r/Ovariancancer • u/Ok-Rest-9278 • 24d ago
Ovarian Cancer patient Recently diagnosed w 3b ovarian cancer. Dr says I have very little amount of disease and is hopeful for remission. Everything I’m reading does not look good. I have 2 kids and I just can’t shake the feeling that I won’t see them grow up! I cant get out of my depression. Anyone have some hope for me?
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u/Numerous_Literature9 23d ago
I was diagnosed as stage 4 six years ago. If your doctor says have very little disease your odds are way better than google says. You will get through this!
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u/Ok-Rest-9278 23d ago
Have you had any reoccurrences? How were your treatments?
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u/Numerous_Literature9 23d ago
No recurrences. I had a complete hysterectomy and removal of the inguinal lymph nodes that were malignant and then 6 rounds of chemo. I have been NED since then.
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u/Ok-Rest-9278 23d ago
That’s amazing! So happy for you!
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u/Numerous_Literature9 23d ago
Thank you! Hang in there--chemo is way better than it used to be and there are really good anti-nausea drugs these days. You will have days where you feel really tired but also normal days. I was able to work 8 days out of each 15 day cycle and continued to see friends and go on walks and enjoy my family. Good luck!
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u/drazil17 24d ago
I had a surprise diagnosis, same stage. If they haven't yet, they should do genetic testing on your tumor. There are some FDA approved treatments for several different markers. These treatments have not been around long enough to really show up in the statistics.
If your insurance company denies the claim, appeal, appeal, appeal. The testing is expensive, but so are the treatments. I reminded the insurance company that testing for specific markers, saves them from having to pay for expensive treatments that are not likely to work.
There are some 3b ladies who are 5 or more years out and still no evidence of disease.
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u/jax_988 24d ago
Stay off google! Focus on those kiddos. They are your hope. Get up, wipe off those tears, put on your warrior paint, and kick ass. Let those damn cells know they are no longer welcome in your body. You will see them grow up, and you will even hold your grandbabies. Every time you notice negative thoughts, turn them off. Distract yourself. Find a positive mantra that you believe to repeat. In the early days of my diagnosis, I told myself that my story does not end here. I still do when I experience intrusive negative thoughts. I am defiantly positive. I will win this war. Cancer is not allowed to return, and if it it does try, I will erradicate it too.
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u/Ok-Rest-9278 24d ago
Thank you. What stage are you and how long have you been fighting?
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u/jax_988 23d ago
I 54f am aware how very much of an anomaly my case is. I had symptoms of something for 6 months before OC was discovered as probable via CT scan February 2025. Gynonc was able to remove george the (m)ass in one piece during a TAHBSO March 2025. 0 spread george was contained to inside my right ovary. Stage 1A, HGSOC. CT late March, NED. I just completed my 6th round of adjuvant carboplatin paclitaxel last week. I have my first post CHEMO CT next week, I'm claiming once again that it will be NED. From now on NED is my soul mate. George tried, and he failed.
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u/supercali888 23d ago
A very little amount of disease is wonderful! Keep in mind that not all stage 3 ovarian cancers are the same. I was diagnosed with 3B in 2017 and I am still here and kicking with no recurrence (knock on wood - I'm superstitious and always have to say this! lol) Anyhow, stay away from Dr. Google and statistics (which are always at least 5 years behind). There is hope!
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u/AZPittieMama 23d ago
My sister was diagnosed with stage 3B in March at 30. She finishes chemo on Friday! Is yours high grade serous carcinoma?
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u/Ok-Rest-9278 23d ago
Yes
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u/AZPittieMama 23d ago
Ok so is my sister’s! Do NOT continue to research online. It was detrimental to her mental health and it’s not even updated! Do you know if you’re BRCA or HRD positive yet?
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u/Ok-Rest-9278 23d ago
How is her chemo going? They want me to start next wk. I’m so scared of all the symptoms! How much did she do? I’m supposed to do 3 before surgery and then 3 after.
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u/AZPittieMama 23d ago
Her chemo honestly hasn’t been too bad!! She had debulking March 18th and then her first round was May 3rd. Her cold capping has been SO successful! You’d never know she was sick and going thru chemo. Full head of hair. Days 1-8 after chemo she definitely felt lousy. Just nauseous and tired. Some rounds she’s had bad constipation and diarrhea. 2 weeks ago, after round 5, she ended up going to the hospital bc she was vomiting. It turns out she was SEVERELY dehydrated. Like severe. My advice to you is to get IV fluids the day before and 2 days after chemo if you can. After round 4, the chemo taste made it really hard for her to get fluids down. She also skipped IV fluids for round 5 which is what led to the dehydration. After the chemo wears off around day 9, she has two full weeks of feeling great!!
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u/Ok-Rest-9278 23d ago
Awesome. Thank you!
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u/AZPittieMama 23d ago
Btw - my sister found a lot of hope in reading the stories on this site. There’s several with HGSC and they’re 7-8 years NED!!
https://thepatientstory.com/patient-stories/ovarian-cancer/high-grade-serous/amber-c/
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u/Special_Procedure594 23d ago
I am reading “You Belong” by Sebene Sellasie. She had stage 4 twice!) and beat it. I don’t know odds but I don’t think you should assume the worst
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u/IndependentPiglet4 23d ago
Ok. I was dx Stage 4 HGSOC in May 2020. I did Carbo/Taxol/Bevacizumab before the surgery & had 2 thoracentesis done nearly back to back for cancerous fluid in the pleural space outside the lungs. Had my surgery in August 2020 & the surgeon also took my spleen because I had a hemorrhagic cyst with psammoma bodies. After I was strong enough post op, went back to the same chemo & was doing well. I had a recurrence 13 months later & went back on the same protocol again. Afterward, I remained on the Bev & am still on it w every 3 week infusions. My most recent CT scan was last week & I'm clear/NED. My CA125 is trickling up about 1 point every 3 weeks but still within normal range & we're not getting too freaky about that & all my other labs are still looking absolutely excellent. (with some cautions on my kidneys, not unexpected after all this folderol!) So that's that for now. And I'm grateful & just want to pass this information on to anyone who might be heartened by it.
Other than just sharing w you for a bit, I want you know that as scary as it all is (and it's all pretty terrifying at those times when your mind gets to rockin' at 2AM) things have changed. I would strongly encourage less Google & more OCRA. (Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. There's good information there. Plenty to fill the need to know. And lots of encouragement. I wish you well OP & everyone else who is working their way thru this maze or supporting someone w OC.
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u/mjmcfluff 23d ago
I am rooting for you! You’ve got this. Good news that you have very little amount of disease. Google can stress a person out so try to stop Googling. ❤️
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u/MadgeMcBee 23d ago
Hello. I was diagnosed with 3b high grade serous in late November 2024. I am done with 6 rounds of chemo and had a hysterectomy prior to starting treatment. I feel great! I am a positive person and do not read outdated internet info. Stay strong and as positive as possible. There is a lot of progress with treatments. Thinking great thoughts for you going forward.
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u/Chitown2025 23d ago
My mom was diagnosed in Nov 2018 with hgsc stage 3b, she is currently battling her 2nd remission on 4th cycle of chemo. What worked for us is we got her a 2nd opinion asap, teaching hospital that sees a high volume of oc. Good luck
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u/No_Art9513 23d ago
I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this, but glad to see all these positive responses!
Assume that b/c you don't name the type of OC (there are many) you have High Grade Serous, which usually responds very well to chemo, especially if 'very little' amount of disease. There are also amazing maintenance treatments, like people say, to extend the life of the chemo if any stray cells remained.
I was diagnosed with Clear Cell type - which usually does not respond to chemo, but with no other treatment developed that works for us, especially those with no gene mutations (I have none), women like me are told to have the chemo anyway, with just a 5% increase in chances of success over not having it ... and then we just have to hope for the best. I'm currently NED and may have been NED since surgery in Nov 2023 but they couldn't be sure as the ovary was stuck to the bowel which could have been caused by nasty cancer cells or 'harmless' endometriosis. Try and have faith in the treatment for your type and stage - it's come on leaps and bounds since all those outdated studies on Google.
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u/TealSister 23d ago
I was diagnosed with stage 3C low grade OC in June 2018, so 7 years ago. Had surgery, followed by treatment with aromatase inhibitors. My CA-125 dropped to 7 after 6 months and has stayed there since. All I can say is that there is hope and a positive attitude helps tremendously.
I echo the advice given above about ignoring the stats. So much has changed in treatment protocols in the last ten years that are not reflected in the stats. Also you don’t really know which of those stats really apply to you and which have nothing to do with your particular case and you won’t until the surgical pathology report is done.
Stay focused on enjoying the moments of each day with your family and friends. Small pleasures like rubbing lotion on one another’s arms or picking wildflowers.
Sending virtual hugs.
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u/EvenRepresentative77 24d ago
Do not read online. All the data is outdated. You fight for yourself, for your kids. Do all you can. You’ve got this.