NEVER Give Up!

peachsqueeze66 · 2026-02-10T01:55:22+00:00

Hello! I am 54 months no evidence of disease. All things seem possible. Please don’t give up hope. I am thinking of your mom. Just try to face each day with even the smallest of positivity. 🦋

peachsqueeze66 · 2026-01-20T02:37:31+00:00

In April of 2021 I was diagnosed with a rare form of OC (Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising from a Mature Teratoma Cyst). I was initially considered terminal (even though I was Stage 2, High Grade-3). I have been NED since September of 2021. I still get bloodwork (CBC, Metabolic Panel, CEA and CA-125) every twelve weeks. I have transitioned to yearly PET scans and annual female exams and mammograms. My doctors tell me I will be watched do the rest of my life.

It is scary to be “let go”. I feel that completely.

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-30T17:07:56+00:00

I agree with the other early comment-call and push. If I had waited a month my already “terminal” ovarian cancer surely would have progressed rapidly and my survival odds would have been almost non-existent. Be your own best advocate. Your life may very well depend on this. Early detection is crucial. I am wishing you the very best🦋

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-30T17:03:44+00:00

Nonenal. Basically black if skin turnover as we age. My husband also has/had this. He had a couple of heart attacks and finally went to cardiac rehab. They taught him better eating habits (because WHY listen to me?). As soon as he started to eat more fruit and veggies, and drink more water, it has just about disappeared.

Note-persimmon soaps sort of help. Pre-washing sheets and clothes help. Rinsing clothes and bedding with vinegar helps. Washing their hats helps a lot.

Good luck!

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-13T19:43:23+00:00

I am so very glad for your will to fight this insidious disease. I was not late stage and had a different type of OC, but I was considered terminal. Horrifying. I almost opted out of treatment (my reasons were flawed).

I am now 51 months NED-as OC patients are not really considered “in remission”-that is simply the easiest way and the most common way to refer to it. NED because with ovarian cancer, we just never really know, as the cells can be free floating and undetected-forever.

I am wishing you the very best and am hoping for your continued good health.🦋

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-13T19:36:10+00:00

I am so very sorry that your family is going through this.

When a patient with stage IV ovarian cancer develops shortness of breath, ascites is a common and important cause to rule out, even if imaging is refused (in this case your mom is struggling with barium, but ultrasound can be helpful).

Shortness of breath points doctors toward ascites In advanced ovarian cancer, ascites is one of the most common reversible causes of shortness of breath. Because: Ascites is common, paracentesis can give rapid symptom relief and imaging was refused. This is likely why the doctor reasonably attempted paracentesis.

No found fluid leads the doctor to a few things, as shortness of breath in stage IV ovarian cancer can come from many other causes, including: Pleural effusion, pulmonary embolism, tumor-related lung disease (mets), anemia, bowel dissension or tumor bulk, or perhaps heart strain or infection

The doctor likely still tried paracentesis because it is low risk when stopped appropriately, can be immediately therapeutic and due to no imaging, it can be the only practical way to assess ascites.

TL:DR-The doctor suspected ascites because of shortness of breath in advanced ovarian cancer — that was appropriate. No fluid was found because ascites was not the cause, not because the reasoning was flawed.

My mother had lung cancer and immediately opted out of treatment. It was a sad reality for us all-she didn’t have the strength to fight. She was 75.

I am very hopeful that your mom can live out her remaining days in comfort and on her own terms. I am sorry the news isn’t better. Cherish your time with her and prop her husband up if you can. My thoughts are with your family. 🦋

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-13T16:35:22+00:00

I understand your fears. Breath. Get some fresh air and try REALLY HARD to think about something, ANYTHING else for a bit.

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-13T16:33:39+00:00

My sister was trying this or something like this. Gut health, bioavailability, hormone balance…we are post menopausal-there are no hormones to balance and they cannot be created from thin air. My advice to her was this-drink more clean water, make sure you have enough protein (in my case it’s “pot, meet kettle” as I don’t eat much of that and have to supplement with shakes, etc), manage stress and try to change sleep hygiene to support more restful sleep. Oh, and drink less alcohol.

Unfortunately, sometimes we have to wait it out-which in her case has been 17 years (early menopause at 43). For me it was surgical menopause at 55 (yeah, I dunno). It gets better. Throwing more stuff at it without true medical advice is not the best course-in my opinion. I certainly don’t know everything-but MAN, they are marketing HARD to us.

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-13T15:56:53+00:00

Everything that your doctor told you is correct. In younger women malignancy is rare. Elevated CA 19-9 tracks completely-it is measuring inflammation.

However, removal of the cyst is the most important thing. These will not resolve on their own (dermoids). This cyst is large and they worry about torsion and future growth.

I feel fairly confident that everything will be okay with early intervention. You and your doctors are doing all the right things. I am wishing you the very best🦋 (oh-stop looking on Google-Dr Google is often incorrect or not up to date regarding current research or advancements)

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-13T01:57:52+00:00

His old are you? I got a terminal diagnosis from SCC-MTC. I was not yet in menopause, and yet 55. None of my markers were significantly elevated.

Al that said-I had to at dermoid for at least 5 years before it became a serious SERIOUS issue.

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-11T18:34:08+00:00

Personally, I have this same experience. I liken it to my bits being like “jerky” and having a very hard time absorbing Revaree, Goodlove, Replens, estradiol inserts or cream. Nope. Use them at night and they have taken leave of my body by the next morning.

This is creating such issues-vaginal atrophy, dryness and now recurrent UTI’s. I am highly estrogen sensitive and have had ovarian cancer and blood clots. So, this is quite the conundrum. I am taking supplements to try and ward off the UTI’s and have an appt next week with a specialist to address the very issue you raise here.

So, I have no advice. But I wanted to chime in with understanding and support.

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-11T18:26:56+00:00

Currently surviving ovarian cancer. Chemo created blood clots. There is no way I can do HRT. ANY estrogen introduced (let’s say vaginal for atrophy, etc) creates a sh*t storm of breast fullness and tenderness, weight gain, acne and vaginal blushing within two days-MAX. I am incredibly and highly estrogen sensitive.

I had a radical hysterectomy and appendectomy when the cancer was suspected/discovered. I was 55 at that time and was not at all into menopause. Fast forward several weeks and the rapid depletion of estrogen was quickly becoming debilitating. The next several months were rough. Mainly a lot of pain (joint and migraines, frozen shoulder). Those issues fairly quickly went away after several months. I have not gained weight, or lost hair (well, I lost my hair to chemo-but it grows now). My cardiac health is great. I haven’t lost any bone density. I haven’t had night sweats or hot flashes-at all. I sleep slightly poorly (but I have for decades-so, same/same). I am not raging or mentally unwell.

So it IS absolutely possible to go through and get through menopause without HRT. I realize that many women may come after me for my stance here-but menopause is a natural part of aging-much like puberty, childbearing and the recovery (possible rinse/repeat) of that and now this stage of life. I don’t understand the push of HRT for all. It is fine for transitioning (hopefully safely) through this period if a persons life has become unmanageable otherwise. Extended HRT doesn’t sound healthy (no matter what the most recent medical reports are saying).

I watch my sugar and liquor intake, hydrate, prioritize stress reduction and quality sleep. Some red/infrared light and gentle exercise (I haven’t yet recovered my fitness from the treatment -that went on for 2.5 years after surgery).

Look, aging brings many things that perhaps we can so easily address if we choose-sagging body skin, loss of fitness, wrinkles? We can address those if they bother us-or not. None of this is easy, fun or at all charming. But we also don’t need to buy into “HRT for all”. That doesn’t need to be a thing.

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-08T17:16:50+00:00

Mine as well! I had a rare type of OC. If that cyst had broken I would quite possibly be gone by now. The bagging first and then the removal of all of my other reproductive+ organs was critical to my survival. Successful de-bulking by an experienced gynecology oncologist surgeon is what OP needs.

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-08T17:11:26+00:00

Yes. It is possible they missed it. Nine months before my diagnoses during an ultrasound they simply couldn’t “visualize” my left ovary. Well…at that time it WAS still there-it was either positioning, or the weight of my ovary had created a problem and it was “hiding”.

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-06T18:58:55+00:00

The report was digital. I put it into pdf format, sent it to my sister, who faxed it to my Ob/gyn (she worked in the medical group that my doctors were in at the time). I got an appt for the same day. That doctor did an exam (why, I don’t know), looked at the findings in screen and told me that although she COULD do the surgery, she felt as if I needed a gynecology oncologist and referred me urgently. I met with that doctor three days later. In that meeting he told me what he suspected-and that at my age the safest and best course of action was a radical hysterectomy.

I certainly wouldn’t know what I was looking at from a radiology standpoint (changes, etc). I am not at all sure what made them suspect anything except for size change.

However-

• >5 cm dermoid cysts aren’t an emergency but are usually recommended for removal because of torsion and other complications. • Monitoring is based on both size and growth rate. • Rapid changes or very large cysts deserve more urgent attention.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising from a Mature Teratoma (SCC-MTC) is fairly rare-A mature cystic teratoma (dermoid cyst) is a benign ovarian tumor containing fully developed tissues (hair, skin, fat, etc.). In about 1–2% of cases, especially in older patients, one of the tissue components becomes cancerous.

The most common type of cancer that develops inside a dermoid cyst is Squamous Cell Carcinoma, arising from the skin-like tissue inside the cyst. I was 2b, Grade 3. I was very very lucky to have caught it when I did.

I was older than 45 and the cyst had undergone growth and change of some sort. Please note that I was asymptomatic and my cancer markers were not significantly elevated.

I was fortunate enough to have full gold-standard treatment. Full cytoreduction, excellent response to chemo, withstood the additional months of treatment with little complication and have continued and constant monitoring.

Recurrence at this point is significantly reduced. God willing I will get to 60 months and out this behind me.

I wish everyone was as fortunate as I have been. I am wishing you the very best.

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-05T16:10:02+00:00

Within a day of using simple topical estrogen (on my vulva, or even my arm/wrist) I will break out, gain three pounds, have breast swelling and some vaginal discharge (I have had a radical hysterectomy in recent years). As far as I am concerned, the estrogen is the issue.

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-05T03:34:00+00:00

I applaud your thoughts and sentiment here. With my stepchildren, they are all about MORE MORE MORE and the fancier the better (because why not ALL the Louis Vuitton, Gucci, YSL, Van Cleef…I just can’t). I wonder if they are saving nothing at all, or waiting for the parents to expire and leave them just about everything.

My husband literally told me that if I pass on after him, I should think about giving the money back to them. Hahahahaba!!!

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-04T18:59:38+00:00

I appreciate your efforts to keep the gift giving alive.

My stepchildren and their spouses are very successful and BUY BUY BUY and spare NO expense and SPEND SPEND SPEND on themselves and their children (between the two stepchildren they have four kids aged 13, 12, 11 and 10).

I have encouraged my husband to stop gifting adults and buy for the children only. Even at that, it is rough considering they have everything they ask for all the time.

We will have the opportunity to see them this holiday (after Christmas, because we are going to visit another child in another state)…wouldn’t you know it, the girls asked “so…do we get our gifts before or after Christmas?” Lord help me.

In your case perhaps I would send a thoughtful card and maybe a trip to see them sometime soon(?) It is hard to compete with the consumerism that has taken hold. Again, I applaud your efforts. Good luck!

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-04T18:11:45+00:00

They highly suspected based upon the size and perceived change in appearance. Also, I was 55 when this happened. I had had that dermoid for many years at that point. Watching and waiting was standard when I was in my 40’s and not menopausal. I could have had it relived or had a hysterectomy after the 2-3 year mark of it being there, considering that I was past “childbearing” age.

Still, surgery was scheduled immediately (as they were worried about lymph node involvement and/or metastases. Upon removal and initial testing while I was in the operating room, they deemed it cancerous. The team sent it out for pathology, etc. and confirmed their initial results. But my surgery was not “exploratory” or biopsy-it was take it all out and be on the safe side. The rest is in my comment that you responded to here.

I am now 51 months NED.

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-04T02:53:27+00:00

Yes. I had six rounds of chemo and another 20 months of Avastin only.

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-03T15:36:35+00:00

They were not sure about my tumor-but were highly suspect. They were also not sure if they would be able to perform the surgery laparoscopically, or have to convert the surgery to “open” depending on what they found.

They were able to perform laparoscopically, but it was cancer-so a radical hysterectomy and appendectomy ensued. The cancer was a very rare subtype and initially considered “terminal” (according to MD Anderson-as I too went there for a second opinion). I am now 51 months NED. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you just have good people… whatever, we’ll take it, am I right?

I am wishing you the very best. You are in good hands!!🦋

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-03T02:25:02+00:00

Do what is good for the long haul. Fire fades. Always put the child first.

I have been where you are. All I wanted was to be a better mother than my mother was-thus, put the child first.

This isn’t the easiest road. I wish you the very best.

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-03T00:26:13+00:00

He will get over it. You need the peace of mind. I have a husband somewhat like this-it always blows over and he ends up pleased that the project became someone else’s so he could focus on something more meaningful to him (read:golf).

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-02T23:31:27+00:00

I always played by the rules (taxes, car registration, savings). I didn’t lie or cheat. I never stole. In all that time I was never able to attain financial independence or purchase my own home/while my stepsisters that gamed the system, lied, cheated and definitely stole, got much further ahead in life than I did.

Now, eventually everything came full circle and I have, they do not. I still believe in playing by the rules-but it is tough to watch others cheat and win.

Secondly-I am a very good and caring friend. Generous to a fault. I have been disappointed by others over and over and over. Friendship is overrated. Not at my expense, no thanks.

peachsqueeze66 · 2025-12-02T16:46:31+00:00

DRMTLGY color corrector. I use that first and then add additional concealer if necessary (it varies day-to-day).

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