Deep Water: Making Sense of a Cancer Diagnosis

One daughter's emotional story of wading into the rising flood of information about her mother's stage III ovarian cancer diagnosis. The story illustrates the difficult but important role family members can play in helping a loved one make informed cancer treatment decisions, including the possibility of a clinical trial. The story also describes how to contact the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service for knowledgeable, caring, and personalized help in understanding cancer and available resources. NCI's cancer information specialists are trained to answer cancer-related questions by telephone (1-800-4-CANCER), LiveHelp (https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/livehelp/welcome.asp) instant messaging, and e-mail (http://www.cancer.gov/contact?cid=YTncigov). There is no charge or fee for the service, which is provided in English (http://www.cancer.gov/help?cid=YTncigov) or Spanish (http://www.cancer.gov/espanol/contactenos?cid=YTncigov). You can also visit the NCI Web site at http://www.cancer.gov?cid=YTncigov .

The storyteller, Cindy Lollar, works in communications at the National Cancer Institute.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Clinical trial
• National Cancer Institute
• NCI
• Cancer Information Service
• CIS
• Cancer information
• Coping with cancer
• Caregivers
• cancer caregivers
• National Institutes of Health
• NIH
• Health and Human Services
• HHS
• personal story
• personal journey
• deep water
• swimming
• cancer diagnosis
• cancer experience
• diagnosed with cancer
• Living with Cancer
• coping with cancer

[NCIgov]

We are very sorry to hear about your mom's situation. While we can't give advice in this forum, we would suggest contacting NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4CANCER (800-422-6237) or email at cancergovstaff@mail.nih.gov . The service is free.

[EPascucci]

Rigorous ** typo sorry

[EPascucci]

How is your mom doing? my mom was just recently diagnosed with stage 3a ovarain cancer. what stage was your mom-stage 3a, 3b, or 3c? What clinical trial did she participate in? I have done riguous research and I am completely aware of her chances of survival and the reoccurance of cancer after chemo. The dr said that she has a 80 percent chance of being cured, but really this doesnt make sense being that its stage 3. stage 3 isnt curable, its something you have to fight. Please give me advice<3

[CCCranwell]

So beautiful Cindy.  Tears to my eyes.