“Bald is beautiful,” said the young woman on the television screen as she proudly displayed her shaved head. I was not alone. She had also braved chemotherapy as a result of ovarian cancer. During the entire course of my treatment, television stations aired this commercial. I held onto this message like a child clutching a […]
Today we celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day. Nearly 10 years ago ovarian cancer plunged me into its murky sea. Sometimes I felt like I was drowning. Choking, sputtering, I struggled to lift my head above the waters of cancer and chemotherapy. Breathe, breathe. But once again, waves of fear pummeled me as the side effects […]
As a former oncology nurse, I had vowed that I would never undergo chemotherapy. I had witnessed too many devastating side effects suffered by my patients. But when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, I knew that like my patients, I needed to go through the process. Dark shadows of fear skulked the path of […]
This week is American Camp Week. Nestled in the Rockies near Missoula Montana, Camp Mak-A-Dream exceeded expectations for ovarian cancer survivors last summer. Cabins dot the hillside, and there we bunked together. After a full day of activities, we encouraged one another as we shared our cancer stories. We tackled the physical challenges offered by […]
Parade the Pink—Teal Aware October is breast cancer awareness month. A parade of pink: sportswear, jewelry, ribbons, marathons, lights. So why am I sporting teal? Researchers have discovered a link between breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Two genetic mutations, BRCA1 and BRCA2 have been associated with an increased risk for breast cancer. But did you […]
September is ovarian cancer awareness month. Let us be teal aware. As an ovarian cancer survivor, I am aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer. I am aware of how ovarian cancer affected my body and impacted my life. I am aware and often alarmed by episodes of mild nausea, bloating and indigestion. I magnify […]
Today is National Cancer Survivors Day. I survived ovarian cancer. I am a survivor. I had observed the ravages of cancer and chemotherapy inflicted upon my patients as an oncology nurse. But I joined their ranks when ovarian cancer flung me to the other side of the bed. Nursing scrubs and shoes gave way to […]
Today the world unites to support ovarian cancer awareness. My last memory of the world uniting revolves around the Olympic games with its parade of trained competitors proudly waving colorful flags representing their respective nations. I sat in front of the television with my eyes glued to its screen, cheering my favorite athletes on to […]
Ovarian cancer. It launches in silence, creeps with a whisper and advances with a roar. It hid in the recesses of my belly, spreading in secret until a palpable mass emerged. No test screens for ovarian cancer. Under cover of darkness, the cancer cells multiply. Clusters of malignant cells split off from the mother ship, […]
A Stealth Attack By Joanie Shawhan Do you know the symptoms of one of the most insidious diseases assaulting women today? I thought I did. But despite my background in oncology nursing, I had missed a cardinal symptom of ovarian cancer—nausea. Over the course of several months, I had experienced a few episodes of queasiness, […]
