This week, we share another round of powerful testimonies. These reflections remind us that listening to our bodies is crucial, and that speaking up—no matter how small the symptoms seem—can make all the difference. Survivors also answered two new questions: “What advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed?” and “What’s something beautiful that’s come from your diagnosis?” Their words offer both wisdom and hope, shedding light on the courage it takes to face gynecologic cancer and the strength that can grow even in difficult seasons.
THIS WEEK, WE SHARE ANOTHER ROUND OF POWERFUL TESTIMONIES. THESE REFLECTIONS REMIND US THAT LISTENING TO OUR BODIES IS CRUCIAL, AND THAT SPEAKING UP—NO MATTER HOW SMALL THE SYMPTOMS SEEM—CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
What advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed?
Stay off the internet, no Web MD because it’s always gonna look different for each person. Don’t scare yourself.
Stay positive. Attitude is everything. Ask questions. Advocate for yourself.
Learn as much as you can
If you don’t know where to go or who to see, go to a university teaching hospital or one that has an outstanding reputation for treating gynecological cancers. If you don’t know who to go to, go to the head of the gynecology department.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, have a close bond with your doctors, and make them aware of any concerns. Never hesitate to ask questions.
Breathe. Make sure you have a good medical team.
Know that even if you are in the late stage, you can win this war!!!
Write down all the questions. Keep a journal. “Bother” your providers with all the questions. Accept help. Don’t be scared to say what you want. I was scared to say, Don’t bring me meals – send me food delivery gift cards because the kids are unique with their preferences in food. When I started saying things that I actually wanted and needed, people knew how to help me. I learned that people just don’t know how to help sometimes because they are also overwhelmed with the emotion of something being “wrong” with the person they care about.
Try not to stress. I know that is a hard thing. But I believe that staying calm is better for all of us. Let people help you and take care of you; it helps them to feel like they are contributing to your fight. Once I was diagnosed, I rarely drove anywhere; I was driven to all appointments, treatments, etc. I had friends who knew my chemo schedule and would bring lunch to me at the cancer center. Or they would bring dinner to my house on the days of my treatments. Accept gifts. Again, this helps those who care about you feel as if they are helping in your fight. And always carry an extra t-shirt to chemo, you never know when you will throw up.
Advocate for yourself, use a gyn onc, do what works for you. Rest
Don’t be afraid to ask for help (I’m still learning this myself). Use your support system (if you don’t have one, we Teal ladies would love to welcome you and be your support!!). Rest, take it easy. Oh, and EAT. Even if it’s something small like crackers, anything will help you heal and get a little bit of energy in you. Stay hydrated!!
Stay off the internet and WebMD! Too much scary information out there. Talk to your Oncologist and Surgeon, and keep a notebook of questions. And record all your appointments to listen back when you get home.
Talk to people. Try to find humor in a very disturbing reality. Cry often. Get the angst out of your body in any way that works for you. Ask a million questions. Take lots of deep breaths. Write. Cry again. Rest. Let people love you.
To take things a day at a time. I used to be someone who liked to control things. But this is something that can’t be controlled. Lean in to what your doctor says, ask questions, read up, and do what you feel right doing. If not, find a doctor you trust. Try to continue to live your life. Eat whole foods, get sleep, and regular exercise like walking. Let people be there for you if they offer. Cancer is a chronic disease that needs to be managed. There will be highs and lows.
It’s overwhelmingly hard, and there are days that you will want to give up, just remember that there is an ending to one of the hardest journeys you will ever have to go through.
Clean up your diet! Limit or eliminate all processed foods. Doctors will not tell you this, and the food in hospital cafeterias is shameful. Our bodies need whole, nutritious foods in order to heal. Also, eliminating environmental toxins (cleaning products, beauty products – all full of harmful chemicals) really can make a difference. Have a positive mindset – healing is possible, but you have to stay positive and believe.
Fight it head-on! No panicking! You can do it. You will be very surprised at what you can get through 😘
Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. It’s okay to cry, get mad. But don’t let it consume you. Live one day at a time.
Never give up! Try to stay as positive as you possibly can! Accept help with grace.
Don’t lose hope. We can do hard things. You will get through this. All the treatments are doable…not very fun, but you can do it. The hair loss is just a side effect; it will come back. Make the most of the days you feel good. Do the things that make you feel like you. Get outside and walk.
Fight like it’s your last fight. Educate yourself. Talk to others and connect to the Ovarian Cancer community. Don’t let any doctor tell you that you’re not feeling what your body is feeling. Getting an early diagnosis WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE.
Breathe. Take someone with you to your appointments who can take notes for you. Press for as much information from your treatment team as possible. Know your options. Get a second opinion. Keep moving as much as you can, especially during treatment. Connect with other gynecological cancer survivors. Try not to Google…you are not a statistic. Let the people who love you help you. Remember that you are not alone. And know that people do survive this crap.
I would tell them, take a deep breath, lean into your faith, and remember you’re stronger than you feel. Learn everything you can, ask every question, and use wisdom in all things related to treatments and outcomes. Many will have opinions, but find an oncologist you trust who will fight with you. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, and don’t let cancer run your life; it already steals so much. Keep living and loving, because there is joy even in the pain, and God still gives beauty for ashes.
You have to let yourself go to those deep, dark places because it is cathartic. However, you can’t LIVE there. Find your joy in every day. It may only be that hot cup of coffee in the morning, but it is there to be found.
Find a support group of women who have the same or a very similar diagnosis, either in person or online. You can benefit from their stories and their support as they know what it is like to be in your shoes.
“Never give up, no matter how hard things are looking for you. While there is life, there is hope. Never let cancer define who you are or take control of your mind. It’s always good to cry, and don’t let others (those who have not experienced cancer) minimize your feelings. You don’t have to go through this alone; there’s plenty of support out there.”
What’s something beautiful that’s come from your diagnosis?
Community
Connecting with other women and meeting new ones who are fighting as well. The lifting up of other women and being lifted up by them is extraordinary.
It has given me a purpose in life – To give hope and encouragement to my fellow ovarian sisters.
The bond between others with a similar diagnosis.
I have started my life over, leaving an emotionally abusive relationship, and found an incredibly supportive spouse.
Treasure the days, the moments, and make memories!!!
Appreciating things every day. Appreciating breathing the air outside.
I am now closer to God. And the bond with my family and friends is a lot stronger. I was always one of those “I can do it myself” women. Now, I know that I don’t have to do it by myself; I have learned to ask for help and let others contribute.
I’ve made some wonderful friends and learned to play mahjong with a group of survivors.
I don’t know if you would consider this beautiful, but a NEW ME. I’m a different person than I was before. I’m still trying to figure out who that is and what my new normal is. Even though I don’t like change, the biggest change is me.
My increased faith in Jesus Christ
My relationship with God has grown….I now KNOW that He has his hand in everything if I let it….
“I have made great friendships with a couple of women that I met at cancer support groups. We encourage each other. I appreciate life so much more. I love being outside, my family, friends, etc., so many blessings. I am deepening my relationship with God. I desire to know Him more and beg for help in my time of trouble.”
My family and I are much closer than we were before my diagnosis.
Two of my daughters are in nursing school, and I think seeing what I have gone through may have played a part in that. My extended family has heard me give God the glory, and I have developed a closer relationship with a distant cousin.
Appreciate your loved ones and get to share stories with other survivors.
A better appreciation for those struggling with cancer and what they are going through.
My opportunities to educate others about OC and to advocate for an accurate early screener test.
“Cancer survivors have a unique perspective on life that others aren’t necessarily given. We know to be grateful and thankful. Each day is not guaranteed. Also, I have better empathy and compassion for my patients who are also undergoing surgery and chemotherapy.”
The best years of my life will always be joining the OCRA. To be able to share and listen is one of the greatest gifts I have experienced. So many of my sisters are gone. I wish I had known more and given more to save them. I will continue to advocate until my last hot flash.
I have a much stronger faith in God and have learned not to rely on myself alone. I appreciate the moments, work less, and spend more time with those I love. I am grateful. I appreciate the little things.
Something beautiful that’s come from my diagnosis is realizing that, even though my body has grown weaker, I’ve become stronger in the ways that matter most. I’m more in tune with my body, knowing what it needs and honoring those needs. I no longer waste energy on the small things. In the end, what matters is how well you love and encourage others, because sometimes people will watch your journey and be inspired in ways you may never know.
I have made incredible friends from all over the world. The teal sisterhood is an amazing community. The support of friends has meant the world to me.
Getting to know my “Teal Sisters” and learning their stories. It gives me hope that I can not only make it through my chemotherapy treatments, but also hope for remission with no recurrence.
A reminder that I am loved and that I have support from many people; reassurance that God gave me the best and caring husband and family; and knowing that God is always with me because He keeps me going. It’s also beautiful to be a testimony of God’s grace.
What’s something beautiful that’s come from your diagnosis
