As a survivor, I clearly understand that there are MANY very pronounced symptoms for this disease. We all hear that is is hard to diagnose but that is very disheartening for those of us who experienced many of the same signs such as back pain, addominal swelling, excessive fatigue and feelings of constipation. The uncomfortable nature of the symptoms bring many to a doctor early only to be told that are symptoms are too vague. I do not understand what can be vague when it is bad enough to bring us in to a doctor.
The earlier that the disease is diagnosed the greater the opportunity for a cure and less potential for a recurrence of the disease within five years. It is ESSENTIAL that a "normal" PAP smear not be construed as disease-free! PAP smears DO NOT detect ovarian cancer.
Your words are inspiring. Having this disease doesn't mean end. It's just a start of a battle for the victory.
hattiesburg oncologist
Hi Chris,
I am a Ovarian Cancer Survivor 17 years.
18 years ago I had started to spot blood; watch out for that sign!
I was 53 years old at that time. I had gone to five different doctors; they were telling me I had Ovarian Cancer, before I was even tested or anything. They all had scared me, but one of my old doctors had told me to go to a teaching hospital. I had a wonderful GYN that took over my case and the first think he had told me was that he did not think I had Ovarian Cancer, he had told me that I was not a candidate for it.
He opened my birth canal in his examining room and removed a pulp. But he had also told me that I would have to come back in 2 weeks, he was going to do Laparoscopic Surgery, but when I left his office I was very hungry, I had not ate right and I had lose 30 pounds. So I went and ate a big meal, which was good, because I did not know it at that time, I was going to need my weight for my next steps. I did go back in two weeks for the Laparoscopic Surgery, after it was done, the doctor told me that my Ovaries were attached to my bowel, so I would have to come back in 2 weeks and have my Ovaries removed. I did go back in 2 weeks to have a hysterectomy, I wait for my doctor to come to discharge me, he was late and I knew he had bad news for me. He told me that I had Ovarian Cancer and I would have to take 6 months of Chemo. I had a great Oncologist too. I went every month and had my Chemo, it was not easy, but it saved my life. At the time I took my Chemo, They would do blood work and chest x-rays, etc. After I was done with Chemo I would continue to have my blood work and chest ex-rays all theses years. I have had an ultrasound of my stomach years later. Now when I go for my checkups once every year, I have a CA -125 test and this past year or two, I get a CA-19-9 test also.
I am now 71 years old and I try to keep healthy. I don’t smoke or drink,
I am a little over weight. I also only take natural vitamins, no medicine.
I would have to be very sick, and then I would take what ever the doctor
would want me to take. I feel this way, because I took all the Chemo.
But I do believe in being happy.
I believe in God and I do pray all the time. I don’t go to church much, but I feel that God is watching over me.
I always pray that they will find a cure for this cancer and all the other cancers. I have daughters, sons, grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
I would not like this to happen to them, or anyone for that matter.
GOD BLESS YOU!
Barbara
FOR ALL CANCERS AND OTHER DISEASES IT SHOULD BE ABOUT PREVENTION. DOCTORS ARE NOT BEING TAUGHT ABOUT NUTRITION IN MEDICAL SCHOOL. PHARMACUTICAL COMPANIES WILL NOT MAKE ANY MONEY ON A CURE, ONLY ON THE TREATMENT. RAISING YOUR GLUTATHIONE LEVELS WILL HELP FIGHT AND PREVENT CANCER. GO TO WWW.THEMESSENGERINFO.US AND LEARN. ALSO I HAVE ALL OF THE CLINICAL DOCUMENTS , SCIENTIFIC STUDIES. I WOULD BE GLAD TO HELP AND FORWARD ALL INFO. REQUEST AT TLTRN@COMCAST.NET
Joy, I agree with you entirely. I am also a survivor who is still under going treatment, very close to 3 years now. I think that this is a great thing that they are doing. But there is one small thing that bothers me, and that being the fact that this is Natiuonal Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. I realy felt that a lot of this would be focused on that. But in looking through the website, I see very little on Ovarian Cancer.
This is a deadly cancer that something needs to be done about. I just feel at times we are shoved in to the backseat and left on our own.
Chris