What does a typical day with ovarian cancer look like? For many people, no two days are quite the same.

Ovarian cancer and its treatment can affect energy, comfort, work, household responsibilities, and plans for the future. Some days may feel relatively normal. Other days may require more rest or a change of plans.

In Q&A discussions on MyOvarianCancerTeam, including “What does a typical day look like for you living with ovarian cancer?” members have shared how their condition affects daily life. Although everyone’s experience is different, their stories show some of the many ways ovarian cancer can affect everyday life.

One challenge of living with ovarian cancer can be not knowing exactly how you’ll feel when you wake up. Pain, energy, mood, and other factors may change from one day to another.

For one MyOvarianCancerTeam member, pain could determine what was possible that day: “For me, there are no ‘typical days.’ Some days I wake up with so much pain, it’s hard to do much more than brew a cup of tea and wait for the pain meds to (maybe) kick in.”

“For me, there are no ‘typical days.’ Some days I wake up with so much pain, it’s hard to do much more than brew a cup of tea and wait for the pain meds to (maybe) kick in.”

 

— A MyOvarianCancerTeam member

Another member described both physical and emotional ups and downs: “Some days I feel pretty good and can do some housework. … Other days I need pain pills for my stomach pain … and back pain and sleep most of the afternoon. Some days, my spirits are up, and other days, I feel sad and depressed.”

When what you’re able to do changes from day to day, plans may need to change, too. Building some flexibility into a routine may make those changes easier to accommodate.

Fatigue or weakness can affect much more than how sleepy you feel. Cancer-related fatigue can affect daily activities, work, family life, and social life, and MyOvarianCancerTeam members described changing how they approach cleaning, errands, and other responsibilities.

One member explained, “Three years into treatment, I find the fatigue/weakness have mandated changes. I can still tend to my personal hygiene needs. A housekeeper every three weeks does the main cleaning. I keep it tidy.”

For another member, adjusting meant doing less at one time and stopping when they needed to rest: “I generally do one chore a day (laundry, linen changes, whatever). At this point, if I’m done, I stop. It’s hard to adjust to the changes, but each day is precious.”

“I generally do one chore a day (laundry, linen changes, whatever). At this point, if I’m done, I stop. It’s hard to adjust to the changes, but each day is precious.”

 

— A MyOvarianCancerTeam member

Changing how you handle daily tasks can help you work within your energy level. Breaking up tasks, leaving something for another day, or accepting help can simply be ways of adapting daily life to the energy you have available.

Pain and other physical changes can affect daily routines and activities. Members described neuropathy (nerve damage), digestive problems, and other lasting effects of cancer or its treatment.

One MyOvarianCancerTeam member said, “Lasting side effects of chemo (like neuropathy) have changed my lifestyle to one much more sedentary. Pain of some sort seems to be the norm, and I never know if it’s cancer, a lasting side effect, or something else.”

“Lasting side effects of chemo (like neuropathy) have changed my lifestyle to one much more sedentary.”

 

— A MyOvarianCancerTeam member

Physical changes can also lead to very practical adjustments. For example, ovarian cancer itself, as well as surgery used to treat it, can sometimes contribute to bowel obstruction. “Having dealt with bowel obstructions … resulting in additional surgery has changed my dietary habits forever, but with the help of a dietitian, I am slowly adding some foods back in,” a member wrote. 

Other healthcare professionals can also help with day-to-day challenges. Talk with your oncology team or an appropriate specialist before making major changes to your diet, activity, or other parts of your routine.

A job can provide income, routine, independence, social connection, and a sense of identity. When ovarian cancer or treatment affects the ability to work, the change can affect much more than income.

Ovarian cancer treatment can affect concentration, energy, school, work, and other responsibilities. One MyOvarianCancerTeam member described having to leave a profession that was important to them after starting a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor: “I can’t work anymore from the side effects. … I try to be grateful … but I feel a great loss of my nursing career.”

Other people may be able to continue working with changes to their schedule. One member shared, “I’ve gone back to work after recovering from surgery. But I’m only working five hours a day. So in the evenings, I have some energy and cook and do housework, and some evenings, I pick up something and just chill.”

“I’ve gone back to work after recovering from surgery. But I’m only working five hours a day. So in the evenings, I have some energy and cook and do housework …”

 

— A MyOvarianCancerTeam member

There’s no single right way for work to fit into life with ovarian cancer. People’s health, jobs, finances, benefits, and support systems are different. It can also take time to adjust emotionally when a familiar role changes.

Daily life isn’t only about managing symptoms and responsibilities. Members also described the people, pets, activities, and routines that bring structure or meaning to their days.

For one MyOvarianCancerTeam member, a companion dog brings both joy and routine: “My companion dog is the joy of my daily life. She gets me up at 7 a.m. so I can feed her and put fresh water down.”

Others described intentionally noticing what still brings them meaning. One member said, “My focus is on living life to the fullest and finding opportunities in each day to be grateful.”

Not everyone will feel positive or grateful every day, nor do you need to. Living with ovarian cancer can bring many emotions. Small sources of connection or enjoyment can matter alongside sadness, frustration, fear, or exhaustion.

Even on relatively good days, uncertainty can remain in the background. Some members said waiting for scans and results was especially difficult. Anxiety, depression, insomnia, and fear of recurrence can occur during and after treatment, and mental health support is an important part of cancer care.

One MyOvarianCancerTeam member described the contrast: “Most days, I can put cancer on the back burner, but waiting for scan results gets to my nerves really, really bad.”

“Most days, I can put cancer on the back burner, but waiting for scan results gets to my nerves really, really bad.”

 

— A MyOvarianCancerTeam member

Worry about the future doesn’t necessarily stop people from making plans for it. Another member shared, “I keep planning for my future, which gives me something to look forward to. I pray every morning I am able. … I just press on no matter what this diagnosis tries to take away from me.”

Both feelings can exist at once. You can look forward to something and still be afraid. You can enjoy an ordinary day and still think about cancer. There isn’t one correct emotional response to living with uncertainty.

Finding Support for Everyday Life

Ovarian cancer and its treatments affect everyone differently, so finding a balance that works for you may take time. It’s OK to ask for help as your needs change.

Your healthcare team can help manage symptoms, side effects, nutrition concerns, and emotional well-being. Friends, family, and support groups can also offer practical help, encouragement, and connection with others who understand.