Shopping is great right, especially when you’re shopping to support what you love! You can shop your favorite Pampered Chef products and support Teal Diva from now until the end of August! When Debbie heard about Teal Diva she instantly thought of her friend Theresa, and wanted to set up this fundraiser to do what she could to help Teal Diva’s mission.

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I met Theresa in 1984 when we worked together in the same factory. It was an immediate friendship that has lasted for 39 years so far. About two years after giving birth to her 3rd child, around 1990, she was diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer. She was told had it been discovered any later, it would have been “too late.” She had the necessary surgery to remove it. She survived and went on to become a wonderful foster parent to numerous children over the next several years. She specialized in failure to thrive children and actually adopted three of them. She became a trainer in the ASK program through the University of Kentucky. ASK is an award-winning program that has been serving foster and adoptive parents for nearly two decades through adept peer-led support groups and training initiatives. ASK utilizes seasoned facilitators and trainers who have lived experiences with fostering and adopting. She now teaches for the University of Kentucky in the same field.

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To shop and support Teal Diva follow the link below. Teal Diva will receive 20% back on orders $200-$649, and 30% for orders $650 and up. If you book a future party or fundraiser for yourself Teal Diva will earn an additional $3.00. Thank you to Debbie for setting this up!

While scientists and experts continue to work towards an effective ovarian cancer screening test to improve outcomes for patients, this study suggests that removing the fallopian tube may lead to a reduction in ovarian cancer incidence. This is because 65% of the most common form of high-grade serous ovarian cancer appears to originate from the fallopian tube, where it progresses from lesions to cancer.

It’s important to take precautions post-surgery to make sure you can recover well and prevent any complications. In this post, we’ll look at essential tips to help you recover at home after ovarian cancer surgery:

Prioritize healthy nutrition

It’s important to nourish yourself post-surgery to fuel your healthy recovery. Read here to be aware of some of the common side effects that may hinder your eating ability post-treatment, including constipation, diarrhea, nausea, changes in taste, and appetite, and fatigue. If that’s the case, adjusting your diet is important. Small portions of well-cooked vegetables and fresh or canned fruits can help alleviate diarrhea symptoms, while fiber-rich foods like bran, broccoli, and carrots can help relieve constipation.nnIt’s okay to eat your favorite go-to foods and not force any particular foods, as the goal is to get enough nourishment through the most comfortable and tolerable foods. Of course, for other nutrition concerns, you should consult your healthcare professional for medical or dietary advice post-surgery.

Avoid standing up for too long

Remember that recovery requires physical rest on your part. This means you shouldn’t be too physically active, and you shouldn’t be standing up for long periods. In fact, you should be resting with your feet up most of the time. The healthiest way to do this is to invest in ergonomic furniture. To ensure your comfort while sitting for long periods, this article lists the best ergonomic chairs that prioritize your comfort. Some ergonomic chairs also have a tilt mechanism to pivot your body naturally into comfortable sitting positions.nnThe lumbar support on ergonomic chairs can help alleviate any back, neck, and leg pain while seated so that you won’t feel discomfort. The tilt mechanisms also allow you to set your recline range to accommodate upright sitting, mid-recline, and full recline. Some models will also have a built-in footrest that pulls out from underneath the seat to keep your legs up while resting or reclining.

Start with light exercises

At the same time, it’s also important to work light exercises into your post-surgery routine so that your body stays active. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should pick up grueling workout regimens. This research looking at a supervised exercise program for women after ovarian cancer surgery found that women were able to lose body weight and fat mass by more than 5% post-surgery.nnThere’s also evidence that exercising could boost parts of the immune system linked to fighting the survival and spread of tumors. Do keep in mind that the study focuses on light exercises, such as walking and light jogging. Doctors warn against heavier exercises targeting abdominal muscles while recovering from surgery. Instead, aim to start back slowly into an exercise routine to help your body heal.

Allow emotional recovery

Finally, you should focus on giving yourself the time and space to recover emotionally. Click here to read our article on being a survivor and how it is important to prioritize feeling positive in order to live a meaningful lifestyle. Dealing with cancer can be difficult, and recovering after treatment can still challenge you to cope well with potential side effects. It’s normal to slip into the occasional sad moments but remember to take it one step at a time and embrace seeking support from friends, loved ones, or a community of fellow survivors — whether online or locally.nnHealing and recovering after your surgery may be a primarily physical experience, but remember to take care of yourself emotionally and mentally as well. Just as you would take care of your body post-surgery by staying well-nourished and avoiding fatigue, you should also do what you can to manage your thoughts and emotions in your healing process healthily. Don’t be afraid to seek professional advice besides your support system.

Article written by: Jenifer Rutherford

Exclusively for tealdiva.org

Today we have a special story from two sisters who are honoring their mom after loosing her to ovarian cancer 15 years ago. Read their story below, and show them some Teal Diva love! Thank you Melissa & Rebecca for sharing your story!

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We are Melissa and Rebecca Carle from Galloway, NJ, and Baltimore, MD. We lost our mother to ovarian cancer when Melissa was just 15 years old and Rebecca was 17; April 11, 2024 marks 15 years that she will have been gone. So to honor her, we are going to be participating in 15 5Ks across the country between now and April of next year. Although we may not be able to attend all of them in person, we would like to support a variety of organizations, and we’re excited that yours is one of them! We will be (virtually) participating in the Teal Diva 5K on May 6 as Team Donna.

Our goal is to raise $15,000 throughout these events ($1,000 per race), for the 15 years she will be gone. We have a website where we will be tracking our progress with our fundraising pages linked as well. We are going to be calling on our friends and family to support us along the way, either by joining the races with us, or donating (or both)!

When our mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer she was only 42 (back in 2007). We had no idea what ovarian cancer was until this experience; there was no family history or anything like that. Our parents learned more and kept a lot of it to themselves at the time because we were so young and they didn’t want to scare us (we also have a younger brother). With that knowledge, they decided to get her tested for the BRCA gene mutations, which would help us in the future to know our risk of developing this disease ourselves. It turns out she had inherited the BRCA1 gene mutation from her father, which not many people realize could be passed down from a male. She was the type of person who always put everyone else, especially her children, before herself, so it was hard for her to take a step back when she was sick. She always enjoyed coming to all of our sporting events, class trips, etc. because she was such an involved mom. She fought this disease for about two years and passed away just 4 days before her 45th birthday. Her legacy still lives on through her three kids and we still hear so many amazing stories about her until this day. She was taken way too soon and we had to get through pretty crucial parts of our lives without her. We’re doing this not only to raise awareness and help fund research for this disease to try and help other families but also to ensure she lives on because she was too good to be forgotten.

Here is our current race schedule:

1: 4/22/23 – Philadelphia, PA – Sandy Sprint ✓

2: 5/6/23 – Charlotte, NC (Virtual) – Teal Diva 5K

3: 5/13/23 – Birmingham, AL (Virtual) – 20th Annual Motherwalk

4: 5/20/23 – Minoa, NY (Virtual) – Teal Ribbon Run/Walk

5: 6/3/23 – Wauwatosa, WI (Virtual)- Ray of Hope Run

6: 6/10/23 – Denver, CO – Jodi’s Race for Awareness

7: 7/4/23 – Marcellus, NY (Virtual) – Teal There’s A Cure 5K

8: 7/22/23 – Sea Isle City, NJ – Sandy Sprint

9: 8/5/23 – Cleveland, OH – OutRun Ovarian Cancer

10: TBD

11: TBD

12: TBD

13: TBD

14: TBD

15: TBD

With that being said, we’re always looking for opportunities to get the word out and make new connections through the ovarian cancer community. Unfortunately, we found out our mom carried the BRCA1 gene mutation, and Rebecca was tested and also has it, so we are very much still affected by the disease today through both the loss and the genetics. Please feel free to follow our journey either by signing up for updates through the website or Melissa’s public Instagram page @simplymisunderstoodxo.

We are excited to try and shed a light on ovarian cancer, as we did not know anything about it until our mom was diagnosed, as well as keep her alive in spirit no matter how long it’s been. #TEALTheresAcure

We have a few more days in the ‘month of love’, and we want to dive into love for one’s self and health. As women, we know that usually, we take care of everyone else in our lives before we think about taking care of ourselves and our health. Did you know that February is national heart month? When was the last time you took inventory of your heart and cardiovascular health? Have you ever thought about your heart and cardiovascular health? Most people think that heart disease and heart attacks are something that only happens to older white men, but that is so far from the truth. Heart disease is the number 1 killer of women and less than 50% of women know the signs and symptoms. Black and Hispanic women are less likely than white women to be aware of heart attack symptoms, according to the National Institutes of Health. One of the things that we say over and over and over here at Teal Diva is “advocate for your health” and “you are your best advocate”, well the same is true for your cardiovascular health. Did you also know that symptoms of a heart attack in women are different than those of men?

Symptoms for a heart attack in women:

• Shortness of breath
• Pressure or pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen
• Dizziness
• Upper back pressure
• Extreme fatigue

Knowing your family history is also important. Heart disease can be passed down from generation to generation so knowing your family’s health history is something that you need to talk to your doctor about. Even though we can’t change our genes, we can do things daily that help.

• Don’t smoke.
• Keeping track of your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels
• Eat healthily
• Get up and move more

Remember we LOVE you, but more importantly, we want YOU to love YOU! Make time to take care of yourself, sign up for that exercise class, try that new recipe, and talk with your doctor if you have any concerns.

*health information was gathered from American Heart Association and the CDC

Love is in the air! This is the month where we show love to our family, our friends, our kids, and ourselves, but what about showing some love to someone you don’t even know? Why don’t you grab some girlfriends; and give back, speak out, and show some love?

There is nothing we love more than connections over at Teal Diva, and there is nothing more special than gathering your girlfriends together for some no distractions fun! What about a Wine Swap and Charcuterie Night? Or a movie night, but make the movie an old classic? Enjoy each other’s company and let yourself laugh, and connect with those who mean the most to you!

We’ve been inspired by organizations like Hope for Heather who hosted a Galentines for a cause! Survivors and advocates came together to make Valentines for seniors in their community. Who might be in your community that might need some extra love? Think senior centers, fire fighters, police, doctors and nurses, maybe even the person who checks out your groceries!

Want to spend a little time pampering yourself? What about a little spa night getting a mani and pedi? Pick the color teal and take the Teal Butterfly Challenge! Spread awareness by snapping a picture of your teal nails and tag @tealbutterflychallenge. You’ll be lookin’ fresh and helping to spread awareness!

Whatever you do to celebrate and spread the love, know that YOU ARE loved! You are one amazing Diva and WE LOVE YOU! Follow the links for more information on Hope for Heather and Teal Butterfly Challenge.

January isn’t done yet, and we wanted to continue to share stories from our sisters who have or are currently battling cervical cancer. Today Teal Diva sat down with Jelisa. Read just a little of her story below, and let’s all collectively send her all the love, good vibes, and prayers–because we all know that being a survivor is continuing on the journey, and no one is alone in that journey.

Teal Diva: Tell us a little about yourself.

Jeisa : My name is Jelisa. I am 38 years old, a speech therapist, and a mother of three girls, ages 14, 10, and 4. I am a military spouse located right now in Miami.

TD: Tell us how you were diagnosed.

Jeisa: In January 2019, when we were stationed at Charleston, SC, after the birth of my third daughter. In my six weeks of postpartum appointment, I returned to my OBGY to do my Pap smears again since I was 12 weeks pregnant, my Pap Smear showed abnormal results. The doctor repeated it, which resulted in pre-cancerous cells. My doctor referred me to the Oncologist Dr. Katsanis who wasted no time and decided to do a cone biopsy on me in May 2019. In June, I returned for a diagnosis of PT1b Adenocarcinoma.

TD: What is one thing you might tell someone who might be afraid to go to the doctor?

Jeisa: I know it’s not easy; in 2019, my husband was deployed throughout this process, and I had no family in SC, just a few friends I had made at that time. But your doctor and his team is your key person, your most outstanding support, and the only one who can answer all your questions.

TD: How has your diagnosis and journey changed you?

Jeisa: My diagnosis helped me get to know my body more and commit to taking better care of my health and being aware of every sign. Before my diagnosis, I had never had any bleeding, pelvic pain, or any results that indicated that something was wrong I just found out because of a test during my pregnancy.

I always said my baby saves my life if I didn’t get pregnant with her probably, I will found out too late.

TD: How have you used your diagnosis and journey to help others?

Jeisa: I always advise every woman to visit their doctor even if they feel good, routine visits save lives.

TD: What’s one thing you would like to tell someone going through a cervical cancer diagnosis?

Jeisa: Keep going, sister, you are not alone; WE ARE WARRIORS. Your Teal sisters are here for you and your family.

So, how does one begin to tell the story that changes her life? I guess we start at the beginning. My name is Marty Hite. In December 2015 I went to my primary care doctor with what I thought was a UTI. Well after discussing my symptoms and well to be honest the lack of a recent GYN exam, he thought it would be a good idea to do a quick exam while I was there. So ok why would I think this would be out of the ordinary? Right? How things can change in the blink of an eye. During his exam, he saw something abnormal. A small growth turned my world upside down. He had an OGBYN friend and set me up with an appointment that same day to have a biopsy. The results of that…the dreaded C word. So how does one deal with this devastating news right during the holiday season??? I was supported by great friends and family, but it was not the best holiday for sure. I was sent to the Derek Davis Cancer Center in Winston Salem NC. Dr. Skinner did another exam and came to the same conclusions as the others and suggested a full radical hysterectomy that was scheduled for January 2016. In just 1 simple month my world has turned upside down. So here I am thinking that a full radical hysterectomy would take care of this and everything would be fine but nothing is ever that easy. After the surgery, the pathology of the walls of my uterus small cell carcinoma cells was found. My doctor told me that this was a very rare and very aggressive type of cancer. This new meant that my fight was just beginning. We discussed the best treatments and decided to throw the kitchen sink at it and we did. I had 18 sessions of chemotherapy Cisplatin and Etoposide. This was divided, into the first 3 rounds of chemo. Followed by 26 external radiation and 4 internal with Cisplatin during the radiation and ending with the last 3 rounds of the dynamic duo. During the radiation, my blood numbers dropped which led to me getting a total of 5 blood transfusions. We can say that the last round of the chemo was rough.

My last treatment was in July 2016 and it was an exhausting 6 months. My red blood cell and hemoglobin numbers are still below average however not within critical levels. Radiation damage has left me anemic for life. With all stories there is always an ending and mine right now is a happy one. For starters, I have been clear of cancer for 3 years. All through my fight, I struggled to find a reason as to why me. Why did I have to fight this battle? I found a support group online that would provide me with my answer. I learned that a group of ladies that were fighting or had fought the same exact battle met each year for fellowship and a celebration of life. Never would I dreamed how much these women would become my life mission. I have become a member of a new family with this group of women that have strengthened my heart and soul and I am proud to call them friends and family. I will forever be changed by this unforeseen development but with every new experience in life, we learn and grow which only keeps me moving forward.

In 2017 two survivor sisters and I formed Sisters Against Rare Cervical Cancers a nonprofit to help the brave women diagnosed with these horrible cancers. Our goal is to help with the everyday struggles of life that these ladies face.

We help with gas cards to allow women to travel to and from treatments. We buy groceries for single moms unable to work because of their ongoing battle. We help fund travel to MD Anderson in Houston, the only research hospital doing research for our cancer at this time. We send each sister in treatment a teal support blanket to let them know that they are not alone in their fight. We supply needed home medical supplies. We run a grant program for ladies to apply for any needed assistance. We try to help these women and their support system in a way we can.

I came across these photos the other day. I wish I would have felt empowered and embraced my baldness but I did not. Honestly I was 32, fighting for my life. I had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and told I could not bare children in the same breathe. I was thrust into menopause. And just about to celebrate 3 years of marriage. I tend to shut down when things don’t make sense or become too much. I didn’t embrace the weight gain but by golly has it sure embraced me.

The biggest shock to me was learning there was no screening test for this cancer which means the PapSmear does not detect it. And that the disease is up to 90% more treatable if caught in earlier stages (in most cases), but because the symptoms mimic what we as women face on a regular basis, the disease is often misdiagnosed or caught in late stages making it more difficult to treat.

The reason I started Teal Diva is because of the lack of support specifically for gynecologic cancers. You feel like you are on a deserted island. And everyone looks at you woth pitiful eyes. Sure it sucks! No doubt. And like many, I had/have great support from friends and family. People ask me how I do what I do with so much loss involved. I do it because I remember the way that I felt. Empty and alone. Moving from appointment to appointment like a robot. Grieving the loss of my ovaries and carrying children. Wanting so badly to sucker punch cancer the way it had me. I needed it so bad and I feel like others need it too.

While I did not embrace my baldness and all that came with it, I forever embrace the power of a story and sharing. Women, you know your bodies better than anyone. Listen! Your body will tell you when something is wrong. And then, be the best advocate for yourself.