New To-Do List

• Sing.
• Smile at strangers.
• Keep learning.
• Notice kindness.
• Eat ice cream.
• Hope.
• Count my blessings.
• Laugh.
• Love.
• Love some more.

 

Happy Anniversary Honey!

I just wanted to let the world know what a wonderful husband I have. So….to my honey, Do you realize how much you mean to me? You always give so much of yourself unselfishly. You always care and always try to make things better. You came into my life at a time when I had given up on love and I thought all was lost. Honey, I love you exactly the way you are. You are my gift from God, and although our lives are not picture perfect, as no one’s is, I wouldn’t trade you for the world. I just want you to know I respect you greatly for the things you have accpmlished and the way you've chosen to live your life. I thank you for being the greatest man on this earth, and I thank God for giving you to me. You allow me to be me with no string attached. Your love strengthens me every day. You fill my heart with love. We have many years to look forward too. Whatever storm is upon us, we will weather it together with God and united in love. I love you, don’t ever forget that. Always know that your love for me gives me strengthen every day.

Advocacy

I was diagnosed with stage IIa ovarian cancer in March 2006. After the fog cleared and I began adjusting to my new life-- as an ovarian cancer survivor --in my opinion you are always a survivor. I began to look for ways to deal with the new me. Advocacy has given me a tool to continue fighting this disease, not only for me but for those who are fighting, those who have lost their battles and women who may be at risk.

Speaking out works - by getting involved, breast cancer survivors have increased funding for breast cancer that has led to new treatments and tests that are saving more lives than ever before. We are doing the same for ovarian cancer. As advocates for ovarian cancer we are educating women about ovarian cancer, changing public policy, and making a difference!

Through this thing called ovarian cancer I have had the opportunity to meet and become friends with some of the most courageous and impressive women on the face of this earth. Learn the risks and symptoms of ovarian cancer.

Survivor…yeah that’s me!

Dictionary.com defines survivor as a person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship, or setbacks. For some cancer patients the word survivor does not do justice to the power they felt fighting cancer. They want words that evoke the newfound power they attained since being diagnosed. They want words like slayer, warrior or fighter. Also some in the cancer community say survivor does not pay homage to the ones who succumbed to cancer.

I have a hard time understanding why it is a big deal for some. In my opinion I’m living after fighting this deadly beast so I am…surviving. So for me, the term survivor is more than just a catchphrase; it’s a call to action, a way to establish some sense of power in a situation where losing control can happen very quickly. So call me what you want warrior, fighter, slayer, princess, queen or bitch.

But what I am truly is…a person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship, or setbacks. A true SURVIVOR!

Are You at Risk?

While the presence of one or more risk factors may increase a woman's chance of getting ovarian cancer, it does not necessarily mean she will get the disease. A woman with one or more risk factors should be extra vigilant in watching for early symptoms.
Risk factors include:

• Genetic predisposition
• Personal or family history of breast, ovarian or colon cancer
• Increasing age
• Undesired infertility
Facts
• All women are at risk
• Symptoms exist - they can be vague, but increase over time
• Early detection increases survival rate
• A Pap test DOES NOT detect ovarian cancer

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recommendations

Current recommendations for management of women at high risk for ovarian cancer are summarized below:
• Women who appear to be at high risk for ovarian or breast cancer should undergo genetic counseling and, if the risk appears to be substantial, may be offered genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2.
• Women who wish to preserve their reproductive capacity can undergo screening by transvaginal ultrasonography every 6 months, although the efficacy of this approach is not clearly established.
• Oral contraceptives should be recommended to young women before they embark on a planned family.
• Women who do not wish to maintain their fertility or who have completed their family may undergo prophylactic bilateral salpingooophorectomy. The risk should be clearly documented, preferably established by BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing, before oophorectomy. These women should be counseled that this operation does not offer absolute protection because peritoneal carcinomas occasionally can occur after bilateral oophorectomy.
• In women who also have a strong family history of breast cancer, annual mammography screening should be performed beginning at age 30 years.
• Women with a documented HNPCC syndrome should undergo periodic screening mammography, colonoscopy, and endometrial biopsy.

Sources
1. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Statement of the American Society of Clinical Oncology: genetic testing for cancer susceptibility. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 1996; 14: 1730-1736.
2. NIH Consensus Development Panel on Ovarian Cancer. Ovarian Cancer: Screening, treatment, and follow-up. JAMA, 1995; 273:491-497.

What a walk!! 2010 GOCA Overcome Ovarian Cancer 5k

The walk was awesome, over 700 walkers and $120,000 raised!!!

Rantings of a ovarian cancer WARRIOR!!!

I couldn't think of a nice title for this since its a rant!! Ovarian Cancer lacks the trendy factor, we don’t have a three day run/walk; we don’t have a screening tool. Ask a bunch of women what to look for with breast cancer and most will know at least a little. Ask them about ovarian cancer and the majority won’t even have heard of it, let alone know what the symptoms are. There are NO tests for ovarian cancer that are more than 50% accurate. There is no way to positively detect ovarian cancer that is why it is the deadliest gynecological cancer. By the time most women find out about it, it’s often too late. Know the symptoms! BEAT ovarian cancer

B=Bloating
E=Eating less/feeling full qiuck
A=Abdominal pain
T=Talk to you PCP, GYNE or Gyn OC

Silent no more!!!!

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month "Silent No More"!!

Ovarian cancer can no longer be called "The Silent Killer." Symptoms are often subtle, but they are not silent. Women with ovarian cancer DO have symptoms, even in the early stages.

These can include (but are not limited to):
Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)
Bloating
Eating less or feeling full quickly
Abdominal or pelvic pain or discomfort or heaviness
Terrible back pain
Additional symptoms may include:
Fatigue
Indigestion
Pain with intercourse
Bowel changes
Menstrual irregularities
Loss of appetite

Increasing abdominal girth

TAKE ACTION: See your doctor, preferably a Gynecologist, if these symptoms are unusual for you and occur or increase in intensity over two-six weeks. Experts suggest a combination pelvic/rectal exam, a trans-vaginal sonogram, and a CA-125 blood test. And, any woman at risk, suspected of having or diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer should consult a Gynecologic Oncologist.

EARLY DIAGNOSIS IS THE KEY.

****NOTE: Pap smears DO NOT detect Ovarian Cancer.****