Tag Archives: ovarian cancer

Life’s Qualities

Quality of life is something one talks and thinks about a lot with cancer. Most of the time it’s an easy conversation with oneself: Is it worth it to undergo this treatment, that might be difficult and will certainly have … Continue reading

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The Hoops

I had to request all my records from the last five years, some by FAX (yes, fax) and some by CD, be sent to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Then they asked that I get a scan as it had … Continue reading

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The Trial

About a minute after I found out I had Stage IV ovarian cancer, back in February 2016, I learned the word immunotherapy. For at least a year, and occasionally since then, people sent me links to videos and articles about … Continue reading

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The Break

I’m seven weeks from my last chemo treatment. This round I had one infusion a month for two cycles, six months in total. After three months I had a scan that showed, for the first time, not progress but stability. … Continue reading

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Shaped by the Land

I grew up in Park Forest, Illinois, a south suburb of Chicago. Until I was 6, we lived in a neighborhood of co-op townhouses that faced onto forest preserve. That was an early and enduring term for me, “forest preserve.” … Continue reading

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Drought

Every year of this cancer journey, I’ve found a reflection of my physical state in the life of my garden. I have always seen the cancer as akin to a noxious weed, something that just keeps coming back and which … Continue reading

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The Anniversary

My freezer and fridge are full of fancy food. I have a quality steak. I have a lamb roast and lamb chops from a local farmer. I have frozen mussels, and scallops, large shrimp, salmon. Frozen salmon ravioli I made … Continue reading

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In the Garden

It is Maundy Thursday, and my evening didn’t go as planned. I wanted to make a feast and had planned to wash my husband’s feet, if he would let me, which is doubtful. I think it would have been a … Continue reading

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The Blessing of Good Thoughts

There must be a lot of people praying for me. It’s very clear to me that the peace I feel, the love I feel, even joy at times, comes from the prayers of others. Sure there is frustration, even to … Continue reading

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Recurrence 1

Today was my first day of chemo to treat a recurrence of Stage IV ovarian cancer. We first saw signs of a recurrence back in March, when a small nodule and “signs of additional nodularity” appeared between the lobes of … Continue reading

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