Living with Ovarian Cancer

In 1974, I moved from Boston to “paradise”, Honolulu, Hawaii.
My life was totally changed, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 24.
Prior to surgery I was informed chances of having cancer was 1 in million.
My doctors and my family were totally shocked when I was diagnosed with Stage IIIb ovarian cancer The tumor (on both ovaries), were very large, the surgeons were unable to remove the cancer because they were adhered neto the pelvic wall. I was informed i had less than six months to live.
Of course, I was depressed. I had a month of pelvic radiation and 2 years of chemotherapy of which much of the time I was hospitalized due to frequent infections…However I never gave up. After 2 these two years my prognsis remained extremely poor. At that point I was unwilling to continue with chemo and decided I wanted quality versus quantity of life. After
2 years I was surprisingly still live! I made the decision to go to nursing school. It was necessary for me to have a physical. As a result I decided to again deal with the cancer. I had
a total hysterectomy where the cancer was removeed and placed on oral chemo for a year. Had a 2nd look surgery a year later and was cancer free. A year later I graduated with my RN degree.
A had a recurrence 12 years later, placed on chemo and 8 years later had another recurrence. 16 years later, I remain cancer free.
Of course at times, it has been very challenging. With determination, the assistance from great doctore and the love and prayers of family and friends I never gave up.
Do whatever you can do: seek out good medical care, if you want find complimentary help such as yoga, meditation accupuncture, seek spiritual assistance and ask for support from family and friends.
Go for it!!