Thankful & a PSA
I have been thanking God Herself for the friends I have. From the ones I've known for years and years to the ones I've met recently to the ones I know only as a name on a computer screen, all have been so loving and supportive during this horrendous year full of death. I wish I could gather you all together and squeeze you into the biggest hug I can manage. You have made the awfulness a little easier and helped to keep me moving forward when I could have curled up in a ball to hide. I love you all.
And now for a Public Service Announcement for women and the men who love them: This morning one of our library "storytime moms" told me about a 35 year old friend who just died of Ovarian Cancer because it took two years for the doctors to figure out what was wrong with her. Her symtoms were vague--just not feeling right in her abdomen. They even told her it was ' all in her head'. By the time the correct tests were done she was at Stage IV. This is something that happens far too often. It happened to my son Sean's preschool teacher. I can vouch for my own experience that, as the saying goes "Ovarian Cancer...it whispers...so listen". I was damn lucky that mine was found during a CT scan for something else. It was only on looking back that I realized what I thought were pre-menopausal changes were actually whispered symptoms of the disease. The message here is that women who have experienced the symptoms listed below should fight to get the proper tests. Tell your gynecologist you want a vaginal ultrasound and a CA-125 and if that doctor won't do it, find one that will.
Symptoms:
Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort
Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea and indigestion
Frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection
Unexplained weight gain or loss
Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness
Ongoing unusual fatigue
Unexplained changes in bowel habits.
If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, ask you doctor for a combination pelvic/rectal exam, CA-125 blood test and transvaginal ultrasound. A Pap test DOES NOT detect ovarian cancer.
I was one of the 19% diagnosed in an early stage (Ic/IIa depending on which lab report you read). Most women aren't diagnosed until they are already at Stage III. I am also one of the rare ones who is still around 11 years later. Most don't make it to 5 years. For more information check out http://www.ovarian.org/
And again, big hugs to all my loving friends.
And now for a Public Service Announcement for women and the men who love them: This morning one of our library "storytime moms" told me about a 35 year old friend who just died of Ovarian Cancer because it took two years for the doctors to figure out what was wrong with her. Her symtoms were vague--just not feeling right in her abdomen. They even told her it was ' all in her head'. By the time the correct tests were done she was at Stage IV. This is something that happens far too often. It happened to my son Sean's preschool teacher. I can vouch for my own experience that, as the saying goes "Ovarian Cancer...it whispers...so listen". I was damn lucky that mine was found during a CT scan for something else. It was only on looking back that I realized what I thought were pre-menopausal changes were actually whispered symptoms of the disease. The message here is that women who have experienced the symptoms listed below should fight to get the proper tests. Tell your gynecologist you want a vaginal ultrasound and a CA-125 and if that doctor won't do it, find one that will.
Symptoms:
Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort
Vague but persistent gastrointestinal upsets such as gas, nausea and indigestion
Frequency and/or urgency of urination in the absence of an infection
Unexplained weight gain or loss
Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness
Ongoing unusual fatigue
Unexplained changes in bowel habits.
If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, ask you doctor for a combination pelvic/rectal exam, CA-125 blood test and transvaginal ultrasound. A Pap test DOES NOT detect ovarian cancer.
I was one of the 19% diagnosed in an early stage (Ic/IIa depending on which lab report you read). Most women aren't diagnosed until they are already at Stage III. I am also one of the rare ones who is still around 11 years later. Most don't make it to 5 years. For more information check out http://www.ovarian.org/
And again, big hugs to all my loving friends.