Patrick Dempsey-Mom had ovca

I was watching Ellen this week and Patrick Dempsey was on the show.  They were talking about how his wife was expecting twins any day, and then Ellen said that Patrick wanted to talk about something for the first time ever to the public.  He then said, that his mom is a 5 year survivor of ovarian cancer!  I am not sure on any details, but it was nice to hear them mention this!  Did anyone else see this?

[Elizabeth33]

Hi,
My mother died of ovaria ca at the young age of 50.  My sister and I are the first set of sisters  to have a prophilatic oophoretory in MA.  I have never heard of anyone surviving ov. ca. even when diagnososed in stage 1.  Can you tell me more details about your Mom's disease and why she beat this silent killer of women?   I have also worked with several young girls who have lost their Moms, both diagnosed in stage 1 yet could not survive the disease.  I would like to hold out hope for this silent killer.  I have never heard anything positive about this disease.  Even in stage 1.  Please give me hope.  How did Patrick's Mom survive.??
Elizabeth Murphy

[Brownie3321]

Elizabeth - To be frank, a lot of women on this forum, including myself, are trying to stay as positive as possible as well as fight for our lives. It's discouraging when you post a message stating you have never heard anything positive about this cancer, or you have never heard of anyone surviving this cancer. First of all, there is nothing positive about ANY cancer whether it be ovarian, breast, or lung. Secondly, there is a group of ovarian cancer survivors here in Boulder where I live who are 10, 12, and 16 years in remission from stage 2 and 3 ovarian cancer. You have to keep your hope because ovarian cancer is NOT a death sentence. I plan on living out this horrible cancer and I was dx stage 3c. I'm very sorry to hear about your mom, I'm sure losing a mother has to be one of the toughest things to go through. Best of luck to you, Deandra

[gah_70]

There are ladies here on this forum who have been in remission for several years.  I find hope in that.  Education is the key to this.  Ovarian cancer is like any other..the earlier it is detected, the more likely it is to be treated sucessfully.  Unfortunately, not everyone diagnosed at stage 1 or 2 are cured.  But early detection is the best defense against any cancer.  Those of us diagnosed at higher stages can't give up, either.  I will soon hit my 3 year anniversary of diagnosis at stage IIIC, but I plan to be around a lot longer than that.  I, for one, intend to be around to beat the statistics - yep, you all still have to deal with me for a long time :-).  I look forward to dealing with Deandra for a long time to come, too!  

Patrick Dempsey's mother is a 3-time survivor of Ovarian Cancer (some websites say 2-time survivor).  Because of his family's experience with cancer, he recently donated a substantial amount of money to open a cancer wellness center in his hometown of Lewiston, Maine.  It is called the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing.  Look up demseycenter online for more information about it.

Gail      

[gah_70]

Oops...that should have been dempseycenter.

[Jan214]

I watched my mom die a horrible death from this never ending nightmare at the YOUNG age of 38 &  I was 7.  That not only had a profound impact on my ENTIRE life, but when I got the news that I was 3c I thought for sure I would go like her.  I was terrified of wasting away, but that was 1964 and things sure have changed.  I have every reason NOT to be optimistic, but I still am.  I am on my 2nd recurrence and I plan on being around for my 15th recurrence.  My best friend and chemo buddy died in Feb of Stage 1 OvCa, but she also had MS, which made a huge difference in her health and treatment.  We don't always know though what other conditions someone with a low stage may have that contributes to their problems.  
There are a bunch of women in my oncs practice that have been around for years and years.  There are several that have stage 3 and 4 that are 6, 8, 9, 11, & 13 years out.  These are only the ones I know about and I am sure there are more.
Please keep the faith and try not to have to negative a view on this as your state of mind does contribute to your overall sense of well being.  Good luck to you and I am sorry for the loss of your mother
I keep fighting in honor of those who are no longer here to fight the good fight.  
Jan

[Jan214]

Oh, I forgot to add that 4 of my 5 sisters had stage 1 ovca and one of them is 23 yrs out and the others are all well past the 10 year mark.  They all live near John Hopkins and were tested early and often.  I used to have checkups twice a year until I was 45 and than dropped back to once which was a big mistake on my part.  Everyone in my family got this before the age of 40 so I figured if I didn't have it by 45 I was okay.  I was a dumba$$ for thinking that I was the only one that looked like my mom, but didn't get the gene for this horrorshow.

[vegas2cr]

I am a stage IV 13 months out and doing well... Many many women live years and its now being treated as a chronic disease.. It certainly is not a death sentence....

[kismetfarm]

I am a seven year survivor of stage 3C. My mother is a five year survivor of stage 3C. I have met women who are 20 year survivors.  

I guess without a recurrence most women get on with their lives and don't mention it, which may be why you don't hear about them.

Great news too about Patrick Dempseys Mother!. And a good plug for OVCA.

[kimmywah]

My Mum is a nearly fourteen year survivor.