Archives for September 2024

A Positive : I’ve learned to cherish every minute and live life happy and with a smile.

A Negative : I realized just who my true friends were. Many don’t want to be bothered with you or don’t know what to say so they stay away.

A Bit of Advice: Stay positive, keep doing the things you enjoy, travel, play games, spend time with family and friends. Stay away from negative people. Never give up.

Dale, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : Meeting other incredible women with a cancer diagnosis and gaining wisdom and strength from each one of them.

A Negative : Some friends and family have not stayed in touch with me.

A Bit of Advice: Educate yourself on your specific kind of cancer and get a second opinion. Trust your instinct on what kind of treatment is for you. Nurture the relationships that show you love and compassion and say goodbye to those that no longer serve you, no matter how difficult it may be. Find your tribe!

Joanne, Peritoneal Cancer Survivor

A Positive : I am now a volunteer at the cancer center where I had treatment giving back.

A Negative : Fear, every time I go to the doctor or have tests done.

A Bit of Advice: Take things one day at a time, one minute at a time.

Margaret, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : The ability to slow down and appreciate the simple pleasures of life like walking my dog and feeling my feet in the grass while listening to the birds, being mindful and present without dwelling on the past nor worrying about the future.

A Negative : Navigating relationships especially as a young adult. People have come and gone (more have gone), but I’m thankful for the few who have stayed by my side from day one.

A Bit of Advice: My advice would be not to wait, and do whatever their heart desires now. Leave no opportunities wasted, tomorrow’s not promised to anyone.

Christina, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : The one thing that has come out of my cancer diagnosis is a new found appreciate for life. All aspects of life!

A Negative : The one negative thing to come out of my diagnosis is a fear of dying and missing out on years of my children’s lives.

A Bit of Advice: Look for and read stories of hope and stay away from statistics. They are not accurate and honestly, they are just depressing. When those statistics are taken there is no accountability for age, underlying health conditions, treatments taken, etc. Your body is amazing and with a positive attitude and healthy diet you can live many years with cancer.

Tami, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : Being a positive advocate to women for GYN/Ovarian cancer. Have had lots of friends and friends of friends reach out to me for questions. Being an influence to help anyone that gets the news they have cancer to bring some hope, ease their mind and make them feel better is the biggest positive impact for me.

A Negative : Not having anyone that really understood all the emotions that came with the C word. Teal Diva came many years after my treatment however that connection now is so powerful and I know I am not crazy with my thoughts.

A Bit of Advice: Have an advocate at your appointments-you won’t “hear” everything they are telling you. TAKE THE HELP. Believe me, I tried to be strong and do it all, found out real quick I couldn’t physically do it all. Me finally accepting/asking for help, whether it was putting clean sheets on my bed or filling up my gas tank. Anyway that made them feel involved and part of my care in someway.

Karla, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : The little things became the important things. I acquired a deeper appreciation for things I once took for granted, such as a comfortable bed and a warm shower. As my physical strength returned, I became genuinely thankful for my ability to walk the neighborhood, climb the flight of stairs, complete a day of work, and participate in family activities. Daily life has a new sparkle.

A Negative : Surgically induced menopause turned me into a crazy woman. I hardly recognized myself! My husband began to avoid me and when we were in the same room, he tried not to speak with me for fear a maniacal me would appear. Eventually, we bridged that massive abyss with the help of medications and a commitment to our twenty-plus years of friendship. We really are best friends, again.

A Bit of Advice: Seek joy every day. Joy provides the spark that makes life’s journey happier.

Glenna, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : Meeting wonderful women who have battled this cancer.

A Negative : How many women I have loved and lost.

A Bit of Advice: Stay positive. Hope is stronger than fear. Knowledge is power.

-Janice, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : Close relationships I’ve made with others in our community. I have met the most amazing women. We have taken turns supporting one another, in celebration of milestones, and holding space for each other during heartbreak.

A Negative : Dealing with cancer as a chronic illness. I know I have overcome so much: multiple recurrences, surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, losing organs, etc., but each step has aged me biologically. I’m still navigating through life with permanent changes to my body.

A Bit of Advice: There will be good days and bad days. Enjoy the good ones doing the things you love, with the people you love. On the tough ones, honor your body and your feelings. Just remember that better days are ahead and you can lean into our community.

-Mai Linh, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : I learned to say ‘no’.

A Negative : Giving up work as an RN that I loved.

A Bit of Advice: Be your own best advocate. Keep a journal of treatment and research, private thoughts.

-Sarah, Peritoneal Cancer Survivor

A Positive : I have developed a deeper appreciation for the present moment and I have met people and gained sisters that I may not have met otherwise. 

A Negative : The rapid progression of menopause and other medical residuals from treatment.

A Bit of Advice: The best advice I can give someone is to keep a positive attitude and surround yourself with positive people that can see you and NOT the diagnosis.

-Sharkea, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : I no longer relentlessly try to manage the future.

A Negative : Loss of a robust sex life.

A Bit of Advice: Allow your brain to focus and, your body will follow.

-Chris, Fallopian Tube Cancer Survivor

A Positive : I knew I had to fight because my mom was dead, no sweet ovarian cancer. So I knew for me, the most positive thing is to fight and don’t give up.

A Negative : When I lost all of my hair.

A Bit of Advice: Find your biggest supporters. My family was my support from the beginning to the end. They were there every step of the way they did not miss a beat. I made sure I did all the things that the doctor told me to do. I knew I had to fight for my life. I wanted to be here to see my daughter graduate from high school.

-Monica, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : I was diagnosed with cancer the day after my son was born. My son is now 18 months old and is healthy! My biggest concern was/is him and to ensure he was healthy and the cancer had not impacted him. I am thankful for everyday, it is a gift!

A Negative : My circle became smaller. I learned who friends were there to support me fully. Sometimes friendships last for a season and seeing those friends who have stuck by myself has been incredible.

A Bit of Advice: Fight! The statistics are overwhelming. Please know that every person is unique and there is no expiration date for anyone. Take it all one day at a time.

-Amanda, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : A move to Prince Edward Island.

A Negative : Being away from family and friends.

A Bit of Advice: Listen to your body. Rest and be gentle with yourself. Take time.

-Margaret, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : A move back to Colorado and being closer to family.

A Negative : Not being able to have children which led to my divorce.

A Bit of Advice: Be gentle with yourself and when you get to the other side and no more treatment take time to stop and don’t panic find your new normal.

-Kathy, Endometrial Cancer Survivor

A Positive : My diagnosis, though many years after its inception, taught me how to really live. It taught me how to play and frolic and dance and sing, and all of the things typically associated with childhood. I know now that these things are childish, they are necessary.

A Negative : Post trauma stress disorder, survivor’s guilt, and an underlying, ever present fear that the shoe will drop, and I will have cancer again.

A Bit of Advice: Find a group, like Teal Diva, to support you. Community is everything.

-Camille, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : I took early retirement and love it.

A Negative : Seeing the hurt and worry in my loved one’s face especially my dad and partner.

A Bit of Advice: Advocate for yourself, do research, ask questions, and ask for help when you need it.

-Gillian, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : I’ve learned from my cancer diagnosis to live in the moment.

A Negative : A negative thing that has come out of my diagnosis is the unknown and worrying.

A Bit of Advice: The advice I would give is ask lots of questions to your doctor and nurses. If you’re not comfortable with your doctor get a second opinion.

-Jennette, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : I learned that I am as strong as I want to be. I thought I was before but the diagnosis showed me I really was that strong super women even though I didn’t know how I could do it all.

A Negative : Losing people I thought were in my corner. When you get this diagnosis you think your people are there but ultimately you find they are not.

A Bit of Advice: Find your real tribe and don’t be surprised when the tribe you thought you had are not there. Embrace the new people God puts in your life and let go of the ones he removes.

-Margaret, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : After I came to terms with my diagnosis, I have often referred to it as a gift. I was forced to face my own mortality, and in doing this, I learned what it means to truly live in the moment. I decided I did not want to waste a moment of this precious time I have here on this earth, so I try to truly live each day to the fullest.

A Negative : My daughter had just turned 16 when I got diagnosed and I went through treatments on and off for over 2 1/2 years. I feel like some of the best years of my daughter’s life are now tainted with us both having to go through this. I feel like I wasn’t always able to be fully present because I was worried about whether or not I would be here to get to see her graduate.

A Bit of Advice: Give yourself permission to have a pity party, cry, and get angry, but then make the decision to go into warrior mode to fight this battle. I was constantly being told that I had such a positive attitude and I was handling it all so well, and although I was not always feeling this way, I decided that I was going to pretend that my life was normal, even when it was far from normal. I never let myself think that I wouldn’t beat my cancer, and I used alternative treatments along with the traditional treatments. I never wanted to think that I didn’t do everything I could to beat the cancer. A positive attitude is a must! When you’re feeling ok, do the things you love and accept the offers for help! This was something I had to learn to do because I’m very independent and rarely ask for help. Talk to other women who have been through it already and use your friends and family as a support system.

-Bryna, Vaginal Cancer Survivor

A Positive : “Four….yes FOUR previous grandchildren I never dreamed I’d be here to love.”

A Negative : “I’m not as active as I was before diagnosis, oh to feel like being busy & productive again. That being said, I am so very thankful to still be here after 13 years of fighting this nasty disease.”

A Bit of Advice: “When I was first diagnosed I felt my life was practically over. Enjoy & be thankful for every single day. I realize some days are hard but thinking about the worst is such a waste of what could be years, yes, years of life ahead.”

-Cynthia, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : “The Best thing that came out of my diagnosis was they put a plan in place for me to live.”

A Negative : “The negative thing was my severe PTSD now from the trauma I’ve experienced.”

A Bit of Advice: “Take it one day at a time and do it on your terms. Allow yourself to feel all the emotions and CELEBRATE All Wins.”

-Lindsay, Cervical Cancer Survivor

A Positive : “Joy in every day I wake and LIVING every day, and a true love and appreciation for this body that has carried me so far.”

A Negative : “Fear of leaving my kids and family too soon.”

A Bit of Advice: “That joy is possible even on the hardest days and to LIVE each day to the fullest, adventuring or on the couch.”

Tara, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : “That in every situation there is hope, a small light in the darkness. You have to allow yourself to move through the struggles and to find the brightness. It is there, it just might not be as you expected it to be. Ask for help, you will be amazed at who will show up. Also, sit with God, he is there and can be such a source of strength.”

A Negative : “I think it’s important to feel all your feelings. There will be a lot of negative ones. You just can’t take permanent residence there. Most of the time it’s fear driving those feelings. I found that it is so important to surround yourself with your “tribe”. Those individuals who get you, and you get them. Helping others helps you. Just realize that you will lose some of those friends that you thought you would have forever. It’s hurtful, but I promise there is an entire group of people out there so ready to love you exactly where you are at.”

A Bit of Advice: “Find a gyn/onc who is your partner in this journey. This makes all the difference in the world. My gyn/onc Dr. Kendrick is one of my biggest cheerleaders and one of the smartest men I know. Treatment is hard, keep pushing though, recovery can be even harder. This journey will change you, let it change you for the positive. Above all else, help others. If I can make another’s journey a little easier than mine has been, I am grateful. Also, don’t forget to work on your mental health. Seeing a mental health provider who specializes in cancer can be very helpful in setting your mind properly to help you move forward. Always look forward, you are not going back:)”

-Sherry, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : “I’m aware of listening to my body and my heart is full of gratitude and empathy for those with cancer.”

A Negative : “The only negative for me is training my mind to accept that I am not the same person I was before cancer.”

A Bit of Advice: “Keep your people close, talk about all your fears and concerns to your Dr. always, and fight with grace.”

-Cheryl, Endometrial Cancer Survivor

A Positive : “Learning to be a strong advocate for myself.”

A Negative : “Losing friends who were scared about my diagnosis.”

A Bit of Advice: “Listen to your own voice, make yourself and your health a priority, and be a vocal advocate with your healthcare providers.”

-Deborah, Ovarian Cancer Survivor

A Positive : “Renewed my relationship with God, appreciated my family more, started painting again, finding joy in every breath I take!”

A Negative : “Letting anger and sadness control me for a time. I still struggle with it from time to time.”

A Bit of Advice: “Find something to occupy your mind. For myself, painting is an escape, but also helped give me a sense of control.”

-Nancy, Ovarian Cancer Survivor