed and treatment plan was to watch his status as there is NO cure for this type of cancer. He is in remission and has been for the last 8 years.
My sister however, lost her battle with Ovarian Cancer. Christina lived in Greece and was dx’d with cancer in August of 2012 and died in November 2012. I couldn’t get her to the Mayo for their assistance. May she rest in peace and her memory be eternal.
Good luck to you and regular check ups WILL save your life!
God bless all of you. I have cancer now. I’m searching for help and a new doctor. I had ovarian cancer was debulked and had hipec may 2011. I had 6 cycles of carboplatin and taxol ended October 2011. Was told cancer free Dec 2011. I had CA 125 marker of only 42 points before surgery!! Since Dec 2011 it started with CA 125 marker of ” 4 “. Then checking it every 3 months markers were rising –5—7—11—32 Aug 2012 —46–Dec2012—–46–Jan 2013. I have been told the cancer is back. It’s now called peritoneal cancer!! I have also been told I can never have surgery again, because of the Hipec procedure I had during surgery. This leaves me with very limited options fo survival . I am just looking for information that will help me buy time. I need a very compassionate doctor to help me with treatment. If any out there please reply.
Cindy, here is a link to our Cancer Center: http://www.mayoclinic.org/cancer-treatment/
Cindy, I’m a Cindy with ovarian cancer too. Have you been given the opportunity to be in any clinical trials for Avastin or other experimental drugs? I just finished and am in remission (for now). You can call me at 559-443-9292 for more info. I also heard Mayo has something called Metformin, a new drug to treat OC, but don’t know for sure. God’s blessings to you and keep Him close–He will guide you through this. Cindy