My story is sadly not too different from most of us who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I was a perfectly healthy and active 67 year old, who had the common issue of abdominal bloating. I was shocked when I heard the words, “I am sorry, but your tumor was malignant.” As a retired registered nurse I knew that ovarian cancer was almost incurable. Otherwise my training and experience as nurse and a woman did not prepare me to know the symptoms or warning signs. I went t

Dear Cancer, As much as I hate you, I love you. You have taught me so much, yet you've left me so ignorant. I don't understand why I detected you so slowly, or how you spread so fast. You steal, you kill You bring life, you bring death You give, you take You commend, you degrade Oh, but I am in love with you. I am in love with everything about you. I want to know you better, though I am afraid of you. I am afraid of your thoughts, your presence, your speed, and you

I do not believe that any of us know why we were chosen for this cancer journey. I was told in early February of 2001, after a bone biopsy, I had endometrial cancer. My gynecologist met with my partner Jo and I to tell us this and what we needed to do to proceed. My Doctor told me that I would have a total hysterectomy and maybe some chemotherapy depending on what stage my cancer was. I had surgery on 2/16/01. What was supposed to be a simple surgery, turned out to be any

The last thing I was expecting at 32 years old was to be diagnosed with cancer. I had 2 young children, ages 6 and 1 at the time. I remember the fear and uncertainty that I experienced as I began the journey through months of medical issues, numerous doctors and countless tests. Initially I was diagnosed with spastic colon and irritable bowel syndrome, and given medicine to control the pain. It was only after my ovary ruptured, which led to a buildup of fluid in my abdom

When I was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 25, over a decade ago, I could never have imagined my life now. In truth, initially, I didn't know if I would survive and then as time went by my thoughts went to what my quality of life would be post treatment — both physically and mentally. Here is the cold hard truth — for most people cancer will always be a part of your life — in some way shape or form. Whether it is the countless follow-up appointments or the many w

I am also known as “Teal Diva”. I am an ovarian and breast cancer survivor. In 2010, I was diagnosed with Stage 3C Ovarian Cancer, and in April 2013 I was diagnosed with Stage 2C Breast Cancer, and early onset BRCA 1 Gene. I also lost my aunt to ovarian cancer in 2004. In spite of everything I have been through, and still experiencing, I have never allowed cancer to defeat or define me; but I have become a fearless advocate for ovarian cancer. In fact my experience motivate

In 2004, I was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. I will never forget the shock and fear I experienced after hearing my diagnosis for the first time. I thought about my mother who passed away from ovarian cancer when she was just 39. We thought she just had a really bad flu virus but after she went to the hospital, we learned it was ovarian cancer. She passed away just six months after her diagnosis, with my grandmother caring for her until she went into hospice care. I r

When I found out I had stage four ovarian cancer I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know anyone who had late-stage cancer and survived. I felt like the doctor was speaking another language – so many terms I was unfamiliar with. I knew I was sick and in pain, but I didn’t know that my oncologist thought I only had two or maybe three months to live. The good news is – that was eight years ago! It has not been easy, and I have had four recurrences, but God has blessed

On Nov 5, 2013 I woke up with excruciating pain high in my abdomen. With a little Ibuprofen, I successfully abated the pain and went to work. Unfortunately it returned mid-day, further down in my abdomen and on the left side. Again Ibuprofen put the pain off and I continued with work. That is, until the pain returned again in a way I have never experienced. It was low in my abdomen, and I could barely stand. I felt as though I would pass out at any moment. I do skincare, and

As an ovarian cancer survivor it took a long time for me to tell my story. Now it’s hard to get me to not talk about it. Not everyone is comfortable sharing their story. That’s all good, and I understand that, there are still some parts of my cancer experience that are too personal to share. Every survivor has a story and this is mine. Ovarian Cancer crept into my life with illusive persistence. At the time of my diagnosis I had already endured months of pain and anxiety. My