experiences of borderline ovarian cancer
I’d like to point out that if I had have been given full clearance surgery while this was at BOT stage - this would not be happening.There’s been a lot of talk on here in the past few weeks about how scary menopause is, and how you should try to hang onto your ovaries.While I’m... Continue Reading →
evolving concepts + evolving diagnostic criteria = my evolving confusionBut bear with me; this is a v helpful review article, published in December 2016.Based on a review of existing data (i.e. published literature), Hauptmann and colleagues have reviewed all the best-available-data about BOTs. They make some helpful conclusions, and relate existing data with the the... Continue Reading →
This study was published in December 2016 and is available online (open access).It’s the first prospective cohort of women who, after a BOT diagnosis, initially underwent fertility-sparing surgery (FFS). All participants (34 women) experienced recurrence. They received high quality follow up - including 2 experienced ultrasound examiners, with 15 years of experience in gynecological oncology ultrasound —>... Continue Reading →
It’s a new year - and two and half years since my diagnosis and surgery. Despite trying to keep up with new research findings and trying to become gynae-oncologist-pathologist-surgicalmenopause literate, I still get confused about the confusion about BOTs (borderline ovarian tumours). And, frustratingly, I watch - through our ever-growing (closed) Facebook group - newly diagnosed BOT-ladies... Continue Reading →
After I finished my PhD in 2010, I vowed to never get involved in any form of exam again. Ever. I had said that during school. I said it after I failed my driving test. I said it after school. And again during my undergrad. And after my MSc. I guess that didn’t work out exactly... Continue Reading →
It’s been two years since I had surgery to remove what was found to be a stage 2c borderline ovarian tumour (BOT). It’s been two years of trying to be a (patient) patient. I’m still trying to figure it out. It’s been two years of medical intervention: a radical (Wertheim) hysterectomy and menopause at 35; 28 surgical... Continue Reading →
Returning to this great editorial (2011) that (in my mind at least) really does sum up the frustration and confusion of all who engage with BOTs, including the researchers themselves. Fortunately for us, “research suggests that some of the time, confusion can actually be a good thing — an important step toward learning.” Martin Schwartz argues for... Continue Reading →
The wonderful folk at Ovarian Cancer Action are looking for ladies who are willing to share their stories as part of their ongoing public ovarian cancer campaign, particularly in relation to ‘speaking up’. I thought it would be good to try to get some BOT stories shared…. so here’s my attempt to (keep on trying... Continue Reading →
http://ovariancancerday.org/about-ovarian/5-facts-everyone-should-know-about-ovarian-cancer/An important article was published in The Guardian yesterday. But I don’t entirely agree with the article (for many reasons). The 103 women who I’m connected with across the globe who have the same diagnosis as me have had a range of experiences - many DID visit their GPs and in good time… but were told not... Continue Reading →
A year ago I was just waking up from surgery. In fact, it was probably about now that I was shouting obscenities at the ever-patient nurses from the recovery room as they wheeled my bed over what felt like The Biggest Bump in the world into the lift. I cursed, I screamed. Then we had... Continue Reading →
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