Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

I can't believe it is already September 2012!! Where has the time gone?? It seems to be flying by faster, the older I get. My toes and fingers are teal for Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and I'm wearing my awareness T-Shirt and if I could, I would shout from the roof-tops to listen to your body. Ovarian Cancer is a silent killer; it whispers so you need to listen. 

What are your plans for the month? Would you be willing to paint your toes teal to raise awareness? You know you want a pedicure anyway! 

Let me know what you're planning. 

xo

Mom's Birthday

Today would have been Mom's 60th birthday. I still can't believe it. I can still hear her voice in my head and remember the last time she held my hand and that was December 2010. I hate that she had to fight so hard while she was alive only to be taken away too young. That's why I'm still here fighting to get the word out about Ovarian Cancer awareness, symptoms and the fact that you need to talk with your doctor if you think something isn't right. Don't wait until your annual appointment if you think something is wrong. Call now and make that appointment. You may have to see multiple doctors and get to the bottom of your issue, but don't stop. Make sure you are listening to your body.

xo

Don't Ignore Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

I think it is important to revisit some of the articles that I shared when I started this blog.  It is imperative that we spread the word about Ovarian Cancer and the symptoms (or lack thereof) associated with this horrible disease. Please review the symptoms again, if you haven't already, and talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms or even if you are worried that something may be wrong. It is always better to talk to a doctor than to wait and not do anything.

The scientists always call Ovarian Cancer the silent cancer or the cancer that "whispers".  We learned the hard way.  My mom knew something was wrong and kept going to doctors for six long months to get tests and find out the reason she didn't feel well.  All the doctors said not to worry and it there wasn't a problem.  She was dismissed by the doctors that she had been seeing.

One morning in May 2008, she was watching "The View" on TV and someone spoke about the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer and she sat up and said "those are my symptoms".  She immediately called the doctor and told them she thought she had ovarian cancer and wanted to be tested.

After what seemed like a lifetime of running tests (blood tests, ultrasounds, etc.), it was confirmed that she did have the disease.  Unfortunately, she was told by the doctors that she only had three to four months to live - six months at the most. 

I want to give you a list of the symptoms.  They seem like symptoms that any woman can have for any reason, but you want to listen to your body.  Don't delay in talking to your doctor if you are having any of the symptoms, especially if they are getting worse.

Warning Signs:

Persistent indigestion, gas or nausea

Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly

Pelvic discomfort or pain

Lack of energy

Abdominal pressure, fullness or bloating

Constipation and/or increased frequency of urination

Low back pain

These are not all the warning signs, but they are important signs to recognize.  Please take the time to listen to your body when it speaks to you.

Ovarian Cancer One Sheet

Print out this sheet courtesy of Dr. Oz and NOCC and take it with you to your next GYN appointment.  It's a great starting point.

My mom wasn't diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer until it was in Stage IV. She was misdiagnosed for almost a year. Don't wait. If you have symptoms, talk to your doctor sooner rather than later.  Print it HERE.

Was It Worth Starving Myself? Yes.

Yesterday was "prep" day for my colonoscopy. It wasn't as bad as I remember it being 7 (and 5) years ago. Only problem was that I wasn't allowed to eat solid food after 9AM YESTERDAY! I was starving by the time I got to the hospital at 9 this morning for the procedure. It was worth it though because I got good news.

My colonoscopy this morning came back normal. Yay! I had issues about 7 years back with polyps and they were successfully removed at the time, but I was a little worried before the procedure this morning. I'm glad my husband was there with me when I got the good news. 

I just wanted to put it out there in the blogging world - maybe someone young will read this and say, hmm..., maybe I should get one of those done. I was 30 when I had my first colonoscopy and they found the polyps. I was lucky they were all able to be removed and didn't cause me any harm, but had I waited, that may not have been the case.

If you have any issues, please reach out to your doctor and discuss them. Don't put it off any longer than you already have.  You are better off knowing if there is, or is not, a problem so that you can make an informed decision about your health.

Much love. xo

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  

Targeted Tumor Freezing Therapy Increases Ovarian Cancer Survival

A new research study from Wayne State University School of Medicine recently proved that freezing tumors increases survival rates in ovarian cancer patients.

Most ovarian cancer patients that don't have their tumors removed successfully are given a survival rate of 7 months to 2.5 years. In the 21 women in this study, 98 percent showed a survival rate of 56 months or 4.5 years. This is incredible.

Read more about this research study here.

Medical News Today Tumor Freezing Therapy for Ovarian Cancer

What is Your Opinion?

I was enjoying a cup of coffee and some breakfast at our local coffee house and I ran into an acquaintance of mine whose mom was undergoing chemo for breast cancer. Her mom survived ovarian cancer 20 years ago, but recently had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

She was talking to me about a documentary that she thought I should watch, Forks over Knives, written and directed by Lee Fulker. She and her family had watched it and then changed her mom's diet to only include fresh, whole foods as well as juices.

My friend said her mom's tumors have reduced in size and that she is feeling so much better. The doctors are a little skeptical with the results, but are keeping an open mind. She stands behind the ideas in the movie and thinks it is helping her mom a lot.

I have the documentary on my NetFlix queue and I'm planning on watching it soon. I was wondering if anyone has seen it and what your thoughts are regarding this lifestyle change?

I will update the blog with my thoughts once I watch the documentary and we can compare notes.

Much love.