The Fear

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Hello Everyone

Following an operation to remove an ovarian cyst, I was diagnosed with Stage 3B ovarian cancer. I finished chemo in December and have recently been told that the cancer has gone and I am now trying to make the decision as to whether accept maintenance treatment of not. My appointment with the oncologist is tomorrow so I will need to decide on what course to take before then. But, that is another topic altogether!!!

What I wanted to ask was, am I the only one that is living with the constant fear of the cancer returning? I'm doing my best to be more active and am eating healthier, but I can't seem to shake off the fear that it will return and I will lose the battle. Many people tell me that I must live in the moment, that tomorrow is never guaranteed, but I'm finding it hard to lift the fog of fear.

Is there anything that you have tried or can recommend so that I can focus more on the here and now rather than the what ifs?

Thank you so much for reading.

Dahlia2270 9 months ago

i think everyone lives with the fear of Cancer returning. I found that hypnotherapy helped to lessen the fears and also talking to tigers with various tr

types of cancer.
following 2 six month sessions of chemotherapy in 2020 and 2021 I am now on a maintenance drug to ( hopefully) control the cancer developing. There are some side effects but in my case they are minimal and I enjoy a full and active life. Everyone reacts differently to any treatment. I am on 200 mg of Niraparib daily.

I have 3 monthly CT scans and oncology appointments each month to monitor.

I was initially diagnosed with Stage 1A clear cell aggressive cancer.

I hope this helps in your decision. It is not an easy decision to make., but having done as much reasearch as possible and looking at the information online from others on the same drug I made the decision thinking that if it works I have everything to gain and it buys time for any new treatment drugs to be researched and approved for use.

good luck for tomorrow and hope you make a decision either way. I want to live as long as possible and will try anything.

lots of Hugs

D️ahlia 2270

Dahlia 2270

NJM 9 months ago

Hi, I think it's absolutely normal. I've come on here for that very reason.

I finished chemotherapy in September and my last CT and bloods were all good but I can't get rid of the fear. Gets worse as my review appointment gets closer. Most days I can push it to the back of my mind but other days I can't. I met someone during treatment who is feeling the same as we keep in touch.

I don't think entering the menopause helps as struggling to feel like me!

I set myself a target to walk a certain amount each week to stay active and find it helps my mental health. When fear builds I get my walking shoes on and do extra miles. I was also put in touch with a counsellor for some coping strategies, not sure if that would help too.

I've even taken up embroidery anything to keep my mind active.

Good luck with your appointment Xx

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