I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in April 2021 my GP having failed to ask the right questions after a swab and not seeing me personally in 2020 before due to Surgery doors being closed due to COVID.
Once referred to hospital I've had good treatment and responded well to chemo, have had unexpected surgery that identified the cancer as being ovarian and since then have been having immunotherapy. I recently had a recurrence removed and was expecting radiotherapy to clean up. However this has not been prescribed.
Today I received a copy of Medical Decision Making documentation in the post and reading it has turned me to absolute jelly. It's awful seeing it all in black and white.
I've had some counselling in the past but it hasn't really helped me. I've been well throughout and am frankly avoiding thinking about the inevitable, carrying on with my normal work and activities which helps keep my mind off things.
I have felt very lonely because though on the face of it I have many friends, because I seem OK they assume I am. One of them told others that I didn't want to talk when in fact I'd said that giving a health update every time someone phoned was very wearing, especially as I've never discussed my health. Consequently people just didn't phone.
We're planning a trip downunder to see my kids and grandkids which of course everyone thinks is exciting. I'm actually dreading it as there will be the old elephant in the room and it's likely to be a last visit.
Sorry for going on - it's the first time I've written all this down.
Hi Travel and a warm welcome to the Online Community but so sorry to read about your journey.
This can be a lonely, stressful and challenging time but you have done the right thing in reaching out to a place where you can ask questions and getting support from others who are on the ‘exact’ same cancer journey.
The Community is actually divided into support groups (discussion rooms) so can I recommend you join and post in our supportive Ovarian cancer and our Living with incurable cancer - incurable patients only (Please join the group but this will then have to be approved by the Macmillan Community Team so will not happen immediately) support groups. These groups are safe places to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.
If you'd like to connect in with a group click on the (Bold) Group Text Link I have created above. Once the group page opens click on the black banner that says [click to join] at the bottom, or the [Join] button under "Group tools."
You can then introduce yourself by putting up a ‘new post’ by clicking in the box near the top right with + New or + (Depending on the device you are using) and you are ready to go. You could copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.
The Macmillan Support Line is open from 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00 where you can talk with someone about specific cancer and practical information, get emotional support or just connect with a listening ear.
We also have our Telephone Buddy Service where you can be matched with someone who understands what you're going through, and they'll give you a weekly call.
Talking to people face to face can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing and aim to give support to all the family.
Do get back to me if you need further help.
