Detour to Cancerland, September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Cancer? Me? No, no, no, you don’t understand. I eat right, take vitamins and exercise. I don’t drink or smoke. I get my check ups every year. I’m not supposed to get ovarian cancer. I’ve had five children and nursed them all – that puts me in the “low risk” group. Yet four years ago, at the age of 46, I was diagnosed with advanced stage III ovarian cancer.
My doctor was as astounded as I was. She thought it was the beginnings of menopause. For two months, my menstrual cycles had stopped, and I wasn’t pregnant. An office examination detected nothing unusual. Yet my belly continued to swell, and the discomfort I felt led me to the ER the following Monday. A CT scan revealed apple-sized tumors on both ovaries, and the disease had spread throughout my abdomen. Wednesday, I met my Cleveland Clinic gynecologic-oncologist. Friday I had surgery. That night the doctor explained to my husband that I had a 50% chance of surviving five years. Needless to say, our lives were turned upside down at this detour into Cancerland. We had a lot to learn fast - a whole new language and culture for a journey we never dreamed we would be required to take.
According to The American Cancer Society website, “…about 20,180 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in the United States during 2006. Ovarian cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancers in women. All women are at risk. Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. It is estimated that there will be about 15,310 deaths from ovarian cancer in the United States during 2006.”
Ovarian Cancer has been called the “Silent Killer” because the symptoms are subtle, and they often mimic other more common ailments. Typically, two or more symptoms occur simultaneously and increase in severity over time. Common symptoms include: abdominal swelling and/or pain; bloating and/or a feeling of fullness; vague but persistent gastrointestinal complaints such as gas, nausea and indigestion; frequency and/or urgency of urination; and a change in bowel habits. Women and the men who love them need to educate themselves about these symptoms of a “no-longer-silent” killer. This awareness is a matter of life and death - if ovarian cancer is detected early before it spreads outside the ovary, the 5-year survival rate is 94%. However, only 19% of all ovarian cancers are found this early. Sadly, even with all the attempts to make more noise, women remain largely unaware of the most deadly of all women’s reproductive cancers.
“Ovarian cancer is taking far too many lives and deserves the national public attention and discourse that other deadly cancers such as breast and prostate cancer have achieved,” said Jane Langridge, chief executive officer of The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
“Women experiencing at least two to three common ovarian cancer symptoms clustered together that persist for two or more weeks should visit a gynecologist and ask for a rectovaginal exam, transvaginal ultrasound and CA-125 blood test,” said Judith Wolf, M.D., a gynecologic oncologist and associate professor at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. “Because a family history of breast, colon and/or ovarian cancer increases the risk of the disease, women should monitor for symptoms and consider visiting a gynecologic oncologist for regular screenings.”
In July of 2002, two weeks after surgery, I began my first course of six monthly chemotherapy treatments. I elected to participate in a clinical trial, which added a third drug to the two usually used for initial therapy. I lost my hair and thirty-five pounds, but newer anti-nausea medications made it possible for me to complete the grueling trial. In January of 2003 I was officially declared in remission. I spent the next thirteen months readjusting to living back in Wellness World. Now a survivor, I lived in blissful denial of the fact that my chances of recurrence were high. Approximately 85% of women diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer will experience a recurrence. Once relapse occurs doctors do not consider a cure possible.
My first recurrence came in February of 2004. I never really liked that first wig anyway. The second recurrence was in March of 2005. I was now living with a “chronic cancer condition”. Who knew there was such a thing? I would be making frequent visits to “Cancerland” and had to learn how to healthfully deal with “dual-citizenship”. It helps to keep my “travel bag” packed, but tucked away in the back of the closet. I only bring it out when I have to make the trip to treatment, tests or doctor visits. I’ve been on chemotherapy for two-and-a-half years, with only a five month break this summer. Recently, it was discovered that the cancer has grown and spread in my belly and has now shown up in some lymph nodes. I’ve begun my sixth course of chemo. Thursday was treatment number 40 (why am I counting?).
My fellow travelers and tour guides in the journey - the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Cleveland Clinic - are an amazing group. I am continually awed and inspired by their dedication, professionalism and compassion. I draw strength for living from fellow survivors. And strength for dying from many I’ve known who have not survived. My family, friends and Christian community have been my constant source of faith, hope and love. I believe in miracle healings, medical or otherwise. I also know that at the ultimate healing, I will finally be Home.
My doctor was as astounded as I was. She thought it was the beginnings of menopause. For two months, my menstrual cycles had stopped, and I wasn’t pregnant. An office examination detected nothing unusual. Yet my belly continued to swell, and the discomfort I felt led me to the ER the following Monday. A CT scan revealed apple-sized tumors on both ovaries, and the disease had spread throughout my abdomen. Wednesday, I met my Cleveland Clinic gynecologic-oncologist. Friday I had surgery. That night the doctor explained to my husband that I had a 50% chance of surviving five years. Needless to say, our lives were turned upside down at this detour into Cancerland. We had a lot to learn fast - a whole new language and culture for a journey we never dreamed we would be required to take.
According to The American Cancer Society website, “…about 20,180 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed in the United States during 2006. Ovarian cancer accounts for about 3% of all cancers in women. All women are at risk. Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. It is estimated that there will be about 15,310 deaths from ovarian cancer in the United States during 2006.”
Ovarian Cancer has been called the “Silent Killer” because the symptoms are subtle, and they often mimic other more common ailments. Typically, two or more symptoms occur simultaneously and increase in severity over time. Common symptoms include: abdominal swelling and/or pain; bloating and/or a feeling of fullness; vague but persistent gastrointestinal complaints such as gas, nausea and indigestion; frequency and/or urgency of urination; and a change in bowel habits. Women and the men who love them need to educate themselves about these symptoms of a “no-longer-silent” killer. This awareness is a matter of life and death - if ovarian cancer is detected early before it spreads outside the ovary, the 5-year survival rate is 94%. However, only 19% of all ovarian cancers are found this early. Sadly, even with all the attempts to make more noise, women remain largely unaware of the most deadly of all women’s reproductive cancers.
“Ovarian cancer is taking far too many lives and deserves the national public attention and discourse that other deadly cancers such as breast and prostate cancer have achieved,” said Jane Langridge, chief executive officer of The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
“Women experiencing at least two to three common ovarian cancer symptoms clustered together that persist for two or more weeks should visit a gynecologist and ask for a rectovaginal exam, transvaginal ultrasound and CA-125 blood test,” said Judith Wolf, M.D., a gynecologic oncologist and associate professor at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. “Because a family history of breast, colon and/or ovarian cancer increases the risk of the disease, women should monitor for symptoms and consider visiting a gynecologic oncologist for regular screenings.”
In July of 2002, two weeks after surgery, I began my first course of six monthly chemotherapy treatments. I elected to participate in a clinical trial, which added a third drug to the two usually used for initial therapy. I lost my hair and thirty-five pounds, but newer anti-nausea medications made it possible for me to complete the grueling trial. In January of 2003 I was officially declared in remission. I spent the next thirteen months readjusting to living back in Wellness World. Now a survivor, I lived in blissful denial of the fact that my chances of recurrence were high. Approximately 85% of women diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer will experience a recurrence. Once relapse occurs doctors do not consider a cure possible.
My first recurrence came in February of 2004. I never really liked that first wig anyway. The second recurrence was in March of 2005. I was now living with a “chronic cancer condition”. Who knew there was such a thing? I would be making frequent visits to “Cancerland” and had to learn how to healthfully deal with “dual-citizenship”. It helps to keep my “travel bag” packed, but tucked away in the back of the closet. I only bring it out when I have to make the trip to treatment, tests or doctor visits. I’ve been on chemotherapy for two-and-a-half years, with only a five month break this summer. Recently, it was discovered that the cancer has grown and spread in my belly and has now shown up in some lymph nodes. I’ve begun my sixth course of chemo. Thursday was treatment number 40 (why am I counting?).
My fellow travelers and tour guides in the journey - the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Cleveland Clinic - are an amazing group. I am continually awed and inspired by their dedication, professionalism and compassion. I draw strength for living from fellow survivors. And strength for dying from many I’ve known who have not survived. My family, friends and Christian community have been my constant source of faith, hope and love. I believe in miracle healings, medical or otherwise. I also know that at the ultimate healing, I will finally be Home.
Volume 2, Issue 19, Posted 7:07 AM, 09.03.06
